Look no further for a unique seaside hotel in Margate that's bursting with history Photo ©Stephen Coote Take a step back in time and embrace the welcoming and quirky delights this large Edwardian family-run hotel has to offer. Located on the Margate seafront, this historic hotel was built in 1914, extended in 1927 and has now been lovingly restored. More than just a place to stay, The Walpole Bay Hotel is a living museum; every wall and each surface is brimming with fascinating antiques, which have been donated by guests or generous benefactors.  Photo ©Stephen Coote The hotel prides itself on achieving a friendly home-from-home atmosphere combined with timeless elegance. Owner Jane Bishop is a fabulous host and her passion for the hotel is evident when she shares her stories with guests who are keen to learn the history of the hotel.  Photo ©Stephen Coote Dining options at the Walpole Bay Hotel The hotel has an on-site bar and restaurant, both of which are filled with unique objects, giving guests plenty to look at while browsing the displays and enjoying a pre-dinner drink. The hotel also has an impressive 120-seater ballroom with a terrace overlooking the sea, making it a popular spot for Sunday roasts and Cream Teas. Quirky touches in abundance Each of the 41 guest rooms has a sea view and boasts its own unique, vintage style. We loved the wealth of interesting features such as the traditional Otis trellis gated lifts, which have been transporting guests throughout the hotel since 1927 and are still in service today, and the snooker room on the lower ground floor, where we played a post dinner game of snooker – there aren’t too many hotels these days where you can do that!
The verdict If you’re visiting Margate and love a bit of vintage decor, The Walpole Bay Hotel is a great place to stay. With comfortable rooms and friendly staff, this hotel steeped in rich local history is a truly unique offering amidst a sea of homogeneous modern hotels. The details Rooms from £85 - £145 per night. The Walpole Bay Hotel Fifth Avenue Cliftonville Margate Kent CT9 2JJ http://www.walpolebayhotel.co.uk A summary of our stay at Walpole Bay Hotel
Elinor Seath *During my stay I was hosted by the lovely team at Walpole Bay Hotel. All views are my own. Photos ©Stephen Coote.
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 The stunning view of the Ramsgate Royal Harbour Marina as seen from our bedroom window The Royal Harbour Hotel is a quirky 27-bedroom townhouse hotel situated on a Georgian crescent in Ramsgate. Located across from the sea, it has fabulous views of the Ramsgate marina. The hotel has a very homely feel and is bursting at the seams with bric-a-brac – there is definitely a ‘more is more’ approach towards the interior design choices, making it a bit like staying at an eccentric relative’s home. As you stroll through the hotel, you’ll see unique touches such as interesting artworks and a turntable to play their large collection of vinyls stacked in the corner of the lounge.  The quirky vintage decor in the lounge Within the hotel, there are three small communal areas that guests are encouraged to relax in, one of which features an honesty bar for guests who want a tipple. At the back of the house, guests will find the garden, which is a real suntrap, making it a great place to retreat to with book and a cuppa. During our visit, we noticed that many of the guests brought along their four-legged friends.  The rear garden - a hidden delight Our room Bedrooms at the front of the house are smaller and cosier with sea views, while those at the back are larger and quieter. We stayed in Room 19, a sea-facing room at the top of the house, which was a bit on the pokey side (there’s was just enough room to swing a cat), however, it afforded stunning views of the marina. As we lounged in our room, we kept the window open for a bit of fresh air and enjoyed listening to the sounds of the seagulls flying by.  Room 19 and its nautical decor The Empire Room restaurant The restaurant is small and intimate – with room for 30 covers – and is quite comforting with its crimson walls bedecked with vintage prints of Empire Magazine and oriental rugs scattered across the original stone floors. Glass table lamps adorn the tables, adding a sense of romance to the occasion. In keeping with the anti-minimalist décor, the bookshelves in the dining room are stacked with books and a hodge podge of vintage finds.
Guests can choose from two menus - a set menu or an ala carte menu. The menus feature a variety of traditional British dishes such as roast cod or hake, shoulder of lamb, a loin of Kentish beef or a trio of Kentish pork. We had the thyme roasted loin of Kentish beef with potato terrine, crisp beef shin, roasted shallot, kale, red wine sauce (£21.00), which was rich and flavoursome and the roasted loin of cod in a crab bisque sauce served with Pegwell Bay sea vegetables, roasted fennel, local asparagus and new potatoes (£17.50), which was exceptionally tasty and was a very generous portion - perfect for those with hearty appetites!  The breakfast room at The Royal Harbour Hotel Breakfast at the Harbour Hotel Breakfast is served in the communal dining room each morning where guests are able to help themselves to a cold buffet featuring fresh fruits, breads, cereals, fresh honeycomb and yogurt. For guests who are really peckish, a cooked breakfast is also on offer, with options including kippers, omelettes or a full English. As guests enjoy a leisurely breakfast, they can cast their eyes on various graphic art prints that are displayed on the walls. Thing to see and do in the local area The hotel is located within easy reach of the railway station and is close to the beach, the seafront, the yacht marina, the ferry terminal, local pubs and restaurants as well as local shops and golf courses. The verdict This is a great place to stay if you're looking for a bargain-friendly seaside escape. The details For more information or to make a booking, visit http://www.royalharbourhotel.co.uk. Prices from £79.00 per night including breakfast. The Royal Harbour Hotel Nelson Crescent Ramsgate Kent CT11 9JF
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July 2022
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