Hotel review: Walpole Bay Hotel- Margate, Kent, England

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!

Photo ©Stephen Coote

Vintage touches everywhere to transport you back in time...

Photo ©Stephen Coote

​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

Best bits: The unique antiques and brick-a-brack dotted throughout the hotel and its cracking seaside position

Worst bits: Although we loved the breakfast and Sunday lunch offerings, we weren’t as keen on the dinner options

Most suited for: A couple looking for a quirky weekend escape to the seaside

​Our experience overall 
Location: ★★★★★
Ambiance ★★★★
Food and drink: ★★★
Staff attentiveness/friendliness: ★★★★★

Elinor Seath
*During my stay I was hosted by the lovely team at Walpole Bay Hotel. All views are my own. Photos ©Stephen Coote.