If a break from London and sea air is your desire then the Botany Bay Hotel near Broadstairs, Kent may be the answer. Set on chalk cliffs looking out to the English Channel with Botany Bay beach a short walk away.

During World War Two this property was commandeered by the Royal Navy for Wrens to stay in. The turret was used as a watch tower. In 1960, it became a hotel called The Fayreness. Until 2014, when it was refurbished and renamed the Botany Bay Hotel. For beer lovers the hotel is owned by the Kent brewery, Shepherd Neame.

Arriving on a Sunday in March, we snatched a bargain break for one of the best rooms in the hotel – the feature room with sea view. The room included large windows with panoramic views, a comfy king size bed, seating area looking out to the coast and a balcony with table and chairs. Beware some rooms just have Juliette balconies. The hotel and rooms are decorated in a nautical theme with local pictures of the Kent coast.

A welcome surprise, in addition to the normal tea-making facilities was a Nespresso coffee machine! Excellent Wi-Fi was available in the room but the large TV disappointingly only had five channels. In the morning, I was able to enjoy a long luxurious soak in the large bath.

Food…..

It’s lovely to have a Sunday dinner that you don’t have to cook yourself. Even better not to have pots and pans to wash afterwards?

So we were looking forward to the Carvery Sunday Dinner available all day on Sundays. Unfortunately, we arrived too late for the Carvery? Nevertheless, I had a lamb roast dinner and my partner, had fish and chips. The bar had a wide range of affordable good wines.

In the morning as always, we looked forward to the breakfast which was included in the price for the room. Sadly, although hot it didn’t live up to expectations or the description in the menu. Portions were miserly and let the hotel down. ‘Locally smoked kippers ‘ meant one kipper! Pancakes with banana and bacon came with a few slices of banana and small snips of bacon. Not a rasher in sight. Nowhere to be seen were the croissants and yoghurt mentioned in the menu. Staff were friendly and service was good both in the evening and morning.

The Beach…..

Botany Bay beach is less than a minutes walk away from the hotel. This Blue Flag quality beach was used for smuggling years ago.  A visit at low tide in the evening can offer lots of surprises amongst the rock pools.

Nearby…..

Margate and the Turner Gallery is less than 3 miles away.  Closer to the hotel is Broadstairs, Joss Bay and the North Foreland Lighthouse.

For more information…..

Botany Bay Hotel:

Marine Drive, Kingsgate, Broadstairs, Kent  CT10 3LG

http://www.botanybayhotel.co.uk