No.42 by GuestHouse

Rooms

The beachy vibe continues in the 18 delightful bedrooms set over three floors in the main hotel building. Categorised into street- or sea-facing rooms, the most coveted with private balconies overlooking Margate Sands, all have the same creamy palette and hand-drawn murals above deeply comfortable beds. In a nod to the coastal location, light shades resemble shells, the entrance and bathroom flooring is herringbone brick in case you come in with sandy feet, and tea and coffee can be found in the mini-beach hut set up on the curved side shelf. It was a treat to step outside onto our balcony into sea air and sweeping Margate views.

For in-room indulgence there's the Guesthouse signature turntable and accompanying neat stack of vinyl, plus bluetooth retro-styled radios and Freeview TVs. There's a playful assemblage of local art too. A nice touch is the second floor Pantry, where guests can help themselves to cookies, crisps, cake and sweets at any time.

Bathrooms have ample walk-in power showers, the largest rooms also have separate bathtubs. You get slippers and Frette bathrobes, refillable Bramley toiletries, hooks and hanging space.

Next door, with their own private entrance, are the three lush Lookout Suites. These have the same swish seaside style as in the main hotel, but with luxe 4-poster superking beds, rolltop baths and private pantries in the room, picture windows for those sea views, and ensuite bathrooms with double showers. Book one for a romantic stay; two interconnect for families; take all three for a memorable get together.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Radio
• Safe box
• Satellite TV
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

Food and drinks at No.42 are a real highlight. Breakfast is taken in the handsome, high-ceilinged Pearly Cow sea view restaurant on the ground floor. The counter has an array of breads, pastries, cereals, and fruit salad plus little dishes of organic porridge with berry compote or yoghurt with almond granola. Hot dishes to order include the full English, waffles or Eggs Benedict or Royale – ours was perfection.

Lunch and dinner can also be enjoyed here. The menu is divided into Bites (that salt cod taco was divine!), Small Plates (my favourite was the Cornish crab served in the shell with avocado and grapefruit), Ice (local oysters, salmon, tuna), Fire (we had fish of the day on a red pepper sauce and skin-on fries on the side), and Dessert (can definitely recommend the passionfruit soufflé).

On the lower beachside ground floor is Field Trip, open 8am-6pm daily, adjacent to the Field Trip Spa, whose Nourishment Menu features inventive sandwiches, fabulous colourful salads, delicious protein dishes such as chermoula spiced chicken or sun-dried tomato falafel, teas, infusions and soup of the day. All food preferences and allergies are catered for.

Beside reception is the Lounge Bar, perfect for aperitifs; its Kent-inspired drinks list includes orchard fruits and hops, local wine and ales. But the star of the show is the Rooftop Bar, open daily from noon, the place to be for cocktails, local beers, crafted refreshers and sunsets. They've thought of everything – binoculars, warm rugs, even a see-through canopy if it rains.

Features include:

• Bar
• Coffee maker
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Hop, skip or jump to the beach across the road. Margate Sands offers swimming (in the sea or the tidal pool), classic amusement arcades, a sea scrub sauna, adventure golf and tennis courts towards Westbrook Bay, a long golden strand and the Esplanade for walks. There are sandy beaches all along this coast from Herne Bay to Broadstairs
  
• The artistic scene here grows apace year on year. Don't miss the Turner Contemporary at the Harbour Arm (free entry). If you like the pictures in your room, why not seek out more of that artist's work? There are many small commercial galleries to browse
  
• Margate's Old Town has a plethora of vintage shops, clothes and collectables, as well as a museum, pubs, bars and eateries
  
• Indulge and nourish yourself in the hotel's soothing Field Trip Spa on the lower-ground floor: enjoy rejuvenating treatment rooms, eco-conscious organic products, couples massages, full body rituals and hydrating facials
  
• Explore the Isle of Thanet: charming Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Westgate are all round the corner; or venture to Canterbury and Whitstable both within easy reach on the train

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming

Kids

Families are welcome at No.42, and kids will love the proximity to the beach and all the many seaside attractions. There are baby cots but note that only a few rooms can take an extra bed.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Families of four or more will need to book connecting rooms, these comprise a Large Guest Room with a Guest Room and there's a pair of these on each of the three floors of the hotel; available on request. There's also a pair of interconnecting Lookout Suites in the adjacent building for families of four offering additional privacy; also available on request. Families of three can book either a Large Guest Room with Sea View or a Large Guest Room with Balcony & Sea View as these can take an extra bed, as can one of the Lookout Suites next door. All rooms (except Guest Rooms and 2 of the Lookout Suites) can take a baby cot, and most of these have bathtubs.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Railway station: 13 minutes walk
• Hospital: 8 minutes
• Shops: 1 minute

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

No.42 by GuestHouse is on the seafront in the iconic seaside town of Margate, which is on the NE tip of Kent.

By Train:
The train is the easiest and most preferred mode of transport to Margate. High-speed trains are frequent to London St Pancras (90-minute journey), Ashford International, London Victoria, London Waterloo East and Canterbury. From Margate railway station it's a 12-minute walk.

By Car:
There's no need to have a car to get around Margate itself as everything is within walking distance, but if you are exploring the Isle of Thanet or jaunting about Kent then a car is handy, see our car rental recommendations.
The hotel has dedicated parking spaces opposite.

By Air:
Fly into any London airport and get to Margate by public transport or car. London Gatwick is the nearest, about a 1hr40 minute drive.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.