Margate enjoys a very particular on-the-up British seaside vibe: think run-down genteel architecture now housing everything from pop-up eateries to design boutiques and charity shops. You'll find on-trend wild swimming clubs cheek by jowl with traditional bucket-and-spade day-trippers; the gleaming Turner Contemporary art gallery just along from the arcades; and the retro appeal of Dreamland and fish and chips on the sands. No wonder crowds are flocking here again.
When Kelly and Dan found this 18th-century coaching inn it was in a sorry state, having most recently done duty as an Indian restaurant. They saw potential and stripped it back to its bones, uncovering original wood, plaster and bricks. They turned the jungle to the rear into a cool courtyard with festoon lights, a fire pit and slouchy sofas; the car park became a welcoming beer garden. The ground-floor bar and restaurant is its beating heart, attracting locals and visitors alike. There are six utterly unique rooms on the top floor, each styled by local movers and shakers, plus a two-bedroom suite on the floor below. In-house guests get access to cute Reggie's Bar – a resident's lounge with an honesty bar – and the Zen Den for massages and meditation. Renovations in lockdown forced the pair to be inventive: headboards are upcycled from salvaged bar timbers; the original wallpaper unearthed during the restoration is now beautifully framed; the gold paint daubed onto plaster cracks creates a wabi-sabi feel. They even created their own craft beer and incense. A complete one-off.
Highs
- Crowd-pleasing bar and restaurant with additional social spaces open in warmer months to the front and rear of the inn; great drinks menu
- Excellent location in Margate's Old Town, just steps from the seafront; Turner himself used to live opposite
- A really warm and relaxed vibe from Kelly, Dan and team – you feel right at home straight away
- An ingenious renovation that speaks to Margate itself, with a loving mix of vintage finds, heirlooms and collectables; bedrooms crafted by local designers
- A strong sustainability ethos: careful restoration reusing materials, Kentish produce and drinks, eco pillow cases made of recycled plastic, bamboo bedding, eco toiletries & cleaning products, organic cotton towels
Lows
- Only 2 rooms have fully ensuite bathrooms: the Suite and The Hideaway (one of the top floor bedrooms). Two others share a bathroom across the hallway, while three others have in-room showers and sinks, with private toilets along the hall
- This is an old and listed building so rooms are compact (no extra beds), floorboards creak and slope, sound can carry (ear plugs are supplied)
- Not good for those with mobility issues as the bedrooms are on the upper floors
- As you've probably guessed, this isn't for you if you're after a more conventional hotel
Best time to go
Margate works year-round for a blast of fun and sea air, browsing and shopping for collectables, and that lovely light is striking at all times. If you're keen on beachy adventures, then late spring, summer and early autumn are best. There are festivals and events all year – check what's on when you plan your visit. Dreamland has concerts during the summer, the Margate Soul Festival is in August, and the Turner Contemporary has exhibitions year-round.
Our top tips
Bring a bunch of friends and take the whole top shebang. You get exclusive access to Reggie's Bar where you can have your own drinks party, to the Zen Den for massages and yoga, and the ground floor private dining room (Barrys’ Nook) for evening meals. And Margate is so much fun to explore together!
Our guests' ratings...
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