Having once been featured on TV as one of the UK’s worst hotels, you may be nervous about staying at The Walpole Bay Hotel. But don’t be – it has improved drastically since then! Whilst also operating as a museum, this hotel has a range of rooms available. Some have sea views, and some have balconies. However, they all maintain the charm of an old-fashioned hotel. Even the lift is from the 1920s!
Head up to the first floor to see the museum exhibits. Alternatively, enjoy a drink or afternoon tea on the ground floor bar area and sit outside if the weather is good. The hotel, whilst not in the centre of Margate, is walkable. Buses and taxis are also available. If you walk in the other direction, you will reach Ramsgate. Herne Bay is also not too far, and worth a visit.
The hotel has WiFi and reception staff greet guests on arrival. All guests enjoy a free hot breakfast. The hotel does not serve dinner, although you can order from several take-away restaurants and consume meals in the dining area. Tea and coffee are available in the rooms. Alternatively, Margate town centre has a variety of pubs and restaurants, as does the local area.
During the summer, fans are provided, and all rooms are en-suite. As well as the museum exhibits, there is a library of books that you can read during your stay. Rooms are cleaned daily and come with ample storage space. As this is an old building, rooms do vary in terms of size and furnishings. There is a TV in all rooms, however, due to Margate’s location on the edge of the country, the signal can be unreliable.
Book this and other Margate hotels with ZenHotels – most rooms offer free cancellation.
Free car parking is available across the road, or outside the hotel, but spaces are not guaranteed. Margate station has frequent, fast services to London. Book your train ticket in advance with Trip, and you could get a promo code for your hotel, as well as being able to pay in your currency.
For those looking for a hotel right by the station, I would recommend Premier Inn. See my review of them here.
