Our favourite hotels in Kent for an escape to the Garden of England

Kent's coast and countryside are well-loved destinations in the southeast of England. There are wonderfully quaint villages and wide sandy beaches to enjoy, with some under an hour away from central London.

Luckily, the best hotels in Kent offer a variety of accommodation options, from romantic boutique boltholes to spa and country house hotels and places to stay by the sea - and we've rounded up some of our favourites for a staycation this year.

BEST HOTELS IN KENT

Once you've picked your base, it's time to start exploring... Hoping to explore the county's famous beaches? From the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, to the pebbled beaches of England’s oyster capital Whitstable, there are plenty of beaches to discover. As with other well-loved coastal counties, like Devon and Cornwall, there are plenty of lovely Kent hotels where the sea will be moments from your doorstep.

Or perhaps you're looking to enjoy to peaceful vineyards and rolling fields of Kent's countryside? This is a very green county, with miles and miles of country estates, fertile farmland, and fruit-filled orchards earning it the nickname, the 'Garden of England'.

If you want to absorb some beautiful greenery without having to leave the UK for a garden holiday, then Kent might be a good choice for you.

There's culture to be discovered here, too. You can visit famous landmarks like Canterbury Cathedral and Leeds Castle, top-class galleries like the Turner Contemporary on Margate's seafront and fascinating museums like Maidstone Museum, which has one of the largest collections of fine art and historical artefacts in the county.

So, whether you prefer artsy Margate, charming Whitstable, historic Canterbury or quirky Folkestone, there’s a Kent getaway to suit every taste.

Here's our pick of the best hotels in Kent to check into this year, from cutesy guesthouses to swish seafront hotels...

Margate has become something of a hub for artists and musicians in recent years. There's plenty here to attract creative types, from the Turner Contemporary, one of the county's leading contemporary art galleries, to an exciting schedule of gigs at the renovated Dreamland amusement park.

A recent addition to the Margate seafront is The Albion Rooms, a boutique hotel owned by The Libertines. It's what you'd expect a hotel dreamed up by an indie rock band to look like; with crucifixes, ravens, taxidermy, gilt mirrors and leather decking out the interiors.

Despite its rock and roll appearance, it's also a stylish and sophisticated stay, with an excellent restaurant and Beats sound systems in the bedrooms.

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Picture yourself cosied up in a hotel surrounded by a historic moat and 500 acres of beautiful parkland, with birds singing in the trees outside your window.

This kind of tranquillity can be found at Leeds Castle, which was once the home of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. You can explore this fascinating historic castle and its sprawling grounds before settling in for the night at one of the fabulous accommodation options on the estate.

There are places to stay at Leeds Castle, including the opulent bedrooms in the 16th-century Maiden's Tower for a splash of Tudor glamour. But our favourite is the quaint Stable Courtyard Cottages, with views of picturesque gardens and peacocks wandering free.

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Broadstairs is a quintessentially British seaside town, known as being Charles Dickens’ favourite holiday spot, where he would often retreat to write. You can see why he would find inspiration in such a lovely place.

Viking Bay is Broadstairs' central beach; a glorious stretch of gold sand in a crescent-shaped bay. The cliff-top promenade has everything you'd expect from a bustling seaside town, with souvenir shops, gastropubs and the famous Morelli's ice-cream parlour, with its 1950s décor still in tact.

The Yarrow Hotel is a lesiurely ten minutes' walk from Viking Bay and all its attractions. This attractive Grade II-listed Jacobean building houses a sauna, steam room and spa treatments , and one of the best restaurants in the area, serving up the finest Kentish ingredients.

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History buffs and romantics looking to escape reality and bury themselves in another world will love a stay at Hever Castle Hotel in the medieval market town of Edenbridge.

Both of the Edwardian wings at Hever Castle Hotel have their own fire-warmed sitting room and cosy seating areas, making each feel private and intimate. They have regal touches too, with four-poster beds and wood-panelled walls.

Dinner is only served at the castle on certain evenings, but you can stroll to the atmospheric King Henry VIII pub nearby, for its authentic oak beams, fine Kentish ales, and wholesome food.

Guests enjoy out-of-hours access to the grounds too, so you can take a moonlit stroll through the Italian garden or a dawn dip in the lake.

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A country house hotel with a rich history as the haunt of politicians, writers, lords and viscounts, Chilston Park is now known as one of the finest hotels in Kent.

This is the place to stay for classy British cuisine, sumptuous afternoon teas, glorious lakeside strolls and G&Ts on manicured lawns.

The house itself is magnificent, and is set in wonderfully private grounds that merge with the Kentish countryside and provide beautiful views from the windows of the luxurious bedrooms.

You'll be within easy reach of many nearby attractions. You can enjoy nosing around historical buildings such as Leeds Castle and Penshurst Place, which are both just a short journey away.

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Eastwell Manor is just an hour's drive or train ride from London, but its rural setting makes it a true escape. Once you hit the long, winding drive up to the imposing hotel, you won't glimpse a building or vehicle that's not part of the Eastwell Estate, meaning there's a real sense of blissful isolation from the real world.

Owned by spa brand Champneys, this stately manor house has had a total revamp, and offers a range of relaxing treatments such as deep tissue massages and facials. You can also simply unwind in the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, whirl pool, steam room or sauna.

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Albion House on Ramsgate's lovely seafront is a stylishly restored 18th-century building filled with original features like towering ceilings and ornate wrought-iron balconies.

The buzzing main dining room and bar are in elegant Georgian rooms overlooking the Royal Harbour, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading out to a sea-view patio.

Food is served virtually around the clock, with deliciously uncomplicated dishes to be chosen from a constantly-changing menu.

There's a touch of a London members' club to Albion House, but with a distinctly British seaside backdrop.

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Folkestone is a great choice for a break, with the high-speed train from St Pancras having slashed the journey time down to just 50 minutes. Once you arrive you'll be greeted by splendid harbour views and stunning shorelines.

If you're looking for a fantastic place for an overnight stay in Folkestone, look no further than Rocksalt, the hotel offering from Mark Sargeant of Saturday Kitchen fame.

The contemporary restaurant here offers seasonal menus dedicated to Kentish produce, which you can enjoy while soaking in views of Folkestone's idyllic harbour.

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Kent is a county that's well-loved by foodies, and chef Matt Sworder is a big deal on the Kentish restaurant scene.

His restaurant in Canterbury, The Corner House, shows off Sworder's signature cooking style: unpretentious, local and proudly British, in a refreshingly grown-up yet informal atmosphere.

There are five rooms here, all named after some of the famous writers with links to Kent. If you're looking for optimum comfort for your Kent escape, opt for the Chaucer Room, which overlooks the garden and can function as a suite, with an open-plan sitting room and its own kitchen.

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The Kent Downs is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which stretches from the White Cliffs of Dover to the Surrey and London borders.

Here you'll find pretty bluebell woodlands, rugged chalk coastlines, rare chalk grassland, and postcard-perfect villages.

If you want to stay in a convenient spot for exploring the Kent Downs, you might want to check into The Wife of Bath in Wye, a little village which exudes rural tranquillity.

Here you can enjoy inventive European cuisine (the hotel started life as a stylish tapas restaurant) before retiring to one of the six gorgeous bedrooms, enjoying views of the idyllic surrounding countryside from your window.

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In the Kentish countryside near Ashford you'll find an intriguing 600-acre reserve home to over 900 rare and endangered animals.

And the good news for animal-lovers is that you can stay right on the reserve, in the elegant Port Lympne Hotel. Here, you'll be able to enjoy views of terraced gardens sweeping down to lush forests with the Channel glistening in the morning sunshine beyond it.

There is a range of accommodation options, from cosy camping pods to a glass-fronted lodge in the midst of a tiger enclosure. But wherever you choose, you'll be at the heart of this stunning reserve and have plenty of chances to witness its beautiful rare animals.

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Ickham is a quintessential Kentish village complete with thatched cottages in an idyllic countryside location. And what quaint English village would be complete without a cosy pub?

The Duke William is a supremely snug inn with low beamed ceilings, a roaring wood fire, and candles flickering in old ceramic beer jugs. One of the owners is famous chef Mark Sargeant, so, along with real ales and pub quizzes, you can expect excellent food.

Check in for the night and enjoy a good night's sleep in a king-size bed, followed by a cooked breakfast in the pub. Or, if you want a lie-in, ask for a breakfast hamper to be delivered to your room.

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You'll find the sleepy Kent village of Warehorne nestled between two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and just a short drive from the popular beach at Camber Sands, so it's a great location for anyone looking to explore Kentish countryside and the county's golden beaches.

Check in to The Woolpack Inn in Warehorne and you'll be charmed by its authentic shabby chic style. Rooms are individually decorated with quirky flourishes, like dairy urns for bedside tables.

There's fine pub food to be enjoyed here while you stay. Slap-up breakfasts are best enjoyed al fresco in the morning sunshine with views of sheep grazing in front of the ancient St Matthews church.

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