The most romantic hotels in Kent for a chic mini-break
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The most romantic hotels in Kent for a chic mini-break
Coastal cool, sea views, epic country settings and a burgeoning foodie scene - the best romantic hotels in Kent have all the ingredients couples need for a luxe getaway.
If you're looking to make grand gestures, fairytale castle hotels and country manor house escapes make it easy to do; take moonlit walks and boat trips on the lake at Hever Castle or cosy up in front of crackling fires at Eastwell Manor or Chilston Park.
For some clean-lined contemporary-chic, head to Rocksalt Rooms in Folkestone and enjoy a food-fest with ocean views. Slap-up feasts are a give at the seafood restaurant with rooms.
Foodies will also love The Duke William in Ickham, a cool local pub with rooms that has reportedly pulled in the likes of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Over in Hythe, you can sleep under the stars at Kent's very own 'savannah' at the luxurious Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, which offers a magical safari experience.
We've rounded up the best romantic hotels in Kent below for some seriously stylish quality time together. Go on, treat yourselves to a perfect mini-break for two.
Eastwell Manor - 2/12
1) Hever Castle, Edenbridge
What could be more romantic than a stay at a historic castle hotel? Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, and you can sleep in an Edwardian wing named after her, attached to the ancient building.
Imagine moonlit walks through the Italian garden, boat trips à deux on the lake, or stealing a kiss on the impressive drawbridge.
Take a break from reality and cosy up in front of the roaring fire in the sitting room, tuck into afternoon tea in the breakfast room, then slink off to your luxurious four-poster bed.
If you book while the castle is closed to the public, you'll even enjoy a private tour.
Hever Castle - 3/12
2) No 42 by GuestHouse Margate
New to Margate this summer, No 42 by GuestHouse is the latest hotel from the hospitable brothers behind the rapidly expanding group (whose surname, aptly, is Guest). The 21-bedroom Victorian property is right on the seafront, with a rooftop bar for romantic views of Margate and Thanet – equally good views await in the rooms that have a balcony.
The hotel also has a sea-facing restaurant, plus a wellness space called the Field Café, which will dispense treatments as well as snacks.
Courtesy of the hotel - 4/12
3) Rocksalt Rooms, Folkestone
Everything about Rocksalt is designed to woo, from the soul-stirring views over Folkestone's harbour to the mouthwatering seafood plucked from the water by local fishermen.
Indeed, the contemporary restaurant with its impressive floor-to-ceiling windows, ocean vista and top-notch fare is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner.
Enjoy a post-dessert stroll under the stars along the harbour before heading to your king-sized bed in your ultra-cool modern room, with exposed brick details. Wake up with the seagulls singing and the salty sea air refreshing your spirits.
Rocksalt - 5/12
4) The Falstaff, Canterbury
In a 15th-century building in Canterbury, the Falstaff has lots of romantic (and historic) charms, with original beams and sloping ceilings in the bedrooms, and plenty of cosy corners.
The coaching inn dates all the way back to 1403, with the slightly more recent addition of an assortment of velvet armchairs in various colours, a cocktail bar and regular bottomless brunches. It’s within minutes of the high street, which leads to the cathedral for an especially scenic stroll.
Booking.com - 6/12
5) Eastwell Manor, Ashford
This ivy-clad manor house set in 62 acres of outstanding Kent countryside is the epitome of romantic hotels.
The grand country pad is accessed by a long, winding drive and offers a blissful rural retreat while being just an hour's drive from London.
Run by Champneys, it's a wellness destination where you can blend romance with pampering at the impressive onsite spa.
The manor rooms channel modern country interiors, while the two shepherd's huts with cosy wood-burning stoves make the perfect intimate bolthole.
Take mist-shrouded walks around the grounds and kick back with cream-topped scones in front of a crackling fire. Bliss.
Eastwell Manor - 7/12
6) Albion House, Ramsgate
If it's design-led decor, a super-stylish bar and sea views you're after, this romantic hotel in Kent has got you covered.
The boutique vibe at Albion House doesn't fall into any coastal interior cliches, and instead offers bold colours and cool artwork with the odd striped nod to seaside chic.
Choose a suite for a wraparound balcony and ocean views, and you can make the most of long, lazy mornings, with an a la carte breakfast included.
In the evening, head to the buzzy bar and enjoy a cocktail on sink-in soft chairs with an ambient candlelit glow.
Albion House - 8/12
7) The Woolpack Inn, Warehorne
This 16th century pub is a dreamy bolthole perfect for escaping urban life.
In the morning, the breakfasts consist of local hen's eggs, Kent sourdough and yoghurt from the nearby East Kent Downs, while slap-up seafood dinners won't disappoint come dinner time.
The beautiful beach of Camber Sands is just a short drive away, so you can enjoy a powdery stroll before snuggling up with a G&T fireside at the inn.
Decor is quirky shabby chic: think dairy urns for bedside table and old rowing oars as wall art, while some rooms boast roll-top baths. The ideal cosy-up cocoon for couples.
Woolpack Inn - 9/12
8) The Duke William, Ickham
Low ceilings, industrial-style lighting, and moody grey interiors create a cosy, contemporary atmosphere in this idyllic local pub with rooms.
Thought to have been frequented by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt when they were married, it's got the Hollywood seal of approval - and it's not hard to see why.
Great grub is guaranteed and the ambient restaurant boasts a winter-warming open fire.
Rooms are modern and stylish in neutral tones, offering a cool sanctuary to relax in with a content belly and a head full of fresh air.
The traditional village of Ickham offers country walks aplenty, while Canterbury is just a 20-minute drive away if you fancy a culture fix. Our advice? Stay put in your chic country retreat.
The Duke William - 10/12
9) Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, Canterbury
A stylish lodge in the grounds of one of the UK's most impressive cathedrals, you say? Romance certainly isn't dead.
The Canterbury Cathedral Precincts are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, being home to the oldest church in the English-speaking world as well as the Cathedral itself and St Augustine's Abbey ruins.
Enjoy a glass of fizz in the pretty gardens, wake up to views of the Cathedral from your bedroom, and discover the extensive library.
While you feel like you're in an oasis of calm, buzzing Canterbury and its array of restaurants are just a walk away. A romantic city break with a difference.
Canterbury Cathedral Lodge - 11/12
10) Chilston Park, Lenham
Looking for an authentic country house getaway? Call off the search. Chilston Park is just the ticket, with its traditional decor of pelmets in the bedrooms and Chesterfields in the breakfast room.
The romance starts immediately with a long, winding driveway leading up to the majestic building. Wander around the 22 acres of picture-perfect parkland, enjoy generous afternoon teas, and play games of giant chess on the lawn.
The romance is in the nostalgia of every nook and cranny of the building that dates back to 1100.
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11) Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Hythe
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is Kent's largest wild animal park set on a huge 600-acre site and home to more than 700 animals including black rhinos, western lowland gorillas, giraffes, tigers, lions, leopards, bears and more.
It offers a luxury safari right here in the UK. Perfect for couples, you can stay in a range of unique accommodation, from the luxurious boutique hotel to a romantic night under the stars in the 180-degree, panoramic bubble pod.
You could also snuggle up together in a cosy shepherd’s hut or sleep within a whisker of tigers or lions in luxury lodges within the reserve.
Explore the many beautiful sites around the reserve, including the beautiful Moroccan Courtyard for afternoon tea, or slip into a luxurious bath with a Big Cat for company. A truly unique and magical experience.
Port Lympne
