The Botany Bay Hotel at Kingsgate near Broadstairs has reopened following a £1.4 million refurbishment by Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame.Formerly known as the Fayreness Hotel, it is situated in one of the most picturesque spots on the British coast, overlooking the spectacular Botany Bay.
The building has been remodelled to make the most of its breathtaking views, with two elegant orangeries replacing UPVC conservatories at the front, and the addition of a wrap-around deck to allow guests to sit outside.
Its brick exterior has been clad in traditional Kentish weatherboarding, with a new area for walkers to wash their boots and a bicycle park.
All 30 en-suite bedrooms, many offering sea views of the eponymous bay, have been refurbished, using natural sand and blue-green colours, artefacts and artwork of local scenes to reflect the coastal setting.
The main bar area also boasts a fresh new look, and has been divided into comfortable seating areas, including the introduction of a coffee lounge and cosy fireplace.
Visitors can choose from a selection of tasty snacks and traditional pub meals in the bar, or enjoy á la carte dining in the panoramic-view restaurant. It offers classic British cuisine with a contemporary twist, and as one might expect from the hotel’s unique coastal location, seafood is a speciality. The chefs use only the finest locally sourced, seasonal produce, from Romney Marsh lamb to Whitstable oysters and Dover sole, along with the fresh produce for which the Garden of England is renowned.
And the contemporary coastal hotel is the perfect choice for any type of function, from conferences and professional meetings to group get-togethers and parties.
It has two stylish function rooms available; the intimate Club Room, which can accommodate up to 40 guests, or the Kingsgate Suite, which can cater for up to 100. The ground floor Kingsgate Suite, which boasts panoramic sea views, has a private bar and dance floor and is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies.
Consideration has also been given to guests with disabilities, with level access to most trading areas including the front terrace, and the introduction of ramp access and a powered door adjacent to the main entrance. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet off the main bar, and a lowered bar counter has been installed. The hotel also has a bedroom with enhanced accessibility, including a wide door, large floor space, grab rails in the bathroom and a lowered bath, and two dedicated parking spaces for disabled guests.
As a result of the brewery’s investment, 15 new roles have been created at the hotel, taking the total to more than 50, and more employees are expected to be taken on in the next few months to cope with increased demand during the summer season.
Visitors to the hotel won’t want to miss the opportunity to explore Botany Bay, just a minute’s stroll from its entrance. The Blue Flag quality beach, offering more than 200 metres of golden sands, stunning cliffs and rock pools, has been made famous by a whole host of TV and film productions.
The hotel is also ideal for a golfing break in Kent as it sits next to the famous North Foreland Golf Club, and is within a few miles of the Open Championship links courses of Prince’s Golf Club and Royal St. George’s in Sandwich.
If you’re not a fan of golf, you might prefer to explore the unique heritage of nearby Broadstairs. Stroll around the seaside town’s cobbled streets to discover visitor attractions including Bleak House, once the summer home of Victorian author Charles Dickens; the Dickens House Museum; and the Crampton Tower Museum, offering an insight into the waterworks and railways of Victorian engineers.
Art lovers are in for a treat with the Turner Contemporary gallery just three miles away in Margate.
And in addition to the year-round attractions, there is always something going on in Broadstairs, from the week-long Dickens Festival each June, to Broadstairs Folk Week in mid-August and the three-day Broadstairs Food Festival in October.
Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said: “We are thrilled to unveil this exciting new development overlooking Botany Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Britain.
“This significant refurbishment is not just about investing in the hotel, but the coastal area of East Kent. Not only have we have created a significant number of new hospitality and catering roles, but the presence of a stylish destination hotel will provide a boost for the local tourism market.
“We are confident that with its new look, and new name, the Botany Bay Hotel will prove a popular choice for local residents to enjoy a drink or meal, and also an attractive venue for short breaks, weddings and functions.”
