KENTSTAYCATION to excite. Dressed with the finest soft furnishings, these highly sought-after rooms offer overnight guests an unparalleled regal experience alongside the pleasure of tucking into a three-course meal at the renowned Castle View Restaurant.
Connected to Prince Alfred Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria and Edward VII: Eastwell Manor, Ashford champneys. com / hotels / eastwell-manor
Framed by picturesque manicured gardens where croquet, boules and tennis are a regular occurrence, the award-winning Neo-Elizabethan Eastwell Manor has also housed its fair share of notable figures. One of the most prestigious to note is the period when Eastwell was occupied in 1874 by Prince Alfred Duke of Edinburgh, son of Queen Victoria, who was a frequent visitor to the manor as well as being the younger brother of the future Edward VII. This regal estate was even the witness to two royal births: Princess Beatrice and Princess Marie, who later became Queen of Romania.
While the manor now embraces more contemporary facilities and plush renovated spaces that make for an unforgettable visit full of comfort and opulence, its historic beginnings and oldworld charm remain at the very heart of an experience here, displaying the perfect balance between old and new through grand period features and the more modern Champneys Spa.
Promising a peaceful slumber, the manor’ s spacious suites or‘ luxe rooms’ are beautifully fitted with dreamy king size beds, en-suite bathrooms and special touches, also offering the estate’ s most prime locations when it comes to panoramic views of the gardens and surrounding countryside. During your stay, the hotel’ s lounge bar makes for a delightful location for an expertly mixed cocktail and one of the best afternoon teas across the country, while the Gardenia restaurant highlights an excellent use of local produce in a unique farm-to-table dining experience.
Connected to Viscount Chilston of Boughton Malherbe: Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham handpickedhotels. co. uk / chilstonpark
From the moment you enter through the gates of Chilston Park’ s sweeping estate, which is awash with both style and character, expect to be greeted with exceptional attention to detail and captivating historical antiques, some as old as the 17th-century manor house itself. Chilston Park’ s origins astoundingly date back to at least 1100. Throughout time, it has been the home of many esteemed families, eminent politicians and writers, as well as the residence for lords and viscounts including Akers Douglas who, as first‘ Commissioner of Works’, received a peerage in the Coronation Honours of King George V in 1911, becoming Viscount Chilston of Boughton Malherbe and Baron Douglas of Baads.
Now an award-winning four AA Red Star country house hotel that welcomes staycationers for revered retreats that are simply divine, guests can choose from a grand suite( one of which was once the chamber of the lord and lady) offering a canopied four-poster bed and prime views across the grounds and sparkling lake, or one of the unique‘ feature rooms’ with twinkling chandeliers and beautiful carved oak furniture.
When seeking a feast fit for royalty to complete your stay, the hotel’ s on-site Culpeper’ s restaurant is a superb choice. Holding two AA Rosettes for its exceptional fine-dining offerings, menus include perfected dishes of modern British cuisine and plenty of complementary wines.
Connected to King Edward I and Queen Elizabeth I: The George Hotel, Cranbrook thegeorgehotelkent. co. uk
Built in 1300 and one of Cranbrook’ s most historic buildings, The George Hotel beautifully fuses contemporary additions and its wonderful past to create a delightful heritage getaway with a difference. Complete with a magnificent staircase flanked by two full suits of armour, the hotel is made up of 12 thoughtfully designed rooms that famously hosted King Edward I in 1299 and Queen Elizabeth I in 1573 during a visit to Kent’ s wondrous Weald.
The stories of these visits and plenty of other intriguing tales throughout its long history are very much present throughout every corner of the property, particularly within the hotel’ s Crimson Room, which was used by Queen Elizabeth I as her retiring room and features an ornate, Tudor-style four-poster bed.
Family friendly and offering delicious eats within the ground-floor bar and restaurant, this beautiful pub and hotel is also an excellent base when looking to explore surrounding Weald-based landmarks.
Connected to Queen Victoria: The Royal Wells Hotel, Tunbridge Wells royalwells. co. uk
Located within the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells, which in itself is known for its prided royal connections as a famous spa town that’ s beckoned royalty from afar to revel in its restorative offerings, The Royal Wells Hotel is heralded for hosting Queen Victoria when she was a young princess in the 19th century.
A queen that is remembered in Kent for her profound love of Tunbridge Wells, its regal title was later bestowed upon the hotel, as was the use of Queen Victoria’ s coat of arms, which is still proudly displayed for all to see at the top of the building today.
Not forgetting the added modern amenities that make a stay so special, each lovingly restored bedroom here offers an abundance of considered touches that allow overnight guests to fully unwind and relax. Spend the day exploring the sights before retreating to your deluxe room for a splendid soak and well-deserved rest, or head down to the elegant bar for an atmospheric nightcap.
CHILSTON PARK HOTEL
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