insideKENT Magazine Issue 95 - February 2020 | Page 121

Outside is the luxury chauffeur-driven car available for arrivals from Canterbury, the dark entrance doors open into a v aulted reception area; with the desk framed by back-lit, floor to ceiling natural stone tiles and dark wood-edged, polished tiled f loors. Over the mezzanine you can see the welcoming haven of the lounge , with its striking bookcases, r oaring contemporary fires and soft faux-fur throws. Above, is the glass walkway that transports guests across to the Firepit, the Cave’s signature bar and restaurant, that is fast becoming a go destination in its own right. The surrounding walls offer the first glimpse of the subtle artistic finishes , this time in the f orm of beautiful metal sculptures, that continue throughout the hotel; a clear indication of the time, thought and investment put in to get this place just right. In a clear nod to the Aristotle quote on its website, “to satisfy our most primal need, one must sleep well”, Cave has created an adobe like no other; warm, welcoming and cosy; if ca veman-chic was a thing in the Paleolithic era, the Cave would have been the pioneer. The aim is not to of fer a night’ s slee p b ut an experience, driven from primal, authentic r oots. Every room; from the Cave rooms which start a t £125pn, the family r ooms (w hich of fer interconnecting rooms and pull out sofa beds), and the larger junior suites, through to our own bolthole Signature Suite (from £185pn); offer superking beds with Royal Warranted Harrison Spinks mattresses and custom designed bedding . You’ll find plump mattress toppers, heavy sumptuous duvets, plump super-size pillows and yet more, now infamous, so- soft-you-want-to-wrap-yourself-in-them-forever, faux fur throws. And that was just the start of the w hy-I’m-not- leaving-ever-ness of the suite; central dual-aspect open fireplace, two 65inch TVs, one facing the leather sofa and brushed metal coffee table dominated lounge area, the other the giant bed. The bathroom with its hea vy floor to ceiling sliding w ood door, opening to dark grey tiles, giant walk-in rainforest shower and standalone white stone bath. The other separate bathroom, with g lass-enclosed WC and dual vanity sinks. The double floor to ceiling window and door combo, that opens up to a lar ge decked private balcony, with plump sofa and director’s chair- style bistro set, offering views over the golf course. And of course, the lighting. At the touch of a button, close the blinds, light the fire and set the lights; to blaze, movie or chill mode; to create your own stay and sleep experience absolute #bedroomgoals! If that wasn’t enough, there is also an amazing bridal suite; which offers even more floor space, a private wraparound balcon y and in-r oom UFO stone bathtub; and, wait f or it, a 2,700sq ft penthouse , boasting its own butler, private chef (it has its own kitchen, dining room and bar obviously), and cinema screen - and yes it is as marvellous as it sounds! If you can drag yourself out of your bedroom, the hotel also boasts a spa area; complete with pool, 8- person jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, (the insider tip is to go after sunset, w hen it is beautifully lit in shades of blue, offering a tranquil and private setting to unwind); a stunning 18-hole Championship and 9-hole Par-3 golf course, set amidst 167 acr es of rolling K entish countr yside; and T he Fir epit restaurant and bar, which you can read about over the page... Owners, James Tory and Johnathan Callister, inspired by their own numerous experiences at some of the world’s best hotels, set out on a clear mission to bring ‘affordable luxury’ to our beloved county. As Callister said at the hotel’s launch; “My chairman James and I have been lucky enough to stay at some of the best hotels ar ound the w orld, and ha ve taken our inspiration from those. At the Cave we have tried to put all the things we love into our brand, and all the things that frustrate us, we’ve taken out.” They have totally delivered. Cave Hotel & Golf Resort Brickfield Lane Boughton-under-Blean Faversham ME13 9AJ [email protected] 01227 752277 www.cavehotels.com cavecanterbury 121