The Gentleman Magazine Issue 10 | August 2018 | Page 39

Carla
Generously proportioned, Carla has a super-king sized bed
and a cosy sofa. The room features dark timber cladding on the
walls, and the bathroom is fitted with a classic shower.
Sophia
A large suite with dual aspect views, Sophia features a super-
king sized bed and a dressing table. In the spacious bathroom,
there is a double washbasin, a freestanding roll-top bath and
separate shower.
Tea and Nespresso coffee facilities are provided with homemade
biscotti biscuits and a continental breakfast served in the
rooms.  Alternatively, guests can enjoy breakfast in the nearby
Swan restaurant during the week, or brunch in downstairs
Amano during the weekend.  
Team
Nick Levantis and Darry Healy joined the Swan in West
Malling in 2011. They met while working at Village London,
launching the Riding House Cafe in London’s Fitzrovia.  Nick
explains, “West Malling is a vibrant and bustling market town
with plenty of places to eat, but one thing that’s missing is a
good Italian restaurant. Amano will bring a new flavour to
the neighbourhood - a friendly, local eatery - with boutique
rooms for those visiting us from elsewhere. We very much look
forward to opening our doors!”
The restaurant sets itself apart by its internal courtyard or
Orangery area with a clear glass roof and sloping glass to let
natural light shine through on the warm interiors and banquet
seating beneath. The historic fabric of the existing Grade II
listed building has been respected with reinstated timber sash
windows and internal oak beams.
Rooms
Four boutique rooms sit above the restaurant that have been
individually decorated in a contemporary and functional style,
with comfort in mind, retaining as many of the original features
as possible from the surrounding building. Named after Italian
actresses and singers, each room features Hypnos mattresses
with cosy Egyptian cotton bed linens, a flat screen television,
hairdryers and complimentary Wi-Fi. Bathrooms boast classic
fixtures, fluffy towels, slippers and dressing gowns, and luxury
bath and body products from Green & Spring.
Room rates
Francesca & Carla:
Sunday-Thursday weekday rate £130
Friday-Saturday weekend rate £150
Isabella:
Sunday-Thursday weekday rate £110
Friday-Saturday weekend rate £130
Sophia:
Sunday-Thursday weekday rate £170
Friday-Saturday weekend rate £200
Francesca
With a generous floor space and windows that overlook the
Orangery, timber-clad Francesca has a super-king sized bed
and two comfy armchairs. The light and airy bathroom is fitted
with a heritage-style shower.
Isabella
With its original shuttered windows and classic-style panelling
and a comfortable king-sized bed, this room is small but
perfectly formed.
The Gentleman Magazine | 39