Choosing the right hotel is pretty important in a place like Deal. I’ll tell you for why: there’s really not an awful lot to do here. Instead, you come to Deal to eat, to drink, to stroll, possibly even get an early night – and I’d argue you should also come simply to stay at The Rose.
This boutique hotel feels a bit like you’re staying at your rich, distant aunt’s house (if your aunt were a little eccentric and incredibly stylish). A former pub, there’s just eight rooms in total here, all small (and dare I say shabby chic) but very sweet. Each of them has its own distinct vibe: floral blinds, vintage taps, bright-green cushions against deep red walls. On the chest of drawers you’ll find stacks of vinyl and little bowls of Haribo. In the hallway, you can help yourself to tea and biscuits, or pour yourself a dram of whiskey from a communal decanter. Yes, it’s all a bit Accidentally Wes Anderson. In a good way.
Downstairs is where the magic happens – at The Rose’s restaurant, which is suitably intimate with a fabulous seasonal menu, wine and cocktail list. We had perfect little crab doughnuts, proper skinny, salty chips, butter-soft John Dory and a serious chicken schnitzel with fennel slaw. I pray you get to try the olive oil cake we had to finish: warm and doughy and sprinkled with flaky salt. It’s standardly pricey, but fairly so – starter portions are perhaps a bit small (£11-14), but mains are hefty (£20-30). Whatever you do, make sure you get down to breakfast as early as you can muster (it’s included in your stay: a dying art), for soft-scrambled eggs with anchovies, smoked salmon crumpets or whatever else they’re cooking up that morning. It’s all excellent.
Neighbourhood
Deal is a pretty small place and you can most certainly do it all in one weekend. In fact, few things are more relaxing than two days worth of slow beach walking, pint-sinking, gawking at expensive homeware and possibly even a spot of crazy golf at Roman Landings. Deal Castle and the Town Market (open on Saturdays) are well worth a visit, but really, eating should be a pretty big part of your stay – this little town is our top hidden foodie destination in the UK, after all. So make sure you do enough walking to keep up your appetite, and consider booking a table at the all-new Cherub’s, Frog & Scot or The Rose’s sister restaurant, The Blue Pelican.
Nearby
Mileage: An incredibly quaint vintage furniture shop in an Edwardian stable block.
The Ship Inn: My favourite pub of the lot, rustic and wooden inside with a garden out back.
Le Pinardier: For a glass of orange wine, possibly some cheese, and a good bit of people-watching by the window.
Time Out tip
Bring earplugs. If you’re in a front-facing room, you’re in a prime spot to hear the church bells every. Single. Hour.
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