Castle House Hotel Canterbury

I found this hotel to be truly beautiful, brimming with character thanks to its age, which I absolutely loved. It's refreshing to see such places maintain their original charm instead of being modernized, especially when so many people seem to want old hotels and pubs updated; if you prefer modern, there are plenty of other options. My room was full of delightful features, like the classic open fire (though no longer functional), charming cupboards in place of standard wardrobes, and the stunning wooden boards on the wall, which, despite being unvarnished, added so much character, a theme beautifully echoed throughout the entire hotel. Beyond the aesthetics, I was impressed by how clean and tidy everything was, and the room was always well-stocked with essentials. The staff were consistently friendly and incredibly helpful, even taking the time to share some fascinating history about the hotel, which I really appreciated.

Our stay, unfortunately, had its downsides, though we did appreciate several aspects. The hotel's location was incredibly easy to find, even though it sits right by a fairly busy roundabout. Thankfully, our room was situated on the city side, so we didn't hear any of the traffic noise. A definite bonus was the convenient on-site parking, which is always a real advantage for guests.

Our room was incredibly hot, and frustratingly, there was no way to adjust the heating to a comfortable level. The bathroom floor was a real concern, featuring broken tiles that had been shoddily repaired and were still quite sharp. We were genuinely worried someone might cut their foot, and these tiles urgently need to be replaced for safety. Additionally, the mixer tap in the bath also presented its own set of problems.

While the hotel's location was absolutely impeccable and truly the best aspect of our stay, we unfortunately found many other elements to be quite disappointing, especially considering the prices being charged. Our primary concern, and a significant letdown, was the staff, whose demeanor and service were problematic right from the moment we checked in.

My recent visit proved to be quite a letdown overall. While the hotel's location and the architectural charm of the building were certainly appealing, unfortunately, the positive aspects seemed to stop there. The interior furnishings and general facilities felt rather worn, suggesting a noticeable absence of genuine commitment from the owners to ensure a truly pleasant experience for their guests, an impression that regrettably extended to the staff. Throughout our stay, we encountered a distinct lack of warmth from the current staff, with no discernible effort made to make us feel welcome at any point. A particular frustration arose when the hairdryer in our room failed to operate in any of the plug sockets unless it was physically held in place or propped up. When I approached reception to request a replacement, the attitude displayed by the staff member was, frankly, appalling. They seemed incredibly accusatory, more intent on proving the hairdryer was functional after their own test rather than addressing my concern. I returned to our room as instructed, only to find it still wouldn't work. Upon my second visit to reception to report the ongoing issue, the girl at the desk then left, and I distinctly overheard someone else remarking, "what is he complaining for it is working," which was incredibly disheartening. Despite their assertions, the hairdryer simply did not function in our room, suggesting a potential problem with the plug sockets, but the staff's attitude throughout this ordeal was utterly unacceptable. This establishment truly has the potential to be a wonderful place to stay, but the owners urgently need to heed the consistent feedback from other reviews, which mirrors my own experience, and invest in much-needed modernization.

My recent two-night stay at this hotel was genuinely delightful. Its prime location offers superb connectivity and is just a brief stroll from the town center, making exploration incredibly convenient. The property itself was remarkably spotless and well-kept, featuring rooms and facilities that clearly demonstrated a meticulous attention to detail. However, the truly exceptional aspect was the remarkable service from the staff. They proved to be incredibly responsive, always ready to assist, and consistently went above and beyond to ensure my comfort throughout the visit. Their genuine warmth and professionalism significantly enhanced the overall experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a comfortable and ideally situated accommodation, complemented by truly outstanding service.

Having arranged a room for my mother and her partner based on a very positive experience my cousin had here years ago, I now truly wish I had taken the time to read the reviews discussing housemaids stealing belongings. My mother discovered their bedroom door left open, and a banknote was missing from her wallet, which she had kept inside her luggage. When we brought this to the attention of the reception, we were not only accused of lying but also experienced what felt like retaliation from the housemaid, who completely neglected to service the room afterward. While the physical establishment is decent enough, I must warn future guests not to leave any valuables unsecured, as you might never see them again. We personally cannot recommend this place if your priority is to enjoy your visit without encountering significant problems.

Despite the hotel explicitly stating free parking, and our careful registration of our vehicle upon checking in, we were shocked to receive a £100 Penalty Charge Notice from the car park management company more than a month after our stay. We immediately contacted the hotel to explain the situation, confirming that we had indeed been given permission to park.

My stay was largely excellent; the room provided was superb, and the breakfast spread was equally impressive. I did, however, encounter one staff member who seemed quite unhappy and rather miserable, but this was definitely the only minor issue during an otherwise perfect visit.