insideKENT Magazine Issue 30 - September 2014

GETAWAYS THE MAGICAL Walpole Bay Hotel Commanding an enviable seafront location, Cliftonville's iconic Walpole Bay Hotel is justly celebrated for its authentic retro charm and pioneering preservation of the bygone era. Moreover, sat amidst Margate's cultural renaissance, this ﬂourishing coastal retreat is certainly making waves for all of the right reasons. BY GEMMA DUNN Originally built in 1914 by Louisa Budge – and since having passed through the Budge generations – Walpole Bay Hotel has long met its purpose as a family-run seaside retreat for the discerning holidaymaker. And sufﬁce to say, its current owners have not only sustained this vision, but established their own one too. Having taken the reins in 1995, the Bishop family thereafter made it their mission to renovate Walpole – and then some. Far from your typical modernisation, they fell in love with the hotel's original features and soon set about restoring it to its former glory. The realisation of a 35-year ambition, today, owners, Jane and Peter welcome , guests to experience their unwavering passion for the bygone era in their home, hotel and living museum. From climbing the hotel's authentic marble steps to crossing into a reception area ﬂanked in periodic memorabilia, the Walpole certainly makes an impression from the off. My favourite and perhaps the most poignant feature upon entrance is a 1927 operational Otis trellis gated lift, that while escorting my guest and me to our top ﬂoor room, granted us snapshots of engaging museum ﬂoors. Our individually designed four-poster suite proved the perfect refuge, complete with an ensuite and two balconies offering stretching sea views across the Thanet coastline. Light and airy, the tasteful décor combines neutral and oak interiors, ornate furnishings and contemporary sea-faring blue and green hues, while a separate lounge affords well-appointed amenities including a digital television and tea and coffee making facilities. In addition, Walpole hosts a wide range of alterative rooms, each inclusive of a sea view and buffet-style breakfast. Back downstairs, and after a drink on the ﬂower-decked veranda, dinner was enjoyed in the hotel's Edwardian Restaurant—an elegant dining room that lends itself to breakfast, lunch, all-day snacks, dinner and Walpole's renowned cream teas and Sunday lunches. Laying claim to original Macintosh-designed windows, William Morris wallpaper and 100-year-old Mappin and Webb silverware, this eatery is certainly a periodic feat. Picking from the evening menu, my guest and I kicked off proceedings with a deliciously smooth duck liver pâté, laced with zesty orange and cognac, and served with an elegant tomato and black olive chutney; plus, a delectable dish of sliced Scottish oak-smoked salmon, perfectly seasoned with black pepper and lemon juice. In the way of mains, I opted for a mouthwatering course of chargrilled chicken, paired with a classic brandy and mushroom sauce, new potatoes and fresh vegetables. My guest enjoyed a premium ﬁllet of Icelandic cod, wrapped in smoked bacon and cooked in a lemon and dill butter. Full but in no way defeated, a charming toffee and vanilla cheesecake was our 'joint' dessert of choice – and it certainly did the trick. That same evening, in a bid to relieve the overindulgence, owner, Jane, took us on a delightful tour of the prized museum. And as I'm sure those who have met Jane would agree, she is undoubtedly the heart and soul of the hotel, with a charm and charisma that resonates throughout the walls of Walpole. Awe-inspiring and equally brilliant, each of Walpole's ﬁve ﬂoors has something of interest to offer. While the lower ground ﬂoor boasts original 1914 lincrusta panelling and a 1927 beautiful sprung maple ballroom ﬂoor, amongst other features, the ﬂoor above bequeaths the original guest registers dating back to 1927, including the Aliens Register from the Great War. Up to the ﬁrst, second and third ﬂoors and guests are able to explore the fully preserved sculleries, original open ﬁreplaces and vast number of period treasures – toys, typewriters, jewellery, ceramics, mops and clothes – that frequent the corridors. Whether it's a painting, photograph or historical object, Walpole's walls and surfaces are adorned with fascinating relics that each tell their own story. And while residents can meander freely, daytime tours are also offered to nonresidents. However perhaps most telling of the hotel's , success is its famous Napery—an exhibition of napkins, which upon being ﬁlled with a guest's individual magical memory of Walpole, are framed and hung for all to see. From oil paintings to songs and photographs, the creativity is endless 110 and entirely indicative of just how many guests strive to be a part of the Bishop's project. Over the years, many items have been donated to Walpole, including work by Margateborn artist and Walpole fan, Tracey Emin. What's more, the hotel hires out numerous items to local theatres and production companies. In gaining such positive r ecognition, Walpole is not only an extremely popular hotel, dining destination and wedding venue, but it's famous for its events and private function hire too, including its fabulous murder mystery parties. Having stayed at W alpole, it’s near impossible to do it justice on paper. Far from your run-ofthe-mill seaside hotel, this local treasure has taken the concept of authentic retro and run with it. Capturing the ambience of the bygone era, there is a certain magic surrounding Walpole Bay Hotel and I am certainly not the ﬁrst to feel it. Referring to all of their visitors as houseguests, Jane and Peter have created a home from home – an Aladdin's cave that sparkles with captivating stories of times past. The family's ambition to preserve the best from this frenetic age and retain quality of service, friendliness and care is a goal accomplished, but somehow I feel this project is not over yet. Walpole Bay Hotel Fifth Avenue Cliftonville Margate CT9 2JJ 01843 221703 www.walpolebayhotel.co.uk @wpbhsanctuary Jerome Hillion Based in a bespoke salon on Walpole's third ﬂoor, award-winning hairdresser and stylist, professional, one-on-one hair and makeup experience. For a list of services, visit www

insideKENT Magazine Issue 30 - September 2014 | Page 110