During a recent, and very much enjoyed, trip to Broadstairs, we had the pleasure of spending two nights at one of its most prestigious hotels, The Yarrow Hotel.
Both the building and its setting are impressive. Set back from the road among well-tended gardens (plenty of free car parking for guests) within the grounds of East Kent College, the Jacobethan-style Yarrow was built by Sir Alfred Yarrow in 1894. Its original purpose was as a convalescent home for sick children, mostly from London. Sir Alfred, a shipping magnate, was a friend of Dr Barnardo and had the idea to build such a facility following his daughter’s illness. The building was planned to be mirrored on either side of the hallway with boys accommodated on one side and girls on the other. For today’s visitor (at least, I speak for myself) it can be confusing. I was never quite sure which staircase I’d emerge from!
When we arrived, I remarked to Hub that the stair treads were very shallow. It turns out that they were designed like this to make the stairs easier for children to climb.
The corridors are purposefully wide, created to provide children with play areas during bad weather. Along with the light flooding in the tall windows, this gives the visitor a great feeling of space.
During both World Wars, the patients convalescing were soldiers, before reverting to children during peacetimes. With its perfect setting close to the fresh, sea air of the Kent coast it must have been idyllic for the children from the bustling city.
Following some time as a part of the college facilities, the building deteriorated and lay unused for eight years until a three-year refurbishment program, completed in 2016, turned it into the first class hotel now open to visitors.
The Yarrow doesn’t try to cram in as many rooms as possible. It hangs its hat on exclusivity, offering just 23 large bedrooms and 5 suites, all with expansive windows overlooking the gardens to the front and rear of the building.
It’s an ideal location for a wedding reception. On the lower ground floor there’s a large suite that caters for 120 guests with a bar and doors opening to the rear garden featuring a gazebo. I imagine when decorated for a special occasion the setting would be stunning. There were floral displays aplenty during our stay. The hotel even has its own hair and beauty salon so the wedding party don’t have to stray far to look their best.
Our very large room was comfortable, decorated in restful greige (trendy brownish greys) with crisp cotton sheets on an enormous bed that offered the perfect level of firmness. The feeling of space was, again, compounded by the large, sash windows and high ceilings. There were even double doors into the bathroom.
Tea and coffee-making facilities were provided – sadly, no biscuit on the first day, which surprised me as I’d expected one. However, when the room was made up on day two, good quality biscuits appeared, so I guess their omission on the first day was an oversight. We were also provided with complimentary bottled water each day.
The shower was over the bath, so some might struggle to get in safely, and there was no handle to assist. While it was a lovely drench shower with a powerful flow and lashings of hot water, no hand-held/removable mixer was provided so be prepared to do handstands in the bath to fully rinse off!
My only other bug-bear was that there was no bedroom mirror over the desk/dressing table. The only mirror in the room was tucked away behind the wardrobe which shielded the light to it. Hence, no natural light for applying one’s make-up. A minor niggle that I often have with hotels and one that often makes me think hotel room designers don’t always think ergonomically.
The Yarrow, being in the grounds of East Kent College, is a teaching hotel, and it offers places for students on catering courses to get hands-on experience in a first class facility. In line with its commitment to training, the hotel even employs a Student Development Manager. I spoke with some of the breakfast staff who were delighted to have been given a placement working alongside existing staff in such a prestigious establishment.
All the staff we spoke with were helpful, pleasant and efficient. They were also very smartly attired, particularly the waiters at breakfast. I imagined they will one day work at Butlers in a royal household.
Talking of breakfast, which was included, there were very well-stocked hot and cold buffets available, or one could choose to order a freshly-cooked breakfast from a menu offering a variety of more exotic dishes.
The Head Chef is the appropriately named Sam Spratt. Sam studied and qualified at a local college and worked at several Michelin starred restaurants in the South of England before joining The Yarrow. He’s committed to using locally-sourced, in-season ingredients so the menu will change depending on the time of year you visit.
The Yarrow is the perfect place if you’re planning a relaxing or romantic break. Check their events menu to see what they have planned. For example, when we were there we found information about a forthcoming Summer Cocktail Tasting Evening.
A break combining The Yarrow Hotel, the nearby seaside with a choice of bays, all that the old town of Broadstairs has to offer within walking distance (or hop on the Loop bus that stops right outside the hotel grounds) makes for the perfect getaway that ticks several boxes. All highly recommended.
The Yarrow Hotel: https://www.yarrowhotel.co.uk
For more information about Broadstairs and recommended accommodation in the area, visit Thanet Tourist Information:
