Willy’s is worth a trip to the seaside
When you hear Margate, you might think of fish and chips, Sargasso, Tracey Emin, Dreamland, and ‘Shoreditch-on-Sea’. Now this boutique hotel is throwing its hat in the ring too. Margate House Hotel is a 9-bedroom, beautifully designed corner spot that houses newly-opened restaurant Willy’s.
The hotel is the perfect winter bolthole. With bedrooms overlooking the sea, Wes Anderson-inspired interiors and warm fires in the evenings, it’s somewhere you can cosy up away from the weather. Each room has bespoke furniture and individually selected artworks (nodding to the location), and all products are supplied by award-winning local skincare specialist Haeckels to make you feel properly cared for.
The food is a major highlight of the hotel. Willy’s is a neighbourhood restaurant two years in the making. Offering “comfort food reimagined with wit and flair”, it’s all about seasonal British produce and value for money. The devils on horseback and warm Guinness soda bread with whipped butter are great openers, and then you just can’t beat bangers & mash and sticky toffee pudding with stem ginger ice cream when it comes to winter warmers.
Willy’s also does a small but considered breakfast menu and it’s served in the downstairs kitchen, where you can see the chefs cooking at the Aga, giving it cosy B&B vibes. The Full English is done right, with all the proper items plus more excellent sausages, and is hearty enough to keep you fuelled for a day of exploring.
It’s worth making time for a pit-stop at the Margate House bar, which has craft cocktails, beer and a good selection of wines on offer. We particularly liked that the bar was well stocked with olives, peanuts and root veg crisps, so you’re never too far away from a snack.
If you’re overwhelmed with the big city, take the one-hour train to this seaside town – we guarantee some sea air, fresh cocktails and a cosy hotel room will offer you the perfect respite, even if the sun is nowhere to be seen.
Key Information
Address | 6 Dalby Square, Margate, CT9 2ER
For more information | margatehouse.co.uk
