Hotel Review: The Rose, Deal
The clouds ran briskly across the sky allowing small glimmers of winter sun to shine through, a bright golden hue flickered across the ocean as we drove through Dover to our destination. It was mid-February and we had decided to treat ourselves to a quick night away as a way to break up the dark winter months. Praying for the good weather to last long enough for us to take a stroll down the coast we wrapped up warm as we got out of the car and walked towards our stop for the night; The Rose. A small cosy boutique hotel within 2 hours from London.
Food + Drink 4/5
As we were there for Valentine’s night away the restaurant was offering a set menu special. I am always torn between loving the idea of being pushed to try new dishes but also not wanting the feeling of disappointment when nothing on the menu really catches my fancy. Luckily within this case, it exceeded my expectations.
The set menu started with a gorgeous gin and basil-based pink cocktail to sip on while fresh Oystered arrived at the table. A freshly torn and runny piece of burrata lay on a bed of sourdough and pureed beans alongside the second dish of roasted and charred fennel. As olive oil dripped off the side of the cheese we tucked in. This was then followed by a newly caught piece of turbot served with Cavolo Nero and to end the meal a fruit-based dessert.
Breakfast is ordered on a small menu card, which is included in the room rate, and allows guests to select two items, a juice and a hot drink. I really enjoyed how the food was made to order compared to a more traditional buffet as everything with fresh and warm. This also added to the overall dining experience as we could sit back and sip our teas as opposed to bustling around the room carrying plates.
Overall I loved the food and style of dining. Everything feels fresh, considered and the flavours are a perfect balance of classic combinations with a contemporary twist. No bland pub or average grub served here.
Aesthetic + Interiors 4/5
There are only 8 rooms in total and each one has its own unique scheme. The original Victorian features of the building have been kept and sit alongside mid-century modern repurposed furniture with split complementary colour schemes throughout. The rooms feel well considered with an inelaborate feel and fit comfortability within the 1890s property.
What I absolutely love about The Rose, and feel is very important within any hotel, is that the scheme is consistent and runs from the public areas into the bedrooms. We stayed in room one at the front of the building which overlooks the high street. The standout feature has to be the lavish feeling bed which dominates the room. The chosen floral upholstery nods towards the arts and crafts movement and is complemented by 1980’s bamboo tables, a hanging rack and a classic 70s armchair. The hotel feels lived in with rich soft furnishing and an appropriate amount of accessories.
Fun Fact: European explorers brought bamboo back from Asia in the late 1800s. It was associated with hard-to-reach and exotic climates, and instantly became a status symbol for families looking to impress their social circle.
Facilities + Small Touches 4/5
The dining room wraps around the core of the building creating a nice open feel with a small area to one side of the reception for drinks. There is a pretty outdoor garden, being winter we were able to utilise this, which looks lovely to enjoy some small bites and a glass of white wine in the summer. On the landing, there is a help-yourself tea, coffee, whisky and biscuit table for overnight guests to enjoy as they please. Within room one there is also a record player which was fun to use in the evening as we dressed for dinner and really added to the charm of the place. These small touches give the place a more boutique feel.
Service + Atmosphere 4.5/5
In true reflection of the pub-style property, the service was very attentive yet comfortability informal from check-in, to dinner and breakfast the next morning. Nothing was too much of a hassle; the girl at reception popped across the road to buy us some toothpaste when we realised late into the evening that we had forgotten our own and the bar staff quickly whisked us up a new margarita and brought it to our room when the original one was spilt going up the stairs.
The Area
Deal is a small town so an afternoon is all that’s needed to hit up the best spots. We arrived in the early afternoon before check-in, had a really great casual lunch at Pop-up café and a walk around the high street to find the lovely homeware stores Dunlin + Diver and Hoxton Store. Being so close to France we found a charming wine bar/shop so stopped in to share a bottle of French red. The staff at Le Pinardier were very cheerful and engaging while explaining the different wines; it felt like we had stumbled across a bar down a cobbled road in Paris. If you plan on staying longer I would also check out Frog and Scott as another dinner option.
If you are looking for a quick escape within two hours outside of London and are looking for good food and a cosy atmosphere then The Rose is for you. It is important to note that this is more of a pub with boutique rooms than a hotel but the service and relaxed seaside feel is perfect for a couples night away.
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All opinions are my own and I base my ratings on comparison of price compared to overall stay.