Swallow Falstaff Hotel

I had another business trip to do, this time down to Whitstable - don't like travelling in general but now part of my job. Anyway, found this hotel on the internet, looked nice though was little suspicious given rate - but did everything it said, decent room and breakfast, had parking which was good and reception staff were friendly. Had draught beers to choose from in bar and found a nice mexican restaurant opposite, which after a couple of margaritas, helped me sleep well! All in all, good job.

I stayed here back in August 2008 and did not enjoy it at all, the staff were rude and the facilities were poor and dirty.... This time was much different, after having looked on the web for places to stay i came across the Falstaff's new website, having googled it and found it was under new ownership, i thought i'd give it another go, and deffinatly was a decision well made. The staff were freindly, from check in to breakfast, even the bar staff were polite and chatty and everyone was willing to help in anyway they could, we asked for restaurant recommendation and were given a long list depending on our taste, and when we checked out we asked what our best route Dover was, as we wanted to visit there before leaving and were handed a small map which was highlighted with the best route out of canterbury, taking us straight to Dover - We were all really impressed, definalty worth giving a go

Fantastic find next to West gate - great for shopping & visiting the attractions of Canterbury. Best breakfast we've had in ages! Staff really helpful on where to eat in local area. Will definitely stay again!

booked this hotel for christmas night with christmas dinner for 6 adults and two children around september,it was confirmed and deposit paid,we were happy that it was sorted made our plans for the family to meet from around the country together at the fulstaff,then in the first week in december we recived a call from the receptionist stating that our booking was cancelled!!!!!! the reason was that they had new owners and they cancelled the christmas dinners .....BAH HUMBUG.....but she stated we could still stay at the hotel..................OH THANKS!!!! i declined and put down the phone......... after i phoned my disappionted family i sat there really annoyed,and decided to test the waters and phone a few days later and asked if they had any availabiltiy for christmas dinner, to my astonishment the receptionist said yes but your party has to be of 15 or more to book!!!!! then i reveled my identity and that my booking had been cancelled, to which she replied "oh oh errr,oh i think so,hold on im not sure,hold on il ask the manager......................" a few seconds later she says"ive asked the manager and no,there is no christmas dinner " i did complain to her and asked for the manager to call me ,......................1 month later still no call........................all in all a bad experience with the hotel and staff,and if they have new owners they have a lot to learn!!!!!!!! anyway it did have a happy ending,we booked the "THE OLD GATE INN" just 10 mins away in canterbury it was cheaper the christmas dinner was to die for and the hotel was spot on,and most of all the STAFF WERE SPOT ON WITH A SMILE !!!!

An old coaching in a stone's throw from the cathedral, and with genuine charm. We stayed in a superior room in the oldest part of the hotel which was very comfortable. I often have trouble sleeping in hotel rooms but was fine here, could have been the mattress. Our room had a lovely view out onto the river and was only £105 a night, which I'd consider to be excellent value. The more modern (ie. less wood-panelled rooms) are at lower rates if you want to go on a budget. If you want an 'Olde World' room make sure you ask when you book or you could be disappointed! Very friendly service, and staff were very helpful with recommendations and ideas for sightseeing. One thing to draw your attention to: the hotel offers a good breakfast but there's no restaurant for lunch or dinner. Not too much of a problem because there are some excellent places in walking distance. I'd recommend The Goods Shed which is an old victorian railway shed converted into a farmers market and restaurant. It's absolutely wonderful. Dine there and head back to the Falstaff for a very good night's sleep, and you're sorted.

Excellent location just outside West gate. First room needed repairs so asked to be moved. Moved into main bldg and into a larger room. Wonderful treatment as move was done without questions. Good English breakfast. This hotel will be totally rebovated by the new owners in the next year. Would stay here again.

I went to Canterbury for the first time since I was 7 with my partner last week - I'm now 30! Headed over for a couple of days to get out of London and stayed at the Falstaff. The hotel has about 40 rooms but has the feel of a much smaller hotel. Very cosy rooms, nice and lots of period features. Don't expect a high-end boutique hotel experience but at £75 a night, its so much nicer an experience than the chain equivalent, holiday-inn style place. Plus nice breakfasts and very centrally located. Good base for exploring Canterbury! And I still recommend the Canterbury Tales experience, it's a bit naff but every bit as fun for a 30 year old as a 7 year old!

Hotel had a really good location close to city centre, staff were very friendly and helpful. Breakfast selection was great. Good price would definitely use again

I know The Falstaff hotel in Canterbury as one of the 3 large hotels in Canterbury, the other two being The Abode at The County and The Chaucer Hotel. Canterbury has a great selection of bed and breakfasts and whenever I go down, once every couple of months, I stay at my favourite B&B, which on this occasion wasn't available. I found a room for £100 per night including breakfast (not bad, considering the average for a Saturday night can be £125 at least here in London) and thought I'd take it given it's close to the centre and has a good reputation. When I go to my B&B, I usually get a really warm welcome and if the room isn't ready when I arrive, they go out of their way to accommodate me and keep my bag safe for me until it is ready. Usually, it's ready when I arrive. When I got to the Falstaff, I didn't even get a welcome. I told them I was checking in and the young man at the desk told me "Check in isn't until 3pm". I asked him if he could take my details so he dismissed me and asked his colleague to come and take care of me. She had a look in her computer and repeated the fact that the room wasn't ready and that I should come back at 3pm. I asked if, at least, I could leave my bag there, and she told me that the store room was very full and they wouldn't have the space. I told them that my bag was actually quite small and I was sure they wouldn't have any trouble and that I was outraged that being one of the most well known hotels in Canterbury, they would not accommodate my very simple request. Eventually they did and I had to come back at 3pm. The room was ok and the bed rather comfortable, but given it's a period building, for a tall person like me, it's very awkward as you end up banging your head against every door way, which are all very low. Loads of little steps so you need to be careful where you tread. After my afternoon in Canterbury with my friend, I went back to the hotel and given the weather was wet and damp I thought I'll stay at the hotel, have something to eat, and then go to bed. I went downstairs to the restaurant area, and was asked where I was going by the bartender. I told him I was looking for the restaurant and he told me matter of factly that there was no restaurant service in the evenings anymore. I wasn't happy at all so I went back to my room and had a look at the little booklet. It said dinner would be served every night of the week and also room service was available. I didn't really bother checking room service because I thought, no restaurant, no room service. I grabbed my coat and my umbrella, and went back downstairs, and mentioned to a different receptionist, the fact that the lack of restaurant service should be updated on the little booklets they provide in the room. Her response was as follows: "well, it's on the website and anyway, you was told at checkin about it anyway" "Uhm, no I wasn't." I said calmly "Yes you was" she said "No I wasn't" I said a little bit louder "Yes you was" she repeated. I then headed out the door saying "No! I was not!" and left feeling really frustrated, having to face eating dinner alone. The bed was comfortable, the room clean enough, nothing out of this world and definately not worth £100. I guess breakfast was included and that was OK, again, nothing out of this world. I left immediately after breakfast. The receptionist asked me if everything was ok, and I just nodded, not really saying yes or no, but it wasn't a very enthusiastic nod. I paid, and left. I do not recommend this hotel AT ALL and will carry on going to the B&B from now on.

Canterbury Hotels were all busy as beginning of freshers week. Dropped in at falstaff to be met by helpful staff who altered arrangements to accommodate us and at a discounted price. Location great with short walk to centre, easy access with the car back onto main routes and free parking. Stayed in converted outbuildings which were spacious and very quiet but the most enjoyable experience by far was the breakfast menu which included Kedgeree. I opted for haddock with a poached egg on top. Delightful and thoroughly recommended.