More Traveller Reviews of The Royal Harbour Hotel
Very expensive, not worth the money
from WorldTravller
We read reviews of this hotel and thought it would provide the wow factor to our weekend stay in Ramsgate visiting relatives. The plus points were a great harbour view, the many bad points are:- - the room cost £195 for the night and it was incredibly small - these are London prices and the quality is nowhere near that of London. - We went down to breakfast at 9.30 am and were told there was no space and we would have to wait - we were in a rush to get back to London and could not wait. We were very upset especially as we paid £195 for the night's stay and wanted breakfast before our long journey!!!! The hotel deducted £15 because we could not get breakfast which I felt was an insult. - We were not warned in advance that there was no parking near the hotel - very poor. - Despite paying £195 for the room there was no bath and the water dribbled out of the overhead shower making hairwashing for a woman impossible - very, very small bathrooms with cheap fittings. As part of my work I stay in hotels around the world and the UK on a regular basis - this hotel is very overpriced, the staff very disorganised. Stay elsewhere in Ramsgate where you will get better value and slicker service.
Management response from mash07
28 Aug 2007
I am sorry that these charming guests did not enjoy their stay with us...no one likes to rush and it is a shame that with their hasty exit in the morning they were not able to enjoy the extensive breakfast that we offer right up until midday. In hindsight we should have put together an emergency 'breakfast to go' for them..that way at least they might have enjoyed something on their long way home.
I do however have to disagree with their 'incredibly small room' description as well as their 'cheap fitting' bathroom description. The hotel, consisting of adjoining 18th century houses means we do have some small rooms (some you can't even swing a parrot in let alone a cat!) but this was not one of them. ..with glorious balcony views over the yacht marina this room boasts 400sq ft of space. The shower room (no baths..we are proud of our environmentally freindly shower only hotel!) is equipped with Villeroy & Bosch and Disenia. With all other points raised..slap wrists..and we will attempt to do better! Kind regards James Thomas
what a charmer
from dscmona
Had the pleasure of visiting the Ramsgate area for 3 days in mid-July this year. Stayed at this quaint and charming hotel. Yes there are no elevators and my room or they called it a cabin , on the 3rd floor, was small, I was not impressed when I first entered the room. But after unpacking and settling in , wow what a charmer. Small bathroom but oh so clean and then how much time do you spend in the bathroom. Perfect view of the harbor. They offered to give me another room for the 2 other nights as the initial day they were fully booked, but it was too cozy to give up. And again I was not there to spend time in my room. Great breakfast room and nice cooked breakfast. Public rooms give you a nice friendly feeling. everyone was most helpful, from Philippe to the night manager. What a nice 3 days.
Management response from mash07
21 Aug 2007
Thank you for taking the time and effort to describe how your stay went with us. I am pleased that you found our cabin rooms so charming...the views as you say are perfect of the harbour! All of your nice comments about the staff have been passed on. Kind regards James Thomas
What a rip off!!!!
from Gavc306
Well, after reading a number of excellent reviews for this 'hotel', I booked a room and paid the extra for a sea view room. The room cost just over £100 for the night, so I was expecting something quite nice. When we arrived there was no parking within a mile or so, so we had to pay to park on a multistorey. The french guy on reception was very rude when we asked if there was parking We were shown to our room, which quite literaly had no space what so ever, there was an old double bed squeezed in there, with barely enough room for one person to walk up one side. The bathroom was so small you had to climb over the toilette to get in the shower, which was an electric shower which barely dribbled water out. The toilette was a 'saniflo' and actually made the room smell! Finally..... I think the mattress was older than the bed frame it's self, had the worst night's sleep. The positives are; 1)Had a great view over the harbour and sea 2) Had an very nice breakfast with a huge choice 3) Did see into another room when it was being cleaned, and that was massive, which probably would have made the difference. Be warned...........
Management response from mash07
21 Aug 2007
I think the words 'rip off' are quite shocking for a small family run hotel with 20 rooms who have strived to create something different and personal in an ever increasing bland corporate world. We are not in the business in 'ripping off' anyone. We rely on repeat and recommendations but sadly on this occasion we know we won't get any from this couple! The nature of the complaint does show that the 'arrival experience' is very important..in this case I suspect that not finding an immediate car park space close to the hotel ruined the day before it had begun..and then encountering Phillipe (who has a wonderful French accent to his English..the French rude? C'est impossible!) whose Gallic charm was probably lost on our guests made their day even worse! However I am pleased that once they had settled in they did like our great views, our fantastic breakfast and were able to 'peep' into other people's rooms... their's is bigger then mine! Kind regards James Thomas
Boutique hotel for a cosmopolitan town
from Getahead
Have been a number of times now to this hotel and love it more each time. It is quite obvious that this hotel is treated with love and pride with all the little touches such as late evening candlelit cheese tables, roaring fires, elizabethan walled garden and quirky original art everywhere. It manages to ooze charm, eccentricity and creativity yet at absolutely no point does it ever feel pretentious. It is clean, well decorated and the rooms have modern bathrooms. It is also geared up with computer points and high tech stuff so is very 21st century in that respect. The breakfast room is so pretty and fresh with a great cooked breakfast and overlooking part of the harbour. Ramsgate itself is on the up and up. Fabulous chic mediterranean style harbour (only royal harbour in britain I believe) with white boats bobbing about, great stretches of sandy beach and london standard restaurants including thai and french. With stunning handsome georgian and victorian architecture as a backdrop this hotel and this town are getting to be recognised by those in the know! Starts to feel like a second home after a few visits. Ummmm, think I need to book my next visit!!
Management response from mash07
21 Aug 2007
I couldn't have written this better myself....and before you ask I didn't do it! :-)
Kind regards James Thomas
A little taste of perfection
from sjmUkBased
We chose the hotel on the basis of other reviews. It is a charming, otherworldly place, a bit like staying with generous but eccentric friends. Settle down on the settee in front of a log fire, have a drink from the honesty bar, enjoy the period vinyl on the record player and relax. Want a book? the place is full of bookshelves with an eclectic range of books. Peckish? they leave the cheese and pate out to nibble...Our room was clean and comfortable, with a good shower en-suite, and we enjoyed a view clear across the harbour. Breakfast was home cooked to order, with staff who tried hard to please. Brew your own tea or coffee just as you like it. All this and we even got on street parking right outside. It's a little time-warp.
Management response from mash07
21 Aug 2007
Many thanks for highlighting all the small details that we think go to making our hotel so special...We love people who have the 'taste of perfection'!! Kind regards James Thomas
i think the last reviewer must be mad........
from missmoneypennyLondon
We stayed at this hotel for one night in March. We were greeted by log fires and a wonderful ambience. To describe the location as 'on a cliff' is ridiculous and totally misleading. Ramsgate is also very compact so NOWHERE is far from the harbour. The cherry on the cake for us was when we returned from an evening out with friends (starving because we live in London and presumed we would be able to eat after 11o'clock at night) to be asked if we would care to have some supper. We were shown a table groaning with everything anyone post pub visit would have on a foodie wish list - it was fantastic! Ramsgate is a beautiful little resort. We had a great stay but unfortunately will not need to stay again as we will have our own flat. I would hate anyone to be put of the town/hotel by a bad review.
Management response from mash07
21 Aug 2007
Everyone has a soft spot for Moneypenny...and that has increased since the review was submitted. Thank you for highlighting our 'cake cherries'...pop in anytime! Kind regards James Thomas
Must have been unlucky?
from bright_red
Booked this "hotel" (really a guest house) after reading reviews but we must have been unlucky because the whole experience was just disappointing. Room booked with harbour view for two nights leading up to Easter with glorious weather. First disappointment is that the place is up on a cliff looking out to sea with some boats down below - nice sunrise (yes we were up at dawn!) but not near the harbour as we were excpecting. Staff friendly and building quirky, so looking ok. Our room was small which we'd expected but the decor was tatty with scratched wallpaper and a distinctly old bed. Biggest problem was the saniflow system in the en-suite which gave out a nasty pong when it was used. Told the guy on reception as we went out for the evening but it was still the same when we got back. Decided to cut our losses and go next day. No problem with that and excellent breakfast. Also our first time in Ramsgate and it has to rank as one of the least visitable resorts in the country. Massive concrete sea defences, drunks and chavs on the sea front and smoky pubs. We were glad to move a short distance to Broadstairs the next day.
Management response from mash07
21 Aug 2007
They were unlucky..and I keep re-reading the review to check that it is indeed Ramsgate Harbour (one of the prettiest working harbours on the south coast) the reviewer is describing. Well, you can't win them all..and we obviously don't appeal to all..but thanks for taking the time to write of your experiences..kind regards James Thomas
a great experience
from wendynyctolondon
I had the Royal Harbour recommended to me by friends so I had high expectations but even those were surpassed. The hotel's decor is full of charm (love the paintings and old books) and the proprietor is a pro! Breakfast was top notch and was great to have communal areas like the lounges and snug so that guests don't feel confined to their rooms. The rooms were large for the UK and beds quite comfy!
Management response from mash07
21 Aug 2007
'Proprietor is a Pro'....I'll leave it at that! :-) Kind regards James Thomas (proprietor!)
2 star guest house
from Joan83
I had looked forward to staying at this 'hotel' with its website's tantalising description and photos. The location was great and the building and decor were attractive. However, the lack of welcome and good customer service, tired state of the rooms and most uncomfortable beds with shakey bedheads (albeit new bathrooms, but even so toilet seat coming adrift) and shambolic breakfast service (although good food freshly cooked) smacked of insouciance and lack of management. Such a shame as this boarding house could be an absolute gem of a hotel.
FOWLER_CPJ
from cpjf
I'd say the other reviews are accurate; a nice place, lots of oil paintings and a proper drawing room give good ambience, good breakfast, looks like a lot of money has been spent on this period property, more upmarket than the area might suggest. Minor criticism, do please puts some comfier pillows in the beds and a thicker mattress. But otherwise would have no hesitation recommending this hotel.
More hotel photos
3 readers found this review helpful
We have recently returned from a fantastic break at The Royal Harbour Hotel, the best hotel we have ever visited in the UK or Europe! A beautiful building over looking the harbour,with beautiful decor and atmosphere throughout. On arrival we were given a guided tour of the... more