THE GALLIVANT, CAMBER, EAST SUSSEX
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? There are plenty of lovely hotels in the UK, but some are truly exceptional. Some make you feel good as soon as you walk through the door, and The Gallivant is one of these rare creatures. It may be because the owners, Harry and Sigrid Cragoe, personally pour in so much love and care into every single detail, from the décor to the planting to the food and the wine list, that you cannot help feel this immediately when you arrive. I just felt happy being there. The bee-friendly coastal garden is an absolute joy, with lavender, echinacea, scabious and verbena sitting beautifully with perfectly selected grasses in the pebble surrounds, creating both a gorgeous vista as well as a lovely scent that even stretches into the car park. Then there’s the décor – unique, welcoming and inspired by the best elements of coastal living, with an open fire and sheepskins for the winter, and breezy splashes of colour against wood for outdoor living in the summer. The food is great, breakfast is amazing, you can dine inside or outside and even the ambient music they play in the background is carefully chosen. With a gin and tonic ready and waiting by our bed when we arrived, all-day elevenses, English wine at 5pm, and yoga on the beach in the mornings, it felt like there was no detail that hadn’t been carefully thought about. This is the perfect romantic getaway for any time of the year, your dog can come too, but no children.
WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
Absolutely gorgeous. Each of the 20 rooms vary slightly, with rich colour schemes, beautiful textiles, marble or tiled showers and wooden panelling giving a high-end coastal feel to the hotel. Rooms range from the small, but perfectly formed, cabin rooms, to the luxury garden suites, which have a roll-top bath and French doors that open onto your own private deck in the stunning coastal garden.
BEST SEA VIEW? You can’t see the sea from the hotel, but miles of golden sand can be reached by simply crossing the road and walking over the sand dunes. Camber Sands beach is busy in summer, but it’s always possible to get away from the crowds and find a quiet spot a little further from any of the car parks. When you stay at The Gallivant you don’t need to worry about finding a parking space.
HOW ABOUT THE FOOD The hotel restaurant is a real treat. Focusing on local, seasonal food, it offers a unique menu of beautifully presented dishes, that can be enjoyed either inside their dining room or in warmer weather on the lovely Terrace, which is beautifully decorated, like the re
