Broome Park Hotel

The chalet was incredibly clean, apart from one dirty towel that was probably just an oversight. Staff were friendly, and the girls enjoyed their food. We liked the pizzas and breakfast was nice, though the afternoon tea was mixed: the sandwiches were questionable, the scones powdery, and the other cakes were fine but nothing special. There are no smart TVs, which felt a bit old-fashioned, but the girls thought borrowing DVDs was novel. The pool was the big disappointment. We booked during half term with our two daughters specifically to swim, and I’d contacted the hotel several times before arriving. Nobody mentioned that the heater was broken. Staff said they expected it to be fixed two days before we came, but it wasn’t, so we could have been told and given the chance to cancel and find a hotel with a working pool. Someone joked that it was cold, and I thought they were exaggerating. It was absolutely freezing. Only after the girls tried hard to get in and couldn’t did I ask what was wrong and learn the heater was broken. They could have handled it much better. Guests need to know before arrival, whether the facility is complimentary or not, since it can affect the choice of hotel.

We only checked in an hour ago, but I wanted to mention how thoughtful everyone has been. The estate and surrounding area are gorgeous, and the grand place still feels welcoming and friendly. Management and staff went out of their way to help with my partner’s specific accessibility needs, making our arrival easy and ensuring the lodge worked well for us. Really looking forward to the rest of our stay.

We’ve tried both the rooms and the lodges, and every one has been exceptional. The staff are friendly, and reception go above and beyond with questions or anything extra you need. A handy touch for lodge guests is the little torch provided, which makes the evening walk to the main hotel easier.

The location worked really well for Canterbury City Centre. We caught a bus just outside the hotel gates, and it took less than 20 minutes. Our lodge was comfortable and perfectly adequate for all six of us, and the staff were friendly at the bar and restaurant. We were there Friday to Monday. The food was good, though some menu choices weren’t available from the first day onward. There were a few order mistakes, which the waiting staff sorted out, but service was slow even though it was quiet. Some training could help. We also noticed stains on all the dining room chairs; with the hotel quiet that time of year, perhaps they could have been cleaned in sections. The reception sign said the pool had recently been cleaned and was too cold for normal use, though guests could go in if they didn’t mind the temperature. A few people swam anyway because they’re used to cold water. I’d assumed this was just during our visit, but several reviews over the months suggest the heating problem keeps happening. The indoor pool needs maintenance.