Holiday Inn Express Ramsgate Minster

We’ve already booked another stay. The staff were friendly, the rooms clean and sensibly laid out, and the bathroom had a separate toilet. The all-you-can-eat breakfast was reasonably priced. There’s also a drive-through McDonald’s right beside the hotel, handy if you need something to eat at the last minute.

Breakfast was a highlight, with cereals, fruit, several cooked options, and tea, coffee and juice. The airy dining room was pleasant, and staff kept the food trays topped up and cleared things away efficiently. Our room and ensuite were clean and well arranged too. A very well-run hotel, with everything as it should be. I couldn’t have asked for more.

The restaurant food was bland and seemed reheated, and the burger bun was stale. Nearby there’s a takeaway and a garage with a shop, but otherwise the hotel feels isolated. It’s easy to find, at least. Staff were gruff and unfriendly. The desk and chair in my room didn’t match up, so I had to rig a prop to sit comfortably. There’s no central heating, leaving you to choose between a noisy fan heater and being cold while you sleep. I also found hair in the shower tray. Less Express, more extinct. Avoid.

Everything went smoothly during our one-night stay, and I’ve no complaints. The room was clean and well kept. There’s plenty of parking on site, plus a couple of shops and a petrol station just a short walk away. Nice hotel.