A seaside treasure, The Gallivant is a charming, intimate boutique hotel. On the Camber coast line it is just a minute’s walk from the tranquil and beautiful Camber sand dunes.
The hotel interiors reflect its surroundings with muted tones, nods to the nautical and beachcomber interiors creating a restful space ideal for a quick get away.
Rooms are small, but perfectly comfortable, modern, impeccably clean and pleasant. It’s a small enough hotel to get to know the team on a one-night stay, which is testament to their commitment to very good service.
The Gallivant’s restaurant, Beach Bistro, is where the hotel really shines, with a fabulous Chef using great local produce, and serving up remarkable food (Trevor Hambley is classically trained and has worked under Marco Pierre White and Jean Christophe Novelli).
We went for his tasting menu with matching wines, and it was an absolute joy at each course. Seafood featured heavily on the menu as you’d hope from a seaside restaurant, and the freshness and quality of produce was apparent – these were some of the best scallops I’ve had in a number of years.
Food is modern, uses gutsy British flavours and is beautifully presented. There is a real emphasis on sharing, and a number of our dishes were served family style in the centre of the table – a nice touch which suited the hotel’s relaxed surroundings.
Hambley toured the restaurant after service to speak to all the guests, which was charming – he spoke with such passion about produce and sourcing (80% of all produce is sourced from within 30 miles of the hotel) that it’s clear to see why the restaurant has a standalone reputation.
The only slight niggle was the number of children who were in the restaurant that night, which slightly detracted from the decadent menu served, but it was school holiday time when we visited, so perhaps this is to be expected.
Breakfast the following morning was well executed too – a simple menu of great quality produce served in sunny, seaside surroundings was a very relaxing start to the day.
The Gallivant is one for a stop-over if you’re in the area, or for a recharge weekend by the sea. Its restaurant however is worth the trip on its own – it really is quite special.
If you would like Bon Vivant’s travel team to book your next visit to The Gallivant, please email us.
For further inspiration, read our guide to the best luxury hotels within an hour or two of London, which includes The Pig Hampshire and Coworth Park.
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