Whether you treat yourself to an occasional overnight stay, visit their cocktail bar or snug for drinks, dine in their restaurant, or enjoy an afternoon tea in their lounge, we have some great local hotels in the city – and we miss them. Don’t forget to tell your visiting friends and family about the great places to stay in and around Canterbury !
This week, we hear from Miles Shuttleworth, General Manager of The Falstaff Hotel, (opposite the landmark Westgate Towers, in St Dunstan’s St), about their exciting plans for 2021.
Tell us a little bit about The Falstaff Hotel..
The Falstaff is a Luxury Boutique Hotel found in the centre of Canterbury, just a stone’s throw from the Westgate Towers. The Hotel is full of historic charm and character, beautifully restored but careful not to lose the original period features such as beams, wood panelling and fireplaces. The old features have been carefully paired with designer furnishings and beautiful vintage fabrics giving the Falstaff a very chic and luxurious feel. From cosy doubles to luxurious junior suites, you will find crisp white sheets and the biggest softest pillows you can imagine. In some of our more premium rooms, you can also find four-poster beds, fireplaces and beamed ceilings as well as luxurious free-standing William Holland ltd copper baths! The Falstaff is also home to our vibrant cocktail bar where stories of our talented mixologists venture far and wide! We also offer one of the finest English traditions in afternoon tea, where you can sit back in our lounge (or enjoy the sunshine during the warmer months on our decked terrace), relax and enjoy our sumptuous homemade cakes and scones complete with a fantastic selection of locally sourced loose leaf Kent teas. For something a bit more filling, our very own Italian Chef can serve up some delectable Neapolitan Pizza!
How long has The Falstaff been in the city?
The Falstaff was built in 1403 and is an original pilgrim’s rest. The Falstaff was believed to have been built to accommodate travellers and pilgrims who arrived after curfew. Canterbury would close its gates every night to protect the city from raiders and thieves. Therefore, anyone arriving after the gates closed would require accommodation and hence our location just outside the Westgate Towers and ancient town walls. Today, we cherish our historic connection to Canterbury’s ancient pilgrim history and keep the memories very much alive throughout the hotel.
What has kept you busy over lockdown?
We have some exciting developments happening behind the scenes and have spent lockdown renovating some more of our older rooms and even putting in some more four-poster beds that our guests love, so watch this space for the reveals! John, our very talented Bar Manager has also been busy coming up with some super exciting ideas for our next themed cocktail menu…without giving too much away there may be a bit of a Nordic connection, but I guarantee, whatever, these will look and taste awesome!
How will you keep your customers safe on their return?
Our customers and staff safety are our top priority, and we will ensure all government advice is followed stringently and ensuring that our staff are fully trained in all Covid procedures. We’re committed to ensuring our guests enjoy peace of mind and flexibility when booking with us, we will happily move a reservation or accept cancellation without charge up until 24 hours prior to arrival or move a reservation up to 12 months from the original arrival date if you contact the hotel up to 24 hours prior to arrival.
How can customers support you right now?
Vouchers for our luxury gift experiences are available to purchase throughout lockdown and can be redeemed once we open. We offer some truly unique experiences such as our Cocktail Masterclasses and Pizza Parties through to our popular Afternoon Teas, Whiskey Flights and overnight stays as well as many more! They make perfect presents and are a great way to support local. Other than that, pop over and follow us on Instagram (@thefalstaff) and say hi, we have a great campaign going called #FalstaffMemories as a way to remember the good old times and we would love you to share your memories with us! We also accept the Canterbury Gift Card !Packages and Menus at The Falstaff
