The Reading Rooms - Margate

Last year my partner whisked me away for a romantic weekend to Margate - don't laugh, its somewhere I'd always been curious to visit being a complete novice to the Kent coast and always appreciating a bit of faded seaside glamour. And I was pleasantly surprised - I loved the Old Town, full of vintage shops and cute tearooms, the Turner gallery provided a welcome shot of culture, we enjoyed delicious nouveau-Indian cuisine at The Ambrette and a relaxed supper at the charming Be Beached, a fantastically sited restaurant on Margate harbour. There was more than enough to keep us entertained for a couple of days and the short hop from London makes Margate quite an appealing option for a weekend away.

We stayed at The Reading Rooms, a grade II listed Georgian townhouse in an attractive square, and it was one of the best (albeit one of the priciest) b&b experiences I've had. We had room 3, on the top floor, with wonderful views out to the sea. The view from the bathroom wasn't so great - my only niggle - but not enough to negatively impact our stay.

Our room was beautiful - it was almost a wrench to leave and explore the town. Super comfy beds, beautiful vintage French furniture, a modern, spacious bathroom with Ren toiletries and a roll top bath, and gorgeous fittings complimented by the odd modern touch here and there. I also adored the distressed plasterwork on the walls.

The Reading Rooms is not cheap; our two-night stay was £360. That said, my partner and I both loved the accommodation and appreciated the unobtrusive nature of its owners. If you're considering a break by the seaside and want to treat yourself to some understated luxury, I imagine you'd be hard pushed to find a better option.

www.thereadingroomsmargate.co.uk