Best Western Abbots Barton - Canterbury

We booked a deluxe room, which was spacious and beautifully designed. The staff were friendly and courteous. However, I was disappointed that our bathroom only had a bathtub instead of a shower, and since I'm not someone who enjoys baths, I had to hold the shower handle myself to rinse off. Additionally, the lack of a toilet brush was quite unusual. Breakfast was £11 per person, offering a variety of options including a traditional English breakfast, porridge, jams, cornflakes, granola, and both apple and orange juice, along with tea and coffee. The hotel's architecture and furnishings exude elegance. There is free parking on site, and it's just a 5-minute walk to the city center. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay.

The room was very clean, and although the view wasn't great, the overall ambiance of the hotel more than made up for it. We had to keep asking for extra milk and fresh cups because of restricted staff access due to COVID-19, but this was not an issue at all. The hotel's exterior was ideal for dog owners, offering plenty of walking space and well-maintained grassy areas. The location is excellent, just 0.4 miles from the entrance to the city at the top of the High Street. If you prefer to drive, there are plenty of parking options, though taking a taxi for such a short distance can be a bit pricey. Canterbury is rich in history, and I highly recommend taking one of the short boat trips as well as visiting the Cathedral. There are countless dining options, including an area set aside for excellent street food, and the Olive Grove offering Lebanese, Moroccan, and Italian cuisine was fantastic. Lastly, while the food at the hotel was somewhat limited, it was very good, including a hearty full English breakfast. The hotel staff were friendly and accommodating, making our three-night stay a true pleasure. You really can't go wrong if you're looking for a short break with no hidden costs and a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy!

I made a group reservation at this hotel last September for us and our wedding guests for July of this year. Unfortunately, just eight weeks before my wedding, they canceled our booking, which added a lot of stress as I had to find another hotel on such short notice. The customer service was terrible, and this extra pressure was really unnecessary so close to the big day. We should have been informed at the time of booking that the hotel was participating in a government program for refugees that runs until June and that our reservation might be impacted.

This hotel provides a mixed experience. Its location is fantastic, making it convenient to reach the main attractions in Canterbury. Although the decor and furnishings could use some updating, everything is kept very clean. The reception staff are exceptional, responding to all requests quickly. However, the breakfast service left much to be desired; it took 20 minutes to get a menu, 30 minutes to receive a drink, and an hour for the breakfast to be served.

I had a disappointing experience with a large booking of £4,000 that was canceled seven weeks prior to our stay. The hotel could only accommodate a few members of our group at a different location, which was frustrating. The customer service was inadequate; I found myself being passed from one representative to another without resolution. Additionally, I learned that someone they claimed had left the hotel was, in fact, still employed there. While I understand that the cancellation may have stemmed from issues related to migrants, our reservation was accepted while the hotel was participating in the government scheme. This crucial information should have been communicated when I made the reservation nearly a year in advance. Based on their customer service alone, I would not recommend this hotel. The situation was quite shocking. If the hotel attempts to dispute my review, I have all the call recordings and email correspondence to substantiate my claims.