“Happiness is a place” proclaims the sign outside The Gallivant, the unwritten implication being: “congratulations, you’ve found it!” A bold claim but one that’s difficult to contest after staying at this delightful hotel directly across the road from Camber Sands.
And “delightful” is the appropriate word here, applicable to basically everything about the place from the cosy corner snug filled with books and board games to the communal back garden behind our room. It’s true of the staff, the accommodation, the food, and on the weekend of our visit, even the weather. Don't take my word for it: The Gallivant was recently awarded a Michelin Key, which is essentially a Michelin star for hotels.
There’s a famous story about Sir Alex Ferguson addressing his Manchester United players ahead of a Premier League match: “lads, it’s Tottenham,” he said, and departed the dressing room. No further words were needed. I’m tempted to emulate Ferguson’s brevity with four words – “The Gallivant: just delightful” – and let you discover the rest.
However The Gallivant is a considerably more impressive proposition than Tottenham Hotspur of the 1990s. Let’s start with the pumpkins at the entrance, a lovely touch that sets the seasonal tone before you’ve even got inside. (The place must be magical at Christmas.) In the foyer, oversized Scrabble tiles impart useful information such as the sunset time and the tide levels.
The snug
The bar
The main room is a thing of beauty, a massive open space festooned with sofas, artwork and a very handsome bar. Beyond the bar you will find the restaurant and outdoor seating area, which looks a delightful place to while away a sunny afternoon. Overall the vibe is a combination of a Hampton’s beach house, a luxurious ship’s cabin and the residence of an extremely wealthy artist.
The bedrooms prove as chic as the main residence. We stayed in a Luxury Garden room, which as the name suggests opens upon a rear garden, a wonderful spot to enjoy a morning coffee or evening aperitif. Within the room a roll-top bathtub is separated from the bed by sliding doors: you can chat away to your partner or peruse one of the many books displayed on the shelves behind the bed. Not a fan of baths? Well, you’re a fool but there’s also a walk-in shower – maybe leave the books behind for that one.
A garden room
The garden
The in-house restaurant is frequented by guests and locals alike. We visited on a Saturday and the place was packed. The menu changes monthly and leans heavily on local produce: think Rye Bay plaice, Venison carpaccio and grilled rabbit leg. Breakfast is substantial, with boiled eggs and juice on the central table and delicacies such as ham, yoghurt and freshly baked madeleines delivered to yours on a silver tray. (You can also get a Bloody Mary or two if you fancy.)
The Gallivant also takes its booze seriously. The hotel is partnered with Gusbourne Estate to ensure guests can sample the finest English wines. There’s also the option of estate visits – Gusburne is a mere twenty-minute drive – incorporating tours of the vineyards, hosted tastings, and even a special dinner with wine flight if you opt for the ultimate package. (For £1,045 you also get an overnight stay, a bottle of wine from the Estate, and a yoga class for two.)
This is a communal place with regular classes and activities. As well as yoga classes, there are jogs along the beach, swims on the sea, even more esoteric offerings such as tarot card readings. On the more decadent side of things, oyster happy hour runs from 5.30-6.30pm with Malden oysters £1 each. Don't sleep on raclette Fridays, either.
Yoga studio
Camber Sands
At some point during your stay I would highly recommend visiting Rye – a bus stopping outside the hotel will take you into town within 15 minutes although the 45 minute walk is perfectly doable. Rye is a beautiful town filled with gorgeous pubs, a small but evocative castle, a churchyard that once hosted a murder, numerous chippies and Mermaid Street, a cobbled lane flanked by thatched medieval houses, widely considered one of the prettiest streets in the country.
OK, the pubs: The Mermaid Inn dates from 1420 and was a frequent hangout spot for smugglers. Rye Waterworks is an award-winning micropub with everything on tap a local brew and its small size encouraging neighbourly conversation (Shoutout Tim, Sheila and the band Part Chimp.) My favourite was Ypres Castle Inn: as the name suggests, it’s just beneath the castle with a beautiful beer garden overlooking the bay. Enjoy a pint or two, then back to the Gallivant for sunset cocktails on the dunes.
Ah yes, the most magical part of a magical weekend. As daylight thinned, we crossed the road to watch the sunset on Camber Sands. The hotel had equipped us with a blanket, glasses and a flask containing a pre-mixed Margarita cocktail for two as part of their Drinks in the Dunes experience. (Whisky is also an option: Drams in the Dunes, obviously.) The cocktail was delicious, the sky looked like a painting as it arched over the sea. We stayed there until dusk had fallen and then went back to play board games in the snug. If you’re looking for happiness, you’ve found the place.
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New Lydd Rd, Camber, Rye TN31 7RB; The Gallivant
