Kent is many things at once - dramatic white cliffs and secret creeks, medieval castles and buzzing harbour arms, ancient orchards and world-class vineyards. For couples looking to properly get away and enjoy a summer escape, the county offers a richness that simply refuses to be rushed. Think long coastal walks, tours of local vineyards and luxurious accommodation that will encourage you to switch on the out of office, switch off and finally relax. We've gathered some of Kent's most exceptional places to stay, each opening a door to a different side of this endlessly rewarding county.
Folkestone & clifftop views
The View Hotel Folkestone
Perched dramatically above the English Channel, The View Hotel Folkestone is exactly as the name promises - floor-to-ceiling windows, uninterrupted sea vistas, and a sense of being suspended somewhere between England and France. Rooms are contemporary and coastal-cool, perfect for a lie-in with a horizon view. Step outside and the creative energy of Folkestone awaits: the Harbour Arm's independent food and drink scene is a ten-minute stroll, while the iconic Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne make for an extraordinary day out.
Voco The Clifton Folkestone
A sophisticated IHG property with serious views and a relaxed confidence that suits couples perfectly. Voco The Clifton brings a smart, contemporary sensibility to Folkestone's clifftop, with well-appointed rooms, attentive service and easy access to everything that makes this town one of Kent's most talked-about destinations. After a morning exploring The Creative Quarter, treat yourselves to a tasting session at the nearby Terlingham Vineyard, one of the country's most scenically positioned wine estates, sitting high on the North Downs with views that rival anything in Champagne.
Dover - The White Cliffs coast
Dover Marina Hotel & Spa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Right on the water's edge, the Dover Marina Hotel offers a genuinely romantic base for exploring England's most storied port town. Watch the great ships come and go from your room, then head into town to discover Dover's extraordinary depth of history. The White Cliffs, Dover Castle and the remarkable network of wartime tunnels beneath the chalk are all on your doorstep.
Holiday Inn Dover
Comfortable, reliable and brilliantly placed for exploring the Eastern Kent coast, the Holiday Inn Dover is a practical springboard for couples who want to cover ground. The White Cliffs stretching towards South Foreland Lighthouse are a short drive, and from here you're ideally placed to explore the famous Wine Garden of England - some of Kent's most iconic vineyards, including celebrated estates like Gusbourne, where award-winning English sparkling wine is crafted.
Hythe - elegant and unhurried
Hythe Imperial Hotel
Grand, gracious and utterly restorative, the Hythe Imperial is the sort of hotel that makes you feel immediately looked after. Set on its own grounds by the sea, with a spa, pool and excellent dining, it's built for the kind of slow, luxurious weekend that you've been promising yourselves for years. The Romney Marsh begins on its doorstep - a landscape of big skies, ancient churches and total stillness that genuinely resets the mind. Pair a spa day with a gentle drive across the Marsh to seek out the the famous Biddenden vineyard, where relaxed tours of the vines can be paired with a tasting of some of their award-winning wines.
Sheppey's wild shores
Elmley Nature Reserve
Sitting on the Isle of Sheppey, Elmley is one of Britain's most beautiful wild places, and the accommodation within it is genuinely extraordinary. Safari tents and shepherd's huts look out over a working nature reserve of marsh, meadow and water, home to a cast of wildlife that will make birdwatching converts of the most reluctant. For empty nesters craving genuine stillness and natural beauty, there is nowhere quite like it. The extraordinary living larder at Macknade is worth the drive for sourcing the finest local ingredients for an indulgent evening in, while Brogdale, the home of the National Fruit Collection makes for a fab foodie afternoon.
Marvellous Medway
Bridgewood Manor Hotel
A handsome hotel with country house warmth and a superb spa, Bridgewood Manor sits in a quiet corner of the Medway Valley and makes an ideal base for a couple's long weekend in this endlessly interesting part of Kent. Rochester's cathedral city offers independent bookshops, Dickens connections and excellent food. The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of the most fascinating heritage sites in England - a full day of exploration. And just down the road, the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham is a surprisingly rich and absorbing experience, tracing centuries of military ingenuity through fascinating exhibits and artefacts.
Royal Tunbridge Wells - refined and surprising
The Spa Hotel & Smart Town Stays
Royal Tunbridge Wells has quietly become one of the most appealing weekend destinations in the South East. The Spa Hotel on the edge of the common offers country house calm within walking distance of The Pantiles, while a cluster of boutique townhouse options in the centre suit younger couples after something more characterful. The town's independent restaurant scene is genuinely excellent.
Sevenoaks & the Weald
Hever Castle
To stay at Hever Castle is to step directly into one of England's most renowned love stories. The childhood home of Anne Boleyn is a fairy-tale of turrets, moats and immaculate gardens, and the accommodation in the Astor Wing is as romantic as it sounds. Summer evenings at the Hever Festival Theatre, set against the castle itself, are unforgettable. Penshurst Place, one of Kent's grandest manor houses, is only minutes away, making this corner of the Weald an exceptionally rewarding base for couples who want history, beauty and countryside in equal measure.
Ashford - vineyard country
Eastwell Manor
Set within 3,000 acres of parkland, Eastwell Manor is a properly grand escape - the kind of place that makes a long weekend feel genuinely indulgent. Its spa, beautiful grounds and fine dining make it a natural choice for those wanting real luxury. The surrounding countryside is the heart of Kent's wine renaissance: Gusbourne's acclaimed vineyards are a short drive, and Biddenden Vineyards offer an equally atmospheric tasting experience through orchards and vines. The Rare Breeds Centre near Woodchurch and The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway add a wonderful day out to your Ashford escape.
Romney Marsh Shepherd's Huts
There are few stays in England that feel quite as genuinely off-grid as this. The Romney Marsh Shepherd's Huts place you in the middle of one of the UK's most singular landscapes - flat, sky-filled and wonderfully remote. Drift off to the sound of nothing but wind and birdsong, and wake to views that stretch for miles. This is bliss for couples who want to unplug completely.
Escape to Kent's quaint villages
Leeds Castle
To stay within the grounds of Leeds Castle - often called the loveliest castle in the world - is an experience that needs no embellishment. Imagine waking to the sight of a moated medieval fortress rising from a mirror-still lake, with the sounds of peacocks and absolute peace. The cottages and lodges within the estate grounds offer couples exactly this, with 500 acres of glorious parkland to explore before anyone else arrives.
Bloom Stays
Bloom Stays curates some of Kent's most beautiful self-catering properties - each one handpicked for its character, setting and quality of finish. Spread across the county, their properties suit couples who want privacy, beautiful interiors and a genuine sense of place without sacrificing comfort. From converted oast houses and mill cottages to clifftop retreats, a Bloom property is a brilliant way to experience Kent on your own terms. Many sit within the Mid-Kent countryside, with easy access to the Wine Garden of England, Penshurst Place and the wider tapestry of this endlessly rewarding county.
