The Ship & Trades - Chatham, United Kingdom     

This place may well have been the last word in post-indiustrial designer gastro-pubbery when it was converted (in the 90s, I would guess). But now it is looking quite sad, as though all the energy and the people with the bright ideas have long ago moved on. On a recent visit the staff were disinterested, the carpets grubby, the lift smelly, the paint chipped and dirty and everything generally looked worn out and in need of refurbishment.. My room (no 2) was large and pretty well equipped, though the sink was the size of half a dinner plate and no use for anything (maybe because the bathroom was kitted out for wheelchair access - but why should that mean no-one can wash properly?). Beneath my window was a very noisy aircon unit (?) which stayed on all night and would drive you mad in summer with the windows open. Breakfast was pathetic - a surly young girl, cavernous room, blaring music and scrambled eggs that looked and tasted like bits of expanded polystyrene sprayed yellow. Very poor. On the plus side the rooms are large, the location is great, £60 for B&B seemed reasonable, and they do a decent pint of Shepherd Neame plus adequate bar food. If they sorted out the decor and service, they could charge £80 and hold their heads high. Shame that they don't.

We stayed at this hotel for one night as we were attending a friend's wedding reception in the Historic Dockyard down the road (the hotel is only about a 10 minute walk from this attraction and if we'd had more time we might have investigated more). The hotel itself is in a nice location by the water's edge and next to a small retail outlet shopping mall. It was quiet when we checked in but if the bar had been busy when we'd arrived it would have taken us a while as the bar staff are also reception staff. We had a warm welcome though and it was easy to find our room. All the rooms have a slight naval theme including the name on the door and blue and white as a colour scheme which gave a nice fresh and airy feel. The bedroom and bathroom were larger than average and were very clean. We didn't drink/eat in the bar or restaurant in the evening so I can't comment on that. I can, however, say that the cooked breakfast in the morning was delicious and perfect for starting our day of hangovers. It was served until 10am too so we didn't have to be early risers. I would recommend this hotel for people who are just staying a night or 2 and want somewhere comfy and clean to sleep.