Dad of three girls and AFC Wimbledon defender Barry Fuller visited Hythe Imperial in Kent for a little post-football R&R with his wife Laura, and this is what he thought…

First impressions

Right by the sea in Kent, with a view of the coast, Hythe Imperial is a grand building but everyone and everything is extremely welcoming, which was the perfect start to a break just for us without the girls. It’s very close to the Dover Ferry, so perhaps next time we should stop off on the way back from a trip to Paris!

The hotel

The hotel itself is a beautiful Victorian building with panoramic sea views in the middle of a historic seaside town, so it’s a nice place to explore and just chill out. It also has a number of family rooms, so while this break was about quality time for Laura and me, it would also be a good place to come with the girls as well.

The spa

The spa was where we spent most of our time. Even though the hotel is a historic building, the spa is modern and has a great gym to workout in before relaxing in the pool, which is large enough to do lengths if you want to, but also great to simply chill out in, particularly as there are loungers around the pool and a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room to use. There’s also a number of spa treatments available, which we took full advantage of. We both had full body massages, which were excellent and really helped us both to unwind.

The location

As I said before, the hotel is by the sea, which means it’s all about great views. It’s also pretty close to the beach, so if the weather is warm enough then go for a walk or explore the town; it’s a pretty market town with lots of history. We spent most of our trip in the spa this time, but if we went back in the summer it would be worth exploring a bit more. The hotel also has its own nine-hole golf course, so if you’re a fan then book a round.

The restaurant

One of our favourite things at the hotel was the food, which was spot on – we really couldn’t fault it. The staff were incredible (as they were in every part of the hotel), and after dinner we went to their Moet champagne bar, which is fantastic – beautifully done and a really nice addition to the experience.

The verdict

A great place to escape for a quick getaway by the sea, easy to get to and lots of really lovely spa treatments. We both came away feeling really relaxed, which was exactly what we wanted! We will definitely go back, probably in the summer so we can spend some time on the beach.

Top tips

• Take time to explore the town or go to the beach if the sun is shining.
• Book at least one spa treatment each to really relax and unwind.
• If you’re a golf fan, book a round at the hotel’s own nine-hole course.

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