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14th January 2020

WHY YOU PROBABLY SHOULD VISIT DEAL (IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY)

Frugal City Guides - By Alexandra Stedman

Longer Read

Alexandra Stedman of The Frugality sat at Deal's pebbly beach.
Photographs: Christopher O’Donnell

Okay, I’ll admit it – a beautiful sunny day in December really helped us fall in love with this place but if you’re looking for a town with lots of charm, blustery beach walks and plenty of antique shops then Deal is for you. It’s also very easy to get to by train, too (direct trains from London via Kings Cross and Charing Cross).

THE ROSE HOTEL

The outside of The Rose Hotel in Deal, Kent.

Honestly? I had no desire to go to Deal until someone told me specifically about The Rose – it’s not a big town so it was important to me that we stayed somewhere warm, stylish with a luxury feel. And interior inspiration, if poss, as we’re still mid renovations. It’s more at the top end of a stay with rooms from £125 a night (we stayed on a Sunday and Monday night – be warned, a lot of restaurants were closed on Sunday night – check before you book!), but you won’t be disappointed and rooms come with breakfast as standard. We were sold.

Rooms aren’t big (or at least ours wasn’t, we stayed in room 8) but they were totally chic and warm to make up for it, with free teas and coffees in the hallway.

If you can stretch to it, dinner here is lovely, too. The staff are so friendly, and I can recommend their Bloody Mary (I did ask for extra horseradish, but I am like them extra spicy)! It is dog-friendly which may or may not be a good thing for you…(I’m allergic to fur but staff always asked before allocating a space for a dog near me).

The door to room number eight at The Rose Hotel in Deal.
The interior decor of room number eight at The Rose Hotel in Deal.
The interior hallway decor of The Rose Hotel, Deal.
Image courtesy of The Rose Hotel
One of the beautifully decorated rooms at The Rose Hotel in Deal.
Image courtesy of The Rose Hotel
The bathrooom decor from room eight at The Rose Hotel in Deal.

THE SEA AIR

I’m not usually one for long strolls but Deal is set up for it with a walkway along the coast and it was just what we needed, we started from our hotel towards the remains of Sandown castle and then back towards Deal castle (a fort built by Henry VIII). The blustery winds were perfect to dust away any cobwebs of last year.

We didn’t get to Walmer Castle in Walmer, the next town along (but Chris tried Walmer beer, but then ironically found out the brewery was in London!) but sure it would make a great day trip.

Deal pier.
Alexandra Stedman of The Frugality sat at Deal's pebbly beach.
Alexandra Stedman of The Frugality walking along Deal's pebbly beach.
Alexandra Stedman of The Frugality walking along Deal's pebbly beach.

The town itself is full of so much character, book shops and Georgian streets, it feels like stepping back in time. I loved looking at all the colour combinations of houses, and admired how well they had been kept!

Bright coloured painted shops in Deal, Kent.
Painted cottages in Deal, Kent.
Taylor-Jones & Son art dealers in Deal, Kent.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO DRESS UP

Dress code is casual. Even for the evening, you’re rarely going far so I just took a jumpsuit for the evening, which I also wore home. Makes everything a lot simpler.

THE INTERIORS SHOPS

There are other shops, too, obviously, but the pull here is the secondhand, vintage and antique stores. We loved Mileage Vintage in particular, and bought a secondhand mirror for home. Just wander and you’ll stumble across somewhere you love, I found some great things in Hoxton Store, a few minutes away from The Rose and Le Petite Brocante looked sweet, but was closed.

Alexandra Stedman looking through the shop window at Quill Antiques in Deal, Kent.
A collection of vintage furniture inside the Mileage Vintage Store in Deal, Kent.
Mileage Vintage
A collection of vintage ceiling lights inside the Mileage Vintage Store in Deal, Kent.
Interior shot of the items on sale at the Dunlin & Diver store in Deal, Kent.
Dunlin & Diver store
The selection of handmade soaps on offer at The Hoxton Store in Deal, Kent.
Hoxton Store

We wanted to visit the Kent Museum of Moving Image, which houses some Ealing Studios posters but it was closed on a Monday.

Food and drink-wise, we enjoyed dinner at The Rose and if I drank wine, The Pinardier looked a lovely little wine bar. We hoped to get fish and chips on the pier for lunch but in fact, breakfast at the hotel kept us so full we didn’t end up needing it. So we saved our money instead.

Alexandra Stedman of The Frugality walking along Deal's pebbly beach.

By Alexandra Stedman

Fashion Editor, Blogger, Realist

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Comments

  1. cate says

    14th January 2020 at 11:56 am

    Love it! It’s a city I have never visited and it reminds so much of Hastings (:

    Cate // 35mminstyle / blogging + photography

    Reply
  2. Penelope says

    14th January 2020 at 3:45 pm

    I used to live in Deal. What a wonderful place it is, with immense charm. So many new ventures are happening. I would still recommend it to anyone to visit or live. I’m so glad you enjoyed your stay.

    Reply
  3. Alison Gilbert says

    14th January 2020 at 5:31 pm

    I love Deal it’s so pretty. When we went we stayed in a gorgeous appt on the seafront. If you loved it here you’d also love Broadstairs in Kent and in particular you’d love the very special Belvediere Place – so you’re style I think. It’s a bit more pricey £160-£180 but the host is absolutely amazing!!

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      15th January 2020 at 9:55 am

      Oh how lovely! I think soending more is always worth it when the hospitality is nice (and you’re only doing one or two nights!) x

      Reply
  4. Alice says

    15th January 2020 at 9:50 am

    What a pretty town! It’s exactly a place I want to visit when I want sometime for myself. Thank you for sharing! Gotta add Deal on my list.
    http://email-login.email

    Reply
  5. moviesjoyonline says

    16th January 2020 at 9:43 am

     It is a wonderful place
    I must go to this city too

    Reply
  6. mrnmrspet says

    9th April 2020 at 6:54 am

    nice post

    Reply
  7. swaginoor says

    16th June 2020 at 7:07 am

    Thanks for this wonderful article

    Reply
  8. Freya says

    26th July 2020 at 10:23 pm

    Finally booked our stay for over the August bank holiday. Have been dying to go ever since I first read this!

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      29th July 2020 at 10:18 am

      Oh brilliant – enjoy! x

      Reply
  9. WHITE RUNTZ STRAIN says

    16th September 2020 at 7:03 pm

    What a pretty town! It’s exactly a place I want to visit when I want sometime for myself. Thank you for sharing! Gotta add Deal on my list.

    Reply
  10. Steve says

    3rd April 2021 at 4:56 pm

    I liked your article. I live in south-east London, which isn’t far off, but I’ve never been to Deal. I must go soon though, since it looks lovely. The Rose have decorated their rooms attractively and distinctively. I would also enjoy visiting those shops.

    Reply

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