On The Waterfront

Enjoying a seafront location and now with two restaurants by Marco Pierre White, the Dover Marina Hotel goes from strength to strength

Heading towards Dover on a brilliant, blue skies afternoon, I actually felt as if I was going on holiday. But I wasn’t about to leap on a ferry, instead I was doing what I am now telling all my friends to do – get to know this frontline town all over again, because it’s transformed itself. And stay overnight, preferably occupying a seafront room at the Dover Marina Hotel. The views are stunning, and you get your first glimpse of the exciting new marina developments too.

Part of an elegant Victorian terrace, this attractive building dating from 1841 was opened as White Cliffs Hotel in 1947. It then reopened as The Churchill Hotel in 1994 – inspired by its famous guest, Sir Winston Churchill – and following a multi-million pound refurbishment, was transformed into Dover Marina Hotel in 2011.

At the helm for just four months, new General Manager Ilhan Kose brings impressive global experience to the role and staff are an absolute credit to his leadership, combining efficiency with great wamth and a genuine feeling that they love working here. And why wouldn’t you?