The Hotel: Located on the A20, very close to Junction 8 of the M20, some 40 minutes to Dover and 55 minutes to London. One of Marriott’s dozen hotel and country clubs across the UK, this one is a modern, low-rise complex comprising 120 rooms plus one suite.
The Check-in: Welcoming lobby area and no queue, thankfully, so check-in was painless. But then the journey began to try and find the room, which was a more painful process as
it’s a two-storey building which sprawls out like a rabbit warren.
The Room: The unobtrusively designed bedroom overlooked the golf course (one of 20 that do so), with old-fashioned-looking dark wood furniture lifted by light-coloured walls and all the amenities you would expect, from minibar and tea-and-coffee-making facilities to a good-size desk with high-speed internet and laptop-size safe. The bathroom was small but perfectly well equipped.
The Business: Plenty of meeting space, including the Bearsted Room and conservatory which takes 80 for dinner in the light-drenched conservatory or 50 for dinner and 30 for cabaret in the main room. There are four syndicate rooms (without natural light), two boardrooms for up to 16, and a larger suite which takes 180 for dinner or 90 cabaret. The contemporary-looking upper mezzanine bar acts as pre-function space. Wifi throughout the hotel is charged at £15 for 24 hours, although the hotel is looking to drop the fee.
The Facilities: The big draw is what’s outside: the 18-hole championship golf course, two tennis courts and a driving and putting range. On the lower level is the golf shop and extensive leisure facilities that comprise an exercise studio, cardiovascular equipment room, treatment rooms, heated pool, steam and sauna. Two restaurants: Zest, for casual dining accessed easily for golfers, and the more formal Conical Grill, a restaurant with private, curtained-off areas on the upper mezzanine level and a stylish outdoor bar area. Service in Conical was disappointing but the food was good.
The verdict: Good location halfway between London and Dover, with easy access to the M20 and a relaxed atmosphere befitting a country club. Generally very comfortable and efficiently-run.
The details: Tudor Park, Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 4NQ. Lead-in rates are £104 room only, including VAT, or £114 with breakfast. Tel: 01622 734334; or see www.marriott.co.uk. Gillian Upton
