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Hotel Continental, Whitstable
Whitstable
CT5 2BP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Hotel Continental
Attractive-looking hotel right at the eastern end of Whitstable's beachfront, with a smart, modernised appearance of the three-part interior too. However, as the weather was still good, most customers were out on the narrow front patio terrace (partly under cover of the porticoed entrance. Being under the same ownership as the Whitstable Brewery, I was pleased to find five of their craft keg beers being served, including the seasonal Rocky Red (£3.25, half), plus a cider.
On 6th October 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Hotel Continental
We found this place rather farcical. The layout hasn’t changed since the previous review, though there are now taps on the bar. These, however, proved pointless, as the first three things we ordered were ‘off’. The young barmaid was useless to the point of incompetence, while the other clients projected all the joy and conviviality of a clap-clinic waiting room, more incontinent than Continental. The emphasis now appears to be on the accommodation, the bar and restaurant being merely inconvenient adjuncts. The management and staff were genuinely unable to arrange a beer-up in a brewery-owned bar. Life is too short to return here.
On 9th January 2023
- rating: 3
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Hotel Continental
Before reverting back to its original name, this elegant looking beachside hotel was a rather down at heel bikers and music pub called the Harbour Lights that I did manage to visit on a couple of occasions until it was unceremoniously closed down by police in the early 90’s.
Today the dinginess has been replaced by a slightly more luxurious and up-market lounge bar with an adjoining restaurant specializing in the local oysters. The bar area is to the right and is quite spacious without being cavernous with a bright and airy feel aided by the large picture windows. A large mural stretches along one wall adding a splash of interest to what could be a fairly bland room.
The larger part of the building is the restaurant and is slightly raised although I’m not sure if it offers any sea views given the sea wall in front of the building. There is a balcony above the main restaurant entrance however I do not get the impression this is an asset that cane be used by the general drinker although there is some outside seating on the pavement.
The Hotel is owned by the Whitstable Oyster Company who also manage the Whitstable Brewery bar further along the beach and the Brewery itself hence the beers are sourced from the Whitstable Brewery. There are no hand pumps so everything is in keg form although my recent visit found a barrel of IPA perched on the counter. Whether this is a regular thing or just to cover the additional Festival crowds I can’t say. I did recall prices on my initial visit a couple of years back being a bit hefty but this time they didn’t seem any worse than some if the other pubs in town.
It’s not a place that we generally use but it does has a certain seaside hotel ambience and does offer an alternative to the multitude of Shepherd Neame pubs in town.
On 24th July 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Hotel Continental
Bar of The Hotel Continental.They sell most of the range of Whitstable Brewery beers on keg but they did have one Whitstable beer on gravity which was in top form.
On 17th May 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Manky Badger left this review about Hotel Continental
The hotel runs or is run by (don't know which) the Whitstable Brewery, so you are sure of excellent beer. Or you would be if they didn't insist on serving it ice cold on gas flow.
However, being a hotel, they charge hotel prices. Much as I like Oyster Stout, I can't help but feel that £3.20 is a bit steep for a pint of the stuff.
On 9th March 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 155 recommendations about 154 pubs]