Hampton by Hilton

129 bed Hampton by Hilton opens its doors in the city centre!

As many who have walked past will know, thislarge site in StMargaret’s Street (the former Slatters Hotel), had been sad, neglected, boarded up and in a poor state... until this year when the Hampton by Hilton opened in Canterbury!

The building will have new life breathed into it this summer when Hampton by Hilton, part of the global Hilton chain, will open a brand new 129 bedroom hotel (in June). It’s hoped that as well as refreshing the site itself, it will benefit the surrounding businesses in the newly formed Castle Quarter. The site development is the result of a 2012 conversation over coffee between Civil Engineer and East Kent local Zaw Htut and his friend, Chartered Surveyor, Mike Wood. Zaw persuaded Mike to take a look at a ‘site with potential’ in the centre of Canterbury. He believed it could be restored and be a fantastic asset to the city, although neither was in any doubt about how much work would lie ahead. 8 years on, they’re ready to open the doors!

So how did it all happen? After much consultation with interested parties and potential partners, it was decided that a hotel would still be the preferred business on the site – and especially, a prestigious, international brand. Hampton by Hilton eventually sealed the deal.

The designs and plan put together by local architect Guy Holloway divided opinion, with some arguing that a modern frontage would look stark and out of place in a heritage city. A heritage consultant was employed to ensure that the historical ‘bones’ of the building were respected, whilst allowing the hotel to deliver a standard of comfort and amenities required by today’s pilgrims. Some parts of the original Tudor design have been retained; indeed, the customer entrance on St Margaret’s St will be directly through the old Tudor doors. Eleven of the 129 bedrooms are in the ‘old building’, with the rest in the new build. In the openplan hotel reception, guests can see part of an original Roman theatre under a glass floor, and there’s also a beautiful Tudor fireplace to admire. Two retail units will sit at the front of the hotel, and up on the roof, a stunning glass bar and restaurant will offer spectacular views across the medieval rooftops. At night, the view of the floodlit Cathedral dominates the skyline. The restaurant is to be run independently of the Hotel, and an operator is expected to be confirmed as we go to print. It’s going to be a great venue for parties, celebrations – even wedding receptions! The hotel also boasts a well-equipped gym for residents. Luckily, you don’t need to be staying at the hotel to enjoy many of its facilities. For non-hotel residents, an excellent breakfast is served daily and the lounge will provide both wi-fi and coffee – perfect for city centre work catch ups. There’s also a hire-able meeting room. The rooftop restaurant will of course be open to all.

To have delivered such a prestigious project into the city centre – during a global pandemic – is a considerable achievement. We wish Hampton by Hilton a long and successful tenure in Canterbury!