Doing as you are told may be terribly English, but it won’t get you far. If I
had heeded the “Please Wait To Be Seated” sign at the Hotel Continental in
Whitstable, I would probably still be there.
A guerrilla-like raid on the bar got me a predinner gin and tonic. Making doe
eyes at a waitress got me a menu. But then I was left to stew for 45 minutes
before anyone twigged that I might actually be expecting to have dinner.
I had already given them one hefty clue: I had booked a table for 7.30pm and
it was after 8. Now I was giving them more hefty clues: my gin and tonic was
empty, my tongue was hanging out and I was clutching my stomach, which was
as hollow as the Grand Canyon. But they just didn’t take the hint.
A couple of waitresses in badly fitting jeans ministered to the needs of the
other guests, but I might as well have been the Invisible Man. When I
finally collared one, and asked if I could have dinner, she looked at me as
if I had goosed her.
The slovenly service came as a shock since the Hotel Continental is a popular
seaside hotel with a lot going for it. The building dates back to the 1930s
and is decorated in a cheerful Art Deco style, with plenty of strong
colours: mustard on the walls of my bedroom; aquamarine in the bathroom.
The public rooms are bright and airy, and on busy evenings are filled with an
agreeably mixed clientele. During my wait for dinner, I was entertained by
an American banker with a carrying voice and a girl in a Snow White costume
trying to head-butt her brother.
The hotel is owned by the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company and has become a
place of pilgrimage for oyster-fanciers from London. Forget that old canard
about eating oysters only when there is an R in the month.
They are delicious here year round, and as I wolfed six native rock oysters,
thrillingly cold, with a classic vinegar-and-shallot sauce, my irritation at
being ignored for so long dissipated. A main course of roast cod, also
immaculate, maintained me in good humour.
As for the service, perhaps I was unlucky. The staff did notice me in the
breakfast room the next morning – it probably helped that I was the only
person there – and treated me like a lord. Next time I visit I must wear a
very loud shirt. Either that or dress as Snow White.
Bottom line: Max Davidson paid £62.50 for a single room, including
breakfast.
Sampling the fare: Dinner for one cost about £50, with wine.
What we think: Cheerful, rather slapdash establishment in colourful
seaside town.
Best thing: Oysters.
Worst thing: Comically inattentive staff.
Access all areas: Restaurant only.
Need to know: Hotel Continental, Beach Walk, Whitstable, Kent CT5 2BP
(01227 280280, www.oysterfishery.co.uk).
Room: 6 out of 10.
Food: 8 out of 10.
Service: 4 out of 10.
Value: 7 out of 10.
Have you stayed at the Hotel Continental? Do you agree or disagree with our
review? Post a Comment.
Do not stay in room 6,unless you enjoy minimal facilities. the room is tiny,the only furniture is a bed and one bedside chest. nowhere to keep clothes, and nowhere to store luggage.there is a bracket on the wall and some coathangers for dresses ,suits etc.totally ianadequate.no t.v. or coffee/tea .
G.T.Kelvie, Hastings, U.K
Bailiffscourt. Climping. Despite the nice ambiance, our lunch was totally inadequate. the so-called main courses resembling their skimpy starters: a risotto three inches in diameter; my pork, three lumps of fat ,scant potatoes like marbles plusa few odd leaves. A triumph of style over substance.
Raymund Dring, London, UK
better to stay at Windy Ridge where the owners understand what personal service really means! Rooms are amazing, some with fantastic sea views. Breakfast to die for too!
Linda Price, London, UK
Your review 25/8/07 was spot on! We have stayed several times at the Continental when our daughter was at Kent University Canterbury 1998-2001. Unfortunately things do not seem to have changed.
Although the rooms are very well appointed and the public areas ok, the service is appalling. As you say the waitresses wear jeans and on one occasion not much else! They are slow and inattentive. Once we were having breakfast and one of them started to refill the flower vase with some spillage.
We have visited Whitstable since, but will not return to the Continental, preferring the Travelodge on the edge of the town!
Tony Bowhill Chartered Surveyor Chartered Town Planner Planning and Property Consultant , Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
I stayed there three weeks ago, had a great time, excellent value mid-week and no complaints about staff or service. In fact breakfast browsing a comp copy of The Independent was one of the best hotel breakfasts ever. I especially enjoyed seeing lots of mums and dads and well scrubbed, well-behaved children. You could not be closer to the beach and at the end of a road, so also peaceful, I'll go again.
Laura Pank, Lingfield,
The food is ok, but you can do better in and around Whitstable. We didn't find the service as bad as Max Davidson, but having said that it wasn't great. Our main gripe was the endemically off-hand arrogance of the staff, as if one is being accorded a rare privilege by being allowed to stay there. We have been twice, and the bedrooms are cramped and the bar area dirty. It all reeks of avarice - we won't be returning.
Charles Fraser, London,
Perhaps the WOFC are fast becoming victims of their own success, and have stopped trying.
My husband and I, who are relatively local in that we live in Canterbury, have often experienced the same problem at the Continental.
Every time we go, you will find us muttering to ourselves on departure 'that's it, we're definitely not returning next time' but are somehow always attracted to the great location, simple decor and the good food.
Let's hope the WOFC take heed of the article, the comments and once and for all, get their act together and do some staff training. Surely it can't be that hard?
lesley payne, canterbury, UK
I was very interested to read your report on the Continental Hotel.It would appear I have had a similar experience to you in as much as my partner & myself are going to Whitstable mid September. A few weeks ago I emailed two establishments to enquire as to availablity. One being the Continental another a family run operation. The attititude by the Continental was far from acceptable as they failed to acknowledge my enquiry let alone answer my questions. This says something about them do it not? However I am pleased to say that the family run Hotel came up with the goods and we are booked in there.
Hotels and Restaurants who adopt the Continental's attitude to potential customers do not deserve to succeed!
What on earth do foreign tourists think when faced with this type of arrogance?
Douglas Rudolph, Haslemere, Surrey
Sorry, no, never stayed BUT have visited many times since it was re-opened by the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company, although not for a couple of years. My partner and I made a nostalgic visit in early August for a bar lunch. We were disappointed and decided not to visit again. The tables were uncleard and dirty. The service was slow and 'slaphappy'. It is interesting to note that I cannot remember the food. I felt there was no management interest in the place.
John Oates, Moissac, France