A-list bolthole where boho meets beach
CAMBER SANDS is a natural wonder: a sweeping two-mile stretch of glorious golden sand dunes framed by the biggest sky.
But this traditional bucket-and-spade destination is being transformed by an influx of gourmet food trucks – think vegan dirty burgers and fusion Vietnamese – catering for the growing number of kite-surfers, mountain-bikers and outdoor enthusiasts keen to experience the area’s wild beauty.
The Gallivant is Camber Sands’ beach-boho motel, so hip that George Clooney and Matt Damon hung out in its Nordic-chic bar when filming The Monuments Men on the dunes opposite.
We arrived in time for tea. The stylish open-plan lobby and lounge – all cool tones, warm wood and low-slung sofas – easily absorbed the bustle of families with dogs and couples helping themselves to freshly baked scones. Scones suitably slathered, my husband Nick and I settled in front of a roaring fire.
The Gallivant, which opened in 2014 and was recently refurbished, now features 20 light, airy bedrooms, from the smaller Cosy and Garden up to Large Hampton and Luxury Garden. Each has salvaged-timber beds set with down-stuffed duvets and threadcount-busting linens.
The decor is cool coastal and the rooms are ones in which to wallow, though I did slip out through our double doors and head to the Beach Hut spa for a massage. By the time I returned, husband had already soaked in the roll-top bath and liberated several packets of popcorn from the Larder of Guilty Pleasures mini-bar.
The hotel boasts serious food credentials: award-winning head chef Oliver Joyce uses fresh ingredients mostly sourced or foraged from within ten miles.
The restaurant features huge windows, which are perfect for gazing out on to the dunes. We, however, barely looked up from our plates – don’t miss the local Romney marsh lamb with roasted garlic gnocchi.
Next morning we skipped beach yoga, preferring to work up an appetite for breakfast (homecured bacon and sausages) with a walk along the windswept beach, licked caramel-smooth by the retreating tide. USP: A private garden, spa, plus a huge terrace. Rooms: Many have private decks. All have supremely comfortable Hypnos mattresses and beach bags of towels and flip-flops. Food: Highlights include Dungeness cod with salt-baked celeriac. We also loved the selfserve Bloody Mary Recovery Station at breakfast.