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Step off the beach and into Margate’s luxury spa treatment rooms. Coastline inspired interiors, calming salt-water baths and bespoke treatments await you.
The menu includes massages and facials alongside deeply-relaxing rituals such as “Lessen Your Stress” or “Copper Cove”; soak in the stunning copper bath with a glass of fizz, followed by a 60-minute side-by-side treatment.
The hotel’s facilities include:
“A boutique hotel and spa in the heart of the charming seaside town of Margate” (Stylish Spy)
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
No.42 is one of four boutique properties within the GuestHouse brand dotted around the country, named (as they all are) after the building’s street number. This one – at 42 High Street in the Old Town area of Margate - has the same blueprint as the others (Crossley record players; Pearly Cow restaurants; Field Trip spas) but with an added dollop of seaside charm.
Arriving by train? Call ahead and they will send their retro-inspired cargo bike to whisk away your luggage, leaving you with a map to find the hotel (which really isn’t far). Arriving by car, call ahead for a parking space.
As well as 18 rooms and three suites, there’s a Lounge Bar, a restaurant and a second (seasonal) rooftop bar with sea views aplenty.
WHAT’S ON OFFER?
The Field Trip Spa can be found on the lower floor – exit the lifts to the left and walk up a handful of steps.
Spa reception is compact but oh-so bijou with four fat cream armchairs set to sink into and a good selection of wellness to browse while you wait.
Staying the night, we had already changed into our robes and eco slippers (made from coconut husks and natural jute) before heading to the spa.
With no wet facilities here, it’s all about the experiences, with a range of treatments for couples (including the spa’s signature Copper Cove for two), Rituals (think Top-to-Toe Glow), Massages (deep tissue or full body) and Facials.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENTS
We tried the Time Together treatment (60 minutes, £210 for two).
We were greeted in spa reception by our therapists, Carmen and Ellie, who offered glasses of water and asked us to complete consultation forms before leading us to treatment room 3, a couples’ room with dual beds and a round copper bath in the corner.
Asking us to de-robe and lie on side-by-side beds, face down, Ellie and Carmen returned to commence our treatments in unison, beginning with deep inhalations of a heady scent.
Carmen’s relaxing back massage - with sweeping strokes created by using her forearms – almost had me in dreamland until, that is, she found my tres knotty shoulders and set to work loosening them (no easy feat). Carmen then massaged my arms before asking me to turn over for the facial.
With our spa partner now also lying face up, the ladies began each facial with a citrussy cleaning balm which smelt – and felt – divine followed by an exfoliating scrub. The toner to close the pores was spritzed from above, falling down like raindrops. Carmen then put on a mask and – while it sunk in – dry massaged my scalp. The treatment ended with dots of eye cream, a slick of serum and some moisturiser.
Allowing us to come to, the ladies quietly left the room so that we could re-robe and sip glasses of water on the beds. Returning, Ellie gave us some good advice (drink plenty of water, add SPF if heading out), while Carmen offered us a wee sample of the orange Indonesian Body oil used (from Pinks Boutique), a sachet of ginger turmeric tea, and a card containing two QR codes: one to learn more about the brands the spa works with; the other to download the playlist used throughout). Spa-ing at home, here we come.
FOOD FACTS
The hotel’s Pearly Cow restaurant opens Thursdays (for steak night), and at weekends for lunch and dinner with a menu of fresh seafood (you couldn’t get much closer for a catch), succulent steaks and light salads.
As it was a Wednesday - and on good recommendation - we walked to Peter’s fish and chips, grabbed cod and chips twice and ate it on the balcony of our room whilst watching the sun go down. A bucket with ice was kindly provided to cool a cheeky bottle of crisp Sauvignon Blanc to accompany our supper. Not too shabby.
Pearly Cow also doubles up as a bar with sea views, where we enjoyed both a pre-dinner cocktail and breakfast the next morning. Famished from the sea air, we tucked into chilli and lime avocado on toast with two perfectly poached eggs; our spa partner’s Full English was so large, we had to take a photo.
Throughout their stay, guests can raid the free 24/7 pantry on the second floor – help yourself to jars of colourful sweets (and stripy paper bags to plop them in), cakes and chilled drinks.
SWEET STAY?
Oh yes. Despite arriving early, we checked straight into room 3 on the first floor, a large guestroom with a long corridor lined with modern artwork, a pretty-in-pastels bathroom with freestanding tub and shower, and a large room in whites and creams with painted wooden floors and textured rugs. We loved the Crossley record player (with handpicked selection of vinyl – hello Elvis), Robert’s radio, Smeg kettle and fancy silver coffee machine, as well as the ceiling light made to look like a shell.
The piece de resistance? Double French doors opening out onto a balcony with two seats and a table perfectly positioned to admire the sweeping arc of caramel sand in front.
A post-seaside sleep in the huge bed, followed by coffee on the balcony and a hot shower with Wildsmith products set us up nicely for the day.
WE LOVED…
The retro touches: from the crackle of a good record to the retro sweet jars (not to mention physical keys for bedroom doors), this vintage-loving Spa Spy was in hotel heaven.
The location: admire the sea, walk on the beach, visit the Turner gallery or mooch around the old town (with its British pubs, ice cream parlours and antique shops). It’s all a pebble’s throw away.
Our large Guestroom with Seaview and Balcony was a thing of beauty (and pretty hard to leave).
DON’T MISS…
The opportunity to borrow a Polaroid camera from reception – pre-loaded with film – and create Margate memories to take home.
Pearly Cow resides in No. 42 and is a restaurant devoted to respecting what thrives in the Kentish land and nearby North Sea. The open kitchen's grill caramelises cuts and catches of the day, and the ice counter promises the richness of rawness. Vibrancy and freshness are everything here.
Lunch and dinner feature star ingredients in classics, interpretations, sharing dishes, and divine desserts. And kids have their own Pearly Calves menu.
Plus you can enjoy teas/coffee & drinks in the rooftop bar and the lounge area .
There are 21 Guest Rooms and Lookout Suites within the walls of the Victorian dream of a building. Original features have been preserved and paired with all the modern stuff you need. Some have balconies for extra greatness. Some have showers for two and four-poster beds. They are all marvellous.
10.30am until 6pm Monday - Sunday
(closed on Christmas day)
Just a scenic 10-minute, seaside stroll from Margate train station.
Private car park opposite the hotel for hotel guests. This is charged at £20 per night and has limited space. Recommended to reserve a spot when you book.
for day guests there’s a public car park (Market Street Car Park) just a 5-minute walk away.
Accessible (single) treatment room, with lift-access and a disabled bathroom.
The Copper Cove is accessed by a small set of steps, so not wheelchair friendly.
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