Went to a small family wedding with just 40 people. Carparking available. The food was very good. I had a good pawn cocktail, baked cod that couldn't I fault (but my wife didn't think much of it, she said it lacked salt), and a Pavlova that was superb and sumptuous. Two of my friends have severe food allergies and were very well cared for. The reception room was perfect for 40 people, cosy but not cramp. Afterwards we danced, lighting and sound was good. The staff were all friendly, nothing was too much trouble. I'm a bit old school, the waiting staff didn't look professional. Is this a five star place? Possibly... But I didn't see the venue tested enough to give it top marks.
Paul Russell263 days ago
I discovered The Clarendon by chance and gotta say it's a 'hidden gem' as bar/restaurant/hotels go. A cool comfortable bar/cafe that's classy but unpretentious. Probably one of the best coffees in town...made with fresh ground coffee beans. Lovely atmosphere and highly recommended.
Richard M263 days ago
We visited here for lunch; a family meal with 3 young kids and my grandmother, who handpicked the restaurant based on suitability for 3 kids.
The food was good with generous portions, though the price (almost £90 for 3 adult and 3 kids meals and soft drinks).
However, we arrived at 12:20, had our drinks ordered and then food ordered (slightly slowly, by 12:40-12:50 maybe), and went straight for mains. It took a while but eventually we got them, maybe by 13:20. We ate, really enjoying the food, but it was almost an hour later that we got someone to start clearing our table and taking our dessert order - well after 2pm. At 2:30pm we started asking where our desserts were and were told eventually that they had a miscommunication (implied to be related to new ownership), the chef did not know a table of 20 and a table of 11 were booked in until they arrived and that they were busy serving them (seemingly starters). Our desserts would be up to 15 more minutes.
We were surprised as several bar staff were only intermittently occupied for the time we were there - our waitress was often popping out elsewhere but it did not feel like everyone was overloaded. It was a surprise that no one warned us. With young children to occupy, it had been difficult. The staff were a bit apologetic that we had had a bad experience and after asking a couple of times I got someone to process the bill (minus desserts).
We decided to leave and get pudding on the Prom nearby for 1/3 of the price and to allow the kids to get out.
It seems like it was an unfortunate series of events that ruined an otherwise nice meal, but the only redeeming features were nice (if expensive) food and clean bathrooms.
Bethany Brooks355 days ago
Not worth it. Took too long to get breakfast, staff at breakfast seemed unsure of service, rooms smelled funny. Bar staff were good though. Go to the premier Inn instead
Laurie Francis355 days ago
Our room was very hot but other family members had a room that was very cold. The place overall seems run down and in need of several repairs. The room itself was small with the smallest double bed I've ever slept in. The shower in the others room was cold. The location is not bad, Gravesend doesn't have much to attract people but the river views are nice.
Victoria Merchant1 year ago
My friend and I had the most fantastic meal, ambience, location, service, food, cocktails were all just perfect - highly recommended and we will be back again !!!
Adrian Sandu1 year ago
The room was freezing cause no-one turned the heating on. We had to wait at least one hour till reasonable temperature.
L2 years ago
My partner and I stayed in room 102 on Saturday 3rd December. The room was great and bed was lovely, very clean!
I do not usually go to the extent of writing a bad review however, the lady at the front desk was so unbelievably unprofessional - I am embarrassed that my mum bought this for my Christmas gift. She seemed as if she couldn’t care less about customers or her job, was very rude and did not at one point make us feel comfortable. From the moment we stepped foot into the hotel to the second we left, we have very awkward vibes and service from her. We arrived and she had no general hospitality manors, was vaping in the bar area and couldn’t even be bothered to tell us what was included the breakfast the next morning. When I asked, her response was, ‘well it’s literally a full English’.
Myself and my partner had to get our room key checked 6 times, as she kept forgetting to put it onto our room.
We had a late check out and was clearly put in the early check out side, as there was a band ‘practice’ directly below us which forced us to leave early. My mum had kindly ordered us champagne to our room before we arrived, we didn’t even receive any glasses… some of these issues would’ve been ok , but as there were so many, they couldn’t be ignored unfortunately.
We will never stay here again, I work in hospitality and I wouldn’t dream of allowing someone to feel the way that my partner and I felt.
A cool comfortable bar/cafe that's classy but unpretentious.
Probably one of the best coffees in town...made with fresh ground coffee beans.
Lovely atmosphere and highly recommended.
The food was good with generous portions, though the price (almost £90 for 3 adult and 3 kids meals and soft drinks).
However, we arrived at 12:20, had our drinks ordered and then food ordered (slightly slowly, by 12:40-12:50 maybe), and went straight for mains. It took a while but eventually we got them, maybe by 13:20. We ate, really enjoying the food, but it was almost an hour later that we got someone to start clearing our table and taking our dessert order - well after 2pm. At 2:30pm we started asking where our desserts were and were told eventually that they had a miscommunication (implied to be related to new ownership), the chef did not know a table of 20 and a table of 11 were booked in until they arrived and that they were busy serving them (seemingly starters). Our desserts would be up to 15 more minutes.
We were surprised as several bar staff were only intermittently occupied for the time we were there - our waitress was often popping out elsewhere but it did not feel like everyone was overloaded. It was a surprise that no one warned us. With young children to occupy, it had been difficult. The staff were a bit apologetic that we had had a bad experience and after asking a couple of times I got someone to process the bill (minus desserts).
We decided to leave and get pudding on the Prom nearby for 1/3 of the price and to allow the kids to get out.
It seems like it was an unfortunate series of events that ruined an otherwise nice meal, but the only redeeming features were nice (if expensive) food and clean bathrooms.
The place overall seems run down and in need of several repairs.
The room itself was small with the smallest double bed I've ever slept in. The shower in the others room was cold.
The location is not bad, Gravesend doesn't have much to attract people but the river views are nice.
I do not usually go to the extent of writing a bad review however, the lady at the front desk was so unbelievably unprofessional - I am embarrassed that my mum bought this for my Christmas gift. She seemed as if she couldn’t care less about customers or her job, was very rude and did not at one point make us feel comfortable. From the moment we stepped foot into the hotel to the second we left, we have very awkward vibes and service from her. We arrived and she had no general hospitality manors, was vaping in the bar area and couldn’t even be bothered to tell us what was included the breakfast the next morning. When I asked, her response was, ‘well it’s literally a full English’.
Myself and my partner had to get our room key checked 6 times, as she kept forgetting to put it onto our room.
We had a late check out and was clearly put in the early check out side, as there was a band ‘practice’ directly below us which forced us to leave early. My mum had kindly ordered us champagne to our room before we arrived, we didn’t even receive any glasses… some of these issues would’ve been ok , but as there were so many, they couldn’t be ignored unfortunately.
We will never stay here again, I work in hospitality and I wouldn’t dream of allowing someone to feel the way that my partner and I felt.