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Summary of reviewsThe Five Bells shines as a charming and strategically located choice for travelers seeking convenience and tranquility in a picturesque village setting. Its prime location near Dover Port and the town of Deal offers easy access to ferry travel to France and exploration of nearby historical landmarks such as Dover Castle and The White Cliffs National Trust site. Guests appreciate the quiet surroundings and the cozy, B&B-like atmosphere enhanced by friendly and helpful owners.
The breakfast offerings at The Five Bells receive widespread acclaim, described as lovely, delicious, and satisfying. While some guests noted the absence of a complimentary breakfast, the hearty Full English Breakfast is often praised, contributing to a positive dining experience when combined with a welcoming atmosphere and commendable dinner options.
Rooms provide comfort and cleanliness, with spacious family suites and comfortable beds ensuring a peaceful stay. While some rooms appear slightly outdated, the warm decor and attentive service compensate well. Cleanliness is commended, as are the well-maintained bathrooms and amenities like tea and coffee facilities. Staff dedication to maintaining a tidy environment is noticeable, despite minor cleanliness issues reported by a few guests.
The staff at The Five Bells significantly enhance the guest experience with their friendliness and warmth. The owners and staff go above and beyond to ensure guests have a pleasant stay, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere that complements the establishment's charm.
However, Wi-Fi connectivity appears inconsistent, as some guests experienced issues accessing the internet, leading to occasional frustration for travelers in need of connectivity. Regarding bedding, while many guests find the beds comfortable and conducive to a restful night, some have reported discomfort with mattresses and pillows, suggesting room for improvement.
Overall, The Five Bells offers a lovely and value-oriented stay, enriched by a welcoming environment, comfortable accommodations, and delightful dining experiences. Its minor areas for improvement do not overshadow the largely positive guest experiences, making it a preferred stop for many visiting the area. Show more
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Categories
Small Guest House
This guesthouse provides a unique and budget-friendly option for travelers.
4-Star Guest House
The Five Bells is a 4-star guesthouse. It's approximately 145 km from London Southend Airport and 5 km from cultural venues like the Deal. It has received good reviews.
Boutique-style Guest House
Guest House for Honeymoon
Romantic Guest House
Cheap Guest House
Room Types
Double RoomThis elegant room has an en suite bathroom and a TV with cable channels.
Twin RoomThis elegant room has an en suite bathroom and a TV with cable channels.
One-Bedroom ApartmentAn elegantly designed luxurious apartment (capable of sleeping 6 people), featuring a living room with a dining area, a kitchenette, and a separate double bedroom with en suite bathroom. There are two double fold away sofa beds together with bedding in the lounge area for up to four people.
SuiteThis suite consists of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. The suite provides a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, parquet floors, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit offers 3 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.5
Good
Location
Located in a charming village, The Five Bells offers a delightful blend of convenience and tranquility, making it an ideal choice for travelers. Its proximity to Dover Port and the picturesque town of Deal – just a short drive away – provides easy access for those catching a ferry to France. Many guests commend the location for being perfect for a quick journey to the port, ensuring a smooth start to their travels.
The setting of The Five Bells is described as lovely, with quiet surroundings offering a restful overnight stay. The accommodation is considered cosy and comfortable, providing spacious rooms, some accommodating up to four people, which is a rarity in the area. The hotel seems more like a charming B&B, nestled in a place with historical interest, making it an attractive spot for those interested in nearby landmarks like Dover Castle and The White Cliffs National Trust site.
Accessibility to nearby attractions such as Walmer Castle and the cliffs, along with good parking facilities, adds to its appeal. The welcoming environment, characterized by friendly and helpful owners, further enhances the experience for guests. Whether visiting for business, leisure, or a brief stopover before heading back to the continent, The Five Bells offers a strategically ideal location amid the scenic beauty surrounding Dover and Deal.
Breakfast
The Five Bells offers a breakfast experience that mostly garners high praise from its guests. Many describe the breakfast as lovely, delicious, great, superb, tasty, and even the biggest and best Full English Breakfast known to man. It seems that breakfast includes the standard English cooked trimmings and is top quality, appealing to those who enjoy a hearty start to their day. The breakfast provided is often lovely and plentiful, meeting the needs of most guests.
However, some visitors noted the absence of breakfast or its not being included with the room price, surprising for a hotel setting. Others mentioned that while the breakfast was delightful, a broader selection would be preferable. Issues like prohibitive expense, staff shortages, and absence of complementary breakfast were pointed out by a few, highlighting areas for potential improvement.
Despite some availability issues, the welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff at The Five Bells add to the overall positive dining experience, with dinner options receiving equal commendation. Clean rooms and attentive service are frequently praised, contributing to a satisfying stay overall.
Dinner
The dining experience at The Five Bells has received commendable feedback for its delicious and well-prepared meals. Guests have particularly praised the simple yet satisfying dinner options, with dishes like roast beef and Yorkshire pudding being highlighted for their quality and proper selection of vegetables. The pub within the hotel offers excellent dinner choices, with some guests noting the tasty macaroni cheese and perfectly cooked fillet steak. While the food is often described as fantastic and great value for money, the level of service has also been appreciated, contributing to an overall welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, the hotel's breakfast offerings complement the dining experience, providing a hearty start to the day. Despite occasional instances when food service was unavailable due to changes in ownership or other closures, when available, the meals were consistently regarded as very enjoyable and reasonably priced.
Rooms
The Five Bells offers a comfortable stay with its clean and cozy rooms, ideal for travelers seeking a leisurely visit. Guests appreciate the spacious accommodations, especially the family suites that provide ample space for those traveling with children. The rooms feature comfortable beds, and thoughtful amenities, including coffee and tea making facilities. Many visitors find the rooms quiet, particularly those at the back of the hotel, promising a peaceful night's rest.
Budget-conscious travelers will be pleased with the value for money, as despite some basic elements, most rooms are equipped with all the essentials for a short stay. Cleanliness is frequently praised, with many guests highlighting well-maintained and tidy spaces. The bathrooms are generally noted for their size and cleanliness, contributing to overall guest satisfaction.
Though some rooms are described as slightly outdated and in need of minor maintenance, the warm and welcoming decor compensates for these flaws. Additionally, the lovely couple running The Five Bells and the attentive staff contribute to a pleasant and inviting atmosphere, enhancing the overall guest experience. The property's charming pub setting and inviting common areas further add to the appeal, making it an attractive option for travelers.
Beds
The Five Bells offers a mixed experience when it comes to the beds in their accommodations. Many guests have remarked positively on the comfort of the beds, appreciating them after a long day. Words like comfortable and comfy frequently appear in the reviews, suggesting that for a good number of guests, a restful night is achievable. Moreover, despite the proximity to the pub downstairs, the quiet ambiance enhances this cozy experience.
However, not all visitors shared this sentiment. Some guests encountered issues with the mattresses, describing them as hard, springy, or even dirty, impacting their comfort levels severely. Complaints about inadequate pillows and overly firm beds signify persistent areas for improvement. Though the double and twin beds appear to generally satisfy guests, there are contrasting views indicating a need for mattress toppers or updates to ensure consistent comfort.
Overall, while many guests enjoy a comfortable sleep at The Five Bells, adjustments in bed comfort and mattress quality could help deliver a universally satisfying experience.
Cleanliness
The Five Bells delivers a generally positive experience in terms of cleanliness, with many guests noting the property's well-maintained and tidy rooms. Numerous reviews commend the clean and comfortable accommodations, with spacious rooms providing a relaxing atmosphere for visitors. The bedding and towels frequently receive praise for their pristine condition, adding to the overall comfort of the stay. Despite the occasional report of less desirable cleanliness, such as dust on surfaces or issues with fixtures, the efforts of the staff in maintaining cleanliness are largely appreciated. Guests appreciate the convenience of key amenities like coffee and tea making facilities, along with very clean and functional showers. While noise due to the central location and proximity to a pub can be a drawback for some, the attentive staff often help mitigate these issues, ensuring that rooms remain a cozy retreat. Overall, The Five Bells offers clean, comfortable, and value-oriented lodging that meets most guests' expectations.
Staff
The Five Bells hotel boasts a welcoming atmosphere largely attributed to its exceptional staff. Visitors are consistently greeted with friendliness and warmth, creating an inviting experience from the outset. The owners, particularly noteworthy, are characterized as lovely, friendly, and helpful, enhancing the guests' experiences with their attentiveness and charm. Staff members across various roles, from bar attendants to hosts and proprietors, are praised for their accommodating nature, often going above and beyond to ensure guests have a pleasant stay. This commitment to service extends to creating a relaxed environment where engaging conversations with locals add to the charm of the establishment. The combination of friendly staff and quality offerings, including delightful food and a comfortable setting, contribute significantly to the positive impressions left by those who have stayed at The Five Bells. Whether it's an early ferry crossing or an enjoyable evening meal, guests are assured of excellent service in a charming location.
Wi-Fi
The Five Bells appears to have a mixed reputation regarding its Wi-Fi services. Several guests reported experiencing issues with connectivity, noting that Wi-Fi was either unavailable or did not function during their stay. Some guests mentioned that they were informed about the lack of Wi-Fi upon check-in, suggesting a level of transparency in communication. While Wi-Fi was promised in all areas, some rooms did not have access, which could be a point of frustration for travelers relying on internet connectivity. Despite these setbacks, at least one guest did not encounter any Wi-Fi issues, indicating that experiences may vary.
No, The Five Bells doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Five Bells.
No, The Five Bells doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Five Bells.