More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Home Canterbury News Article
A 3,000 sq ft penthouse boasting its own chef, butler and a cinema screen, is the centrepiece of Kent's newest hotel.
The feature suite is the star attraction at The Cave, which has launched on the outskirts of Canterbury as part of a £12 million development.
KMTV take a look inside the Cave Hotel
Its owners, James Tory and Johnathan Callister, say they have been inspired by the world's best hotels and hope to bring "affordable luxury" to the county.
Their vision is set in the grounds of Boughton Golf Club, which is off the A2 near Faversham and has been rebranded The Cave Hotel and Golf Resort.
Chief executive Mr Callister said: "My chairman James and I have been lucky enough to stay at some of the best hotels around the world and have taken our inspiration from those.
"At The Cave we have tried to put all the things we love into our brand, and all the things that frustrate us, we've taken out."
All 41 rooms at the hotel are fit for royalty - literally - with a king-size bed in each fitted with a mattress made by the same firm which provides the Queen's.
There's also adjustable mood lighting with a "romance" setting and 65-inch TV screens.
Each room is fitted with super high-tech features with bespoke furniture and fittings, especially designed and commissioned or sourced from around the world.
The owners say they hope to create the ultimate in comfort and convenience "at an affordable price", with rooms starting at £125 a night.
"We have created an affordable luxury hotel with a five-star feel without the rules that traditional hotels have," Mr Callister says.
"We want people to leave already planning their next visit because of the experience, whether that's the best night's sleep they've had or the food."
Those eating at The Cave dine in the Firepit restaurant, which offers a unique sharing-plate experience with international flavours fused to create an "indulgent, reimagined menu".
So obsessed were the owners with the restaurant that they took their chef's team, headed by John Bingley, around the world from Miami to China to harvest recipe ideas.
Those forking out for a penthouse can sample the cuisine in private, as the £895-a-night suite - due to be completed this month - boasts its own kitchen and chef, a dining area and luxury lounge.
Guests can also make use of a £100,000 chauffeur-driven Mercedes S Class to get to and from Canterbury and local railway stations.
The investment and development is another big boost for tourism and the economy of the district
It follows the opening of the highly-regarded Pig Hotel at Bridge earlier this year, which is an already well-established brand.
But Mr Callister believes they are not in direct competition because they offer different experiences and both add to the attraction of east Kent.
If The Cave, which launched last month, proves the success he is confident it will be, the company plans to open bigger hotels under the same name in the future
"We hope to offer something unique in this beautiful part of Kent," Mr Callister said.
"It's affordable luxury, with attention to detail in everything we've done.
"If it takes off in the way we think it will then we'll certainly look at expanding further afield with bigger hotels."
