A smart four-star hotel in Hollingbourne is offering a two-night stay with breakfast and dinner for less than £35 a night in an attempt to fill empty beds.

The Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel has slashed prices for its Autumn offer as it sees business bookings fall away following the Government's work from home instructions.

Usually half of the Ashford Road hotel's 126 rooms are taken up with either corporate clients or event guests, such as those attending weddings.

But with ongoing Covid-19 restrictions impacting the hard-hit hospitality industry , including a 10pm curfew , many establishments are having to slash prices or shut up altogether.

Mercure Maidstone Manager Dominic Di Cara said: "With more people working from home it has freed up some fantastic accommodation rates for leisure guests.

"So, in an effort to replace some of the business travellers and events guests that have been affected by the current situation, Mercure Maidstone has this great leisure offer.

"Hopefully it will encourage more stay-cations and support the hospitality industry."

Guests can snap up a two-night break for £69.50pp. The rate, which ends on October 31 for stays up to November 22, includes breakfast and dinner on one night.

A similar stay this weekend is quoted at between £197 and £208 for B&B.

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