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Driftwood Beach House B&B in Seasalter, Whitstable, ranked among Britain's best coastal retreats

By: Phil Hayes phayes@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 09:22, 22 November 2019

Updated: 10:52, 22 November 2019

A Kent B&B where each room has its own garden and hot tub has been named among Britain's top 10 coastal retreats.

Driftwood Beach House in Seasalter, Whitstable, is run by Jez Hills and his wife Michelle.

Jez Hills and wife Michelle at their top-rated B&B

The couple bought what was a family home six years ago - moving to the area from Gravesend.

They decided to convert the property and it has been operating as a bed and breakfast since 2016.

Mr Hills, 53, was overwhelmed when he learnt they had been ranked one of the nation's best.

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"I'm still digesting it now," he said.

"I keep saying it to myself, 'The top 10 coastal retreats'."

Driftwood Beach House B&B in Seasalter, Whitstable

The "totally unique" B&B, which has just three guest rooms, is a stone's throw from the beach and also overlooks the RSPB reserve at Seasalter Levels.

It is a short walk away from the multi-award winning Sportsman restaurant, which has a Michelin star.

Each room has its own garden with a private entrance and wood-fired hot tub.

Mr Hills said: "People just fall in love with the place. They come back time and time again - from all over the world.

"A lot are from London - loads from Brighton.

One of the wood-fired hot tubs at the B&B

"I hate the word 'quirky'. It's got a real soul to the place."

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The dad-of-three, who previously ran a parcel company in North London, says Michelle was interested in moving to one of the holiday parks in Whitstable.

"I resisted, because they're not really my thing," said Mr Hills.

They found the house in Faversham Road and three years later were running their first B&B.

On Sunday, Driftwood Beach House was ranked among Britain's best by The Observer.

Rooms range from £110 to £140 per night.

Find out more about the B&B here.

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable

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