Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel

Hotels
•
Best Western
8 (2338 reviews)
36 New Dover Rd , Canterbury , GB

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Terrace
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly, professional and helpful staff
Very good location within walking distance of town
Free/convenient parking
Characterful and charming hotel ambience
Some rooms well refurbished; occasional excellent breakfast
Cons:
Dirty or sticky carpets, strange smells and holes in wallpaper
Dated rooms/bathrooms, poor water pressure and heating issues
Noise in corridors/poor soundproofing at night
Inconsistent food/breakfast quality and occasional equipment failures
Bar/restaurant sometimes closed or unstaffed; tight/chaotic parking at times

Categories

Cleanliness
6.5
Mixed reports: multiple guests noted unvacuumed corridors, sticky/dirty carpets, strange smells and holes in wallpaper, though a few mentioned rooms being clean after renovation.
Service
9.2
Consistently praised: staff described as professional, very helpful and friendly, available and accommodating (assistance with parking, luggage, upgrades).
Location
9.2
Strong positive: repeatedly noted as very convenient and within walking distance of the town/centre; setting described as lovely and quiet.
Room Quality
6.8
Mixed to below-par in places: some rooms refurbished and well-liked, but many guests reported dated decor, poor water pressure, uncomfortable beds, heating issues and bathroom updates needed.
Amenities
7.8
Mixed: free and convenient parking often praised but occasional tight/chaotic spaces; bar/restaurant availability inconsistent (closed or no staff at times); some exterior lighting issues noted.
Value for Money
8.6
Generally seen as good value by many (including upgrades and 'cheap' stays); a minority felt disappointed enough to leave early, but overall value is positive given location and service.
Food and Beverage
7.5
Variable breakfast experience: some guests called the spread outstanding, others reported limited choices, items running out, cold food or a broken coffee machine; restaurant closures affected options.
Overall Experience
8.4
Overall favourable: many recommendations and enjoyable stays thanks to location, character and staff, though noise, dated areas and inconsistent F&B/cleanliness lowered the experience for several guests.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-11-05 14:15

Property Description

Elegant Rooms and Scenic Gardens
Nestled in 2 acres of landscaped gardens, Abbots Barton Hotel offers elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi, just a stone's throw away from Canterbury Cathedral.

Convenient Location and Modern Amenities
Situated outside Canterbury center, the hotel is a short walk from St Lawrence Cricket Ground and a quick drive to Dover Ferry Terminal. Each bright room is uniquely decorated and equipped with a flat-screen TV and modern bathroom.

Delicious Dining Options
Although our restaurant and bar are currently under refurbishment, indulge in our light room service menu featuring handcrafted artisan pizzas. A delightful treat to complement your stay.

Book your stay at Abbots Barton Hotel for a charming retreat amidst lush gardens and top-notch hospitality.

Important information:

Please note that the bedrooms at this property are not wheelchair accessible.

Please note that parking spaces can be limited at certain times. For information and maps for other local car parks, please visit reception or contact the property in advance using the details on the Booking Confirmation.

Please note that the elevator will be unavailable.

Please note that the pre-authorization charge will be returned to the guest following check-out. It may take some time for it to appear in the guest's account.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LGW

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 2338 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.5
Service: 9.2
Location: 9.2
Room Quality: 6.8
Amenities: 7.8
Value for Money: 8.6
Food and Beverage: 7.5
Overall Experience: 8.4
E
Estelle • solo_traveller • gb
8
Enjoyable stay. Excellent service from staff. Beautiful rubbishment.
Pros:

Breakfast was varied and good, well laid out and plenty of it. Refurbishments didn't affect my stay in the slightest. The room was inviting, of a decent size and interestinly decorated.

Cons:

The bed could have been made a little better but otherwise great.

2026-11-07 • via Nuitee
D
darren • couple • gb
6
disappointed with the noise.
Pros:

Friendly and welcoming staff.
Tidy, parking available.

Cons:

We stayed in the older part of the hotel, room 324, would not recommend staying in the old part. The people staying in adjacent room, 319, we very very noisy at 3.30am, until 5am ....didnt want to create confrontation and too tired to complain, was our last night,although did mention on leaving in the morning.
Walls were thin. And sound travelled through. Every movement on the floor boards was heard from adjacent room.

2026-11-04 • via Nuitee
D
David • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-11-03 • via Nuitee
R
Rozemarijn • couple • nl
8
Pros:

Great location, friendly staff, easy parking

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
J
Jacqueline • couple • gb
4
fine until the morning fiasco.
Pros:

all except disastrous breakfast

Cons:

The breakfast was disgraceful 3/4 hour to produce cold smoked salmon without the scrambled egg or sourdough toast???

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
M
Marijke • family_with_children • be
8
Pros:

De ligging op 10 min wandelen van het centrum

Cons:

Het bad ,liever een douche

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
M
Maria • couple • gb
8
Lovely place and fantastic location, but don't get the breakfast
Pros:

The room was great, super clean, very organised, pretty, cosy, lovely views. The location is also v good, 5 min walk to the city centre. The staff was lovely and helped us at all times. Very fast check in and check out.

Cons:

The breakfast wasn't great. It stops at 10am and we said we would get there at 9am (they asked us) and by that time they had stopped cooking, even though more and more people kept coming. Since it was a buffet, there wasn't much left. They just didn't want to cook more. Would not recommend paying for the breakfast, can get a much nicer and cheaper one 5 mins into the city centre.

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
B
Bramwell • family_with_children • gb
10
Pros:

Staff at reception were so lovely warm and welcoming

Cons:

Na

2026-11-01 • via Nuitee
T
Tegan • couple • gb
10
2026-10-30 • via Nuitee
K
Kiran • family_with_children • gb
6
Pros:

Staff were professional and helpful

Cons:

Corridors had not been vacuumed. Bathroom had a strange smell.

2026-10-29 • via Nuitee
G
Gillian • family_with_children • gb
8
Pros:

Staff very kind; just close enough to walk quickly into town, yet far enough out to be quiet.

Cons:

The restaurant was closed; the bedroom heater was tricky.

2026-10-29 • via Nuitee
R
Rupra • family_with_children • gb
8
Highly recommend
Pros:

Very good rooms, ambience of the hotel is lovely. Can't complain, would highly recommend

Cons:

Could do better with breakfast options, I'd rate it 7/10

2026-10-29 • via Nuitee
L
Lana • couple • nl
7
2026-10-28 • via Nuitee
S
Sheldon • family_with_children • gb
9
2026-10-27 • via Nuitee
C
Callum • couple • gb
10
2026-10-27 • via Nuitee
G
George • couple • gb
6
Great for what we wanted
Pros:

Location and room were good.
Parking was convenient

Cons:

Sound proofing was terrible, we could hear the conversation in the next room.

2026-10-27 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • family_with_children • fr
9
Un magnifique séjour à Canterburry
Pros:

Un hôtel grandiose, avec du caractère qui ne laisse indifférent lors de votre venue, typique et très charmant, à deux pas du centre ville. Le parking est gratuit, le personnel est trés serviable et les lits sont parfaits ! Nous y reviendrons.

2026-10-27 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • gb
8
Very relaxing
Pros:

Very helpful friendly stuff
and lovely location .

Cons:

No one on bar you have to find someone for service

2026-10-27 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • family_with_children • gb
3
Pros:

Not a lot really,

Cons:

Most of it, did have second thoughts about staying here, should have listened to my gut. Booked for 4 nights left after 2..

2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
S
Sandip • couple • gb
6
overall pleasant. needs updating slightly
Pros:

breakfast very good
staff very helpfully and always available.
location very good - only a short walk from centre

Cons:

room was dated.
carpet "sticky", good thing we brought our slippers.
bathroom requires updating.

2026-10-26 • via Nuitee