The Swingate Inn


image of The Swingate Inn

The Swingate Inn descritpion


The Swingate Inn sells fast on our site. Set in the idyllic Kent countryside, The Swingate Inn is a family run Inn, conveniently located on the A258 and just 5 minutes from Dover ferry port.
The Swingate Inn provides a perfect base to explore the surrounding area, with many beaches and golf courses nearby. There are also several National Trust and English Heritage houses and gardens in the area. The inn is only 10 minutes from the Euro Tunnel Terminal.
Guests are able to enjoy a drink in the bar downstairs, and welcome to eat in the onsite Indian restaurant, with a live open kitchen. The lounge area offers a wide range of beverages.
All of the comfortable rooms have en suite facilities and a TV. Free WiFi internet access is available in the hotel.

Recommand

Low rates——No booking fees • Save money!Best price guarantee — enter dates to see these prices!
30 properties in Dover——Including hotels, apartments, villas and more.
Manage your bookings online——Sign up for a FREE account·View a single booking.
286 independent reviews——We verify all reviews from guests who've stayed at The Swingate Inn. Find out more about Booking.com Reviews.
The staff speaks English——The Swingate Inn's staff speaks:Hindi,English
Booking is safe——When you book with us your details are protected by a secure connection.

Facilities of The Swingate Inn

Outdoors :Grounds

Pets :Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink :Restaurant | Bar

Internet :No internet access available.

Parking :No parking available.

Services :Meeting/Banquet Facilities

General :Non-smoking Rooms | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Languages Spoken :Hindi | English

Reviews for The Swingate Inn

Review 1:Only complaint in a minor one and it the traffic noise as it's quite close to road and our room was near the road side. Either ask for room away from road or just use ear plugs like we do in hotels

Review 2:Quick friendly check in. Nice clean room, free Wifi. Just what we needed after a 7hr drive. Spot on for a rest before sailing on the ferry in the morning. Only 5 mins away from ferry port.

Review 3:Radiators cold. Vanity mirror tubular light not working. Curtains coming away from rail. Mould on the shower cubicle wall and tray. Room is generally "tatty" and could do with some TLC. Nonetheless better than a trench in the Falklands.

Review 4:Easy check in and out. Instant hot water.

Review 5:Raggety old place. Not quaint, just rundown to breaking point. Being where it is, only people going to the port will stay here, so likely not many hotel customers. Place was more or less closed by 11pm, so no chance of a nightcap. Shower was rubbish - 15 minutes to get hot water, that only trickled! Bed had seen a lot of use - luckily I had had plenty of beer before I hit the sack!

Review 6:Breakfast was OK, though had to hunt down staff for more coffee

Review 7:Stayed overnight in order to get some sleep before hitting the ferry and the long road ahead in the morning, but impossible to sleep! It sounded like a washing machine had been on all night in the room next to ours!!! Very very noisy! Also, although the room is clean, the bathroom and mattress could do with some updating.

Review 8:Great location, 3 mins from the ferry

Review 9:.Staff very friendly and helpful nothing was to much trouble. Hotel room was basic but very clean. Food in the restaurant was OUTSTANDING and the breakfast was very good to freshly cook.

Review 10:Good location for the ferry in the morning. Easy to find off the main road. Very friendly staff. Enjoyed a drink in the bar. Room had all facilities required

Review 11:The staff were great, dispite me getting there nearly 2 hours after close of check in due to a late running ferry and transport issues (i rang ahead to let them know) when i finally did arrive there was still someone waiting there for me to get into my room

Review 12:price only for room. Breakfast GBP 7.00 extra. Room needs updating. 2 pillows were dirty and shower fitting leaked and not clean. Mentioned about issues but no offer of a small refund.

Review 13:They only served Indian food and you couldn't buy a snack over the bar. They closed the bar early around 10.00ish while paying hotel guests were still drinking. The mattress was very uncomfortable and the shower water pressure was very slow and the water was not very hot also.

Review 14:No iron in the room

Review 15:This hotel is a five minutes drive from the Dover castle. The staff is extremely helpful. The restaurant downstairs has the best Indian food we ever had. Naan breads made right in front you. Quick service huge portions. Would recommend this place to anyone!

Review 16:The bedroom was a little sparse, though adequate. It needs investment and updating in furniture, decoration, furnishings inc. carpet ,TV and wi-fi.

Review 17:The convenience of the restaurant and the quality of its food. Very good and a bit different from usual Indian cuisine.

Review 18:We asked before going if they did evening meals, which they did but only found on arrival that it served Indian only. However it was very well recommended by the 3 taxi drivers we used during our stay.

Review 19:Ideal location and although near main road the room was very quiet. Great "fresh cooked breakfast" which was excellent

Review 20:The staff was very efficiënt and polite. A beer before bed at the hotelbar also. Nice big parking space. Only a couple of minutes by car from the Ferry harbour. Good place to stay if you need to catch an early ferry.

Review 21:Close to impossible to reach without a car! Located on a very dangerous A road so not really suitable to walk to

Review 22:Great place with all the comforts after a long day

Review 23:I couldn't fault anything, the room was very clean and a nice size with a lovely view, the staff were very friendly and the food was absolutely fantastic.thank you

Review 24:Quite a bit of road noise as room overlooked front......but only a minor issue as we like to sleep with window open and it may not bother others

Review 25:Excellent location for onward travel to France the next day. Made very welcome the minute we arrived. Room very comfortable with everything we needed. The highlight for us through was the on site Indian cuisine....simply amaziing

Review 26:The room we were given was a little shabby.

Review 27:We were catching the ferry from Dover the following morning so the location is perfect. The evening meals (Indian) were delicious and the staff welcoming and friendly.

Review 28:The Indian restaurant was over rated.poor selection of Indian food. Room was dirty, rotten grapes on floor. Bed very uncomfortable shower flow none existent. Mould in shower around sealant

Review 29:Girl who booked us in was very pleasant

Review 30:The hotel could do with a little sprucing up ie. the décor needs refurbishing and the plumbing wants some attention.

Review 31:The location is very convenient for the ferries. The Indian restaurant is extremely dood

Review 32:Dirty, smelly (food smells), very shabby and out of date decor. Tables in the bar were sticky and the carpets were grubby. No option to have even a continental breakfast before leaving early to catch the ferry.

Review 33:Staff were obliging and pleasant.

Review 34:The rooms are rather dated, but clean and adequate for an over night stay before catching a ferry.

Review 35:The hotel is in a great location if travelling to the ferry port literally 5-10 minute drive. The onsite authentic indian restaurant serves superb food and is a must try! Free and ample Parking onsite. The staff are very pleasant and helpful.

Review 36:Although stating there was a restaurant in the hotel it didn't state it was Indian cuisine only. The bedrooms were too hot and it was very noisy so couldn't open the windows.

Review 37:Very pleasant welcome, convenient location for ferry at Dover , shame Wi-fi didn't quite stretch to the rooms. Furnishings of room adequate, bed linen fresh and spotless and mattress fine. Bathroom a little tired and need of makeover, but everything worked.

Review 38:The road outside can be noisy at night

Review 39:Very friendly staff and helpful, the location is ideal for a stay prior to using the Ferry Port (only a 5 minute drive away). The Indian restaurant on site is excellent.

Review 40:Whilst the restaurant looks great the accommodation is tired and definitely not 4 star as displayed by signage outside. The water pressure in the tiny bathroom was very poor and the décor/furnishings need a make over.

Review 41:The restaurant at the Swingate looked very nice and we spoke to other people who had dined there and they said the food and ambience was very good.

Review 42:toilet not flushing properly - needed instruction!!! Next morning it still didn't work properly. Soap diluted, plastic wash basin, no fridge, tiny shower with awkward little doors, nowhere to hang towels in bathroom, no phone to reception. Overall just quite pokey and not comfy. We ate there and one of the curries was really nice, the other very bland

Review 43:Bed was comfortable

Review 44:It's not a dislike as such but the hotel is closed on Sundays, otherwise we would have booked to stay on our way back from France, because we liked it so much.

Review 45:We were given a warm welcome and shown to our spacious and comfortable room complete with travel cot for our young son. The hotel has a lovely authentic Indian restaurant with the chefs preparing the food in full-view. It's in a good location, easy to find and very handy for the port of Dover.

Review 46:Accommodation is moderate and feeling a little tired

Review 47:The evening meal 'curry' obviously ! is incredible and the service / attendance is five star

Review 48:The shower was very small and water pressure very low. Considering older dwelling this is to be expected.

Review 49:Gentleman on arrival really helpful and friendly. Name; Summet

Review 50:there was no notification of the fact that this pub is infact an indian restaraunt and not an English country pub.Unfortunately my wife is not an indian food fan so she had to have a basic fish and chip meal. The view from our room was of a brick wall, and our friends room was directly over the kitchens.

Review 51:The beer garden.

Review 52:Constant traffic noise during the day. A bit isolated, not good for an after dinner walk.

Review 53:Small hotel, great Indian restaurant (best Naan bread I've ever had) Easy access to London.

Review 54:Very attentative and made us feel very welcome. We were leaving before breakfast so they made some sandwiches up for us. Room was basic but clean and adequate for our needs

Review 55:The food was excellent staff lovely but the hotel although comfortable is in need of redecorating and updating .cant rate the breakfast as we had an early start

Review 56:The bathroom was shabby,taps broken,makeshift maintenance, shower was useless. The place needed a good revamp. Excellent Indian restaurant and I think this is there main business that is concentrated on. We were waiting for our table for 45 minutes before we had to point out we were still waiting. Breakfast which was extra was minimal

Review 57:The Hotel is near to the ferry port and convenient. Car parking is good just outside.

Review 58:We spent the night at Swingate before catching the early morning ferry. The room was comfortable and spotlessly clean with TV, tea and coffee facilities and towels provided.

Review 59:Water pressure was not very high so therefore shower didnt work very well. But ok for one night.

Review 60:Very friendly staff, who even made an extra table in the restaruant for us as it was fully booked. Super indian restaurant with food cooked all freshly in view of the customers.

Review 61:Having given up smoking found the fumes from smokers standing outside directly under our bedroom rather offensive. Simple sign asking people to stand away from the building would resolve this.

Review 62:Short trip to Dover ferry.

Review 63:There was nothing special about the room, and perhaps overpriced, but that is market driven which inflates pricing, however the restaurant was excellent. It claims AA-4 star and will agree to that. Menu is Indian and well worth the stay.

Review 64:The room was dirty and unhygienic. The shower was a trickle and the hot water Luke warm. This is an Indian restaurant and if you don't like the food the only alternative is fish and chips.

Review 65:Only lager available on draught and very poor selection of bottled British beer. Very poor TV reception.

Review 66:Clean, comfortable room. Excellent breakfast. Location is only five minutes drive from Dover Ferry Terminal.

Review 67:The bathroom was in need of renovation and the lamp above the sink, important for shaving, did not work.

Review 68:In general the hotel has improved since my last stay there. The restaurant is excellent, provided you like Indian cuisine. Kettle in bedroom for making tea. Biscuits were also provided.

Review 69:Had to move bed away from window because of cold down-draft but this was only complaint

Review 70:We had asked for a quiet room and this was provided. Convenient to Dover Ferry port.

Review 71:Didn't have an opportunity to try the breakfast as the restaurant does not open until 8am

Review 72:Very close to ferry port, large carpark and inhouse Indian Curry Restaurant

Review 73:I feel pathetic making any negative comments about such a brilliant place, but the television in our room was microscopic. It was almost impossible to read the on screen guide from the bed and my eyesight is brilliant. Other than this minor thing, 10 out of 10.

Review 74:Really close to the ferry terminal. Staff were brilliant, room, bar and restaurant were spotless. The food was out of this world. Cooked fresh in front of you .

Review 75:We stayed one night and found the Swingate very pleasant and comfy, staff very friendly, food good, will definately stay here again when we come to Deal thanks

Review 76:The room was a little stuffy and the shower could do with being a little more powerful

Review 77:The indian restaurant was great the food was so tasty and fresh ,the rooms were spacious with comfy beds .

Review 78:Room very cold on arrival, took three requests for action to remedy. Not cleaned properly and decor poor, curtains weren't even on track properly. Very disappointed.

Review 79:Location to ferry port

Review 80:Friendly staff and comfortable bed. Had an evening meal in the Indian restaurant, very good, but a bit too spicy for me would have preferred if there had been an alternative menu.

Review 81:TV reception in the room was a bit dodgy at times (room 8)

Review 82:The staff were very helpful without being intrusive. Comfortable - if not luxurious - rooms. A pleasant atmosphere.

Review 83:Everything was fine.

Review 84:The property was only a few minutes drive from the Port. We were both very tired, having missed our original ferry due to delays at passport control. The management stayed open just for us,after we called them from France.

Review 85:Very uncomfortable bed, noises coming from water tank? Water pipes? But so loud that we couldn't sleep, we left at 630am in the end as it was pointless staying in bed any longer.

Review 86:Nothing

Review 87:Nothing!

Review 88:The hotel is geared up for people travelling on the ferry to Calais. It is reasonably priced, good parking spaces and the food in the restaurant is one of the best Indian dinners I have ever had. The staff are so helpful and friendly, its a joy to stay there. Would definitely use it again

Review 89:bedrooms need updating to match downstairs which is excellent, and maybe a more varied menu for people who cannot tolerate spicey foods.

Review 90:Staff were very pleasant, lounge area very pleasant.

Review 91:The room was cold when arrived and they were unable to fit the two of us in for dinner so we went up the road. The hotel is on a busy main road so rather noisy and as it is also an indian restaurant the food smell walking up to the room was rather strong (although the room was fine). Room was rather cramped and the shower wasn't great.

Review 92:Used the hotel as a stop off before traveling to France from Dover.

Review 93:Couldn't get any thing to eat until the restaurant opened at 6.pm.

Review 94:The staff were very friendly it was warm and welcoming bedrooms need updating, which one of the staff had already said they had plans to do next year.

Review 95:Smell of indian food outside of room Cold in the bedroom Minor items in room like bathroom light not working, redecoration needed in places

Review 96:Good staff on arrival Comfortable bed and good size room

Review 97:The whole room was a let down bad mould in shower i did not use because of this .instead of putting a new shower in because it had no door now they had hung (badly) a shower curtain inside the already tiny shower never again the only reason we stayed we had no were else to go if i had known what it was like i would have driven the 120 miles home

Review 98:The breakfast

Review 99:The room was very decent for the price charged. Staff very friendly and helpful. Very decent food in the restaurant for a good price. (More convenient for motorists as it is a fair walk to get anywhere and walking on highly frequented road is not safe). Would recomend to friends (if driving).

Review 100:The rooms are very basic, could do with upgrading. However, I was comfortable and slept well, and what can you expect if you pay so little?

Review 101:This was the best Indian restaurant I have been to in a long timer. A wide range of authentic dishes, cooked to order in full view in the open kitchen. Service was attentive. All the staff could explain each dish and help you to order.

Review 102:Decor could do with a lick of paint.

Review 103:Excellent evening meal especially if you like our national dish, "curry".The breakfast was a proper english breakfast and service was friendly and very good.

Review 104:The Indian restaurant does lend i spicy note to the air. I did not mind but some people could be put off. There were no towels in the room but the staff were extremely apologetic and sorted it

Review 105:despite busy road, the room was quiet. It was also clean. The staff were friendly and efficient. I felt the breakfast was good value and did not feel rushed.

Review 106:No view from room but the main disappointment was bed very soft and not very supportive.

Review 107:Very convenient to cruise port and good value for money. Dining choice very enjoyable and good variety of menus on offer.

Review 108:The bar had run out of real ale leaving only lager, but as the restaurant served mainly Indian foods, it didn`t prove too much of a problem.

Review 109:Ideal for quick access to the ferry port.

Review 110:At a cost of £70 per night for room only we expected something prettyspecial but got a shabby room with a very low worn out bed . The springswere all over the place and made such a row we hardly dared to move forfear of disturbing the rest of the residents . the room it self was lessthan basic

Review 111:10 out of 10 for the restaurant the food was exceptionally good andportions were large and very well presented ,the choices on the menuwere excellent from fish and chips and steaks to many different currieswhich were prepared in full view of the customers .. Would highlyrecomend the food served .

Review 112:We were delayed during the day so didn't arrive until late, but when we phoned they very kindly agreed to wait up for us, and were very helpful and accommodating when we arrived, Food smelt lovely and pub looked nice, shame we didn't get there in time to sample

Review 113:Not the hotels fault but road outside rather busy even at night so sleep was disturbed.

Review 114:Very friendly greeting on our arrival. Comfortable room, good breakfast. We also had Sunday lunch with our family which was very good.

Review 115:I'm not normally one to complain but I found our room to be quite noisy; the hotel is on the A258 Deal road and there was a huge amount of traffic noise, even with the windows firmly closed. The bedroom doors were also poorly soundproofed and as a result, we were woken by guests leaving in the morning. There were no staff around in the morning for check out and in the end we left the keys with a chef. The last negative is that the restaurant serves Indian food which has quite a strong smell as you'd imagine.......I love the smell but not first thing in the morning as it lingers throughout the hotel!

Review 116:The location was handy for us as we were attending a wedding nearby at Solton Manor.

Review 117:The breakfast was disappointing after such lovely food the night before. Would stay again but not buy breakfast as it was extra anyway.

Review 118:We arrived late by they still found us a table in the very busy Indian restaurant. The staff worked hard and were helpful.

Review 119:Good English Breakfast but not so good in range of other breakfast foods like cereals, croissants etc. Also toast bread too chunky.

Review 120:Politeness, cleanliness

Review 121:They have Indian Cuisine which is a recent addition and becoming popular with people. We had the massive piece of Fish with the fish and chips. Costly but very nice.

Review 122:Not enough pressure in the bathroom to have a proper shower, and no wifi in the bedroom.

Review 123:The situation of the hotel and the staff who is really nice. The Indian restaurant is excellent.

Review 124:a very feeble shower , also, due to a power surge earlier that day, there were problems with hot water in the evening of arrival, although sorted out by the morning

Review 125:very attentive management and staff ; one or two small problems with the room sorted out very quickly ; excellent restaurant specialising in Indian cuisine A very competitive room rate

Review 126:We had informed the staff the night before.we would be down for breakfast at 8 a.m., which we were. Despite this, there was a wait of 40 minutes after ordering breakfast before it was served. It should not take that long to fry a simple Full English breakfast. If our ferry had been only a bit earlier we would have had to leave it. Because of this, I do not know if we will stay again.

Review 127:The staff and the meal in the evening were very good.

Review 128:The staff were friendly and helpful.

Review 129:On this occasion so useful to be cloe to ferry terminal but can see that the Swingate is also close to Deal and good base for touring beautiful Kent.

The Fine Print

Please note that the restaurant and bar will be closed every Sunday.This property does not accept American Express cards.Please inform The Swingate Inn of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details provided in your confirmation.