The Albion Rooms

It may occupy a classic seafront Cliftonville property, with unforgettable views of the sea and the kiss-me-quick delights of Margate just a short walk away, but that's about as close to a traditional seaside guesthouse as The Albion Rooms gets. Instead, this seafront boutique hotel is very much of the modern era – a cool yet also very comfortable place to stay, with everything you could need for a Margate short break on your doorstep: the sea, the beach, stylish yet cosy guest rooms, some of which overlook the sea, an excellent breakfast each morning and a cool basement bar with live music. Oh yes... and did we mention the recording studio?

A formerly rundown hotel, The Albion Rooms was famously purchased by indie band The Libertines when they were looking for a base to build a recording studio with rooms. That they did, and the studio forms an impressive extension to the rear of the property, but the band quickly realised they had a real gem on their hands and decided to open it up as a proper and very contemporary hotel in this most hip of coastal resorts. However, it's much more than just a rock and roll hotel, boasting guest rooms that are about as comfy and well-equipped as any you'll find in this part of Kent, with big beds, en-suite bathrooms, B&O Bluetooth speakers, robes and slippers, tea and coffee and complimentary drinks. The band designed the rooms themselves in a theatrical style, plastering the walls of both the guest rooms and public areas with a selection of contemporary artwork that's perfectly in tune with the raffish Margate vibe. Each of the seven guest rooms is named after a poet, with the two rooms at the front – William Blake and Emily Dickinson – boasting the best sea views, while the largest room, The Loft, has a bath as well as a shower and the extra sense of privacy you get from being at the top of the building.

In a nod to the rock 'n' roll roots of the enterprise, there is a 24-hour 'cocktail concierge' in case you get parched in the middle of the night, although the basement bar (The Waste Land) is also open to a decently late hour. Breakfast is served in the ground floor lounge every morning, and good coffee all day long. Plus, there's a reasonable chance of spotting the odd celeb or two visiting the recording studio at any time of day or night, if that's your thing. But that's not really the point of The Albion Rooms, and is certainly not the only reason to come. In fact, it makes for a great Margate place to stay even if you've never heard of The Libertines!

Finally, it's worth knowing the Albion Rooms is available for exclusive use and makes an ideal venue for a get-together by the sea; it's also the perfect location for private parties, corporate events and boutique weddings – plus of course, they offer residential hire with the recording studio.