Address: 29 Beach Walk, Whitstable, Kent CT5 2BP

Phone: 01227 280280

Link: oysterfishery.co.uk.

First impressions: An art deco front overlooking the sea in Whitstable, an increasingly trendy seaside town with a small working harbour. The hotel has comfortable rooms but its unique selling point is the selection of fisherman's huts, five minutes' walk away, which have been converted into extra rooms.

What are the rooms like: The huts, most with ground and first floor, have a great seaside feel. Overlooking the sea, it's all about location rather than fixtures and fittings. The bathroom was small with a shower and no bath. There were two single beds downstairs with a sofa and telly and a double bed up the narrow stairs. You could see Southend "twinkling" across the Thames at night. It's rare for Southend to twinkle.

The bed test: A bit lumpy.

The restaurant: The hotel has a trendy bar and restaurant area with a contemporary brasserie-style menu. People, a lot of them "down from London", lounged around reading the papers. Breakfast had everything, including black pudding. A couple of minutes' walk along the front is the renowned Royal Native Oyster Stores Restaurant, owned by the same company. It's worth the trip on its own.

What is there to do within walking distance: Browse the town's small galleries and non-naff gift shops. Have a go at a 10-pin bowling alley right next door. Peer down at the fishing boats in the harbour plus a lovely tiny cinema. Take a walk along the front, past smart rows of houses, a caravan park and some beach huts.

Further afield: Canterbury is a few miles down the road.

How much a night: Standard doubles from £45 per room per night, superior from £85. Huts cost from £85 to £125.