Rooms

Ascend the winding staircase, past vintage Japanese posters and oversized wicker lights, to the top floor to find six unique bijou bedrooms, each created by a local designer, and each with its own Spotify soundtrack playlist.

The largest is The Hideaway, designed by Kelly and Dan themselves, which has a double-ended bathtub at the foot of the four-poster kingsize bed; a curtain shrouds the sink and loo.

Hollywood-styled boudoir Burley and Field (where we stayed) is at the top of the stairs. We loved its glitzy bedhead and glam bedspread, oriental touches and black wash basin. Adjacent is beach hut-inspired The Snug, clad in tongue-and-groove planking dressed in peach and leopard print. These two rooms share a cool, spacious bathroom, with a big walk-in shower and generous sink across the hallway. Families should book these two together.

At the end of the corridor (past Reggie's Bar and the Zen room), three rooms are similarly configured: a bed, a walk-in shower and a sink, with a separate toilet for each in the hallway. A pink and mint-hued homage to 1970s chic, Poodle and Blonde has hand-designed wallpaper. Studio Margate comes with a kitsch dressing table and velvet green headboard. Decadent Home Alone with Mrs Jones looks out over the courtyard and has a gold mosaic-tiled shower and a Biba meets Art Deco vibe. Each room has a memory foam mattress (we slept very well), and Haeckels toiletries are supplied in the bathrooms.

Since our visit the two-bedroom Heritage Suite with open plan living-dining area and TV nook has been added on the middle floor. The master bedroom has a luxurious feel with a velvet headboard, a kingsize bed and statement wallpaper; there's an additional twin bedroom with free-standing bathtub (beds can convert to daybeds if you're not with family or friends) and a wet room with walk-in shower.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• WiFi

Eating

At meals in the sociable restaurant (or in the Courtyard in warmer months) expect global crowd-pleasers. Small sharing plates include truffle parmesan chips, bang bang cauliflower, padron peppers or baked camembert. For starters, try sourdough with liver and cranberry pate or smoked butterbean hummus. Mains range from cheeseburgers to beef and Guinness stew; kimchi fritters to vegan kebabs. Finish with a good-sized cheese plate. Book ahead for Sunday roasts.

The excellent drinks selection includes botanical cocktails, local ales and craft beer (the house beer is named for Kelly's granddad), an array of spirits and liqueurs, and wines. At certain times pop-up restaurants take over – as when we stayed, and we enjoyed delicious fresh pasta dishes washed down with Chapel Down wine from Kent.

A continental breakfast is taken in Reggie's Bar on the top floor. Pootle along and help yourself to cereals, yoghurt, bread, pastries, jam, juice, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. There's a range of milks in the mini-fridge, including oat. Reggie's Bar is your own private members' space: there's an honesty bar, so you can make yourself a brew, kick back and browse magazines.

Margate has a dynamic restaurant scene with plenty of choice nearby, just ask for recommendations.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Explore Margate, with its layers of history. You're in the heart of the Old Town so check out its emporiums (some from talented folk who designed the rooms at the inn) and galleries, design studios and vintage shopping, fun restaurants and cafes. Margate has a growing artistic reputation and a design-led community
  
• Margate Sands and the Promenade are 2 minutes' walk away. Walk along the coast and cliffs south-eastwards for Cliftonville, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, or westwards for Westgate
  
• The Turner Contemporary gallery is a 4-minute stroll, much of the art inside is inspired by the legendary light and sights of Margate; free to enter
  
• Vintage amusement park Dreamland (closed in winter) offers hours of fun for young and old, and hosts great gigs in season (check before your visit)
  
• If you don't fancy sea swimming, there's a tidal pool on the beach
  
• Classic British seaside attractions include adventure golf, ten pin bowling, fish and chip shops and the arcades

Kids

While kids are welcome here and would like the character of the place as well as the proximity to the beach, there is little for them on the premises. There are no extra beds available, and you will need to bring your own baby cot.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The best option for families is the Heritage Suite on the middle floor, which has a double and twin. The largest rooms on the top floor are The Hideaway or Burley and Field, which can take a baby cot if you are bringing one. Families with older kids could book one of these plus The Snug, which is a small double room between the two. There are no extra beds.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The George and Heart House is in the Old Town of Margate, just a block back from The Parade, close to all attractions. Margate is on the NE tip of Kent, between Broadstairs and Westgate.

By Train:
This is by far the easiest way to get here. High-speed trains run frequently from London St Pancras (the Eurostar terminus) to Margate station; the journey time is about 90 minutes. Trains also run to London Victoria, London Charing Cross and London Waterloo East.

By Car:
Margate is close to the M20 and M2 motorways. There are parking restrictions in the Old Town and Margate is easily navigated by foot, so a car isn't required. If you do want to hire a car, see our rental recommendations.

By Air:
Fly to any London airport and get to the town by public transport or car. London Gatwick is the closest, and is about a 1hr40 minute drive.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.