One of Rye’s favourite hotels, The Hope Anchor has recently been awarded a Three Star rating.
The award, which equals the highest star rating in the town, has come about after General Manager Irene Cheetham and her team took over the running of the Hotel in 1999, they put in five years of tireless effort, transforming every aspect of the famous hotel. Food selection and room improvements have upgraded the establishment to the very high standard required for Three Star status. The award was made on by the Automobile Association, the Royal Automobile Club and Tourism South East on behalf of ‘Visit Britain’. Guests at a celebratory lunch, hosted by Irene Cheetham at the end of January, heard her explain how thrilled her team were that their efforts had been rewarded by the cherished third star.
Many guests from Rye’s Tourism and Hotel industry were present to hear Rye & District Hotel and Caterers Association Chairman Kerry de Coursey congratulate the Hope Anchor’s staff on their achievement. The popular Rye Inn has been in the ownership John Sankey for the past 28 years. Built in the mid 18th Century at the end of one of the most delightful streets in Rye, the building has been added to over the decades and has taken on a charm all of its own. It is full of nooks and crannies, and as it’s own brochure describes – there is nothing straight forward about reaching your room! Being situated at the end of Watchbell Street, with no-through traffic, means that although a very short walk from the centre of the town it enjoys an enviable tranquillity at the heart of Rye’s conservation area. The most noticeable aspect of the Hope Anchor is that nearly all of the rooms have stunning views of the nearby Quayside, over the Romney Marshes and on towards Winchelsea. With a small green and public formal garden to one side of its entrance area these views can be enjoyed in the Spring and Summer evenings while dining alfresco. The Hope Anchor Hotel features in Malcom Saville’s children’s books as the Gay Dolphin. It has also been identified as The Traders Arms in the Mapp and Lucia books by E F Benson, a well known writer who lived in Lamb House.