1, 2 & 3 Clifton Gardens

Folkestone

01303 851231

https://www.thecliftonhotel.com/

https://whatpub.com/clifton-hotel

Above photo, date unknown.

Above postcard date unknown, with kind permission from Eric Hartland.

Two photographs of the Clifton Hotel taken from their website 2010. Clifton Hotel at night, taken from their web site 2010. Rear of Clifton Hotel taken from their web site 2010.

Above photos taken by Paul Skelton, 6th July, 2009.

Above photo 2017.

Kenneth Gordon and Mavis Lyne Smith, opened this hotel in 1923 as the "Garden House Hotel," it being addressed as Clifton Gardens. The money came partly from Mavis' mother, Harriet, who had been widowed in Barbados c.1897 and was left a substantial amount of money. Harriet purchased the "Clifton Hotel" and ran it until 1933.

"Best Western Clifton Hotel is Folkestone's premier AA rated three star hotel with an elegant cliff-top position and spectacular views of the English Channel. Built in 1864, originally as a seaside townhouse for its Victorian residents, it nestles in the centre of Folkestone's famous Leas, which is renowned for its well-kept lawns and gardens.

In 1934 the hotel was boasting:- "Lift, hot and cold water, gas and electric fires in all bedrooms, billiards, sea-views all windows. Telephone line T N 3191 two lines.

Only fifty yards from the Leas Cliff Hall Conference and Entertainment Centre, the hotel is within walking distance of the town's amenities. An excellent base for trips to France located only three miles from the Channel Tunnel's terminal and seven miles from the ferry port in Dover, as well as being conveniently situated for the M20 motorway.

The Clifton Bar overlooks the sun terrace with its flower-filled boxes providing a warm and friendly atmosphere where one can enjoy a drink from our renowned choice of cask-conditioned draught ales. One can also choose from the varied selection of hot and cold snacks.

Additional facilities include the Games Room, lifts and the 24-hour porterage service.

All 80 bedrooms have sea views with private bathroom/shower en-suite, are very comfortably furnished (a number have King/Queen size beds), colour TV, radio, data points, direct dial telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. The Garden Restaurant is the ideal venue for a leisurely meal with a choice of menus, which are complemented by fine wines.

From the Dover Express, 26 October 2017. The Clifton Hotel is changing. The Clifton hotel in Folkestone on The Leas has undergone some significant changes under the new ownership in its progress to be the number one hotel in Folkestone. The newly painted exterior of the hotel is now very smart and features a brand new patio where one can enjoy a nice Costa coffee, afternoon tea or beverage and watch the world go by. A nice feature is the umbrellas with their heaters underneath the table umbrella canopies. Stepping inside the hotel one is greeted with a spacious reception area and spacious lounge. A novel feature in the lounge is the large mirror with bottom half changing from a mirror to a TV screen when needed. To the left of the reception is the Costa Coffee lounge which has its own entrance from the street. The lounge offers very comfortable seating and is an ideal place to enjoy a Clifton Afternoon Tea or just a Costa Coffee and pastry. All the pastries and cakes are prepared by the hotel’s own pastry chef. The highlight of the renovations completed so far is the Ocean Bleu Bar & Lounge. Overlooking The Leas this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy life. The Ocean Bleu speciality is the range of Gins on offer accompanied by the finest of tonic waters. For those that are after a light snack or bar meal, the Ocean Bleu has fresh oysters and seafood on the menu along with a choice of other succulent dishes selected by our Head Chef. The Clifton Afternoon tea can also be enjoyed in the Ocean Bleu Bar & Lounge. The Ocean Bleu Bar & Lounge and the Costa Coffee lounge are open every day from 10am and table bookings can be made on 01303 851231.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Chris Britcher, 17 December 2025. Voco The Clifton Folkestone on The Leas marks multimillion-pound refurb as part of IHG’s upmarket brand. An historic hotel which has undergone a multimillion-pound refurbishment has toasted its first anniversary of joining an upscale hotel brand. Voco The Clifton Folkestone is part of the Voco Group - part of IHG Hotels and Resorts. Celebrations were held to open its newly refurbished function rooms. Over the last year, both bedrooms and communal areas have been completely transformed. The hotel is owned by the managing director of Leaf Hotels Group, Kanagaratnam Rajamenon, known as Menon. He said: "A year ago, we opened our doors with a vision - to create a vibrant, welcoming space that reflects the energy, creativity, and warm hospitality of Folkestone and the wider Kent community. "I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire Voco Clifton team who have been on this journey with me from the beginning when we were part of Best Western.” To mark the anniversary, a business breakfast saw speakers from the Bank of England, LeShuttle and Folkestone and Hythe District Council deliver updates to an audience of local business people. The buffet featured food art - melons as flowers, bread looking like meat. It was followed by a lunchtime networking event, organised by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, which saw guests wowed by an extensive buffet and food art that included melons resembling flowers and animals carved from bread.

LICENSEE LIST

GORDON Kenneth 1923-34

RAJAMENON Kanagaratnam 2025+

From the Kelly's Directory 1934