Gallivant - Rother

Terrible service, bad food, over priced. We hesitated over booking The Gallivant as for a 4 star hotel, reviews seemed pretty low. In the end, we risked it it did look lovely after all. Firstly, the hotel is not on the beach but a main road, not so much of a tranquil haven. Really though, the problem was the service. Service was laughably terrible, the worst we have ever experienced despite being seasoned travellers. Some examples: on being seated for breakfast, it then took 40 minutes before someone took our coffee order. Tables on either side were having the same experience the couple to our left were told they couldn't even order breakfast as the kitchen was so backed up. The party of 4 to our right each received their coffee order at different times, half an hour apart; their food order was wrong and they had to wait for cutlery after their food had arrived. On checking out, we were double charged for some drinks that the night before, we had been informed, weren't possible to charge to the room as it was against policy. Luckily we kept the receipt but there was no grace dealing with the situation. Food is disappointing a menu trying to be fancy with poorly cooked food: chewy lobster, over cooked steak, and even when not very busy, a battle to receive a glass of wine to go with the meal. The overall atmosphere was staff who didn't want to be there and guests who were having a bad experience. Grossly over priced to top it off. Camber sands is beautiful but do yourself a favour and stay in an airbnb!

The perfect place for a long lunch with fresh, local ingredients, beautifully prepared. The space has a superb, thoughtfully-curated style and sense of belonging. Hamish and team run and incredibly smooth service. A true joy to visit, and perfect walkability for the dogs to run along Camber Sands after. Thanks Gallivant, see you again soon! Service: 5

Beautiful restaurant and bar, but the experience was mixed. The bar tender kindly gave us a taste of local wines, but we were then left waiting almost an hour and half for our food. Food came, but the crab was so incredibly small that we had to send the crab back as at £14 it’s a joke. The rest of the food and service was mediocre for the price point.

Beautiful tranquil boutique hotel. Stunning decor and gardens are glorious, a real tranquil haven. Service top notch, local food and wines, it’s a dreamy escape I had the most amazing reflexology facial at their treatment rooms too! Highly recommend for a summer break away. Rooms: 5 Service: 5 Location: 5

Having stayed at the Gallivant in June, before moving into my new home, I decided I 'd like to become a member of Gallivant, so that I could take advantage of the morning yoga classes. However, what should have been an incredibly simple process, was allowed to turn into a ludicrous, 3 week+ fiasco! Apparently Galivant is suffering with problems caused by their new payment system...... However, while technical problems and glitches are totally excusable, dire communication and staff ineptitude is not! Enquiries made by email and phone were steadfastly unanswered, offers for solutions were ignored, and to make matters even more frustrating, it was nigh on almost impossible to get through to someone by phone, with 9 out of 10 calls directed to an answer phone, with a message telling you our staff are busy on other calls........ Lovely facilities are meaningless when service is non existent so I 've given up on the idea of becoming a member! Rooms: Nice cosy rooms, with lovely decor albeit I had to be moved to anther room when it became apparent, while I brushed my teeth, that the bathroom sink wasn 't screwed to the wall! Nearby activities: The sand dunes and beach are across the road and directly opposite the hotel