Everything about this place is a delight. Only minus, if you have it, is dinner - fancy London restaurant-style food, well prepared and presented, but over-elaborate so that the fixed price (about £45 pp excl. drinks) is really quite off putting. But the kitchen quality shows in the tasty breakfast.

We stayed at the RBHH on a wet and windy Friday night in February. A large party had left the hotel that morning. Their Friday evening occupancy led, inevitably, to a reduced level of weekend booking so we shared the hotel with just one other couple and with the proprietors. This made for a slightly strange social atmosphere but also meant that there was space aplenty for all, and a near one-on-one service ratio.

Our overall impression was that here was a beautifully kept outpost of comfort and taste in the strangest of remote windswept locations. Littlestone is a small coastal village south of New Romney on the bleak and unlovely coastline between Hythe/Folkestone and the wonderful Dungeness (absolutely worthy of a visit). The house stands proud and remote in its art deco splendour at the end of a bumpy and, on this occasion, submerged access road (follow the routemap provided and do not trust your satnav to get you there with axles unbroken).

There is a warm welcome waiting from Lise and her partner and the on-arrival briefing that takes place in the well-stocked honesty bar sets the tone for a stay that is more houseguest than hotel.

The quality of the rooms and of the hotel decor and furnishings is of the very highest. Those who are expecting art deco throughout - in the manner of the Burgh Island Hotel for example - might be disappointed, but comfort is the keynote at RBH and the contrast between the warmth and order within and the blasted-heath without worked well for us.

Food quality is first rate and the short wine list is well selected and interesting (more burgundy-styled than bordeaux). The dining concept is unusual: No choice, but any dislikes and preferences established by 'phone in advance. On this occasion it worked well for us with scallop, crab and lobster bisque and Romney Marsh lamb starring.

Previous posters have complained about the hushed dining room. It's true that with just two couples in occupation and all meals taken at the same sitting there was a marked lack of buzz (service was very discrete) but this did not spoil our enjoyment. We just enjoyed the good food and our own conversation. Later I also enjoyed the luxury of falling asleep in an armchair in the lounge where we took coffee and petits fours.

We enjoyed our stay enormously and will certainly return one of these days. We would recommend the hotel to anyone considering an indulgent short break in a fascinating part of the country. It is difficult to find any niggles: I guess it was slightly annoying to have to ring the doorbell every time we returned to the hotel (but isn't that what you do when you arrive at someone's home)? The hotel's cat/dog quota is already filled with homegrown specimens which meant that our spaniel spent a night in the car. Character forming!

we stayed here in october 2002, my boyfriend booked it for a anniversary weekend. we had a wonderful time, the breakfasts were really goodl. it is a very cosy and relaxed hotel, the dog walks around the breakfast conservatory, which was unfortunate for my boyfriend who is allergic to animal hair!!! the rooms are beautifully decorated, very country charm, almost french style. we had a bit of a problem with our shower, it wouldn't get hot but as it was quiet we were allowed to use another room. the location is very quiet but scenery stunning and natural, right on the beach. it was apparently built for the american actress heddy hopper, who was a famous silent film actress. in october 2009 we were travelling back from another anniversary weekend break and decided to stop at the romney for a afternoon tea. it was exactly the same, even the dog. only down side was it was expensive, but it is quite unique because of its location, so i suppose thats what you pay the extra for.

Treated as guests in a family home rather than an hotel.
The food is simply superb.
Thoroughly recommended