Smiths Townhouse, a Broadstairs stay near Viking Bay
Smiths Townhouse is a guest accommodation in Broadstairs, on the coast of England, set among residential streets a few minutes' walk from Viking Bay Beach. It suits couples, short breaks and remote workers who want a quiet base by the sea, with a private bathroom in every room.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Smiths Townhouse.
Where Smiths Townhouse is and how to get there
Smiths Townhouse is in Broadstairs, on Belvedere Road, in a residential part of town rather than right on the seafront. The older description says Viking Bay Beach is about three minutes away on foot, and that is the main reason I would put it on a shortlist.
The same text mentions good access to stations and airports, but it doesn't say which ones or how long they take. Check your route before you book. Broadstairs is a seaside town on the English coast, and sleeping in the streets behind the beach usually means calmer nights than a hotel on the front.
How the rooms are set up
Smiths Townhouse presents itself as a traditional house with hotel services, and the room details fit that idea. Every room has a private bathroom with both a bath and a shower, plus free toiletries.
- Tea and coffee. A kettle or coffee maker in the room makes early mornings and late evenings easier.
- A desk and a wardrobe. Enough room to unpack properly or to get some work done.
- Hair dryer and free Wi-Fi. The basics are covered.
- Private and express check-in. Check-out works the same way, which helps if you arrive late or leave early.
To me these rooms look built for a short stay or a few days of remote work by the sea. I found nothing in the data about a restaurant, a spa or parking, so I wouldn't count on any of them.
What guests say about Smiths Townhouse
I have to be upfront here. Google gives the place 4.5 from 206 reviews, but the written reviews I could read are about a coffee shop called Smiths, not about sleeping in a room. They tell me very little about the beds, the noise or the bathrooms.
What they do show is a business people like, with some caveats.
- Coffee and breakfast. Several reviewers praise the coffee, the breakfast sandwiches, the porridge, the granola and the homemade cakes, and call the staff friendly.
- A recent move. Some mention the shop moving one street over to a bigger venue, and one visitor gave up looking for it because the signs were confusing.
- Mixed service. A few reviewers describe the owner as rude and the prices as high, and say they preferred the café across the road.
Take the high rating as a good sign for the business as a whole, nothing more. It isn't proof of how the rooms are.
What to know before you book
The main thing about Smiths Townhouse is that the reviews don't describe the rooms, so you are booking mostly on the strength of the listing. This is how I would weigh it up.
| What I like | What to check first |
|---|---|
| A short walk to Viking Bay Beach | Reviews say little about the rooms themselves |
| Private bathroom with bath and shower | It is on a residential street, not on the seafront |
| Kettle, desk and free Wi-Fi | The listing mentions no restaurant and no parking |
| Private and express check-in | Some café reviewers complain about service and prices |
If something matters to you, such as a quiet room or a particular bed, ask the owners directly before you pay.
Who it suits best
I would choose Smiths Townhouse for a couple or a solo traveller who wants a few easy days near Viking Bay. I would also look at it if you need to work remotely, since the room has a desk and the Wi-Fi is free.
I would think twice if you want a full-service hotel with a restaurant, or if you need the sea outside your window. And if you are coming for the café mentioned in the reviews, remember that it has moved, so confirm the new address first.
What to do around Broadstairs
The old description points to the Granville Theatre as a nearby attraction, and the beach is the obvious plan. Broadstairs is the kind of town where the beach does most of the work, so I would plan slow days, with a walk on the sand, a coffee and maybe a show in the evening.
If Smiths Townhouse doesn't convince you, there are other English stays on Mapiola, such as Esplanade Hotel in Clacton-on-Sea, Hatters Hotel in Skegness, Brimley Barn in Wellington and The Wheatsheaf Hotel in Corbridge. I can only give you their names and towns, so open their pages to see how they compare.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
