THE ALBION SAILS ON COURSE!

Three years ago, The Libertines brought into a run down old hotel in Eastern Esplanade, Margate. Since then they’ve not only grafted themselves, but have brought in many local tradesman to transform the five-storey Victorian building into a hub of decadence and delight.

The Band have worked with many local craftspeople over the past three years to transform and supply the hotel, including Haeckels natural skin care and wild fragrance company, Rocket St. George, Junk Yard Deluxe, YardGirlMargate, Paraphernalia, Scotts and Valentine’s Vintage.

Although parts of the building such as the Waste Land Bar and the state of the art recording studio have been open for the past year, it is now with great delight that The Albion Rooms have announced that they shall be throwing open the doors to their luxury boutique hotel on the 25th September.

Libertines co-front man Peter Doherty describes The Albion Rooms as

“…a fine Arcadian bolthole, a perfect place for prophets new inspired, to recline, write, record, with rejoicing and knees up a plenty.”

Fellow frontman Carl Barât added

“It might be a while before we challenge The Savoy or The Grand Budapest in the hotel stakes, but we’ve put a lot of love into this.

“Meanwhile it’s a colourful and inspiring home for The Libertines, and I look forward to the Albion Rooms being our very own Warholian Factory.”

The Albion Rooms as a collective is split into different sectors, the downstairs basement (or below deck if you like) area being home to the Waste Land Bar. The bar having proved extremely popular over the past year with Captain Dean Fragile at its helm.

The name “The Waste Land” is in homage to the eponymous T.S. Eliot poem, part of which was written just a couple of doors down from The Albion Rooms, whilst Eliot was recuperating from a nervous breakdown.

The Waste Land Bar sells its very own branded Libertines gin from Silver Circle Distillery cleverly named “Gunga Gin” and they’ve also recently partnered with Scottish Brewdog Beer to create their very own ‘Wasteland IPA’. There is also a whole host of other wines, beers and spirits on offer as well as the bands very own blend tea and coffee to suit each and everybody.

The Waste Land is described as an artistic hub showcasing the talents of musicians, artists and a whole host of other creatives, such a poets and magicians. Indeed, the hotel has previously housed art exhibitions by local artists and has plans to continue to do so in the future.

Both the Bar and the Recording Studio have seen much action over the past year with many bands and artists already having enjoyed and taken advantage of the facilities on offer.

We are also advised that there are plans for later this year to start a series of live stream events from the bar under the name “Waste Land Live”.

The Waste Land has the Bar, Outside seating area and kitchen selling bar food including its now infamous with locals, bar menu.

Upstairs is the Residents Bar which will house the Arcady Coffee House serving tea, coffee and brunch seven days a week until 4pm and from 6pm both hotel guests and visitors alike can pop in and enjoy a Libertines inspired cocktail or two.

Both the Waste Land Bar and the Residents Lounge are filled with personal affects and curiosities that have been collected over the years by the band members themselves. The interiors of these areas is the combined vision of The Libertines and local Margate Interior Designer Leanne Walsh of @yardgirlmargate

With the opening of the hotel bedrooms also comes the opening of a new gourmet restaurant which is to be overseen by renowned chef Joe Hill, who has been head chef for some of the biggest names in the industry – including Gordon Ramsay and Tom Aikens.

Joe is currently in the process of creating a tantalising menu befitting of the Arcadian Dream.

Of course, the big exciting news is that The Albions Rooms have finalised transforming the seven guest bedrooms and are officially opening their doors for business on the 25th September 2020.

Its been a long three years in the coming, but this has been worth the wait. Each an every room has been lovingly transformed with exquisite attention to detail and with no expense spared (take Peter’s vintage wallpaper sample that he has recreated for one of the rooms for example). The Hotel is the absolute height of decadence reminiscent of the undisputed glamour of a bygone Victorian Gothic era, which is of course also completely at one with what The Libertines whole vibe and ethos is all about.

All rooms are fully equipped with upgraded bathroom facilities with luxury Haeckels products, robes, slippers, GHD hairdryers, Apple Beats sound systems and tea and coffee making facilities.

Room prices start at £115 a night, including an a la carte breakfast, and are available to book now at www.thealbionrooms.live

A visit to The Albion Rooms is a must for everybody, whether it be for a cup of coffee and brunch, a night out on the gin, a bite to eat or just to enjoy the surroundings. There’s always something going on Down in Albion that’s for sure! The last time I was there recently the band Cruel Hearts Club were filming a video for their new single which Carl Barat was directing and while I was sat outside enjoying a Gunga Gin in the sunshine, Kyle Falconer popped out and asked to borrow my lighter! The Albion Rooms really is a hub for all that is good in the world xx

SALLY NEWMAN