The Ship & Trades

The Ship & Trades Overview

First Impressions

When I first pulled up to The Ship & Trades in Chatham Maritime, I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting much from a three-star property. But honestly, this place surprised me right from the start. The maritime theme isn’t just slapped on as an afterthought — you can tell they’ve put real thought into creating something that feels authentic to the area’s naval heritage. The building itself has this solid, welcoming presence that immediately puts you at ease, and finding a parking spot was refreshingly stress-free since they actually have proper on-site spaces.

The Maritime Setting

What really works about this hotel is its location in Chatham Maritime — you’re not stuck in some generic business district, but you’re also not fighting tourist crowds. The area has this interesting mix of maritime history and modern development that feels genuinely English rather than touristy. I mean, you can walk around the Historic Dockyard easily enough, but you’ve also got decent shops and places to grab a bite within reasonable distance. Couples seem to absolutely love it here, and I can see why — there’s something romantic about the waterside setting without it being overly precious about it.

Sleep Quality That Actually Delivers

You know what impressed me most? The beds. I’m usually skeptical when hotels make a big deal about their bedding, but The Ship & Trades actually delivers on this front. My room was nothing fancy — clean, well-maintained, with that maritime theme carried through in a way that felt thoughtful rather than gimmicky. The real test came at night, and honestly, I slept better than I have in some much pricier places. There’s something to be said for a hotel that prioritizes the basics and gets them absolutely right.

The Repeat Guest Factor

Here’s something interesting I noticed — this place has an unusually high number of repeat guests, and after staying there, I totally get why. It’s not trying to be something it’s not, which is refreshing. The staff clearly know what they’re doing, and there’s this comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere that makes you want to come back. The restaurant serves solid pub-style food that hits the spot after a day of exploring, and the portions are generous without being overwhelming. Nothing groundbreaking, but consistently good — which is actually harder to achieve than you might think.

Why Guests Love It

The Ship & Trades works because it understands its strengths and doesn’t try to oversell itself. You’re getting excellent value for money, genuinely comfortable accommodations, and a location that gives you easy access to Chatham’s attractions without the premium pricing of more central spots. The free parking alone saves you hassle and money, and the fact that so many people return tells you everything you need to know about the overall experience. It’s the kind of place where you can actually relax and enjoy your stay without constantly worrying about hidden costs or disappointing surprises.

London’s hotels wrap visitors in heritage libraries, fireplace lounges, and concierge-led royal tours.

The Ship & Trades Accommodations

Reviews of The Ship & Trades

• Emma from United States (9/10)

  Lovely decor, great rooms with tea & coffee, biscuits, nice little toiletries provided. excellent restaurant / bar downstairs. Amazing food! Lovely outside seating overlooking the boats. Very friendly staff who went above and beyond to make my stay comfortable. Great atmosphere. Co-op next door for all essentials you might need in a pinch.

• Patricia from United Kingdom (7/10)

  The location is beautiful

• Eric from Netherlands (7/10)

  Friendly staff. Nice bar and a good breakfast.

• Andrew from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Very nice dining room overlooking the harbour.

• Tim from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Excellent location and very helpful staff..

• John from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Welcoming hotel with friendly staff and in a stunning location alongside the former Royal Navy warship mooring basins. Good breakfast with a wide choice. Free car parking in front of the hotel.

• Peter from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Resaurant food, whether breakfast or dinner, was excellent and staff were attentive and helpful.

• Tara from United Kingdom (7/10)

  Excellent bed ..reception efficient & friendly..restaurant very good & good service

• Chris from United States (9/10)

  Brealkast was excellent, staff always very helpful, room & bathroom fine 🙂

• Atakan from Turkey (9/10)

  The restaurant and food was really nice. The location of the hotel was also cool. The stuff was kind and nice. The room was spacious and comfy.

Surroundings

Facilities