The changing face of Margate is embodied in the town’s latest hotel, The Victoria which opens this week at Fort Crescent.

Mat Pugsley , general manager of the 14 bedroom boutique hotel, believes is “an enviable location for exploring a quintessential English resort”.

He added: “The Victoria Margate aims to be a sanctuary by the sea, celebrating the great British coast and offering a 2014 take on seaside heritage.”

The head chef Jake Tait is Thanet born and bred. His passion for cooking started at a young age when he spent hours baking in his kitchen with his mother and grandmother. He has refined his skills with 15 years in top kitchens including Gordon Ramsay’s, Smith’s Court and the House of Commons.

He said: “I’m excited to bring my passion for cooking and particularly patisserie to The Victoria Margate, I like to think of my cuisine as homely food with a classic twist.”

The 40-cover restaurant with attached courtyard will serve food throughout the day with afternoon teas being a highlight with everything from the jam to the petit fours made from scratch.

Jake says he will seek out the freshest local produce from suppliers he has worked with for many years, and he’ll be found wandering down from the hotel to Mannings seafood stall daily on the seafront to find out what the catch of the day is.

Margate has been a popular seaside haven for over 250 years, drawing busy Londoners to its peaceful Victorian Winter Gardens and the restorative sea air of its beaches.

The hometown of artist Tracey Emin, its recent regeneration has firmly established its place on the British art map.

The town’s new Turner Gallery – just a stone’s throw from the hotel – celebrates British artist J.M.W. Turner, who described the skies around Margate as the loveliest in all Europe.

The Victoria’s sister hotel, Turner Whitstable, will open this summer, complete with beach house on the seafront.

n Typical costs are of a Classic Double B&B from £100 per night for two. Reservations: reservations.victoria@bespokehotels.com or 01843 1787182; go online to www.bespokehotels.com/crescentvictoriahotel