Mr & Mrs Smith

As a South East London/Kent native, the seaside town of Deal is not so far from my doorstep. That said, it’s pebbled beaches, craggy cliffs and unspoiled scenery are a world away from the type of surroundings I’m used to waking up to (more city than pretty). Having spent most of the train journey admiring the vivid green and lemon-yellow scenery and dazzling Kent coast views with Mrs Smith, Hector’s Apartments’ urbane interiors come as a second surprise. As we arrive and unload, owner Alex greets us with a warm welcome and a bottle of spicy red, then gives us a tour of the maisonette. We peek around the property, alternating between admiring the sea views and cooing over the city-slicker touches.

Striking light features, glass top-tables, sculpted Eames armchairs, bold floral wallpapers with splashes of amethyst, scarlet and gold, walls hung with plasma TVs and white artworks textured with blobs of paint make us feel like we’re in a luxurious urban pad. The carpets are so thick and plush, we sacrifice shoes and soon shuck our socks too, snooping around barefoot.

The apartments’ decor is understated and minimalist, with neutral milk and cream shades providing the perfect foil to the dazzling green and blue views, be they seafront, gravelly garden or castle-facing. The bathroom is swathed in marble, with a carefully selected range of REN toiletries dotted across the sleek surfaces. The perfect goodies which, when matched with that rain shower, are guaranteed to blast away any morning cobwebs. Delving into the well-stocked fridge and cupboards elicits a few oohs and aaahs and we treat ourselves to toasted fruit bread, slathered in butter, washed down with big mugs of tea. We eye up an M&S chocolate bar and editions of Vanity Fair and earmark them as post-beach treats.

Whichever apartment you opt for, you have Deal Castle and the seafront a wander away. Deciding its high time for a recce, we stroll out and admire the pretty blue-hulled fishing boats on the seafront, promenade down the pier, discover a treasure-trove of eateries and boutiques and settle down in 81 Beach Street for a cosy, flavorsome meal. The real Deal indeed. Returning to our base camp many calories later, and bedding down in the superking memory-foam affairs, scattered with an abundance of oversized pillows, is a salubrious experience. Teamed with that sea air it is also tantamount to a dose of Temazepam. Or was it the red wine? Either way, Hector's Apartments are definitely good for the soul.