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Whether you love it or despise it, Wetherspoons remains a quintessentially British establishment.

The pub giant operates approximately 800 venues nationwide and generated £2 billion in revenue last year. From its distinctive venue-specific 1970s-style carpeting to its remarkably affordable beverages, from its forthright chief executive Tim Martin to its knack for transforming magnificent Victorian structures into popular watering holes, the chain has become deeply embedded in British culture.

However, what many people may be unaware of - and what came as news to me - is that Wetherspoons doesn't just operate pubs, but has been running hotels since 1998. The inaugural establishment in Shrewsbury featured 22 guest rooms alongside the traditional pub facilities.

Subsequently, 54 additional Wetherspoons Hotels have launched across the country.

Deterred by Mr Martin's forays into British politics and concerns about the chain undermining independent publicans through its substantial purchasing power, my recent visits to Wetherspoons had been restricted to airport emergencies and, on occasion, using their facilities without making a purchase. Nevertheless, after Which?,named its hotel the most budget-friendly in Britain, I resolved to set aside previous reservations and experience it firsthand.

On a bitter Wednesday in November, I arrived at the Thomas Ingoldsby in Canterbury, cold and dishevelled after an extended bicycle journey from Broadstairs. What followed exceeded expectations and completely transformed my perception of Wetherspoons.

The proposition is, quite frankly, remarkable. Here's what I discovered:

Price is undeniably a major draw at Wetherspoon pubs, and this extends to their hotel offerings as well. In the Which? survey, it achieved a rare 4* rating for value for money, matched only by the overall champion, Coaching Inn Group.

Whilst Coaching commands an average nightly rate of £128, Wetherspoon charges a mere £70. A double room at the Thomas Ingoldsby, available for booking next Wednesday, costs just £55.

I enjoyed a £2.99 vegetarian breakfast the morning after sampling £1.89 pints of ale the previous evening. Both exceeded expectations.

Perhaps I've spent too long within the M25, but those prices seemed remarkably reasonable. In 2025, when even a simple outing appears to drain at least £20 from your wallet, the budget-conscious appeal of this experience stood out as its most noteworthy feature.

Prior to my hotel visit, my most recent Wetherspoon experience involved wandering into the vast and somewhat deserted Coronet on Holloway Road in London. The contrast in atmosphere couldn't have been more pronounced on this particular crisp Wednesday evening in Canterbury.

East Kent's drinking crowd was out in considerable numbers. University undergraduates, cheerful groups of pensioners, and solitary patrons absorbed in books whilst munching onion rings. Every walk of life was represented.

The hotel accommodation sits just a brief staircase away from the pub, allowing guests to easily make their way upstairs at closing time or indulge in a deli wrap and chips whilst having a soak. A staff member informed me that last-minute room bookings are accommodated, though excessively intoxicated patrons may be turned away.

The accommodation itself was virtually flawless. Having stayed at numerous budget hotels over the years, this ranked among the finest.

The potential pitfalls of lower-priced establishments typically include dilapidated furniture, an unclean atmosphere and signs of bedbugs. The ideal scenario involves a space where everything appears well-maintained, reasonably modern, spotless and thoughtfully arranged.

The Ingoldsby ticked all those boxes, whilst offering double rooms spacious enough for an impromptu late-night gathering (though such activities are presumably neither encouraged nor permitted).

The accommodation also featured a substantial desk complete with a generously supplied tea station, a considerable television and a vista of Canterbury Cathedral that few hotels in the city could rival. Just two of the Ingoldsby's rooms boast that outlook.

Those situated on the opposite side of the establishment not only miss the view of the Anglican headquarters, but also experience some disruption from morning lorry activity, according to staff. If available, room 110 is the prime choice.

Following an extended, chilly day cycling through Kent, it was delightful to find the thermostat could be adjusted right up to 25 C, and actually achieved that temperature. It felt like a proper getaway.

Regrettably, the Spoons hotel doesn't offer an all-inclusive arrangement. One can only imagine the chaos that would ensue after countless bottles of Hooch and triple-cooked chips. However, what's actually provided is far from inadequate. Adequate Wi-Fi, a selection of biscuit packets, clean towels, two complimentary water bottles and sufficient tea, coffee and hot chocolate sachets to last until the 11am checkout.

Breakfast isn't part of the package, but given how affordable it is, there seemed little reason to grumble.

A mate's astute father once remarked that Spoons represents the nearest thing to a genuine social institution Britain has remaining. With nightclubs shutting down and members' clubs folding, there are increasingly fewer venues where people can gather.

Spoons may well be amongst the final authentic third spaces left in the UK, attracting people from every walk of life and background. And now that it's offering accommodation of this quality at such competitive prices, its appeal becomes even more undeniable.