The 29-bedroom Fayreness Hotel in Kingsgate will be put in Sheps’ managed pub division.
The hotel, which has views over Botany Bay, features a cliff-top garden.
Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with Thorley Taverns for the purchase of the Fayreness Hotel. We have admired the way it has operated this prestigious hotel for many years.
“We have a successful record of developing premium hotels in Kent and we are sure this hotel will make a fine addition to our managed estate.”