Rye - I have also been to all of these, obviously the summer ones are best but in terms of getting the drinks and staffing correct both of the winter festivals have been good. I don't remember any rooms being empty, it was ramo when I arrives but it was "comfy" in the main room from around 8.30pm
Virtually every summer festivel has been a nightmare in terms of bars, even in VIP, i struggle to understand how they keep getting that part so wrong, but we live in hope.
If I remember rightly the system last year was F1, it sounds good in the new venue.
Very friendly, Maidstone has some great restaurants as well and cafes if you can get up Sunday morning.
There are loads of hotels, but they get full, the town has a busy nightlife, Isle boy has recommended some good ones.
Defo pre-book tax as he also recommends,even a few days before if possible, the bus system they had at the summer one was an absolute disaster, steer clear.