The Eiders

The accommodation was clean and had the equipment we needed, but there was a noticeable damp dog smell, and mud on the inside of the bedroom curtains. We’d chosen the place because it had a pool. When we arrived, the water looked murky and the pool seemed like it needed some TLC, so it wasn’t very inviting.

The annex worked well as a self-catering room. The bed was firm but comfortable, the temperature was good, and the bathroom was spacious with excellent shower pressure. It was generally clean, though some grout needed scrubbing and there was mould on the ceiling. Shower gel was supplied, but not shampoo or conditioner. The wifi was fast and easy to connect to. There was a TV, but it wasn’t smart, so bring your own device if you want to stream. The room was reasonably equipped. We only made breakfast, using the kettle and toaster, though there was also a two-ring electric hob and a microwave that I think could work as a convection oven. There was a small seating area and a good-sized bed, perhaps king size. The room had a slight damp smell and the décor felt a little dated. I’m not sure whether the new owners plan to update it or just haven’t started yet. Light woke me very early each morning. Even with the curtains closed, the morning sun came through strongly, so a sleep mask may help if you wake easily. Net curtains and regular curtains were provided, but blinds would have helped. We slept with the windows open. Cars and passers-by could be heard, though not late at night. Noise from the corridor was also quite clear in the room, especially in the late morning and early evening. An extra door between the corridor and the main room might have made a big difference. There were quite a few notices around the room. Three separate toilet signs explained what could and couldn’t be flushed, when one clear sign would have seemed enough. There were also reminders to clean the shower and a request to strip the bed and wash and put away the crockery. Some requests made sense, and some signs may have been left over from the pandemic, but there were a lot of them. It was easy enough to find, though the drive could be missed on the first pass in the dark. The location is handy for Cromer, Holt and Sheringham, as well as the beaches and countryside around the North Norfolk coast. Cromer and Sheringham are walkable if you’re up for 30-40 minutes on foot. The main thing to know is that it’s changed hands recently and no longer serves breakfast. Many of the reviews here are from when it was a B&B, so that’s useful to bear in mind. None of these things would put me off staying again, but for somewhere marketed as “luxury holiday lets”, I’d expected a few more of the issues to have been sorted out.

We really love feeding the ducks from our little balcony, with the lake and lovely view just beyond it. The whole stay at The Eiders feels special, and we always have such a lovely time. The rooms are beautiful, the furnishings lovely, and everything is very clean. Caroline and James are so welcoming, and the cake and breakfasts are superb. We’d give them more stars if we could. Margaret and Peter.

The place is beautiful and peaceful, yet so close to Cromer. The hosts had thought of everything and couldn’t do enough for us. It was great for the children and pets, and made for a lovely family stay. We WILL be back. Thanks for everything. Ben and Family xx