Riverside Inn

We had a good-sized room that was clean and comfortable, and breakfast was generous. The room looked out over the boats, which was a great view. I managed to park right outside, a nice bonus, though there are free car parks in Ely with a short walk. There’s no restaurant here, but plenty of places to eat and drink very close by, including one next door. I’d definitely return.

The beds were marvelous, and the cotton linens and thick towels made for a really luxurious night's sleep. Our room was beautifully appointed, and the owners have a sophisticated, attractive style. The Riverside Inn is on a very quiet street close to the canal, with an easy walk through the city and nearby fields. Breakfast was lovely, with fresh cappuccinos and lattes, another unexpected delight. We were happily surprised by the place and really enjoyed our stay.

This is an excellent three-star guesthouse, but the Booking.com rating is very misleading if it leads you to expect a five-star hotel. It doesn’t list things like a restaurant, swimming pool, room service, concierge or valet parking, and those aren’t there. It’s one of the most expensive places in Ely, perhaps because of the rating, so it feels somewhat overpriced for what you get. Still, it was a very clean, warm and comfortable, if cosy, place to stay overnight. It’s a small guesthouse with seven rooms. The bedrooms are spotless and well appointed, though small. Rooms 6 and 7 look straight at a blank brick wall. Choose another room for a river view, though those might be a little noisier from the nearby railway. The staff were a little grumpy but generally OK, and breakfast was OK too.

We were able to park outside, and the contactless check-in worked well for us. The instructions were spot on. The room was just right for our birthday overnight stay, very clean and full of appreciated extra touches. We especially liked the coffee machine. The bed was very comfortable and we had a peaceful night's sleep. Breakfast was plentiful, and they provided gluten-free bread for one of us when we asked. We’d definitely stay here again on another visit to the city.