The Playden Oasts Inn

Our night at Playden Oast Inn on Friday 30 January was a complete disappointment, with problems in the room, shower, breakfast and bar, and nobody available who seemed able to help. When I asked for lager on draught that evening, it wasn’t pouring properly and looked past its best. I asked for a bottle instead, but the server kept pouring it between glasses and then handed over a flat, cloudy beer. I sat down rather than make a fuss because it was my wife’s birthday, but I couldn’t drink it and she told me to take it back. It should have been obvious it was off, and it was wrong to serve it to a customer. We were put in the Roundel room with a private balcony. The balcony doors didn’t meet at the bottom, so cold air and rain came in. The shower was also unreliable. Staff warned us it might not work and told us to put the shower head on the floor, fiddle with the taps, try the basin taps, and come downstairs to find someone if that failed. It didn’t work in the morning. After about ten minutes trying their suggestions, we got it going. I didn’t dare turn it off, and hurried my wife to use it. She was just as unimpressed. The worst problem was the ladybirds. We didn’t notice them before bed, but they flew around and landed on us during the night. We barely slept trying to fend them off. By morning they were everywhere, on the walls and balcony doors, and underfoot across the room. We couldn’t leave quickly enough. The only person we could find was the woman serving breakfast. When my wife asked for fruit and plain yoghurt, she said, “we haven’t got any of that” and walked away, despite fresh fruit being listed on the menu. Asking for an apple, banana or berries and plain yoghurt seems pretty standard. We’d had that the previous night at River Haven Hotel in Rye, where everyone was helpful and welcoming. That place was also quite a bit cheaper. There are plenty of maintenance problems too: the balcony doors don’t close properly, the shower failed, there was mould in the shower tray, paint was peeling from the bathroom window frame, and the room smelled unpleasant when we arrived. Opening the window for half an hour made it tolerable, despite the temperature being 5 degrees. I called to speak to someone in charge. She rang the next day and said she knew nothing about the shower, even though staff had warned us about it. She said she’d look into the other problems and get back to me. By 15 January, nobody had followed up. It feels like there’s a disconnect, with staff just doing a shift and going home, and nobody caring whether guests are happy or taking responsibility. We got no explanation or apology, and nobody asked how they could put things right. Whoever runs the place needs to get things in order and take a hard look at the staff and the property. I can’t recommend staying here. If you’ve booked, my advice is to cancel.

For £155 a night, it’s too expensive for what you get. The bed was a bit uncomfortable, the shower had no pressure and breakfast was average. Nothing was truly awful, and the staff were friendly, but it would have been fine at half the price. A deal might make it worth staying, just not the full rate.

We had Sunday lunch with family at The Playden Oast, and the food was delicious, the portions generous, and the price very good. The premises were very clean, and the landlady was helpful and personable. Service was exceptional. Thoroughly recommend.

From the moment we walked in, the experience at this historic place was stupendous. Beth, who works across the hotel, customer service and bar, showed us the rooms, and they were gorgeous, fresh and incredibly clean. We were also lucky to meet Kim, the owner, who told us about the history of her grand Oasts, from their early days drying hops for beer to what they are now, a lovely hotel and pub. Both women were friendly and delightful to talk with, and they pointed us toward Rye and what the town has to offer. Richie and I highly recommend visiting and experiencing the hospitality for yourself. Superb.