Satis House

After 20 years away, we found it looking much the same, including the Thai decoration. Breakfast was good and the staff were friendly, though the service felt more like a B&B than a hotel. The room needed vacuuming in the corners and under the furniture, and the mattress and showerhead both need replacing. Three stars seems about right. It's a lovely building, and with some effort it could easily be four-star.

The dogs were the main problem for us. They woke me at 05:30 on both mornings, and on one evening I went to reception at 23:00 to ask for them to be quiet. The man apologized and said he'd bring them in, and the noise stopped. People come to hotels to sleep, so I would've expected the animals to be kept under control. The building is fine but needs maintenance, and our room wasn't very clean, though it was comfortable enough. Wouldn't recommend it.

The location is great and the place has potential, which makes the state it's in a shame. It was dark and dingy, cluttered, and had cobwebs everywhere. The whole place needs a complete overhaul. The manager was rude and didn't make us feel welcome at all. Not a nice experience. Fawlty Towers would come off well by comparison with The Ritz.

Breakfast at Satis was a highlight: my smoked salmon and poached eggs on toast were cooked just right, and the coffee was good. My colleague also enjoyed the chicken curry at dinner. I missed the kitchen because I arrived just after it closed, so I ate at the pub two minutes away. The spacious room had a very comfortable bed, traditional, high-quality decor, and clean white linen and towels. The bathroom was clean too, though the water pressure was low and the shower was no power shower. Compared with the modern chain hotel I'd stayed in the night before, Satis felt like a pleasant change, with the charm and drawbacks of an older building. Yoxford is a nice village, but a car or bike would help if you want to explore further. Darsham station is walkable, though the path isn't lit, so take a torch after dark. I'd happily stay at Satis again.