Sudbury House

The afternoon tea was delicious, from the sandwiches and scones with cream and jam to the tea cakes and coffee. They also took my allergy information seriously and made sure I was catered for. I had a table in a peaceful part of the room overlooking the gardens, and the waiter was attentive and friendly.

We wanted a quiet break and got just that. It was so peaceful we felt like we had the place to ourselves, and the room was comfortable. The staff were friendly, the service was spot on, and breakfast was amazing. We also had a brilliant meal at the Asian restaurant down the road, and the local pub is an easy walk away. My partner and I had a brilliant stay. Thank you.

The bed was really comfortable and the linen felt good quality. There was a useful range of teas, biscuits and mini toiletries in the room, and breakfast had plenty to choose from: yogurt, fruit, pastries, toast, a cooked breakfast and juices. It never felt busy while we were there for two nights for a wedding. The service left us less impressed. At check-in, reception tried to charge the full amount even though we’d paid a deposit. When we queried it, they said we were mistaken. We found the confirmation email, and the receptionist then saw we were right, but didn’t offer a courteous apology. Other guests told us they’d had much the same experience. On the wedding morning, I went to see how the tables were coming along so I could update the bride, and a staff member asked, “Are you checking up on us?” Maybe it was meant as a joke, but it made me feel a bit unwelcome. There was also no drinks reception outside after the ceremony. Staff said they’d planned to move it indoors because they thought it might rain, though everyone stayed outside for a few hours and it didn’t rain. After some encouragement, the drinks were brought out, but many guests had already gone to the bar to buy their own. Some of the decor has a sweet art deco look, though it doesn’t carry through the whole hotel and parts feel tired, especially the doors. We were comfortable, but it could have been friendlier and better kept in places, and it didn’t wow us.

The room was clean and the woman at reception was friendly, but the food was only average. Dinner had very few choices, and at breakfast the bacon was overcooked, the baked beans were lukewarm and there was only half a field mushroom. I didn’t feel we got value for money, and wouldn’t recommend the hotel because of the food.