Reviews are ordered by language and date with a maximum of 25 reviews.
Over-rated
| Average rating: |
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2.6 |
Guest name: pyke8, pyke8
Guest type: Honeymoon
stayed in Jun 2008
The Swan at Lavenham is well-located and that is an experience in itself, but that aside the quality of the rooms is not great and in my view do not represent value for money.
One of the main problems is the internal and external noise which make a good night's sleep unlikely. OK old building etc etc but be warned.
Be prepared to pay for absolutely everything e.g. any room service carries a ?5 handling charge on top of the actual cost also no free newspaper or any courtesy gesture.
Restaurant is unimpressive, expensive, minimalist and deadly silent - making for uncomfortable eating. Go instead to the Indian restaurant just up the road. One of the best I've ever had!!
Overall verdict? Only go if you have plenty of money to throw away and dont mind being consistently ripped-off!
My ratings for this hotel are:
3.0 Check in / front desk
2.0 Business service
2.0 Value
2.0 Service
2.0 Rooms
4.0 Location
3.0 Cleanliness
The perfect English inn
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4.7 |
Guest name: GolanBenzion, London, United Kingdom
Guest type: Honeymoon
stayed in Mar 2008
I loved every minute of this weekend. The hotel is gorgeous. The public rooms are atmospheric, traditional yet with modern touches such as the reception. There was a fire, cosy sofas, wooden beams and a nice spacious bar, as well as a more traditional bar. Our room (n7) was off a corridor that snaked round a courtyard. It was one of the nicest hotel rooms I have ever stayed in. It was spacious, spotless, well-appointed, cosy, smelling brand new yet with atmospheric wooden beams and furniture. The beds were comfortable and the bathroom gleaming and well stocked with luxury shampoos etc. We had fluffly white dressing gowns to relax in. We ate in the Garden Room which was quite reasonably priced and the food was delicious and plentiful. The restaurant looked lovely but the set menu was around ?30 not including drinks. Breakfast was very good (hot food, cooked to order with a small fruit/patisserie buffet) and took place in the restaurant, under wooden beams with a little background music. Lavenham is incredibly beautiful and the hotel is on the mainroad with a garden exit that leads to the market square. You can be walking through fields within five minutes. My only quibbles were....I spent 15 minutes trying to work the TV only to be told that the aerial was broken and there would be no TV that day (could have told us upon check in and I would have bought a book) and secondly I kept hitting my head on a beam on the way to the loo and it should be covered in foam.
My ratings for this hotel are:
4.0 Check in / front desk
5.0 Value
4.0 Service
5.0 Rooms
5.0 Location
5.0 Cleanliness
Fantastic hotel!
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5.0 |
Guest name: wemster, Leics.
Guest type: Honeymoon
stayed in Mar 2008
Loved everything about The Swan, apart from the lack of music and atmosphere in the bar (but I'm just nitpicking!). Stayed in the Stanstead Room which was a perfect location - no other rooms to either side or above, and no squeaky floorboard noises!
Spent both evenings lazing in front of the open - it was very quiet and again could have done with a bit of music in the background - everyone was whispering to each other!
Food in the restaurant was amazing .The staff were excellent - they were friendly but not in an over-the-top way. Can't wait to go back for our wedding anniversary in June!
My ratings for this hotel are:
5.0 Check in / front desk
5.0 Value
5.0 Service
5.0 Rooms
5.0 Location
5.0 Cleanliness
4 poster beds with 2* bathrooms...
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3.0 |
Guest name: honeymatch, london
Guest type: Honeymoon
stayed in Dec 2007
The Swan is almost a charming hotel - it just doesn't quite have the za za zoo. Whilst Lavenham itself is one of the most charming villages in Essex, the Swan seems to be a magnetic attraction for anyone over 70 wishing to take tea before getting back on the bus. The rooms appear to be nice at first, but after being woken up at 5am by the people upstairs quietly packing their bags, I was almost tempted to do the same. The bathrooms are functional but belong in 3* accommodation. If everywhere else is booked up, you won't have too bad a time here. Just be prepared to pay for perfection and receive something tolerable.
My ratings for this hotel are:
3.0 Check in / front desk
3.0 Business service
2.0 Value
3.0 Service
3.0 Rooms
4.0 Location
3.0 Cleanliness
What a disappointment
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2.6 |
Guest name: Traveller2112, London
Guest type: Honeymoon
stayed in Dec 2007
We were really looking forward to our stay charming Lavenham, but unfortunately The Swan Hotel was simply awful. The room was standard, if a little worn around the edges, with shabby duvet and covers. However, this was nothing compared to the incompetence of the staff and general lack of concern for, or interests in, guests.
Dinner was terrible. There was a function in the main dining hall, and so we were ushered into an ugly side room with no atmosphere. I was ushered onto a wobbly chair, and my partner was seated on a window box, with no cushions. We ordered steak, for which we waited over an hour. We saw 3 other couples served mains ahead of us, despite them all having sat down after us. The steaks were raw and cold, wine did not arrive until after dessert. Despite asking four or five times, they never brought any water over.
The management’s ability to resolve the situation seemed initially quite good. They offered us coffee in the bar, and a complementary bottle of wine. We also asked them to remove the charge for dinner, which they did. However, after waiting for twenty minutes without service, we had to remind them we were there, and explain the situation to a different manager.
The whole thing was handled very badly, and the staff appeared not to care. We went for our anniversary, and adopted the ‘if you didn't laugh you’d cry’ approach, but for a relaxing weekend or a treat DO NOT STAY HERE!
My ratings for this hotel are:
2.0 Check in / front desk
2.0 Value
2.0 Rooms
4.0 Location
3.0 Cleanliness