Ickworth Hotel

Overall we were disappointed by our stay at The Ickworth. First, the positives, the grounds are beautiful, and the venue is truly family focussed with games, games room, movie room. A highlight for us was relaxing in the library and playing board games (they have a great selection at Reception). The staff were friendly and helpful, and tried to address issues we raised to them. We opted to stay in the main hotel, rather than The Lodge, as we wanted to be closer to amenities. Important to note that the pool is not actually in the main hotel, it is in an adjacent building and you need to walk outside to get to it. If you plan to use the pool remember to take flip flop to use inside the pool are and toilets. The restaurant is a series of odd rooms with bright lighting and no atmosphere. The food is good quality, but in our view overpriced for what it is. We had breakfast included in our room rate. On the second day our seating as 9am, at which point they were out of orange juice, pancakes and some other ingredients. The decor and furniture in the bedrooms are tired. The curtains were in tatters and actually coming apart. The beds creaky and mattresses lumpy and uncomfortable. The bathrooms are style over substance, and not at all practical for families - the bath was scratched inside and not suitable for bathing. The integrated shower only has a big overhead shower head, not practical for use with young children, or if you do not want to wash your hair. Overall we do not feel we got value for money and the rooms are in desperate need of updating.

The Ickworth is definitely family friendly, but certainly not luxury! Positive points - grounds and adjacent national trust are beautiful, swimming pool warm, kids club (if there is space!) very handy and staff are all lovely/happy to help. Negatives - food is incredibly overpriced for what it is, lots of the facilities (cinema room/games rooms) tired and basic, and the rooms are more geography field trip than luxury- mismatched stained furniture, old TVs, very basic cramped bathroom, and no real ‘luxury’ touches. Would probably put us off other hotels in the chain at the price points they are marketing at. Tip if visiting- the cafe in adjacent national trust (free to visit for guests) is significantly better for lunch, and bury st Edmund much better for dinner with only a short drive. Also if staying in the lodge, there is no room service etc and you can’t easily park directly out the front of hotel so worth considering in bad weather with small kids

Convenient and it was lovely to visit here for an enjoyable lunch. A pleasant space, albeit under some refurbishment. A good menu with ample choices led to some very tasty fare. Finished with coffee and cappuccino. Staff were pleasant and friendly. A relaxing interlude.

Really disappointed. No atmosphere, poor service, standard of the afternoon tea was distinctly average, couldn't really believe it. Sloppy service, real lack of management or care.

Went for a meal as the voucher which was given to me as a gift did not cover Ickworth House and only covered the food. The restaurant is currently undergoing renovations so I have restricted my review to the food and service. The menu is limited and I had a burger which was tasty. The service is very good; young staff who were attentive and keen. The prices werer high however and for two meals with wine and drinks we paid over £130 for what I could get for less than half the cost elsewhere.