Ickworth Hotel

We have stayed here about 7 times, which tells you something about this place as we keep coming back. What it offers is incredible, we bought our daughter with us who has 2 small children and they made the most of all the facilities for children including child care. Her son still asks when he can go back. On another occasion we brought our friends who were impressed by everything. As this hotel is closing for refurbishment soon we hope to get another stay in as its the perfect place to bring your bikes as there are so many cycle routes on the estate. We usually stay in the Lodge, but have stayed in the main hotel as well. Breakfast is brilliant, staff wonderful, facilities amazing. Just hope when it reopens we can still afford to stay here as its in my top 5 hotels.

Classed as a luxury hotel (priced as such too) but none of the extras …. Mediocre tea tray (no biscuits or hot chocolate) no extras in bathroom. Reception staff welcoming and lovely - it really is the staff that make this place worth staying at. Bathrobes were hidden in draw and no slippers (found them as we we packing to leave) so unable to use pool in separate buildings. Yes we could have asked at reception but my point is everything should be clearly available. Went to lounge for drinks and no staff came to ask what we would like so 45 mins later husband went back to reception (who told us to use lounge in first place !!!) Bed was comfortable so slept well. Bathroom well sized but pipes in bathroom very noisy (yes I know it’s an old building) and difficult to maintain temp in shower. Bad dim lighting in room - nowhere suitable for doing makeup etc Dining room staff (with exception of one who would not engage in conversation) were lovely and the saving grace of our stay. Good food in general but some parts let it down and not a huge choice on evening menu. Very very dry hard bacon at breakfast but perfect poached egg. Fly buzzing around continental section in corridor did put me off rather - odd layout it has to be said Needs a makeover as furniture very shabby

Afternoon tea at The Ickworth. Don’t bother wasting your money. Stale dry bread sandwiches, lacklustre service where you have to go and find staff, jam sandwich offered as alternative for a vegetarian! Really disappointed. Stick with The Angel for afternoon tea.

Amazing place, very friendly staff,professional,extremely helpful,nothing was too much trouble for them. I went here as a surprise birthday present with my son, daughter in law and 2grandchildren, from we arrived until we left we had a fantastic time . Food was excellent. What does this place do well, I would say everything, the cater well for children my 2 grandchildren are a bit fussy eaters but the ate everything they choose from the menu. We decided to to eat out side one night but it got a bit to cold before we finished our meal and the waiter moved us to an inside table. Keep up the good work everyone.

I had a booking for afternoon tea on Sunday, one of our party was gluten-free. The main issue of the afternoon was the rebooked gluten-free tea. The sandwiches that came out were like rusks and rock hard. we advised the waiter who took them away to speak to the chef he then came back out to advise us that gluten-free bread is dry than usual bread as my friend is gluten-free, he and his wife were fully aware that it can be dry, but this was exceptionally stale Whilst I was speaking the waiter to cut me short and said you have to expect dry bread. Then offered David a gluten-free burger bun which David accepted The waiter then returned with a burger bun without any fillingson a plate and asked him to feel how hard it was. We declined and went without any sandwiches. For the rest of us, I have the following observations My fruit scone had one Sultana bang in the middle and three on the outside The carrot cake had used so much baking powder that one bite rendered my teeth and tongue to chalk We had to ask for jam I understand on TripAdvisor that this is normal to ask for jam to go with the scones. I have not come across this before. The sandwiches had very thin fillings and the whole tea was beige On a positive note, the millionaire shortbread although tiny was delicious and the younger members of the waiting staff were fabulous When we went to pay, we had already prepaid for two of the teas and we were charged again. This was then pointed out and two were removed despite the lack of food provided for the gluten-free member of the party. The lady on the till was less than sympathetic, rather rude and reluctantly charged half for the gluten free This was fair, however on returning home we then read TripAdvisor and it seems that nothing has been learned from feedback provided I have dined at many places for afternoon tea and this was by far the worst, and very disappointing for an afternoon out. When is the manager going to act on these reviews???