Ivy House Country Hotel, Lowestoft

Enjoyed our stay , will...

Liked: Food excellent in general good quality & nicely cooked
Disliked: Lacked some little touches one has got to expect : No bread roll with dinner No small biscuit / chocolate with coffeeBreakfast orange juice very poor

Exceptional

Extremely disappointing and not worth...

Liked: The location is quite nice and peaceful.
Disliked: We'd booked an executive room and were shown to our room when we arrived which was in a separate block called the Garden Suites. The room didn't look as though it had been vacuumed, the bath was unclean and the metal rum of the shower inside the shower tray had become detached from the door. The bottom of the bath was wearing away and there was a stool in the bathroom with rusty legs. The desk in the room was leaning at an angle and when my husband sat in one of the armchairs, the leg fell off. We went to reception to report it and were moved to another room in the next block. It was far smaller, one of the tap tops was missing, there was no plug hole in the sink and there was a broken pane of glass in the bathroom window. At breakfast, you could see that the lining underneath most of the chairs was hanging down. We had travelled almost two hundred miles and have only the website to go on, which looks stunning. The venue however, is tired, neglected and furnished with items from the sixties. Certainly not the luxurious stay we expected for the amount of money we'd paid which I might add, is only for an entry level room. The hotel did discount our stay in fairness and advised that they are aware that it requires attention...but seem not to accept that until a lot of money is spent on it, that it's not approved to charge london pricea. Either do something about it or readjust your prices to reflect it's current state. I would avoid this if you think it's a luxury venue and don't be fooled by the website.

Superb

Good

A peaceful haven, good food,...

Liked: Whenever I am in Oulton Broad/Lowestoft I stay at the Ivy, and have done so for a number of years. The location next to the Broads is restful, the rooms are excellent. and the staff are super friendly. Generally, I don't eat in Hotel restaurants, but I make an exception at the Ivy. Having the same menu in either a formal dining, or a relaxed dining area is awesome. The food has always been good, I've met the chef (Owner) and he produces good food every time.
Disliked: One thing. I thought I had booked a courtyard room (ie ground floor). I got a farmhouse room (upstairs). I was travelling for a month, and don't travel light. Lugging a heavy suitcase upstairs at 74 years is taxing. Next time I will specify ground floor room as I will be travelling with my wife, which means two heavy suitcases.

Adequate

Liked: Good facilities and great breakfast.
Disliked: Bed was uncomfortable and not worth £170 a night. If the bed was better the price would be acceptable.