Ickworth Hotel

Had a lunch reservation booked for 12.30, when we arrived the queue to get down the drive took 20 mins so we were late, we did advise them . Apparently they had a fun day so they clearly need to organise themselves better as it was utter chaos. Got seated in the conservatory, no atmosphere whatsoever, waitress didn’t ask if we wanted a drink, just water for the table! The main took 45 mins and the beef was beyond chewy, not worth the price they ask. I had to ask them to clear the plates and bring the dessert menu as we sat there for another half an hour whilst the waitresses faffed about….they didn’t seem to know what they were doing, it was very unprofessional, we heard 3 other tables complain about their food, especially the afternoon tea. We left early as we couldn’t stay there all day waiting for dessert! They don’t take cash, just to warn you, and we will not be going back. It feels like the place is run by people who have no idea and don’t care…….it was very disappointing indeed. The NT need to look at this place and get new staff or train the ones they have to a much higher standard.

Having done a lovely long walk at the national trust, we were starving. Arrived at 11:55 and told lunch didn’t start until 12 🤦‍♀️ by the time we had sat down and looked at the menu if would have been 12 - not really worth them mentioning, but just the start of the inexperienced service showing. We asked what the ‘lucky star’ was like on the beer menu and got told it’s ‘beer’ - after a further question of ‘bitter? Lager’ it turns out she doesn’t know. £6 for a 330ml bottle of beer- outrageous. We asked what cut of steak the ‘steak frites’ came with a told ‘I think it’s the belly’ - it at this point was painful. We ordered fish and chips and a burger - which we fine, until my partner found a stone in the batter of his fish. Nobody checked back on us, we would have told them if they had. My partner squashed every bite after that to make sure no further stones- not exactly what you want when paying £20 for fish and chips 🤦‍♀️ the service charge removed when I showed the stone found in the food. Honestly ,if a grown up had actually served us I would have been pretty honest about the experience but, I didn’t have the heart to tell the children serving - they probably would have cried. Maybe that’s the hotels ploy, hope the general public will go easy on the youngsters. Very shabby and dirty looking decor interior, such a shame for an impressive exterior.

Overall great 1 night stay, staff were very accommodating and couldn't be more helpful. ***Good points*** - Great location on a nice National Trust estate, lots of walking available etc. - The room we had (attic room) was pretty decent and very big, the hotel made up the kids beds exactly as we asked with bed guards etc. - The kids loved the pool, it was really warm and in a nice barn. - The food was very good in the restaurant in the evening. Decent spread for breakfast. - The four bears den childcare is awesome, our 3 year old was convinced to go in to play with theirs toys pretty happily etc and the staff were great. ***Bad points*** - There isn't a bar in the hotel which isn't a major issue but we found a bit odd as once we finally got alone grown up time we didn't have a natural place to gravitate to to sit etc, there us a library and a lounge but no music or background noise so feels a bit like a national trust visit! If they added some low lighting and background music to the lounge it would feel instantly more natural (to us anyway). - The monitors don't work throughout the hotel, they often lose signal so in hindsight we'd have brought our own which runs on WiFi rather than a monitor based one. Hope this helps, enjoy your stay!

As loyal customers of the LFH group, visiting regularly with our children for over 14 years, we were very shocked at the poor quality of our latest visit back in December. This would have been our fourth stay at Ickworth, but it was so bad, we decided not to stay the night and had to find another hotel. The hotel was shockingly bad. It was dirty, poorly managed and service lacking. Furniture was dirty and there was a sharp, broken ornament near the reception. After raising a complaint, we are still waiting on Head Office to respond after weeks of waiting. V poor service! Would not recommend!

Truly terrible experience - don’t come if you don’t have kids! We booked a get away for one night before Christmas as both the Ickworth website and LFH group website specifically advertised luxury breaks for couples. We were very aware it was family friendly too, but we got there and it was clearly ONLY for families - not a single adult only space, really loud, messy, noisy. Service by very young and clearly overwhelmed staff was terrible. They forgot half our meal, forgot all our drinks orders, everything was extremely slow and dinner was really expensive. Breakfast was even worse, waited about 45 mins to get a cup of tea. They had to actually move all the plastic kid’s plates and cups off a table and find some real ones so we could eat. Building is also very run down - damp, lots of things broken. It’s a beautiful building and the setting in the estate is fantastic but it was all looking very sad. Spa treatments and staff were brilliant, the saving grace for us! Probably really fun if you have kids, but if not then DON’T.