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Summary of reviews'Ye Olde Smugglers Inne' is a charming countryside retreat located in the picturesque village of Alfriston, Sussex. This inn with its historic, quaint property, offers a perfect escape for those eager to explore the scenic South Downs Way and the surrounding beautiful landscapes. Nestled in a beautifully preserved village filled with traditional architecture and local shops, the inn’s central location allows for leisurely strolls and countryside walks, making it a prime spot for tourists.
Guests continually praise the inn for its blend of rustic charm and modern comforts. The rooms are described as clean, cozy and tastefully furnished with comfortable beds and unique historic features like sloping floors, which add to the inn’s enchanting character. While some bathrooms are small, the overall accommodation impresses with its cleanliness and inviting atmosphere.
The staff at the inn receive glowing reviews for their warmth, friendliness and efficiency. From the super-friendly owner to the attentive service at the restaurant and bar, the team goes above and beyond to ensure guests feel welcome and at home. This hospitable nature significantly enhances the overall experience, creating a homely and personable environment.
Evening dining at the inn is a highlight, featuring fresh, homemade and delicious meals. The dinner menu offers a variety of well-cooked dishes with generous portions and robust flavors. Notable meals like local sausages and mash and the steak and ale pie, receive high praise for taste and value. The pub's charming garden area and cozy atmosphere further enhance the dining experience.
Though the continental breakfast receives mixed reviews with some considering it minimal and lacking variety, the pleasing setting in the conservatory somewhat compensates for the basic offerings. Suggestions for improvement include adding fresh croissants, a wider variety of fruits and cooked options like a full English breakfast.
Dogs are warmly welcomed at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne, making it an attractive choice for travelers with pets. Guests appreciate the dog-friendly policies, which extend to allowing pets in the pub during dinner, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay for both humans and their canine companions.
In summary, 'Ye Olde Smugglers Inne' offers a quintessentially English countryside experience with its prime location, historic charm, comfortable accommodations, delicious evening meals and exceptional staff. Despite a few areas for improvement in breakfast variety and bathroom sizes, the inn remains a highly recommended destination for a delightful and cozy stay in Sussex. Show more
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Dog Friendly Inn
Located in Alfriston, Ye Olde Smugglers Inne is a dog-friendly inn. Its location in a historic village offers scenic walking opportunities.
Small Inn
Room Types
StantonStanton Room
-This room has a king size bed. Stanton room has a windows which offers views overseeing the terrace garden.
-The room has an en-suite bathroom with a shower. Stanton also offers a flat screen TV, a kettle with complementary beverages and wardrobes.
Stanton's is positioned above the Ye old Smugglers Inne and therefore a little local atmosphere can be experienced.
King RoomThe double room features a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The double room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe, heating as well as a quiet street view. The unit has 2 beds.
Twin Room with ShowerCosy Room
-This room is Cosy by name and Cosy by nature! The room is a twin, offering a separate room for luggage and a dressing table.
-Cosy has an en-suite bathroom with a shower room which is compact and ideal for short stays. Cosy also offers a flat screen TV, a kettle with complementary beverages.
Cosy is positioned above the Ye old Smugglers Inne and therefore a little local atmosphere can be experienced.
Superior Double or Twin RoomHarvey's Room
-This room has a king size four poster bed and a full size day bed which which has a pull out trug bed underneath and can be used as a twin or a family room. Harvey's room has a windows which offers stunning views Waterloo Square and the local shops.
-The room has an en-suite bathroom with a shower and bath. Harvey's also offers a flat screen TV, a kettle with complementary beverages and a wardrobe.
Harvey's is positioned above the Ye old Smugglers Inne and therefore a little local atmosphere can be experienced.
King RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.9
Good
Location
Tucked away in the picturesque village of Alfriston, 'Ye Olde Smugglers Inne' is an ideal destination for those seeking an escape to the charming countryside of Sussex. The inn enjoys a prime location, perfect for visitors eager to explore the South Downs Way and the stunning scenery that surrounds it. The historic, quaint property exudes old-world charm and offers a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
Alfriston itself is a beautifully preserved village with traditional architecture and a wealth of local shops and restaurants right on the doorstep. This central location makes it convenient for leisurely strolls through the village or more extensive walks in the countryside, all without the need for a car.
Guests appreciate the inn’s blend of rustic charm and modern comfort with warm, comfortable rooms above a stylish old pub. The terrace garden adds to the allure, providing a serene spot to relax after a day of hiking or exploring the nearby attractions, including the renowned Glyndebourne Festival.
Overall, Alfriston’s scenic beauty, combined with the inn’s excellent location, makes 'Ye Olde Smugglers Inne' a perfect stopover for those looking to immerse themselves in the quintessentially English countryside experience.
Breakfast
Ye Olde Smugglers Inne offers a continental breakfast that receives mixed reviews from guests. Despite the inclusion of breakfast in the room rate being appreciated, many find the breakfast minimal and lacking in variety. The selection primarily consists of packaged cereals, supermarket bread and doughy long-life pastries, which some guests found unappealing. There were instances where basic items like tea, water and milk ran out with no staff available to assist.
While the buffet-style breakfast includes yogurt, fruit and toast, the absence of fresh croissants, a wider variety of fruits and cooked options like a full English breakfast left several guests disappointed. Others mentioned the use of instant coffee sachets rather than fresh coffee as a downside. The breakfast setting in the conservatory was mentioned positively, offering a pleasant atmosphere even if the food was basic.
Overall, the continental breakfast at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne might meet the needs of some guests, but many see room for improvement in terms of freshness, variety and availability of a cooked breakfast option.
Dinner
Ye Olde Smugglers Inne has consistently impressed its guests during dinner time. Diners frequently enjoyed excellent, well-cooked and lovingly prepared meals. The food quality was often described as fresh, homemade and delicious with particularly notable dishes like the local sausages and mash receiving high praise for both taste and value.
Many reviews highlighted the generous portions and great taste of the pub grub, which ranged from classic comforts to more elaborate preparations. The pub's atmosphere, including a charming garden area, complemented the evening dining experience, making it even more enjoyable for visitors.
Guests appreciated the variety and quality of the dinner menu with some noting that even latecomers were graciously accommodated. The pub’s friendly and attentive staff contributed positively to the dining experience, ensuring that guests felt welcomed and well-served.
Despite a few mentions of higher prices, the general consensus was that the food, especially the steak and ale pie, was well worth the cost. Overall, Ye Olde Smugglers Inne provides a delightful and hearty dining experience, drawing many compliments for its exceptional evening meals.
Rooms
Ye Olde Smugglers Inne offers charming and comfortable accommodations that seamlessly blend character and comfort, largely impressing guests with its unique historic charm. The rooms are frequently described as clean, cozy and tastefully furnished, providing a delightful and inviting stay. Many visitors praised the ample space and comfortable beds, enhancing the overall experience. Highlights include stunning and beautifully decorated rooms that often retain their historic quirks, like sloping floors, which guests found particularly enchanting.
Bathrooms received mixed reviews with some noting the charm of features like roll-top baths, while others found certain bathrooms, especially showers, to be quite small. Despite this, the overall consensus is positive — the rooms are well-furnished, spotlessly clean and recently decorated. Visitors appreciated the thoughtful touches and the warm, inviting atmosphere of the rooms.
Several rooms stood out with a lovely four-poster bed, enhancing the cozy feel of the inn. The rooms varied in size but maintained a consistent level of comfort, even in the smaller spaces. Practical amenities were well-considered, ensuring a pleasant stay for all guests. Whether enjoying the large, clean rooms with excellent shower facilities or the charming, quirky elements of the historic building, guests left feeling satisfied and well-accommodated at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne.
Beds
At 'Ye Olde Smugglers Inne', guests frequently highlight the comfort of the beds as a standout feature in their reviews. Phrases like very comfortable bed, big comfy bed and super comfy are commonly mentioned, reflecting the general satisfaction with the sleeping arrangements. Visitors especially appreciate the soft bedding and firm new pillows and mattress, which contribute to a peaceful night's sleep in this beautiful place. While some guests pointed out that the beds were past their best and needed replacement, the overall consensus is that the beds are incredibly comfortable, soft and spotlessly clean. Among the positive remarks, the additional luxury of having a separate bath also caught the attention of guests, enhancing their stay experience.
Cleanliness
Ye Olde Smugglers Inne has consistently impressed guests with its high standards of cleanliness. Reviewers frequently describe the rooms as very clean, spotlessly clean and tidy. Many emphasized the comfortable and clean nature of the accommodations with some highlighting the exceptional cleanliness of both the rooms and bathrooms, despite the bathrooms being on the smaller side. Guests also appreciated the comfortable beds and good facilities, ensuring a pleasant stay. The friendly and helpful staff contribute positively to the overall experience. Overall, cleanliness at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne has been a major highlight for visitors, ensuring a pleasant and comfortable stay.
Staff
Stepping into Ye Olde Smugglers Inne is like being greeted by old friends. The staff, including a super friendly owner, have left a remarkable impression on guests with their warmth and efficiency. Reviewers consistently highlight their helpfulness, going above and beyond with tasks like finding an iron and ensuring all needs are met. The welcoming nature of the hosts makes the experience feel personable and homely.
Visitors also commend the amazing, kind and enthusiastic staff, creating a comforting atmosphere from the moment they arrive. Instances of delightful service include a chef checking on diners' enjoyment and staff efficiently handling restaurant and bar services. With a seamless blend of friendliness and professionalism, the staff manage to enhance the stay significantly.
Although there were a few remarks about occasional coldness or lack of presence during morning services, these instances are overshadowed by the overwhelming positivity regarding the staff's caring and accommodating demeanor. Whether it’s during check-in, dining or just a casual interaction, the friendly and welcoming staff are the cornerstone of the charming experience at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne.
Dog Friendly
Ye Olde Smugglers Inne offers a haven for travelers with dogs, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay. Guests have praised the hotel for being truly dog friendly, making it a perfect place for an overnight stay with canine companions. The ability to enjoy dinner in the pub with dogs adds to the convenience and ease of the experience. Families, including their furry members, find the accommodations very comfortable and pets are consistently made to feel welcome. Overall, the inn's policies and atmosphere are highly accommodating towards dogs, contributing to a stress-free and pleasant stay for both pets and their owners.
No, Ye Olde Smugglers Inne doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne.
Yes, Ye Olde Smugglers Inne welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne.