The Lookout Rye

Hotels
8 (2014 reviews)
Hilders Cliff , Rye , gb

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Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Hiking
Luggage storage
Fishing
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Friendly staff
Good value for money
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Breakfast complaints
Need for room refurbishment

Categories

Cleanliness
6.75
Multiple mentions of dirtiness and need for maintenance.
Service
9.25
Staff were described as friendly and helpful.
Location
9.25
Repeatedly mentioned as great location.
Room Quality
7.25
Issues with room cleanliness and outdated rooms.
Amenities
7.25
Some amenities lacking, such as toilet brushes and hair dryers.
Value for Money
8.25
Generally perceived as good value for the price.
Food and Beverage
7.75
Breakfast praised but with significant complaints.
Overall Experience
8.25
Overall good experience despite several issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 16:25

Property Description

Historical Charm and Breathtaking Views
Located in the heart of Rye on the East Cliff, The Lookout Rye offers stunning river views.

Convenient Location and Nearby Attractions
Just steps away from the High Street, guests can easily explore the town's shops, tearooms, and restaurants. Rye Rail Station and the iconic Landgate monument are also within walking distance.

Comfortable and Well-Equipped Rooms
Individually decorated rooms feature modern amenities such as satellite TV, tea/coffee facilities, and telephones for a relaxing stay.

Experience the charm of Rye at The Lookout Rye. Book your stay now to enjoy a memorable getaway.

Important information:

Please note that only the Superior Deluxe Room, Grand Deluxe Room and Suite with Sea View can accommodate extra beds and baby cots.

If you wish to have breakfast for the extra bed, you will need to pay an additional GBP 12.50 per person per night.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LGW

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for £10 per person per stay when using an available cot.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible) and costs GBP 8 per day.

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 2014 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.75
Service: 9.25
Location: 9.25
Room Quality: 7.25
Amenities: 7.25
Value for Money: 8.25
Food and Beverage: 7.75
Overall Experience: 8.25
M
MARC • couple • be
9
Zeer aangenaam hotel voor een kort verblijf in Rye
Pros:

zeer goede ligging net uit het centrum met betalende parking achter het hotel (10€ per dag)
zeer ruime en mooi ingerichte kamer, met ruime badkamer en bad
zeer compleet en lekker ontbijt (koud buffet en warm geserveerd aan tafel) in een mooie eetzaal

Cons:

het hotel aan de buitenkant zag er een beetje sjofel en onverzorgd uit. Dit kwam vooral door de lelijke luifel die men boven het buitenterras geplaatst had. Bovendien is het houtwerk (ramen, deuren en balken) aan de buitenkant DRINGEND aan hernieuwing toe. Dit gaf een minder goede eerste indruk...

2026-06-27 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
8
2026-06-26 • via Nuitee
R
Rens & Elly • solo_traveller • nl
8
Prima hotel in een leuk dorpje op loopafstand
Pros:

Net hotel met veel kamers. Prima ontbijt met lekkere koffie naar keuze.

Cons:

Niets

2026-06-25 • via Nuitee
I
Ingrid • solo_traveller • nl
5
Matig
Pros:

Eigenlijk niet veel.

Cons:

De kozijnen zagen er slecht uit
Vloerbedekking kapot
Badkamer oud

2026-06-23 • via Nuitee
S
Shelley • couple • au
10
absolutely lovely room and bathroom with verandah overlooking the water. exceptional room.
Pros:

Room and bathroom were exceptional! lovely big bathroom with deep bath which we indulged in.

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
F
Franciscus • solo_traveller • nl
8
Pros:

Leuk knus hotel. Heeft wel onderhoud nodig.
Leuke bar binnen loopagstand

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
C
Colin • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Staff were friendly and helpful.
Beds were extremely comfortable and room was very big / spacious.
Lovely outside bar selling cold drinks.
Hotel is situated perfectly in rye close to all local amenities.

Cons:

We booked a suite and discovered that what appeared to be a king size bed was 2 singles pushed together, which we felt was disappointing. When discussing this with the staff they said it was the same in every suite.

No food served at outside bar - only olives.

Suite had outside balcony, however, the decking is very perished and could do with a refurb - especially the balustrade which was loose to the point of being dangerous. Although the suite was clean and tidy the interiors are well overdue for a refurb as well.

2026-06-21 • via Nuitee
J
johanna • couple • de
4
Pros:

Leider hatten wir ein klitzekleines Kellerzimmer,
Da es draußen sehr laut war,
Konnten wir nicht das Kellerfenster abklappern

Cons:

Das kellerzimmer

2026-06-21 • via Nuitee
K
karen • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Loved the location. Staff helpful and a great breakfast.

Cons:

We have stayed a few times and decided to spend a couple of nights for our 25th wedding anniversary. However, this time we stayed in the smallest room, even though my husband had tried to up grade the room weeks before.

2026-06-19 • via Nuitee
I
Ian • couple • gb
8
Overall a very pleasant stay. Staff are great but investment needed
Pros:

Staff were excellent and were able to accommodate our request for a walk in shower. Breakfast was very good with a small buffet style continental option plus a cooked choice with friendly service.

Cons:

Disappointing that there wasn’t an evening restaurant and bar service was restricted. The parking system is complicated and involves downloading an App. Some areas are in need of a little TLC

2026-06-19 • via Nuitee
C
Claire • couple • gb
8
2026-06-19 • via Nuitee
C
Charlotte • couple • gb
7
Good location, great building.
Pros:

Great location, stunning building and easy access to town/nearby attractions. The bed was comfortable and the room was clean/well presented. Instructions to find the car park were clear, and there were plenty of spaces when we arrived (although they did fill up quickly!)

Cons:

The room was WARM - it is a heatwave in the UK but a fan at least would have been appreciated. No fridge in the room (which, to be fair, wasn't promised) but meant we couldn't keep items cool. The bar did happily provide us with an ice bucket though which did the job. Staff were professional, but rushed running the bar as well as providing front desk services. Breakfast was a bit manic with only one staff member available and a full dining room, the black pudding was dire (I think the oil they'd deep fried (?!) it in was very old!).

2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
W
wilma • couple • za
3
not recommendable
Pros:

the pictures on website is deceiving
the decor in the room was nice but old
the location was good
the breakfast was okey

Cons:

the room wasn’t clean at all
the mattress was terribly old & uncomfortable

2026-06-17 • via Nuitee
C
Christine • family_with_children • gb
7
Overall very nice.
Pros:

Lovely room and nice breakfast. Carpets worn on the stairs and drinks expensive.

Cons:

Drinks were expensive. Not keen on streaky bacon for breakfast.

2026-06-16 • via Nuitee
D
Douglas • couple • gb
10
A Pleasant Stay In a Comfortable Hotel.
Pros:

The hotel was located close to Rye town centre. Our room was comfortable, clean and tastefully decorated. Staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was excellent.

Cons:

Glass shelf over handbasin was a hazard. Bathroom was short of shelf space.

2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
A
aase Odberg • solo_traveller • no
7
2026-06-14 • via Nuitee
7
770jerryg • Couples • Capel Saint Mary, Babergh District, Suffolk, East Anglia, England
6
A hotel with a great past .
Pros:

The Lookout is in a great location with its own private car park.

A wall in the hotel is dedicated to the buildings history from its days as a school up to present day.

It was previously a five star hotel and you can imagine how grand it once
was .

Unfortunately the hotel is now very tired and is in need of a total refurb which is likely to cost a considerable amount of money,

However apart from the expensive refurb items (new carpets throughout , new furniture , redecoration etc.) some far cheaper things could be done to greatly improve the place.

Clear up the back passage from the car park , replace the mouldy door
mat , wash down the outside paint work etc etc.would make a big difference.

The staff were friendly and the breakfast was good .

Wr enjoyed our stay but its a shame the hotel is so tired ..

In contrast the sister hotel The George is excellent and worth a visit.

2026-06-12 • via Tripadvisor
A
Anne • couple • nl
8
Mooi en fijn maar wel duur
Pros:

Heerlijk bed, prachtige kamer.

Cons:

10 euro per nacht om op eigen terrein te parkeren vindt ik erg duur. Meisje aan de receptie was onervaren en gaf onduidelijke instructies over parkeren en uitchecken.

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
D
Detlev • extended_group • de
8
Sehr schöne Zimmer, tolles Ambiente und tolle Lage!
Pros:

Zimmer und Lage waren sehr schön, Frühstück gut (leider gab es keinen Käse...:-) un die Lager hevorragend!

2026-06-10 • via Nuitee
F
Frits • extended_group • nl
8
2026-06-08 • via Nuitee