Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Business center
Heating
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Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent pool and heated outdoor pool
Spa, sauna and steam room available
Friendly, helpful and accommodating staff
Beautiful hotel and gardens
Very clean / spotless rooms
Great location for walking breaks
Comfortable beds in many rooms
Pleasant bar area and good cocktails
High-quality restaurant dining (for many guests)
Lovely facilities and décor
Cons:
Breakfast inconsistency and buffet often empty/not topped up
Value for money concerns related to breakfast and room size
Some reception staff reported as inattentive or inept
Noisy bedroom doors and loud corridors
Some rooms are small with small beds
Occasional missing room fixtures (e.g., no light above bathroom sink)

Categories

Cleanliness
1
Multiple guests explicitly called the hotel 'very clean' and 'spotless' (e.g. 'Very clean', 'spotless'), indicating a consistently high standard of housekeeping.
Service
1
Staff are repeatedly described as 'friendly', 'helpful', 'welcoming' and 'accommodating' though there are isolated reports of reception staff being 'inept' or preoccupied; overall service is a clear strength with a few service lapses.
Location
1
Multiple mentions of a 'perfect location' and suitability for walking breaks / events (e.g. 'Perfect location', 'Good location') support a favorable location score.
Room Quality
1
Mixed comments: some rooms are 'exquisitely decorated' and comfortable, but others were described as 'small', with 'small bed(s)' and problems with noisy bedroom doors and loud corridors — room quality is inconsistent.
Amenities
1
Spa, heated outdoor pool, sauna, steam room and bar are repeatedly praised ('lovely heated pool', 'sauna and outdoor pool was also excellent', 'spa facilities ... a delight'), indicating strong amenities.
Value for Money
1
Several guests noted disappointment relative to price due to breakfast problems (empty buffet, not topped up) and some room-size/noise issues; these comments substantially reduced perceived value for money.
Food and Beverage
1
Food receives mixed feedback: the restaurant and many meals were described as 'delicious' but breakfast was repeatedly called out for inconsistency or being empty/cold ('did vary in quality', 'breakfast was empty', 'keep the buffet breakfast warm'), leading to a slightly negative score.
Overall Experience
1
Most reviews describe a 'gorgeous stay', 'would return', and personalised, welcoming service; despite specific issues (breakfast, some reception and room problems) the general impression for many guests remained positive.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-04-06 19:55

Property Description

Discover the charm of a 14th-century country house hotel nestled in the scenic Sussex Downs.

Stunning Gardens
Surrounded by four acres of meticulously maintained gardens, The Alfriston offers a serene escape where guests can unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Exceptional Dining Experience
Indulge in culinary delights at our Rosette-awarded Dining Room, where local flavors and exquisite presentations promise a memorable dining experience.

Outdoor Leisure Activities
Take advantage of our seasonal outdoor pool or engage in friendly competition with games like croquet and boules, perfect for those warm summer days.

Plan your getaway to this idyllic retreat and experience unparalleled comfort and hospitality. Don't miss out—book your stay at The Alfriston today!

Important information:

Please note that the hotel is a popular venue for weddings and functions at weekends with possible discos.

When booking 6 rooms or more, different policies and additional supplements will apply.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

Cleanliness: 1
Service: 1
Location: 1
Room Quality: 1
Amenities: 1
Value for Money: 1
Food and Beverage: 1
Overall Experience: 1
J
Janice • couple • gb
10
Sshh amazing don’t tell anyone
Pros:

Really good location. Tastefully refurbished.
Friendly helpful staff

Cons:

We were unlucky 2 days of emergency tree surgery when we were there otherwise would have been perfection

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
P
Philip • couple • gb
7
Great location for walking in the Southdowns and nice pool to relax by but very poor value for money
Pros:

Pool and location

Cons:

Other than the pool, facilities and services did not at all reflect a price of over £400 per night. Staff seemed uninterested whether guests had a good time or not.

2026-07-23 • via Nuitee
B
Barry • family_with_children • gb
10
A brilliant stay very friendly staff
Pros:

Brilliant really friendly with complementary wine
All staff excellent

Cons:

Nothing

2026-07-22 • via Nuitee
J
James • couple • gb
8
2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
E
Elliot • couple • gb
5
Fair value, nice food at reasonable price. Staff made everyone feel like customers were an inconvenience: almost all of
Pros:

Great aircon. Nice location.

Cons:

Bit more cleaning of the carpets would be good.

2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
C
Christoph • couple • de
7
Mit Stil im Grossen und Einschränkungen im Detail
Pros:

Malerische Lage im Dorf und Umgebung/ Traditionshaus

Cons:

Küche uninspiriert/ im Bad fehlen Handtuchaufhänger/ günstiges Zimmer = über Parkplatz+Küche

2026-07-17 • via Nuitee
D
DAVID • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-07-16 • via Nuitee
B
Boidin • couple • nl
8
2026-07-16 • via Nuitee
E
Emma • couple • gb
8
2026-07-16 • via Nuitee
M
Marina • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-07-12 • via Nuitee
K
Kathryn • solo_traveller • gb
5
Average and far too expensive
Pros:

Nice pool

Cons:

No air con in boiling hot rooms

2026-07-12 • via Nuitee
E
Emily • couple • gb
8
Really lovely, would definitely come back- but the rooms need a little bit of work
Pros:

Staff were perfect, so helpful and lovely. Food was excellent and pool area was great.

Cons:

Room was quite dated and the fans were poor. Would recommend things like an iron in the room and coffee machine. For a 4 star hotel the rooms were not kitted out fantastically

2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
C
Christine • solo_traveller • be
9
Wonderful expérience. I shall come back
Pros:

Perfect place to stay for the Glyndebourne festival. I highly recommend.

Cons:

I missed the view from my room Window.

2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
H
Hilary • extended_group • gb
9
Stylish decor, good food, polite and friendly staff. We will be visiting the Alfiston again.
Pros:

Lots of choice for breakfast, I enjoyed my vegetarian cooked breakfast. It was lovely to sit outside to eat, weather was so wonderful.

Cons:

N/A

2026-07-10 • via Nuitee
G
Gemma • couple • gb
8
2026-07-10 • via Nuitee
H
Helen • couple • gb
8
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in a beautiful hotel, which just lacks on amenities for the price.
Pros:

The hotel is wonderfully appointed in a beautiful setting. It creates an air of comfort and welcome as soon as you enter. The staff were superb and could not do enough to help. The food in the brasseries was excellent. The spa and swimming pool were lovely, especially as our stay was blessed with hot, sunny weather.

Cons:

Given the price point of the hotel, I thought that amenities in the room were lacking. I would have a least expected a fridge in the room. There was the facility to make tea and coffee, however I would have expected a coffee machine, rather bags and a kettle.

2026-07-09 • via Nuitee
J
Jessica • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Beautiful property, room was gorgeous, the heated pool and sauna was a dream after a long walk, the little snack cupboard was a welcome treat! The staff were so accommodating and friendly! I had a wonderful stay and wish I could have stayed longer!

Cons:

Only a minor gripe, but my room was above the bar/dining area - so I could hear the live music as if it was in my room - but I embraced it and enjoyed it whilst having a bath :D but worth noting that there isn’t much soundproofing for others when booking.

2026-07-07 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Welcoming staff, nice clean and comfy beds

Cons:

Garden furniture could do with being updated/cushions to make it more comfortable

2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
S
Stephen • couple • gb
8
Pros:

Lovely countryside hotel

2026-07-05 • via Nuitee
K
Kidel • couple • gb
9
2026-07-04 • via Nuitee