Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Business center
Heating
See all facilities

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
A
Adam • couple • gb
9
Loved it.
Pros:

Really welcoming staff, fantastic location, really relaxed vibe. Exactly what we were looking for

Cons:

Only very very minor things. No dressing table to get ready at/ dry your hair. Spa facilities a bit limited although very nicely done. Breakfast buffet needed to be be replenished a bit quicker.

2026-10-23 • via Nuitee
J
Joel • couple • gb
10
Perfect,cosy,relaxed stay, can’t wait to return
Pros:

Beautiful,cosy, relaxed hotel. Little
Touches that went a long way such as a glass on wine when we checked in, the open all hours snack cupboard and home made biscuits in our room. The staff were so friendly yet professional

Cons:

It was perfect

2026-10-21 • via Nuitee
L
Laurence • couple • gb
10
Delightful hotel and spa. Perfect for a getaway.
Pros:

We have just returned from a short stay at the Alfriston to celebrate our anniversary. From our first interactions you could see the quality & care shown to guests; from the handwritten note welcoming us & wishing us a happy anniversary, with the lovely surprise of upgrading our room, to the welcome that we received from all the staff, who were unfailingly charming & friendly, with nothing too much trouble. The room was spotless, with a very comfy bed and all needs provided. We ate in the restaurant, which had a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, with an interesting menu of locally produced foods, all beautifully cooked. We also had bar snacks, that were of an equal quality (fab chips!). We both had spa treatments & the staff were equally friendly & the treatments excellent and good value for the quality provided. The hotel is warm, friendly & inviting & we will certainly return. With many thanks to all the staff for a lovely stay.

2026-10-21 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • family_with_children • gb
8
Very nice experience all round
Pros:

Comfortable bed, good shower and fluffy towels. Lovey location, nice ambience.
The manager Tamas was particularly accommodating and charming.

Cons:

Nothing that ultimately affected our experience.
However we would have liked to check in early and the rooms were ready but the charge is £50, which I think is excessive.

2026-10-20 • via Nuitee
S
susan • couple • gb
10
2026-10-18 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • family_with_children • gb
10
Excellent hotel in lovely countryside near Seven Sisters.
Pros:

Style ,decor and furnishings.Very comfortable bed and good shower.Good placement of mirrors for make up.Cosy bar area and attractive dining room.Liked glass of wine on arrival- the best welcome! Restaurant food of a good standard.Short stroll into Alfriston - a very attractive medieval village.

Cons:

Paying £24 for a large glass of wine at the bar where no prices available.

2026-10-18 • via Nuitee
K
Karoliina • couple • fi
9
2026-10-17 • via Nuitee
P
Pete • couple • gb
8
Boutique hotel with great service
Pros:

Great location, super staff, exclusive feel inside over and above exterior appearance.

Cons:

Brasserie food not to the high standard of everything else, although breakfast was very good.

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
S
Suzanne • couple • gb
3
Unforgettably bad
Pros:

The position in a beautiful village

Cons:

Rooms were dirty, all very tired
Both breakfasts on both days arrived cold! Mainly young inexperienced staff who were just working

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
M
Megan • family_with_children • gb
10
2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
S
Selina • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-10-10 • via Nuitee
E
Edward Paul • couple • gb
9
Peaceful, calm, friendly with great service, great view of the Downs from the pool area
Pros:

Beautifully presented hotel in a lovely location. Smiley friendly staff who when went the extra mile when needed. Location great for walks to Litlington and Wilmington. Would definitely recommend. Food very good. Spa services excellent.

Cons:

Room was a little sparse. There was room for a small sofa and table along with the chair. Could have done with drawers rather than just wardrobe. Walls bare so perhaps could have done with some good pictures by local artists. We were above a function room which was noisy but not too bothersome.

2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
C
Carolyn • couple • gb
8
2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
J
JOHN • extended_group • tt
9
Thoroughly enjoyable. Ample parking.
Pros:

Excellent variety and comfortable dining room

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
G
Gregory • extended_group • tt
7
Would stay again
Pros:

No complaints except one

Cons:

Poor breakfast service one day

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
J
Jan • couple • gb
10
A hidden gem, highly recommend.
Pros:

Staff amazing, facilities wonderful, just the most relaxing day! The restaurant food was outstanding too…

Cons:

Nothing… All perfect!

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
J
jason • solo_traveller • gb
10
Relaxing retreat.
Pros:

Everything from check in to check out was superb.
Staff could not do enough and the little extras make so much of a difference.
A welcoming drink on arrival, the offer of a drink after our evening meal, the welcome note in our room and the treats in reception if you wanted were all but a few lovely touches.

Cons:

The wife likes bacardi so this did take us off to explore other hospitality establishments.
Other than that all boxes were ticked.

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
A
Angela • solo_traveller • gb
10
I had a fabulous time!
Pros:

It is in a very pretty location. The staff was friendly and helpful. I left on a Sunday and taxis were scarce, so the manager herself, drove me to Polegate Station for my return to London. She was exceptionally friendly and helpful and did not charge for the journey. It was at least a 40 minute journey through country roads.
Such a generous and kind gesture…

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
L
Longhini • family_with_children • ch
9
great staff, friendly place and good location
Pros:

staff, sommelier

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
P
phillip • couple • gb
10
A great getaway with fantastic spa, great staff, superb cocktails and a very fine breakfast
Pros:

The spa and the staff were exceptional. The staff couldn't do more to help. Breakfast was superb and we loved the pool and steam room

Cons:

The room was a little small and a bit close to fridges, so there was noise. My fault, I should have stipulated a quiet room.

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee