The Golden Lion Hotel, St Ives, Cambridgeshire - The Coaching Inn Group

Hotels
8.6 (1647 reviews)
Market Hill , St Ives , gb

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Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Friendly staff
Clean rooms
Good breakfast
Cons:
Noise issues
Parking difficulties
Some cleanliness concerns

Categories

Cleanliness
8.11
Mixed sentiments, with some guests noting a dirty room with cobwebs and another mentioning exceptionally clean.
Service
9.08
Guests frequently mention friendly and helpful staff, contributing positively to their experience.
Location
9.12
Multiple reviews highlight the hotel's excellent location, both convenient and central.
Room Quality
8.07
General sentiments indicate satisfactory room quality, though some reports mention issues such as noise and cramped spaces.
Amenities
8.6
Guests appreciate amenities like comfortable beds and breakfast, but some report a lack of complimentary water.
Value for Money
8.56
Many reviews mention good value for money given the location and amenities.
Food and Beverage
8.61
Consistently positive mentions of the breakfast quality and dining experience.
Overall Experience
8.68
Overall, guests express satisfaction and willingness to return, despite some minor issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 15:12

Property Description

Charming 18th Century Coaching Inn
Located in the heart of St Ives, Cambridgeshire, The Golden Lion Hotel is a charming 18th Century Coaching Inn exuding history and character.

Comfortable Accommodation
The bright and airy bedrooms at The Golden Lion Hotel offer en suite bathrooms, tea/coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs. Perfect for a cozy and relaxing stay.

Delicious Dining Options
Indulge in a full English breakfast and a varied menu of freshly prepared dishes using local seasonal produce. Pair your meal with a selection of wines, spirits, and local ales.

Experience the historic charm and modern comforts at The Golden Lion Hotel, St Ives, Cambridgeshire. Book your stay now for an unforgettable experience.

Important information:

When booking 8 rooms or more, different policies and additional supplements will apply.

Children are allowed on request. Contact property with your requirements. Additional fees apply.

Pets are allowed in the classic rooms upon request. Additional fees apply, please contact property in advance to ensure a pet-friendly room is allocated.

The hotel is a popular venue at weekends with various events and can have live music playing until late, they do their best to ensure this is kept to a minimum.
A deposit may be required at the property.

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

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Groups

    When booking more than 8 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Parking

    No parking available.

  • Internet

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

  • 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.
    Children up to and including 12 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Adults stay for £10 per person per stay when using an available extra bed.
    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.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 1647 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.11
Service: 9.08
Location: 9.12
Room Quality: 8.07
Amenities: 8.6
Value for Money: 8.56
Food and Beverage: 8.61
Overall Experience: 8.68
P
Paul • family_with_children • gb
8
Idea for the type of visit
Pros:

Had an excellent meal and the room was very clean & tidy

2026-07-02 • via Nuitee
S
Sophia • couple • gb
10
Outstanding staff nothing is too much for them
Pros:

All the staff at this hotel or outstanding…nothing is too much for these guys and gals

Cons:

My rooms bathroom needs some tlc…mouldy sealant

2026-06-30 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • gb
7
Disappointing stay
Cons:

Dated decor, stained dining chairs, very expensive drinks...the glass of wine was dearer than the specialist wine bar in the town. Our room had the smallest window which was high up which made the room really hot, I know that we were experiencing very high temperatures but when we mentioned it there was no offer of another room even though the hotel didn't appear to be fully occupied.

2026-06-29 • via Nuitee
R
ROBERT • extended_group • gb
10
2026-06-26 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • couple • gb
8
Enjoyed our stay
Pros:

The decor of the hotel. very friendly staff..well set out breakfast with good choice

Cons:

Bedroom window which looked out on to a wall. The bed quilt was far too heavy for summer. Grouting above bath needed attention

2026-06-25 • via Nuitee
A
Alison • solo_traveller • gb
8
Good location St Ives
Pros:

Location great and good breakfast

Cons:

It was very hot but there was a fan in the room.

2026-06-23 • via Nuitee
S
Steve • family_with_children • gb
9
Pros:

Everything was great! Clean rooms, comfy beds, nice decor, great staff.

The only one thing, their was no AC. Stayed in June, temperature 28 degrees and was ok ish in the evening once cooled down with window open over night.

2026-06-23 • via Nuitee
D
Declan • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-06-21 • via Nuitee
G
Gunn • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • extended_group • gb
8
Good location, friendly staff
Pros:

Really well located, lovely staff.

Cons:

It was a hot night and the room was very warm even with the fan.

2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • gb
10
2026-06-17 • via Nuitee
I
IAN • couple • gb
7
ovarall good
Pros:

location

Cons:

No parking at hotel, Breakfast poor.

2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • couple • gb
7
Lovely location Nice place Sort out the smell on floor 1 corridor
Pros:

The room was comfortable and the breakfast was good

Cons:

The smell of damp or something similar was overpowering in the corridor between floor 1 and floor 2 Very nasty

2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • gb
8
2026-06-13 • via Nuitee
B
Burrows • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-06-12 • via Nuitee
L
Lucy • couple • ie
5
This hotel has gone downhill - needs a revamp and a refresh of everything including food
Pros:

Small room , creaky floors in building woken up by noise of others walking around! Had to change rooms as first one was so hot and had no window!

Cons:

This hotel has lowered its standards generally since my last stay! Doesn’t smell clean and fresh when you walk through to areas where rooms are it’s stale and needs a good deep clean! Generally not on point with food either! Portions smaller and Sunday roast was one slice of pre cooked beef. Few vegetables and thin gravy!

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
7
Loved St Ives
Pros:

Central location was ideal

Cons:

Parking was a problem

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
L
Liz • couple • gb
10
Excellent stay
Pros:

Lovely friendly hotel,Nice food and pleasant stay

Cons:

Hot bedroom only complaint

2026-06-10 • via Nuitee
D
David • solo_traveller • gb
9
Nice comfortable hotel with friendly staff
Pros:

Good Location, nice friendly staff, clean room

Cons:

No Complaints

2026-06-09 • via Nuitee
J
Jim • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Location, good atmosphere

2026-06-08 • via Nuitee