The Stag on the River

Hotels
8.8 (874 reviews)
Lower Eashing Lane , Godalming , gb

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly and helpful staff
Great location
Cons:
Some cleanliness concerns
Room quality issues

Categories

Cleanliness
8.53
Rooms were described as clean, although some references to being 'a bit tired' and needing TLC were noted.
Service
9.2
Staff were consistently described as friendly, helpful, and welcoming throughout multiple reviews.
Location
9.24
Great location noted in multiple reviews, with opportunities for pleasant walks.
Room Quality
8.19
Rooms were described as quirky and clean but also noted to be small and in need of some TLC.
Amenities
8.72
Amenities were satisfactory, although the review transitively indicated some concerns about facilities.
Value for Money
8.68
Overall value was perceived positively, though some mentions of pricing being pricy were included.
Food and Beverage
8.93
Food described as delicious and good quality, with some service-related issues mentioned in specific instances.
Overall Experience
8.9
Overall experience was largely positive, with specific mention of enjoyable stays and recommendation to others.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 15:59

Property Description

Riverside Retreat with Modern Comforts

Scenic Garden and Culinary Delights
Enjoy a tranquil stay surrounded by nature in our picturesque garden, perfect for a relaxing stroll or a peaceful moment by the river. Indulge in delectable dishes at our on-site restaurant and unwind with a refreshing drink at the bar.

Comfortable Rooms with Thoughtful Amenities
Relax in well-appointed rooms featuring a cozy ambiance and modern amenities such as free WiFi, a TV, and a private bathroom. With plush bedding and crisp linens, your stay promises both comfort and convenience.

Convenient Location for Exploring
Explore nearby attractions like Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures, or venture a bit further to Jane Austen's House Museum. With free private parking and easy access to London Heathrow Airport, your adventures await at The Stag on the River.

Important information:

A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Internet

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

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.8
Based on 874 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.53
Service: 9.2
Location: 9.24
Room Quality: 8.19
Amenities: 8.72
Value for Money: 8.68
Food and Beverage: 8.93
Overall Experience: 8.9
I
I J couple gb
10
Yet another wonderful stay!
Pros:

Once again, The Stag on the River delivered in spades. Beautifully located, excellent welcome and comfortable rooms. We also loved our dinner outside, in the stunning summer weather. Excellent menu delivered to perfection. Equally wonderful was the breakfast. Thank you!

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
D
David couple gb
10
Great stay and would definitely recommend.
Pros:

Lovely setting by the river. Our room was very nice and comfortable. Food and wine was excellent.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
P
Pamela family_with_children gb
10
Excellent
2026-07-04 via Nuitee
M
Malcolm couple gb
4
Bathroom stench needs sorting asap!
Pros:

Staff were friendly and the location close to the A3 is convenient. Evening meal was reasonably good although service was slow. Breakfast was fine.

Cons:

We stayed in the PUTTENHAM room which was very cramped and desperately in need of some TLC as is the pub generally. However, the worst aspect was the appalling stench from the bathroom. This was so bad that we ended up leaving the fan running overnight in a vain attempt to remove the smell! Other rooms may be better but until this problem is fixed I could not possibly recommend staying here.

2026-07-03 via Nuitee
O
Oldbean solo_traveller gb
8
Stag on the River Wey.
Pros:

Location was superb, right in the Surrey hills area of national beauty.
Close enough to Guildford and surrounding towns. hotel only has about 7 bedroom so very quite, weather was hot but not as hot as the week before so room comfortable dispite no air condioning.
Hotel provided a large free standing fan which helped keep the room comfortable.
The room was quirky and very oldy worldy.
Old oak beams, sloping floor and some what low ceilings.
Bathroom was small and the shower just about adequate.
Food and outside eating areas were amazing.
Breakfast cooked fresh for each morning.
Will come back later in the year when the weathers cooler as there are so many beautiful walks next to the adjacent River Wey.

Cons:

Spent 3 night at hotel.
Had to ask for fresh towels on day3.
Room not serviced during stay.
food bill in the evening comes with 12.5% services charge added.

2026-07-02 via Nuitee
A
Andrew solo_traveller gb
8
2026-07-01 via Nuitee
U
Ursula couple ch
6
Sorry, that I can’t recommend it.
Pros:

Lovely staff, location close to motorway
Evening dinner well cooked.

Cons:

But so close to motorway that you could very well hear it.
breakfast was not freshly made.
Even though outside temperatures over 25° heating on in bathroom even at night.
On the whole a hotel in need of LTC

2026-07-01 via Nuitee
I
Iain family_with_children fi
8
Beautiful pub out the back of Godalming. Easy and free parking for residents.
Pros:

Beautiful pub hotel on the outskirts of Godalming. Easy off-road parking right behind the hotel. Our room was large, with plenty of room for the sofa area. Bed was huge. Huge. Bathroom has a nice powerful walk-in shower. We didn't eat on-site but the food is clearly an attraction for non-residents. Continental breakfast selection for quite small but good quality. The cooked-to-order breakfasts were great.

Cons:

We stayed during a bout of hot weather, and the lack of air-con was not ideal. Fans are provided, and was manageable though. You will need a car, as the location is not really walkable to anywhere, which is one of the attractions of the hotel. Nothing else worth mentioning.

2026-06-30 via Nuitee
A
Alexandra Harding solo_traveller gb
10
Fantastic weekend
Pros:

The staff were very helpful and friendly. Lovely room with fans provided

Cons:

They have a Daily Menu and despite us being there from 12 noon,a lot of items were not available. The food we did have was excellent though

2026-06-28 via Nuitee
J
Joanna couple gb
6
2026-06-27 via Nuitee
K
Kwok Kwon family_with_children hk
4
2026-06-26 via Nuitee
H
H7403TQliamt Family
4
Terrible food and shoddy service.
Pros:

Went for a family dinner on fathers day and was thoroughly unimpressed. Staff seemed incapable of dealing with the volume of orders on the day, I had to wait for my starter to be prepared while the others were on the table. The food itself was terrible, with chewy lamb and what seemed like reheated potatoes. The mint jam that came with the lamb was alright, hence the extra star. At numerous times we heard stuff grunting in annoyance and the occasional swear word as they were all clearly stressed. And to top it all off, we were charged a £20 service fee! Wouldn't recommend and will never go again.

2026-06-22 via Tripadvisor
V
Vivienne solo_traveller gb
8
Great location and stay
Pros:

Perfect location for Fitzpatrick referrals
Outdoor terrace by the river lovely
Good food and drink and service

Cons:

The steep staircase is difficult for an elderly dog going before vet treatment

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
X
Xian couple gb
10
Thoughtful service, a comfortable stay, and excellent food made this a genuinely memorable experience. Exceeded expectat
Pros:

I’m not one to leave reviews normally but I cannot recommend The Stag on the River enough. Staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, room was clean and comfortable and breakfast in the morning which was made to order was high quality and so good. Separate entrance for late returns was really helpful! Incredibly glad I stayed here.

Cons:

N/A- genuinely fulfilled every need

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
S
Sally couple gb
8
A beautiful place to stay
Pros:

Beautiful location by the river and not too busy during my visit. My room was quaint with lots of character.

Cons:

There was a thick winter duvet on my bed - great to look at, but not good for the summer weather. I took the duvet out and slept under just the outer part.

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
J
jason couple gb
8
Very good
Pros:

Location and all the staff were really friendly
Breakfast very well cooked

Cons:

Nothing

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
T
Tahir couple gb
10
Great staff and delicious food lunch/dinner, but breakfast a let down. Nice comfy bed and cosy rooms.
Pros:

Lovely place and handy location for Godalming and Guildford and especially the Winkworth National Trust location.

Cons:

Lunch & dinner food was delicious and staff were fantastic. Can’t say the same for the breakfast quality and also the overstretched staff. Plates, cutlery, napkins, glasses missing at breakfast service and the poor staff completely stretched with the number of guests at breakfast. Clearly a different chef at breakfast as nowhere near the quality of the excellent lunch and dinner options.
It’s an old place, but the paintwork in the bathroom was dirty, so clearly in need of a refresh. Similarly a thorough clean of light fittings etc would be good.

2026-06-19 via Nuitee
E
Elisabeth solo_traveller gb
10
Just lovely!
Pros:

The location was beautiful, and the rooms were scrupulously clean and comfortable. Everything had been well thought through with the comfort of the guest very much in mind. The breakfast was exceptional, and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

2026-06-17 via Nuitee
M
Maite couple gb
1
We didn’t get to stay as we were told they could not host us 3 hours before check-in. I appreciate unexpected things can
2026-06-15 via Nuitee
K
Kevin solo_traveller gb
10
Pros:

Location very good, close to A3
Staff very good, friendly and helpful
Menu very good
Extremely comfortable bed, bedding excellent
Excellent shower, toiletries and toweling
A good breakfast was an end to a very enjoyable stay
Will definately visit again, we would highly recommend it

Cons:

No negatives

2026-06-13 via Nuitee