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
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
Paul • solo_traveller • au
10
Pros:

Wonderful sauna and pool spa facilities

Cons:

Bathroom very badly laid out with door cutting room in half and difficult to use.

2026-09-15 • 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
M
Maggie • couple • gb
10
We had a lovely night there after our wedding in Alfriston
Pros:

Beautiful decor and spa

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
D
Dorry • couple • nl
9
erg fijn prachtige omgeving
Pros:

prachtig heerlijke spa en zwembad lekker eten fijn ontbijt. Gezellig welkomsdrankje

Cons:

erg duur

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • gb
9
2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
G
GUILLAUME • family_with_children • fr
9
Pros:

accueil très bon, une belle maison de famille. Chic sans être pompeux, je recommande, ainsi que pour la région magnifique à explorer

2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
A
Anna • couple • gb
8
Lovely stay, beautiful weather so we could use the pool
Pros:

Lovely room overlooking the garden. The pool and sauna were lovely

Cons:

Lamp base took up too much space on bedside table. There was no socket near the mirror to use hairdryer

2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
P
Patricia • couple • gb
7
2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • couple • gb
9
Pleasant stay
Pros:

The check in / arrival process and staff were excellent.

Cons:

The dinner and breakfast staff were non-interacting and not particularly friendly.

2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
S
Simon • couple • gb
10
Lovely short stay while walking the South Downs Way
Pros:

Very friendly staff especially at check in. Good spa facilities and a fabulous breakfast

Cons:

Room was quite warm

2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
E
Eric • family_with_children • us
10
Great Stay!
2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • gb
9
Relaxing and enjoyable break
Pros:

Well laid out in fabulous grounds
Lovely location and views of the downs and cuckmere valley
The staff were helpful and polite

Cons:

N/A

2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
J
julie • couple • gb
10
excellent thankyou
Pros:

every thing it was great thanks

2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
B
Bolding • couple • gb
9
Superb stay in a lovely hotel.
Pros:

The hotel is beautifully clean and well-appointed, in a lovely location, with an easy walk into the village and good walks in the area. All the staff were very friendly and helpful especially Ollie and Aiden, the two sommeliers. Ollie recommended a superb wine which Aiden prepared and served the next day. It was amazing and transformed our evening meal into a very special occasion, one that we will never forget. We will definitely be coming back.

Cons:

The only negative point was that our room became smoky from the two hot-tubs which were log-fired. We had to keep the windows open as the weather was so hot. There was a fan in the room but no air-conditioning.

2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
A
Anthony • couple • gb
9
A good place to stay if on a walking holiday in the area.
Pros:

Breakfast and spa

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline E • couple • gb
9
2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
T
Tom • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Everything - we will be back! The spa was amazing and the food is great!

Cons:

N/A

2026-08-31 • via Nuitee