Where the Downs Meet Design

“We took advantage of the January offer of 2 nights for the price of 1 with 50% off dinner on the first night and were very happy we had done so. We had a lovely couple of days at The Alfriston. The staff were welcoming and helpful and the hotel has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Many nice touches like cookies at reception and the snack cupboard, the 4 and 9pm complimentary drinks, the board games in the bar area for example. Our heritage room was nicely decorated and comfortable and generally the renovations and 'new look' of the hotel since being taken over are lovely. Our dinner was very good, apart from a rather hard and disappointing treacle tart, but we were happy to forgive that given the overall quality of the meal and how much we were enjoying ourselves. Breakfast is buffet style in the beautiful Orangery space. Better bread and yoghurt being available on the second morning was good. Special shout out to the woman in sole charge of the breakfast shift who looked after everyone and everything so well. The Spa is a treat and sets The Alfriston apart from the other accommodation in Alfriston. Retaining the outdoor pool and keeping it heated all year round is great. Again, welcoming and friendly staff in the Spa. The setting of the hotel is very special - looking out over the river to the Downs beyond. It is a beautiful old building that has been extended and modernised over the years. The back gardens were flooded when we stayed, due to high rainfall and river levels, but this happens every year and the dredging and pumping that is done keeps it under control. Just don't be surprised at this time of year if you choose to stay in Alfriston. Having known and stayed at this hotel when it was Deans Place since the late 1970s I am just very happy to see it doing so well in its next chapter and still under the same management despite the new ownership. I am aware that I am now of the older generation of clients and that younger people and families may have different expectations and priorities for a stay but I am happily recommending The Alfriston based on our experience - thank you for a happy time.”

“Very attentive and friendly staff. We were there for NYE and they had lots of little details that made a big difference. Complimentary drinks on arrival served by smiling staff, sweet/ treats cupboards, games, opens fire, little personalised welcoming cards in your room. The spa was great w the steam, sauna rooms and heated outdoor swimming pool. Location amazing. The rest of the evening and stay was perfectly timed, food and drinks options were good. Breakfast was very tasty and plentiful again all served by attentive staff.”

“My wife and I enjoyed a lovely, three night stay at the Alfriston. The hotel and setting is stylish and relaxing; our heritage room was very comfortable and the lovely staff could not be more helpful or attentive. The spa was very good and the food and drink tasty and plentiful. A gym, indoor jacuzzi and fridges in the rooms would make this the perfect place to stay but we will definitely return. The 4.00pm pour and 9.00pm Madeira nightcaps are lovely gestures for guests. Looking forward to our next stay.”

“Fawlty Towers - We were SO disappointed having spent £1200.00 (meals included) for two nights over Christmas being promised a magical experience - 2 adults and 1 dog. Individual staff, lovely humans however across the board service is lacking and it's obvious that the staff have not been trained properly and internal comm's with each other it seems is non existent. The quality of food JUST OK on Christmas eve in particular, Christmas day was a little better. The rooms are lacking practical things like shoe rack and coat rack (it backs onto muddy southdowns) and shelf in bathroom -and the decor is fairly basic. We will not be returning, that's for sure, which is a shame as it's in a lovely spot. If you are interested in reading more, I have detailed below some of the incidents that precipitate this review. 1. I tried 4 times to book a table in the restaurant for our Christmas lunch. First I called 3 weeks before our stay to say our dog would not be joining us for Christmas lunch and therefore, we'd like to eat in the dining room - no problem was the answer. At check in we check to see if this was sorted. Not it wasn't. Again, no problem they said, we will sort it. That evening I check again - not sorted, said they would definitely sort this time. Arrive for lunch on Christmas day - still not sorted. They managed to find us a table as I refused to take anything else. What a calamity 2. Check in - We were excited to be there and to be taken care of over Christmas - Remember we paid 1200.00 for two nights - greeting at reception when checking in, I said I'm so looking forward to being looked after, - staff member response - I have to work over Christmas and they were clearly not happy about it, not the welcome I was expecting and didn't set a nice tone for the beginning of our stay. We were shown to our room, without any real explanation of what was on offer via marketing material prior to booking. lack luster check in for sure. 3. Complementary drink offered on arrival. As we were not offered our complementary drink on arrival, as stated in the marketing for xmas, when we went to the bar around 5 that evening, and asked for it, we were told that time is up and drink now not available. No oh sorry, let me get that for you now... I protested and was eventually offered the drink. 4. Christmas eve dinner. As suggested the food was below average - remember we paid £1200.00 for two nights. My partner's sister rang her from NZ. She had been trying to pay for a bottle of wine for us for Christmas lunch for over a week without any success and little communication. Eventually speaking with a staff member she managed to purchase the wine. She was flabbergasted at the lack of communication and service on the matter. 5. Christmas lunch. As suggested above when we arrived, we did not have a table in the restaurant and we were eventually placed in the Orangery, which was lovely. Christmas lunch was nice - better than Christmas Eve lets say. We had to pre-order so knew what was coming...Waiter plops down two plates of things we did not know about - focaccia and some canapes. When asked what this was, he said, 'some sort of bread and some other stuff' OMG. btw, the focaccia was stale, which was mentioned to waitress who collected plates and her response 'oh well'. Remember... we paid £1200 for two nights. 6. Quiz and movies were promised. We did not see the quiz and the movies were in large brightly lit room, with one couch and a load of round tables and chairs. Not inviting. I think it was mostly taken up by kids staying. 7. Overall it all it was chaotic and they were not ready to be a full house and serve that many people, well. The Decor in parts is lovely, but feels unfinished, with a clear lack of attention to detail. If you're going to charge that much money, you need to get it right.”

“Booked in for NYE and enjoyed it from beginning to end. All staff were helpful and friendly, sometimes going above and beyond. Our room was upgraded so I can recommend the Junior Suite which had some nice touches and a fabulous comfy bed. Our massage the following day was excellent and the spa very relaxing. I'm not very good with dogs and there were quite a few at the hotel.”