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Summary of reviewsThe Swan Inn by Innkeeper’s Collection in Norfolk is a charming establishment praised for its idyllic location on the edge of the River Bure. This prime spot offers guests stunning scenic views, perfect for birdwatching, leisurely walks and boating activities, fully immersing them in the natural beauty of the Broads. The historic building, along with its picturesque riverside patio, adds to the inviting atmosphere, making it a wonderful base for exploring the area. The village of Horning, where the Inn is located, further enhances the experience with its delightful amenities, such as cafes, shops and restaurants.
Guests describe the rooms at The Swan Inn as clean, spacious and comfortable, often with beautiful river views that add to the peaceful ambiance. Positive feedback highlights the tasteful decor, excellent bed comfort and well-maintained bathrooms, contributing to a warm and welcoming stay. Despite a few mentions of noise, temperature control issues and minor refurbishments needed in older parts of the building, the general sentiment remains positive thanks to the lovely river vistas and the cleanliness maintained by diligent staff.
The breakfast experience at The Swan Inn receives praise for its quality and variety, particularly the delicious full English and cooked options. However, critiques include slow service due to understaffing, limited options and the lack of complimentary breakfast. Despite these occasional drawbacks, many guests still enjoy a delightful and memorable start to their day.
Dinner at the inn is generally well-received with many guests appreciating the fresh, high-quality food and the varied menu. Positive remarks also highlight the pleasant setting and friendly staff. However, some guests experienced slow service and inconsistent dish quality, though these issues do not overshadow the overall enjoyable dining experience.
Cleanliness is a strong point for The Swan Inn with most guests commending the spotless rooms and public areas. Occasional criticisms note minor issues like dirty window sills and need for updates, but these concerns are rare compared to the overall satisfaction with the hotel's tidiness.
The staff at The Swan Inn are frequently praised for their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness, contributing positively to the guest experience. While there are occasional mentions of understaffing or unwelcoming attitudes from certain staff members, the overall feedback points to a warm and accommodating service.
The hotel’s free WiFi receives mixed reviews with some guests appreciating the strong, reliable connection, while others experience poor connectivity and find the login process cumbersome. Similarly, the parking situation is mostly positive with ample and free parking options frequently highlighted, though the public access and occasional difficulty finding a space are noted.
For families, The Swan Inn offers a friendly and welcoming environment with spacious family rooms and staff who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The inn provides a great setting for family getaways with convenient access to activities that cater to all ages.
While there are mixed opinions about the beds with many finding them too firm, some guests appreciate their firmness. Preferences for bed comfort vary, but the spacious and well-equipped rooms help balance these critiques.
Overall, The Swan Inn by Innkeeper’s Collection stands out as a solid three-star hotel offering a picturesque and comfortable retreat in Norfolk, marked by its beautiful location, clean accommodations and friendly staff, making it a recommendable choice for visitors seeking a serene escape. Show more
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Categories
Hotel with Parking
The Swan Inn offers free on-site car parking. It provides convenient access and peace of mind for guests traveling with vehicles.
Family Friendly Hotel
Small Hotel
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
Family Room (2 Adults + 2 Children) with River ViewFitted with carpeted floors and wooden furniture, this room features an en suite bathroom as well as tea and coffee making facilities.
It can accommodate up to 2 adults and 2 children up to 15 years.
Single RoomFitted with carpeted floors and wooden furniture, this room features an en suite bathroom as well as tea and coffee making facilities.
Double RoomFitted with carpeted floors and wooden furniture, this room features an en suite bathroom as well as tea and coffee making facilities.
Guest Reviews
8.0
Very Good
Location
Nestled in the heart of Norfolk, The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection offers an idyllic setting that guests have continuously praised. Positioned right on the edge of the River Bure, the hotel boasts a stunning location that provides beautiful, scenic views and direct access to the waterfront. This perfect spot is noted for its tranquility and is ideal for bird watching, leisurely walks and boat watching, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Broads.
The historic building adds a touch of character with its period features complementing the picturesque environment. Guests appreciated the ease of checking in and out, as well as the secure access to accommodations, making it a comfortable and hassle-free experience. The rooms, often described as spacious and clean, offered excellent river views where visitors could enjoy watching otters and boats glide by.
The village of Horning, where the inn is located, is charming and offers convenient amenities such as cafes, shops and restaurants. Its proximity to major sights and attractions in the Broads makes it a fantastic base for exploring the area. The beautiful old building and its lovely riverside patio provide an inviting atmosphere for a relaxing stay, complete with fantastic food and attentive staff.
Overall, the setting of The Swan Inn couldn't be more perfect for those looking to enjoy the serene and picturesque Broads with the added benefit of being in a historic, well-maintained property.
Breakfast
At The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection, the breakfast experience has received mixed feedback from guests with many praising its quality and variety. Guests frequently described the breakfast as very good, excellent and superb with the full English breakfast and cooked options particularly highlighted as delicious and top-notch. Freshly cooked food and good portion sizes were appreciated with several reviews mentioning the breakfast as one of the best they had experienced in this type of venue. The staff, especially those on good days, were noted for their friendliness and helpfulness, enhancing the breakfast experience.
However, there were a few downsides noted by some guests. The breakfast service was occasionally slow due to understaffing and a significant wait time for cooked breakfasts was a common issue. Limited options and the lack of variety, including no cereal or fruit juice, were points of criticism. Some guests felt that for the price, breakfast should have been included and there was dissatisfaction with extra charges for certain breakfast items.
Additionally, the breakfast area itself received mixed feedback; while the food was fresh and tasty, the bar/restaurant area looked tired and could benefit from an update. Despite these issues, the overall impression of the breakfast at The Swan Inn remains largely positive with many guests enjoying a delightful and memorable start to their day.
Dinner
Dinner at The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection garners mostly positive remarks from guests. Many praise the food as excellent, fabulous and lovely with particularly strong appreciation for the freshness and quality of dishes served. The menu offers several choices, described by some as great and varied, though a few reviews mention a slimmed-down or limited selection. Despite occasional mentions of slow service and waits for food, the end result is often deemed worth it with many guests finding their meals delicious and well-cooked.
The atmosphere of the restaurant itself receives positive feedback with guests complimenting the pleasant setting and helpful, friendly staff. The bar is also highlighted for its nice selection of wine, gins and beer, contributing further to the overall dining experience.
However, not all reviews are glowing. Some guests encountered issues with specific dishes, like disappointing side salads and poorly prepared steak. There were a few mentions of the food being expensive or the quality being inconsistent. Vegetarian options were noted as limited.
Overall, while there are areas that could use improvement, the general consensus points toward a satisfying and enjoyable dining experience at The Swan Inn with many guests eager to recommend the food and ambiance.
Rooms
The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection offers a variety of experiences for its guests, largely leaning towards the positive. The overall consensus highlights the rooms as clean, spacious and comfortable, often paired with stunning and picturesque river views. Guests frequently appreciate the decor, describing it as tastefully done and modern in many instances, although there are mentions of certain areas needing a bit of freshening up.
The inn boasts spacious rooms that are well-ventilated and bright with many visitors noting the excellent size and comfort of the beds. Ensuites and bathrooms also receive positive remarks, especially for their cleanliness and the quality of showers, despite a few mentions of minor issues like heavy bathroom doors or small bathroom sizes compared to the room.
Comfort remains a recurrent theme with numerous guests finding their rooms warm and welcoming, although a few experienced issues with temperature control, citing rooms as either too hot or too cold. Extra blankets and heaters were available, resolving some of these concerns. Some rooms did lack certain amenities such as travel cots or fridges, which were pointed out by guests.
Despite occasional negative comments about specific rooms being noisy, small or having a bad smell, the general sentiment is that of a pleasant stay, thanks to the cleanliness and overall room quality. The lovely river views from many of the rooms add a serene touch to the experience, enhancing the charm of the beautiful and historic building.
The location of The Swan Inn is often praised for its scenic beauty and its proximity to the river, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing getaway. With helpful and friendly staff and a smooth check-in and check-out process, the inn ensures a satisfying stay for most of its guests. While some refurbishments might enhance the experience further, particularly in the older parts of the building, the inn maintains a largely positive reputation for good accommodation in a picturesque setting.
Beds
Guest reviews of the beds at The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection reveal a mix of opinions, though there is a noticeable trend toward describing the mattresses as "very firm" or "hard." Many visitors commented that the beds were uncomfortable due to their firmness and several mentioned specific issues with sofa beds and pull-out beds being unsuitable or uncomfortable. Despite these concerns, a significant number of guests also found the beds to be comfortable, highlighting the spaciousness and the addition of comfortable pillows. There were instances where the firmness of the bed was appreciated, described as "firm but not uncomfortable," and "firm bedding," suggesting that those who prefer a harder mattress might find them satisfactory. Overall, while the comfort levels varied, the primary critique centered on the beds being too firm for some guests' preferences.
Cleanliness
The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection generally receives high praise for its cleanliness with numerous guests highlighting the immaculate state of their rooms. Reviews often describe rooms and public areas as spotless, very clean and well-presented, reflecting diligent cleaning standards. Many found the cleaning staff to be lovely and attentive, consistently maintaining a high level of tidiness throughout the hotel.
However, a few isolated comments note areas needing improvement, such as dirty window sills and floors and some rooms being in need of updating. Some guests mentioned moldy bathrooms, unpleasant smells and issues like a filthy carpet. Despite these sporadic concerns, the overall sentiment remains positive with the majority of guests appreciating the clean and comfortable environment provided by the inn.
Staff
The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection receives mixed feedback on its staff, but the positive remarks significantly outshine the negatives. Guests frequently praise the staff for being friendly, helpful and attentive. Many reviewers describe the staff as friendly, welcoming and courteous, noting that they often go above and beyond to accommodate guests' needs.
Housekeeping and bar staff are often highlighted for their kindness and efficiency, contributing positively to the overall experience. Specific mentions of individuals, like Beth's outstanding customer service and other named staff members, suggest a personal touch valued by many guests. The team is repeatedly lauded for being informative, accommodating and prompt in their responses.
However, there are occasional mentions of understaffing and specific instances where some staff members, including the manager, appeared unsympathetic or disengaged. A few guests encountered unwelcoming attitudes, though these seem to be exceptions rather than the norm.
Overall, the positive experiences with the staff at The Swan Inn create a welcoming environment, complemented by delicious food and a pleasant atmosphere. The occasional lapses in friendliness and the sporadic availability of staff are areas for potential improvement, but the frequent commendations suggest a generally high standard of service.
Wi-Fi
Guests at The Swan Inn by Innkeeper’s Collection have generally had mixed experiences with the hotel's WiFi. On the positive side, many guests appreciated the good WiFi access and reported strong, reliable connectivity throughout the hotel. Free WiFi is available and for some visitors, it worked well without any issues. A noteworthy point is that the WiFi above the reception was particularly reliable.
However, not all reviews were favorable. Some guests encountered poor internet connections, describing the WiFi as patchy and laborious to log into each time. While the secure key fob entry system for doors received praise for enhancing security, difficulties in connecting to the WiFi were a consistent theme.
Despite these WiFi issues, elements like the clean rooms and secure entry feature contributed to a positive overall experience at the hotel.
Parking
The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection generally offers a positive parking experience, receiving frequent praise for its abundance of parking options. Guests often highlighted the ample, easy and free parking available onsite with many appreciating the secure facilities. The convenience of having parking close to the hotel was a notable advantage for many visitors. Additionally, the parking lot, situated right outside the main door, was consistently mentioned as a helpful feature.
Some reviews noted challenges, including the car park being small and operating on a first-come-first-serve basis, which could make finding a space difficult at times. Despite being free for guests, the parking lot is also open to the public, leading to occasional unavailability. In some instances, guests found the parking to be awkward upon arrival and suggested that clearer signposting could improve the experience.
Overall, The Swan Inn provides a reliable and satisfactory parking experience for most guests, making it a practical choice for those traveling by car.
Family
The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection offers a welcoming and friendly environment for families. The staff are particularly noted for their warm interactions with children, making them feel at home from the moment they arrive. This family-friendly establishment prioritizes the comfort and enjoyment of families with well-designed communal areas and spacious family rooms. While there have been some minor issues, such as occasional noise disturbances at night and certain unmet family requests, these are outweighed by the overall positive experience.
Guests frequently commend the inn for its child-friendly atmosphere, where helpful and attentive staff go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The family rooms are generally well-received, providing ample space for everyone. The location also offers convenient access to various family activities, making it an ideal choice for a family getaway. The inn’s restaurant is a highlight, where families can enjoy a delightful evening meal together.
In summary, The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection is a great option for families looking for a comfortable and accommodating place to stay with helpful staff dedicated to enhancing their experience.
3 Star
The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection is a solid three-star hotel, offering a generally satisfactory experience for its guests. One of the standout features is the free parking, a convenient perk for those traveling by car. The Innkeeper's Lodge has been described as very pleasant, highlighting some strengths in its accommodations.
However, some guests noted that the room quality was average and the overall accommodation seemed to offer poor value for money with prices perceived as high for the provided services. The hotel appears to have potential, but there were mentions of it feeling slightly tawdry and in need of improvements to reach higher standards. This mix of feedback underscores the three-star rating and suggests there is room for enhancement to live up to its potential.
No, The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection.
No, The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection.
No, The Swan Inn by Innkeeper's Collection doesn't have a gym.