Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsThe Dorset in Lewes, England, enjoys widespread acclaim for its central location in a charming town, offering easy access to local attractions such as Lewes Castle and the Glyndebourne Opera House. Guests appreciate the convenience of nearby shops, restaurants, public transport, and practical amenities like parking and breakfast, all contributing to its excellent value for money. The establishment effectively combines the charm of a traditional pub with clean and comfortable accommodations.
The Dorset's dining experience is frequently praised, particularly for the quality and affordability of its food. Guests enjoy varied menus, whether dining in the restaurant or relaxing with bar food, and the staff's friendliness enhances the dining atmosphere. Although breakfast receives mixed feedback, the inclusion in the room rate adds value, and the continental offerings are generally appreciated.
Rooms at The Dorset are noted for cleanliness, comfort, and functionality. The beds, while comfortable for many, received a mix of reviews, suggesting room for improvement in mattress quality. Despite occasional temperature fluctuations and minor style and plumbing concerns, the overall impression is positive, with the traditional pub atmosphere adding to the experience.
Exceptional staff service is a standout feature, with visitors commending their friendliness, attentiveness, and professionalism, which significantly enhances the overall stay. While the Wi-Fi can be inconsistent, posing challenges for those needing a stable connection, the hotel's strengths—its cleanliness, central location, and welcoming ambiance—generally make it a recommended choice for travelers seeking a quaint yet cozy English pub experience. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Inn with EV Charging Stations
This hotel is in East Sussex and has EV charging stations.
Small Inn
Room Types
Small Double RoomThis double room features a private bathroom and an electric kettle. The unit offers 1 bed.
Double RoomThe double room provides a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
Large Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The double room has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a wardrobe. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.8
Good
Location
The Dorset in Lewes, England is praised for its prime location at the heart of this quaint, picturesque town. Guests find themselves conveniently situated near the bustling Lewes High Street, with its array of shops and restaurants, making it easy to enjoy the local culture and cuisine. The hotel is also strategically positioned near notable attractions such as the historic Lewes Castle and the renowned Glyndebourne Opera House, perfect for leisure and cultural enthusiasts. Whether attending a concert in nearby Brighton or starting a walking journey on the old pilgrim way to Canterbury, guests appreciate the ease of access to major highways and public transport, including the train station within walking distance. Practical amenities such as parking and breakfast add to the convenience, while the friendly atmosphere and welcoming staff enhance the stay. The Dorset combines the charm of a traditional pub, complete with a beer garden offering decent selections, with comfortable and clean accommodations—all contributing to its excellent value for money.
Breakfast
The Dorset Hotel receives mixed feedback regarding its breakfast offerings, primarily focusing on a continental breakfast spread. Guests generally appreciate the varied and plentiful options provided, which include muffins, pastries, cereals, yogurt, fruit, toast, juice, and hot drinks. Many find this selection satisfying, with notable mentions of fresh fruit and quality items like fresh toast and croissants.
The inclusion of breakfast in the room price is seen as a pleasant bonus, especially given the excellent value for money. Positive remarks often highlight the presentation and adequacy of the breakfast choices. The availability of gluten-free items is also appreciated by guests.
However, some reviews indicate areas for improvement. The continental breakfast lacks savory items, cold cuts, cheese, and any hot food options beyond toast. Several guests feel the breakfast could be enhanced by adding more variety, including boiled eggs or other hot items. Issues with coffee being lukewarm and the buffet not being consistently topped up are noteworthy critiques.
While certain guests find the breakfast disappointing and basic, others acknowledge that it meets their expectations given the hotel's room size and pricing. The limited breakfast hours, particularly on Sundays, also present a challenge for some guests. Overall, The Dorset Hotel's breakfast service has room for enhancement, but it provides a reasonable start to the day for most travelers.
Dinner
The Dorset offers a dining experience that is frequently praised by its guests for the quality of its food and the warmth of its staff. Many visitors highlight the excellence of the food as a standout aspect of their stay, whether they're enjoying an evening meal in the restaurant or a casual bite in the bar. The menu is appreciated for being both varied and reasonably priced, ensuring that guests have access to great food without breaking the bank. Even the continental breakfast receives favorable mentions, complementing the overall enjoyable dining experience. The bar food, in particular, has been commended for its taste and value, making it a popular choice among those looking to unwind after a busy day. Beyond the culinary offerings, the staff is often described as friendly and accommodating, enhancing the dining atmosphere. Although a few guests had less than expected experiences with some evening meals, the general consensus appears to be that The Dorset provides delightful meals that significantly contribute to a pleasant stay.
Rooms
The Dorset offers a range of rooms that are generally appreciated for their cleanliness, comfort, and convenience. Guests frequently remark on the comfortable beds and the overall cleanliness of the rooms, which appear to have been recently decorated or refurbished in many instances. While the rooms vary in size, they are described as spacious and functional, often exceeding expectations for value, particularly given the hotel's location in the heart of Lewes.
The traditional pub atmosphere adds to the charm, though some rooms are noted to be on the smaller side, consistent with the style of an old pub. Despite their size, these rooms are outfitted with necessary amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay. The accommodation proves to be warm and cosy, though a few guests noted fluctuations in temperature during the night. Guests highlight the good value for money, with spacious layouts that include features such as ironing boards and large bathrooms.
Staff are described as friendly and accommodating, enhancing the overall experience. The rooms are generally quiet, contributing to a restful environment despite the hotel's location above a busy pub and restaurant. Some rooms include nice little touches and quality fittings, reaffirming the recent updates. While a handful of reviews mentioned older TVs and limited tea options, the overall consensus is that of satisfaction, with many appreciating the updated decor and quiet midweek stays. The Dorset seems to capture a quaint yet comfortable English pub stay, noted for its practicality and the convenience of town access.
Beds
'The Dorset' offers a range of experiences when it comes to the beds in its rooms, with differing opinions from guests reflecting a mixed picture. Many visitors appreciate the comfort of the beds, highlighting their soft pillows and cozy feel, which contribute to a good night’s sleep. These comfortable experiences often complement the friendly staff and convenient location, adding to the overall appeal of the hotel.
However, some guests have raised concerns about the beds, noting issues such as noisy metal frames, sagging mattresses, and thin bedding. There are mentions of beds being too soft or too hard for some preferences, with a few travelers feeling uncomfortable during their stay. While most find the beds satisfactory for short visits, there are suggestions that upgrading mattresses or adding mattress toppers could enhance the comfort level.
Despite these varied reviews, the overall consensus is that 'The Dorset' provides a generally pleasant experience, with clean and comfortable beds that may need minor improvements to fully meet the expectations of all guests.
Cleanliness
At The Dorset, cleanliness appears to be a notable feature, with many guests praising the cleanliness of their rooms. Numerous reviews highlight that rooms are consistently described as clean, comfortable, and well-equipped. Spotlessness is also a recurring theme, especially in relation to bed linens and towels. Guests appreciate clean and modern bathrooms, often describing them as spotlessly clean, although a few note that some areas could use more attention, like dust on chandeliers or issues with shower cleanliness.
The breakfast room, noted for being well laid out, contributes positively to the hotel's image of maintaining tidy public spaces. Despite these largely positive impressions, there are mentions of minor concerns, such as issues with decor and plumbing that aren't properly addressed. Some guests experienced frustrations with cleaning services and hygiene standards in specific circumstances.
The overall consensus, however, leans towards satisfaction with cleanliness, with many guests pointing out the hotel's central location and value for money, making it a solid choice for those seeking a clean and comfy stay.
Staff
The Dorset stands out as a welcoming haven largely due to its exceptional staff. Visitors frequently highlight the friendliness and helpfulness that characterize their interactions, making a lasting impression. The team is noted for being polite, attentive, and ready to assist, enhancing the overall experience. Guests are warmly greeted upon arrival and find the atmosphere consistently pleasant. The staff members are commended for their efficiency and accommodation, even going the extra mile to support unique needs, such as securely storing bicycles. Despite a minor hiccup regarding the room size or efficiency in some cases, the majority appreciate the warmth and professionalism of the staff who contribute significantly to the hotel's inviting ambiance. With such personable service, The Dorset ensures a memorable stay.
Wi-Fi
The Dorset offers Wi-Fi, though the experience varies. Guests have noted the connection to be available, with occasional reports of good internet. However, it seems that Wi-Fi performance is often inconsistent, with some describing the connection as slow and unreliable. This can make it challenging for tasks that require a stable connection, like working. There have been instances where the Wi-Fi was weak or difficult to access, particularly when the pub was closed, which prevented guests from obtaining the password. Despite some promising reviews, The Dorset may need to address these connectivity issues for a more reliable experience.
No, The Dorset doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Dorset.
No, The Dorset doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Dorset.