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Summary of reviewsThe Saracens Head Hotel, nestled in the heart of Southwell, offers a delightful mix of historical charm and modern conveniences that cater to a broad array of visitors. Its prime location makes it an ideal base for exploring the picturesque town with notable landmarks and a variety of shops within easy reach. Guests appreciate the authentic ambiance of the old building, highlighted by charming wooden beams and free parking, which adds to the convenience. The hospitable nature of the helpful and knowledgeable staff reinforces the welcoming atmosphere of this storied hotel.
Breakfast at The Saracens Head Hotel is a highly praised aspect of the stay with guests frequently complimenting the hearty and varied offerings, such as the delicious Full English Breakfast and a range of fresh fruit, cereals, croissants and yogurts. The professional and friendly service only enhances the unrushed and pleasant dining experience. While there are occasional mentions of mediocre or overcooked meals, these are relatively infrequent.
Dinner presents a mixed experience; although the food quality is often described as excellent and the service as pleasant, the limited availability of evening meals has disappointed some guests. The OAK Restaurant, known for its delicious dinners, often has restricted hours, which can inconvenience those hoping to dine in the evenings.
The rooms at The Saracens Head Hotel are generally noted for their spaciousness and cleanliness. Guests enjoy the modern amenities and unique features that reflect the building’s 14th Century origins, such as wood paneling and four-poster beds. However, some reviews suggest that minor refurbishments could be beneficial, mentioning issues like low water pressure, noise from nearby roads and outdated furnishings. Despite these critiques, the size, comfort and historical character of the rooms, combined with the hotel’s attentive staff, often leave guests with a positive impression.
Cleanliness is another strong point for The Saracens Head Hotel with many guests appreciating the spotless condition of the rooms and common areas. The beds are frequently described as comfortable with many enjoying the large king-size options available. Some isolated complaints about bedding issues—like softness, lumps and creaking noises—do exist, but they do not overshadow the overall positive feedback on room cleanliness and comfort.
The staff at The Saracens Head Hotel consistently receive commendations for their friendliness, helpfulness and professional service. Their commitment to ensuring a pleasant stay for guests is evident with numerous mentions of the staff going above and beyond. Though a few guests noted moments of inflexibility regarding service timings, the overall experience with the service staff contributes significantly to the hotel's welcoming environment.
In summary, The Saracens Head Hotel offers a charming and convenient stay with its historic ambiance, comfortable rooms and excellent service. While there are areas for improvement, particularly regarding dinner availability and some room updates, the overall positive experiences reported by guests highlight the appealing mix of comfort, service and historical charm that defines a stay at this hotel. Show more
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3-Star Inn
Located in Southwell, this inn offers a historic setting with modern amenities. It is ideal for travelers interested in experiencing local charm and hospitality.
Dog Friendly Inn
Room Types
Standard Double RoomAll rooms are en suite and provide the comforts of modern living including a large-screen remote control colour TV, Neal's Yard toiletries and a direct-dial telephone.
Many of the rooms are situated in the town's old assembly rooms which feature high ceilings and a light and airy feel.
Four Poster RoomEach feature room has a four poster bed with a private bathroom that includes a bath and shower. Each room varies in unique characteristics.
Twin RoomSpacious twin bedroom with private bathroom, also including a LCD television with Freeview and free Wifi access.
Single RoomThe single room includes a private bathroom equipped with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. This single room features a tea and coffee maker, heating and a TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
King SuiteThe double room includes a private bathroom fitted with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a tea and coffee maker, heating and a TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Family RoomThe unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.5
Good
Location
Situated in the very heart of Southwell, The Saracens Head Hotel enjoys a central location that appeals to many visitors. Its prime position makes it an ideal base for exploring the charming town with significant sites like the Minster and various shops just a short walk away. The historic nature of the hotel adds a unique charm, characterized by an old building with wooden beams and plenty of character, drawing praise for its authentic ambiance and delightful features.
Guests appreciate the convenience of free parking, an added benefit for those traveling by car. The hotel’s proximity to venues like the evening races and wedding locations further enhances its appeal. Though some mention that the property can feel dated, many find the historic elements and cozy atmosphere appealing with comfortable and clean rooms bolstering the experience.
For those interested in a quintessentially English village experience, The Saracens Head Hotel offers a superb setting amidst the picturesque streets of Southwell. Despite occasional traffic noise due to its central position, the overall convenience and character make it a noteworthy choice for both convenience and a touch of historical charm. The helpful and knowledgeable staff further contribute to a hospitable stay, ensuring that guests feel welcome in this storied location.
Breakfast
Located in a charming setting, The Saracens Head Hotel offers a breakfast experience that has garnered a wealth of positive feedback from its guests. The majority of visitors praised the breakfast as very good or excellent, highlighting its delicious taste and ample selection. Guests especially enjoyed the Full English Breakfast, noting its tastiness and the variety of fresh fruit, cereals, croissants, toasts and yogurts available. The breakfast was consistently described as hearty and very lovely, often served by attentive and friendly staff who contributed significantly to a pleasant dining experience.
Not only did the breakfast receive high marks for its quality, but the service also stood out with staff being frequently mentioned as professional and accommodating. Guests appreciated that the breakfast was unrushed, allowing them to enjoy their meal at a relaxed pace. Others noted the surprise of a good breakfast as an unexpected bonus, adding to the overall value of their stay.
There were a few dissensions with some finding the breakfast mediocre or faced with issues such as cold or overcooked meals. However, these instances seem to be in the minority. Most guests left satisfied, emphasizing the excellent and tasty breakfast options available, complemented by the helpful and friendly service of the staff.
In summary, breakfast at The Saracens Head Hotel is generally a delightful experience, characterized by a high standard of food and courteous service, making it a highlight for many who choose to stay there.
Dinner
The Saracens Head Hotel offers a mixed dining experience according to guest reviews. Many guests praised the quality of the food, describing it as excellent, freshly prepared and good value for money. The service also received positive mentions, being characterized as pleasant and timely. The OAK Restaurant, in particular, was highlighted for its excellent dinners.
However, a significant number of guests noted the lack of dinner availability in the evening, expressing disappointment that the restaurant was often closed or not serving food past a certain hour. This lack of evening meal options left some guests unable to dine at the hotel except for breakfast, affecting the overall dining convenience. Despite the delicious meals that were available, the inconsistency in the availability of evening dining stood out as a notable drawback in their experience.
Rooms
The Saracens Head Hotel offers a range of room experiences that largely cater to a sense of space and character. Guests frequently noted the spacious and clean nature of the rooms with several highlighting the modern amenities and the authentic charm expected from a 14th Century Inn. Many rooms, including the luxurious King Charles suite and rooms with four-poster beds, were praised for their comfort and unique features like wood paneling.
However, several reviews indicate that the hotel could benefit from some updates and improvements in finer details. Some rooms were noted as tired and in need of slight refurbishments, while instances of low water pressure, noisy environments due to road proximity and inconsistencies in cleanliness were mentioned. Additionally, issues such as overly warm rooms, difficult windows and dated furnishings lacking charm were pointed out by a few guests.
Despite these critiques, the overall feedback often leans towards positive remarks about the size and comfort of the rooms. Specific requests for quieter rooms were met, contributing to a restful stay for some visitors. While some noise and maintenance issues persisted, the hotel's friendly staff and convenient location also added to the appeal. In summary, The Saracens Head Hotel provides a blend of spacious, characterful rooms with areas for enhancement to ensure a fully satisfying guest experience.
Beds
The Saracens Head Hotel boasts a variety of beds that are largely found to be comfortable by its guests. Many reviews highlight the comfort of the beds with several mentions of guests enjoying very comfortable and large king-size beds, including those in more unique four-poster rooms. While the majority of reviews speak positively about the quality of the bedding, some guests noted issues such as softness that felt sponge-like, lumps, springs coming through the mattress and creaking noises. Despite these occasional criticisms, most visitors found the rooms clean and the beds comfortable, contributing to a generally pleasant stay experience.
Cleanliness
The Saracens Head Hotel boasts a blend of historic charm and attention to cleanliness that guests appreciate. Visitors frequently mention the clean, comfortable rooms and the inviting, atmospheric reception area. Many find the rooms to be not only clean but also quite and comfortable, enhancing their overall stay. Beds are often noted for their comfort and numerous reviews emphasize how well-maintained the hotel is, describing it as spotlessly clean and tidy.
However, some feedback indicates areas for improvement, such as the need for a little updating and occasional issues with shower cleanliness and temperature. There have also been mentions of specific instances where cleanliness did not meet expectations, like dirty marks on bedding and cobwebs.
Despite these occasional drawbacks, many guests highlight the property's cleanliness positively and appreciate its historic and ambient atmosphere. Overall, The Saracens Head Hotel provides a mostly clean and comfortable stay with a rich historical backdrop.
Staff
The feedback on the staff at The Saracens Head Hotel is overwhelmingly positive with numerous guests highlighting their friendliness, helpfulness and accommodating nature. The personnel at the reception have been specifically praised for their warm and friendly demeanor and the overall service is often described as kind, diligent and obliging. Guests frequently note the exceptional levels of politeness and assistance provided by the staff.
Despite a few minor hiccups, such as an inflexible last serving time for dinner and occasional brusqueness from management, the more senior staff members have been quick to apologize and rectify situations, demonstrating a commitment to guest satisfaction. Guests frequently commend the staff for going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay with the bar and breakfast teams receiving special mentions for their brilliant service.
In essence, the staff at The Saracens Head Hotel contribute significantly to the welcoming and accommodating atmosphere of the establishment, making it a favorable choice for many travelers despite minor criticisms regarding under-staffing and facility expectations.
No, The Saracens Head Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Saracens Head Hotel.
Yes, The Saracens Head Hotel welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Saracens Head Hotel.