The Bell Hotel, Saxmundham
Location: 31 High Street, Saxmundham, gb
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Property Type: Hotels
About this Property
Beautiful Countryside Setting
Nestled in the stunning Suffolk countryside, The Bell Hotel, Saxmundham offers a picturesque retreat for travelers seeking tranquility and charm.
Charming Georgian Rooms
Indulge in the elegance of our beautifully decorated rooms, adorned with large Georgian windows and a soothing palette of light colors. Enjoy modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, and tea/coffee-making facilities for a comfortable stay.
Local Pub Experience
Unwind at our traditional pub and savor a selection of local beverages, immersing yourself in the authentic atmosphere of a classic coaching inn.
Experience the allure of Suffolk from the heart of Saxmundham at The Bell Hotel. Book now for a delightful countryside getaway.
Important Information
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Policies
Check-in: 02:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Restaurant
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- Pets allowed
- Lift / Elevator
- Luggage storage
- Express check-in/check-out
- Safety deposit box
- Fax/photocopying
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Ironing service
- Non-smoking throughout
- Private check-in/check-out
- Board games/puzzles
- Concierge service
- Wheelchair accessible
- Allergy-free room
- Kid meals
- Lower bathroom sink
- Emergency cord in bathroom
- Outdoor furniture
- Pet bowls
- Pet basket
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Guest rooms disinfected between stays
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
- Cashless payment available
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kit available
- Sanitized tableware & silverware
- Invoice provided
- Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
- Smoke alarms
- Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
- Guest room sealed after cleaning
- Key access
- CCTV outside property
- Face masks for guests available
- Security alarm
- Television in common areas
- Express check-in
- Free wired internet
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Internet access
- Housekeeping on request
- Wine release events
- Reception hall
- Bulk dispenser for toiletries
Rooms Available
-
Cosy Double Rooms
1 Queen Bed
Individually decorated room
Internet - Free WiFi 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices)
Entertainment - 42-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels
Food & Drink - Electric kettle, free bottled water, and free tea bags/instant coffee
Sleep - Egyptian cotton linens, a down duvet, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, a hair dryer, towels, and shampoo
Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and local maps
Comfort - Fresh bed sheets (on request), fresh towels (on request), and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Toothbrush and toothpaste not available, no cribs (infant beds) or rollaway/extra beds available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Electric kettle
- Toilet paper
- Bottle of water
- Shampoo
- Daily housekeeping
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Premium bedding
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Free WiFi
- Down comforter
- No rollaway/extra beds
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Bedsheets provided
- Free tea bags/instant coffee
- Soap
- Local maps
- Guidebooks or recommendations
- Electrical adapters/chargers
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Restaurant dining guide
- Toothbrush and toothpaste available
- Toothbrush and toothpaste not available
- Change of towels (on request)
- Change of bed sheets (on request)
-
Spacious Double
Features include a TV and free toiletries.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Satellite channels
- Sofa
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Bottle of water
- Chocolate or cookies
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Feather pillow
- Accessible by lift
- Smoke alarm
- Key access
- Carbon monoxide detector
-
Classic Double Room
Featuring free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a tea and coffee maker, flat-screen TV with streaming services, a quiet street view, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Satellite channels
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Bottle of water
- Chocolate or cookies
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Feather pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Key access
- Carbon monoxide detector
-
Deluxe Suite
This suite comes with 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and free toiletries. This suite has a tea and coffee maker, flat-screen TV with streaming services, a quiet street view, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Satellite channels
- Sofa
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Sofa bed
- Bottle of water
- Chocolate or cookies
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Feather pillow
- Accessible by lift
- Smoke alarm
- Key access
- Carbon monoxide detector
-
Small Double Room
Featuring free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a tea and coffee maker, TV with streaming services, a quiet street view, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Satellite channels
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen
- Toilet paper
- Bottle of water
- Chocolate or cookies
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Feather pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Key access
- Carbon monoxide detector
Guest Reviews
- Rachel (9/5): Lovely stay, wonderful staff, delicious food. - Central location, lovely bedroom, nice bar and restaurant, delicious food and fantastic team of friendly and accommodating staff. Slight noise from the road.
- John (10/5): The belle of Saxmundham is the Bell - Staff,location, private car park 100m away, menu and drinks.
Rooms, lift available.
Could not fault anything,
Old building with modern comfort.. Not able to park outside the hotel, but OK for offloading luggage.
Half hour across the road by shops but not a problem as car kept for long periods in private car park close by.
- Edmondson (7/5): -
- David (4/5): Disappointing. A comfortable bed and good food but let down by very mixed customer service. - Friendly staff. Good food. Comfortable bed. Parking is arkward and can be an issue - it was all full on our arrival.
Our room was at the front and was very noisy overnight (single glazed windows).
Our toilet handle broke on our third day. We reported this but nothing was done to fix it nor were we offered an alternative room so we had to remove the wooden cover to access the cistern and flush it by putting our hand in and pulling up the lift rod. We were very disappointed with the complete lack of response or help from the hotel staff. When we asked we were simply told "well it is Sunday".
Some items in particular seemed over expensive eg a 175 ml glass of Sauvignon Blanc at £11.10.
Breakfast is not included in the room rate which was as we expected but we didn't expect to have to pay for tea and coffee at breakast as a further additional item - £9.00 for a pot of tea for two seemed a lot.
Our room was very clean but some minor consumable items were not replenished every day.
- Swindon (7/5): Not value for money - That it was close to my training venue. Central to shops etc Bed uncomfortable. Water was tepid, but they did rectify that issue. Restaurant closed. Parking off the premises. Certainly not £150 worth. I find it so hard to justify this price.
- David (8/5): - Very pleasant hotel. Great bathroom and shower. Very comfortable bed. Nothing
- Gail (8/5): - Breakfast was not marvellous. Room size was excellent. We were comfortable enough. Shower was poor. Wouldn't say that cleaning after first day was terrific but I know they were very short staffed. So was ok.
- Jackie (7/5): We were attending a wedding nearby so it was very convenient , not much to do in saxmundhsm itself though . - The room was quite newly refurbished and tidy. It was a bit haphazard , the room that we were checked into was all over the place and not made up , however it was sorted within an hour and a half .
- John (8/5): Pleasant stay in old coaching house - Location A bit noisy as floor boards creak in old building
- BARBIE (8/5): Done it up nicely - Staff, food and comfy room. Expensive drinks. Charges for dog and parking short distance away. Ok if sunny not so good if raining.
- Claire (9/5): Lovely staff, brilliant room and yummy food -
- Simon (10/5): -
- Graham (8/5): - Centre of town location walking distance to all facilities and transport. Clean, warm and comfortable rooms. Friendly staff.
- Andrew (8/5): Would recommend - Lovely room, good location, free parking and restaurant was better than expected and reasonable value. £16 for a cocktail and no happy hour for guests!!
- Steven (10/5): -
- Adam (10/5): -
- Adam (10/5): -
- Keith (8/5): -
- Joanna (10/5): - Very friendly staff. The room was cosy and the bed so comfortable. Shower was hot and powerful. Definitely would recommend.
- Suzanne (9/5): -
- Anne-Marie (9/5): Excellent accommodation in all aspects. The staff were incredible - so helpful and welcoming. - Room very comfortable and staff were amazing - everyone went out of their way to be helpful and sort out anything we asked for. My evening meal was a little disappointing
- Jon (10/5): An amazing find, amazing staff - The staff were amazing so friendly and helpful. Beautiful spacious room and a wonderful hotel Nothing
- Julie (9/5): Lovely hotel in a great location to meet up with family - Location to restaurants and amenities
Parking
Lovely sized rooms
Comfortable beds Lounge area could be bigger to accommodate guests
- DM (9/5): Lovely - The staff were excellent as was the location, was also very comfortable. We stayed in a premium room which just happens to be above the service area of the hotel, at 05.30 on a Monday morning the bins are collected and the noise for a few minutes is pretty loud , made even worse becouse the area around the hotel is so quiet.
- Diana (6/5): - Room nice but bathroom v small & toilet too low room cold until requested extra heating
- Jane (8/5): A very comfortable stay with exceptionally accommodating staff - We were not keen on the Sunday evening menu options so the chef knocked us up an amazing dish of filleted sea bass with a langoustine reduction, samphire and new potatoes - all delicious! The front of house guy Matt was really helpful and passionate about the history of Saxmundham which made our stay very interesting. Also, there was the lovely lady at breakfast - the attentiveness and kindness of staff was exceptional.
- Claire (9/5): - Staff helpful friendly
- Kevin (10/5): A wonderful stay with great food - The staff were all amazing, nothing was to much trouble for them and they went out of their way to make our visit as enjoyable as possible.
- Volcky (9/5): Excellent B&B who went out of their way to help with our late arrival - Excellent breakfast Nothing
- Stuart (10/5): -
- Phoenix (10/5): Great hotel, lovely ambience and very friendly staff. - The hotel is great! Good location, convenient parking very close by. Nice bar and friendly staff. We didn't have dinner there, but the breakfast was fabulous. The gentleman on duty during our stay was super lovely - nothing was too much trouble and he made us feel exceedingly welcome. I also liked the fact he thanked a member of his staff for the simple gesture of opening and holding the door for us when we were exiting. Now that's a good boss! I couldn't fault our stay at all. All perfect!
- Graeme (9/5): -
- Hamish (8/5): - Central, nice bar, good food Expensive
- Jim (8/5): - Friendly staff
- David (8/5): 2nd stay and do plan many more, just need to save up a bit first - Great dinner and breakfast- room was clean and spacious.
The staff were superb and friendly Slightly pricey but in a town with little or no competition
- Bernard (6/5): A curate's egg, much to praise, some disappointments, scope for achievable improvements. - Excellent staff. Well appointed room, comfortable bed. Friendly bar. Tremendous potential in young staff. Better not to offer a Sunday evening meal than a poor meal very early. Taps in bedroom did not function adequately and should be attended to by a plumber. Pelmet fell down when adjusting blind. Whisky on offer in the bar - a range of malts would, I think, appeal to some clients staying here.
- Alastair (8/5): - The check in and staff were brilliant, they really couldn’t have been more helpful. The room was really comfortable and clean although a little tired in some areas.
Outside my room was a busy street and an off license that seemed to draw attention from visitors until gone 11:30pm! Drunk and rowdy people stood outside and smashed bottles woke me up on a couple of occasions.
- Wendy (9/5): -
- Catherine (10/5): -
- Lee Holmes (8/5): -
- Ewa (7/5): - Lots of choices for breakfast, generous portions for cooked breakfast too!
Very nice dinner menu, delicious crab linguine and Caesar salad No shaving mirror in bathroom. Poor lighting for ladies (applying makeup etc). Stuffy room due to hot weather and being in the attic, fans helped a bit but not great for sleeping on this occasion
- Peter (10/5): An excellent hotel with super friendly staff, we will return. - From the moment we arrived and were met by a very friendly receptionist until we left, we felt that we were being 'looked after'. Nothing was too much trouble for the Bell hotel team and in particular the manager who not only was very efficient but also told us the history of the hotel and the surrounding area. He also recommended trips out and we are considering a repeat visit so that we can explore more of the lovely local Suffolk countryside. We had dinner in the restaurant on our first night and were very impressed at the quality of our meals. I had the special which was cod with a sumptuous lobster sauce. Compliments to the chef indeed! We also had cooked breakfast each morning of our stay and both the service and quality were excellent. A further plus was that on one evening, we arrived back after the hotel doors were locked, but we let ourselves in with the key provided. The manager was still on site and without hesitation agreed to open the bar so that we could have a night cap. We will return! Parking is available a two minute walk from the hotel. This was not a problem as one of the team accompanied me to the car park, but perhaps a heads up in advance of this would be useful as the front entrance of the hotel is on a busy road and it was initially a little confusing.
- Tina (9/5): - The room was very nice and the bed was extremely comfortable.
I can't comment on the food as we were there for just one night and didn't eat.
So thankful for the fan in the room. The off-site parking wasn't great, especially as my husband is on crutches.
It was difficult to work out the controls of the shower. The markings had faded - and who wears their glasses in the shower! Got there in the end.
- june (6/5): Nice area staff amazing. - Staff amazing but would not rate hotel a high standard, rooms were not serviced daily, staff asking what we needed done?
Carpets still had glitter from last residence and there were stains on carpet, just hanging room for clothes no drawer for other clothes. Room to hot and was provided with fan. Room situated at back of hotel kitchen and seating area under window could hear every conversation sometimes not the politest.
- John (9/5): Very welcoming staff- friendly and homely - Charm and scale Nothing
- Phillip (8/5): - Clean rooms. Food in the restaurant was really spot on.
- Lynn (8/5): Nice Hotel, lovely staff and very helpful General Manager -
- Helen (9/5): Nice hotel - Very helpful staff
- Jenny (9/5): Very comfortable stay with wonderful breakfast - Beautiful room - super bathroom
- John (5/5): We are unlikely to stay there again - Staff were extremely helpful and friendly. Dinner in restaurant was good, Bed was very comfortable. Shower room very poorly appointed. Minimal shelf space for toiletries. Mirror too high on the wall for my wife to use.
Poor lighting in shower room. No towel rails for wet towels
Bedroom was suffocatingly hot all the time, despite a fan.
Only one chair in bedroom
- Paul (9/5): Superb - Rooms were spotless and decor and furnishings were really pleasing
- Alexander (10/5): Exceptional -
- Adam (8/5): We had a lovely short break. We were without a car but we found the local public transport efficient - Nice and clean and comfy. Manager was a lovely guy. Drinks rather expensive as was the food - but it is Suffolk😊
- R (8/5): Comfy stay and made to feel welcome from the start - Friendly staff and very accommodating of our allergies. Nice rooms and there was even a fan already in there to help battle the heat. -
- Barrie (8/5): Most enjoyable, friendly with great service and room. - The staff were, without exception, friendly and helpful and the atmosphere in the hotel was a very happy one, everyone was very hospitable, which is what matters most in a hotel. The bar was excellent and our lunchtime "snacks" were 5-star. The hotel parking was close by and free. Our room was comfortable and the bathroom was spacious and had the best shower of any hotel I can remember and with lots of thick white towels. The only downside but relatively minor, was the road noise while we had the windows open in the hot weather.
- Ian (8/5): The manager is a star. He is willing to do anything to help his guests and is very genuine, friendly - N/A The room was unbearably hot, because the weather was so hot and it had only a fan which had little or no effect and a smallish window through which no breeze came. That said, the manager had already appreciated this problem and had asked for air-conditioning units. And everything else about the room was great.
- David (8/5): Very good -
- Julie (8/5): Recent 3 night stay - Ideal base for exploring Suffolk. High standard hotel. Room rate should include breakfast
- Phillip (10/5): Exceptional - The staff were fantastic, in particular Matthew who was more than happy to help with any request! The hotel has recently been revamped and has been somewhat modernised but retains its classic look!
- Christopher (9/5): Superb -
- Audrey (6/5): Friendly staff but lacking prompt service and food below average - Breakfast wss limited and disappointing.
- Janet (9/5): Lovely helpful friendly staff - It was very comfortable. Our room was over the beer garden, so a bit noisy early on, but everyone had gone by the time we went to bed
- Liza (9/5): Superb - Room was well maintained as well as neat and tidy. View out the window but that's not the fault of the hotel.
- Aimee (10/5): Exceptional -
- Sarah (6/5): The staff were welcoming and the food was reasonable - The bar and dining room The drains smell in our bathroom, the bed too short for a tall husband
- P4tcj (10/5): An absolute gem - From arrival to departure this stay was excellent. Friendly welcome . Room - spacious with exceptional attention to detail - best tea tray of the year.:) Very comfortable bed and pillows just right too.. Shower only which was very efficient and towels generous. Dinner - well would go out of my way to eat here and Breakfast equally as good with the bonus of smiley friendly table service. Practical note - car parking is off site a few yards away - easy walk and town must be very safe - forgot to lock my car and all was safe and sound on my return the next morning.
- Christine (10/5): A great stay in this really lovely hotel - would certainly recommend! - A truly amazingly warm welcome from Matthew, the manager. Could not have done more to meet our needs. Good to see a lift has been installed in this beautiful property since our last visit. Our room was lovely and the shower was fantastic! Nothing
- Saibh (9/5): Short stay - got in late. Slept well in big comforable bed - Fabulous room! Refurbed. Large. Lovely big bathroom
- Justin (9/5): Fabulous hotel stay - Staff were exceptional - so helpful and friendly. Dinner was excellent - both the formal and bar food were fantastic. Room was a good size and well equipped with everything one needed - very comfortable bed Struggling to think of anything!
- John (9/5): well located and very comfortable room. - very comfortable bed a great shower. as visitors to the country it is almost impossible to find a decent shower but the Bell surpassed on this.
- David (8/5): Would stay if needed to be in area - Dinner was excellent room very comfy and clean staff friendly
- Cathal (8/5): Warm, welcoming and lovely hotel. - Exceptionally welcoming staff and the hotel is in a superb location for exploring the different towns. Our dog was treated like royalty and by the end of the three days thought he owned the place. The room is not made up each day (not a major issue whatsoever, only notable because we stayed for several days) otherwise no complaints whatsoever
- Lucy (10/5): Exceeded expectations - We had a wonderful stay at the Bell. The rooms are beautifully decorated and cleaned to an excellent standard. Best of all, Matthew and the staff are extremely friendly and attentive. We are getting married nearby and will definitely be recommending the Bell to our guests.
- Al (8/5): Perfect location. Close enough to the sea but that perfect coastal retreat. - Very nice hotel. The hotel staff went beyond expectations. Very impressed. The bar area. To small
- Katherine (7/5): Good hotel in the centre of Saxmunden. Staff were very welcoming. - Central, friendly staff Food not great, it enough healthy or vegetarian options on the menu
- Derek (9/5): Ok but would have enjoyed more if the food was more appealing - Staff helpful and accommodating for a different meal No A la Carte menu
- Karen (9/5): Superb - Couldn't fault it Too hot in bedroom
- Richard (8/5): Lovely stay at a cozy hotel - Lovely hotel , great decor , cozy feel Although generally clean lots of cobwebs around the window and top of shower head dusty and marked. Lovely room but not exactly the same as within the photos but still good, booking.com said chocolates were included but there were none in the room.
- Patrick (8/5): Very good -
- Nigel (9/5): Superb -
- Julia (9/5): Superb -
- Stella (8/5): Very good -
- Matthew (7/5): Comfortable and spacious - Room was very clean and comfortable and spacious. Bit noisy from the road outside but overall good hotel
- Charles (8/5): Good base for our travels - Breakfast good and dinner food excellent. Lively bar with locals Room cleaning
- Tara (10/5): Exceptional -
- Paul (9/5): Superb - Very good hotel, accommodation and food, staff most helpful Nothing
- Janet (9/5): Superb - I had tea delivered to my room which was lovely but couldn’t stay for breakfast. Bedding was very good quality and staff were lovely. Lot of noise from below at times and I think the seal on this shower panel has gone because there was a huge puddle on the floor by the toilet after my shower
- Debbie (8/5): Very good - Nice hotel, room was nice, clean and good facilities. No heating on before we arrived. Had a problem with the food, but the manager was great and very professional and sorted it for us.
- Lyn (9/5): Lovely stay. Very helpful manager. Excellent breakfast. - Room was great. Very helpful manager. Good breakfast. Can’t think of anything.
- Nathan (10/5): Exceptional -
- Mr (10/5): A warm and happy atmosphere in a beautiful hotel in a quiet location - Exceptional hospitality. We were made to feel very welcome and the staff went out of their way to make our stay (and our dog’s) feel special. The food was first class and the room comfortable in every respect.
- Jane (10/5): Great place for a weekend break - Fabulous rooms, super welcoming staff Nothing
- Luke (9/5): A nice little hotel with excellent staff. -
- Claire (10/5): Beautiful, comfortable Hotel - This beautiful, comfortable Hotel is in the heart of Saxmundham, moments from the station. The Helpful Staff, Callum, was wonderful. Everything was clean and comfortable. I would stay again.
- Patricia (7/5): Good - Useful location for visiting Snape We thought charging £30 to check in 2 hours earlier than the expected checking was a rip off. Our room was ready at midday but we were informed that we would be charged an extra £30.
This policy should be reviewed. We have stayed at many hotels over the years and have been charged for an early check in if the room is ready.
Dinner in the evening also stopped at 7.30pm. Too early.
- Joanna (1/5): Bad - It didn’t feel very clean,
- Rupert (7/5): Good -
- Richard (6/5): Pleasant -
- Thomas (7/5): Good -
- dave (10/5): Our wonderful stay at the Bell Hotel - Our stay was wonderful and we will be going back. Our room was well designed and very comfortable, excellent bed, we slept very well. The staff were outstanding and always wanting to help. The food was excellent, obviously a talented chef.
Photos