Swan Hotel

I took the other half here for lunch, an afternoon in Weavers Spa, dinner at The Great House and an overnight stay; we had a great time! This proved to be an excellent place to stay - for the great location, beautiful Tudor building and friendly service. There were only a few criticisms, detailed below. The lunch (smoked duck and Waldorf salad, leek & potato soup, chocolate brownie and cheese & biscuits) was all very good in the beautiful setting of the gallery restaurant.

We had this with a half bottle of Chablis; the wine list was extensive, with a good range of options for most budgets. There was a single misstep where the roll with the soup had to be changed as it was a little frozen in the middle, but this was speedily fixed. The service was excellent, being friendly and attentive. We had a great afternoon in the spa and then checked into our room; we went for a Gainsborough, which was very spacious and well appointed, if decoratively slightly dated.

The latter was especially true of the bathroom, where the sink was also slow to drain. I had stated that it was my partner's birthday; I paid a modest fee for a stunning bouquet of flowers and they also provided some complimentary chocolates, which was a nice touch. We went out for dinner in the evening, but returned and had a great night's sleep. Breakfast was also memorably good. We will definitely stay here again!

A disappointing dinner. We visited for dinner on Saturday to celebrate a birthday with high expectations. We have been to the swan before for drinks and a light lunch and it was very nice. On this occasion though it failed to meet the mark. We were sat in the gallery room for dinner and around 60% of the tables were full. When questioning the menu I asked what cut the lamb was as was given the answer, the young lamb sir, under 12 months old, I then asked the cut again, was is a shank or rump etc, there may of been a miss hearing of my question. starters came and it was very nice, our glasses were removed and another drink brought over but still the empty plates sat for a while.

We waited for over an hour between starters and mains and for at least 20 minutes we didn't see any staff serving our section of tables, neither did we see any food being brought out of the kitchen. When looking around the majority of the restaurant did not have food in front of them and were also waiting. When our food arrived the the sides of chips, fries and and 2 portions of broccoli were cold, the lamb was so tough I just managed to cut it in half with a steak knife and it was so chewy it was inedible it had to be left.

I told this to the waitress who apologised and said that she would let the chef and her manager know. I was not offered another piece of lamb so I was left with my cold sides. Upon paying no other mention of the cold food was brought up so we paid and went to the bar where we were then offered a free drink as a good will gesture. I was unhappy that our expectations were not met as we visit for a drink a couple of times a year and it is a lovely place however we felt sorry for the table next to us who were attending a tasting session for their wedding who also waited a very time with little service. I hope that this was just a one off occasion, maybe an issue in the kitchen but I believe it could have been handled better considering the premium prices.

Just returned from a short stay, took my Mum for a treat. We thoroughly enjoyed our relaxing time, beautiful food, & choices too. The lovely staff make sure that you have everything you need, nothing is too much effort. Thank you & looking forward to another visit.

Interesting stay in a 500 year old building. Worth remembering that, as one or two things are a result of the age of the building. The room are heavily wooded and far from soundproof, internally and externally. We had a room above the kitchen and waste disposal area which was very noisy at times. The staff were all excellent, food was good with a very nice breakfast. The Spa seemed very nice though was unused. Lavenham is well worth a visit as it is incredibly old with a large number of ancient buildings, very well preserved.

We stayed for one night for a relaxing getaway. It was perfect! The room was stunning. The spa included in the price was the cherry on top. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive! I can't wait to I there again!

Exceptional service in atmospheric medieval building, complete with every modern amenity. Spa excellent. Food good. Staff superb. If you like to relax in beautiful surroundings then this is the place for you. Thanks for a lovely holiday. Can't wait to return!

On first impressions, I was a little disappointed with our suite, but once settled in it was comfortable and cozy, and very well equipped with everything you may need or want. The one thing that let it down was the bathroom, which looked dated. The hotel and restaurant staff were very friendly and helpful, especially Amelia, who served us our delicious dinner in the restaurant.

The breakfast was very good, with plenty of choices. The spa, is also very nice, luckily the weather was good during our stay and we had a very relaxing time dipping in and out of the out door jacuzzi, you could also help yourself to coffee, hot chocolate and fresh fruit. Personal I would have liked a cup of tea! Overall we had a lovely time at The Swan Hotel, the spa was a real bonus, the food delicious and we can't wait to return. Sort out the bathroom and it's a very easy 5 stars.

Lovely hotel to stay in, lots of character and history. Good location to see the village. Had dinner in the restaurant, nice food (although room for improvement), great service, and a beautiful room. The spa facilities are an outside jacuzzi, steam and spa. This was included in the price of the hotel which I thought was very reasonable. I would recommend.

Went there for anniversary afternoon tea. Lovely setting and you had a choice of a Traditional Afternoon Tea with sandwiches, scones and selection of sweet treats or a savoury afternoon tea. 25 / head and well worth it. Would like to go back and sample the restaurant at some point.

Lovely return to The Swan afternoon tea for 2022. I've enjoyed every minute, everything was wonderful. Sandwiches very freshly prepared. Scones warm and freshly baked. Petit four cakes delicious, light and fluffy. Tea was beautiful served. Only grumble I would prefer the fresh version than teabags. Staff welcoming, friendly and attentive. Thank you again for a lovely day looking forward to my next visit.

Delightful hotel Good service Everything was great except One very disappointing breakfast which should not of been served.

Beautiful building. Beautiful rooms. However the Food has gone downhill dramatically. 2 starters, 2 mains both embarrassingly bad, then 2 of the worst breakfasts we've ever had. Literally sloppy greying avocado on cold sourdough. No tomatoes no garnish. Shocking for what we paid for the night. If you're vegan especially. don't bother. It's all very awkward.

This my third time staying here, this time for three nights including NYE. As before the friendliness of the staff has been delightful, food and drink to a very high standard. I tried the spa this time and despite its small size it was totally divine and i cannot recommend it enough.

I stayed at the Swan Lavenham just before Christmas and it was a very poor experience. The mattress was broken and had springs visible which made it very difficult to sleep. I complain to the management in the late afternoon when I discovered the mattress issue. There was nothing he could do as he could not get a replacement mattress as they didn't carry spares.

There was no offer of a refund or any compensation. I request of the mattress be turned to improve it. I was informed this was completed, but on checking this had not been done and I ended up turning it myself. This is a second time I've had the same experience and I was promised on this occasion at the hotel that they had checked mattresses which they obviously had not, more fall me for returning. My recommendation is you choose somewhere else to stay in Lavenham if you want to sleep if you don't want to sleep the hotel is fine. Andy

Delightful stay. Staff were welcoming and knowledgeable. Food was fantastic. Will be going back in the New Year.

Booked the festive afternoon tea for 4 friends. Had asked in advance for Sourdough bread for one of the teas, due to food intolerance, this wasn't done. When mentioned they brought up 2 lumps of bread! We had to ask for the sandwiches to be redone. The food was OK, but all very beige. Was expecting a festive atmosphere, but was zero in that respect, no music of any kind, no atmosphere. The service was pretty poor. We were all very disappointed and wouldn't come back. Shame as its a lovely old building

We stayed for two nights with friends. The hotel is very old and quite posh but informal with lots of lounge space with quality furnishings. Rooms are very nice and traditional. Good breakfast. What makes it a really enjoyable place to stay are the staff. The GM is a genuine asset to the hotel, friendly yet professional and hands on. We had a small problem with our room and James dealt with it perfectly. He even served our breakfast the next morning which is expertly cooked with quality products. We will return and highly recommend a visit Martin and Daryl C

Popped in for a bite to eat as it looked a lovely place and it really is. Nice old building with so much character and no doubt a lot of history, to imagine the people who have come through the doors is quite charming. They had the fire going and the seating arrangements are very well arranged and comfortable. Although noticeably quite busy the staff all seem very pleasant and helpful. Sadly the food wasn't that great, sandwiches were basic poorly filled 'pink' chicken and the accompanying salad had been drizzled with mustard which wasn't mentioned on the menu and made it inedible for both of us if anything it should be put on the side as a choice. A bit pricey for the quality really.

Beautiful hotel in the most stunning village. Staff were helpful and friendly and each room is completely unique. Shops in the village were a pleasure to visit as was the farmers market and cathedral. Already looking forward to our next visit.

The floors are uneven and creaky, the doors are squeaky and if Insulate Britain knew how draughty the windows were they would glue themselves to the reception, but it is just perfect-just how a 500 year old hotel should be. It is full of character and charm, perfect for a break. The staff are friendly and efficient, the breakfast was fantastic. The towels, dressing gowns and slippers that are provided were thick white and fluffy, so thick and fluffy that when I left I could hardly close my suitcase . I would definitely recommend this hotel and you can feel the history everywhere. It is also in one of the most beautiful of villages, Lavenham.

Somewhat old fashioned hotel and restaurant, very popular with the well-heeled older folk of the area, and their equivalents in tourist form. I am in my mid-40s, but I was comfortably the youngest in the room for dinner, barring the staff. The menu was reasonably well executed but in no sense ambitious; my "Chicken Supreme" was nice but did not rock any boats. Similarly, the chocolate fondant with peanut ice cream was unspectacular. A very "safe" place to eat.

A stunning building in a stunning unspoiled medieval town in beautiful Suffolk. It's an elegant hotel and has a beautiful dining room. Food is quite good, and so was service, at least until it completely fell apart later in the meal. Fish and chips and burgers were hot & fresh, professionally served., good portions and nicely presented. We passed on sweets and ordered coffee. 15 minutes later there was no sign of these, though the table next to us had had theirs.

We asked again and after apologies and another fair wait, two turned up. After another 7 or 8 minutes of waiting we again asked about the missing coffee, and it duly arrived some 5 minutes later. I asked why the delays, to be told, by the young waiter that "the kitchen had run out of cups". This in a 2 rosette hotel, a dining room holding perhaps 80, with perhaps 15 guests at the most.

What on earth can justify a blatant lie like this, does he think guests are morons? To be fair, we were in the end not charged for the coffees, and another seemingly more senior member of staff who took our payment did say he'd overheard the ridiculous lame excuse and would speak to the lad. But really, this should not happen in a place that has style and class.

This place is an fab. Delightful staff in a quaint Suffolk town. It must be said though that it is a very well to do place. If you stay you simply must go for tea in the guildhall if you stay over or pop through lavenham

A great looking hotel but with the most inattentive staff. Lavenham is a quiet, quaint and historically significant town and worth a visit but steer clear of this pace. The staff here were young and spritely but with the least amount of enthusiasm I have ever seen in servers. We had empty glasses of wine our whole meal, they forgot bits from our dinner, they never came to check on us, we had to flag them down with flapping arms for the pudding menu and when the pudding arrived our table still had an empty wine bottle, empty wine glasses and our half eaten appetizers on it.

It is a recession here right? We would've had 2-3 more bottles of wine if anyone had asked, and we would've had teas and coffees too if anyone cared to query. We addressed the management about our service and they apologised, the 5 waiters supposedly serving our table disappeared in embarrassment and we went back to a friends house and enjoyed some store bought wine and had a way better time! Food was ok, too pricey for what you got. They are charging London prices for a standard meal. Don't go.

Late mediaeval and Tudor wealth created the buildings which form this hotel. Much up-graded and improved in recent years. Used to be Forte-owned and run by professional hoteliers. This part of England has a formidable history, but not as great as the local American sacrifice of its warriors in the air. This former country inn is a USA memorial because it was a social hub near to the airfield of a bomber group of the 8th AAF base at Lavenham of WW2. B17 legends.

You visit hallowed ground in the bar where many aircrew never trod again. The Swan at Lavenham is now a premier country hotel with restaurant. Outstanding menus and the choice complement an excursion to, or a stay in this part of Suffolk. Refined old bedrooms with modern attributes. Timbered Tudor English architecture. The prosperity of the mediaeval wool trade is still encountered in many Suffolk villages with the heritage of the merchants who commissioned their local churches, houses and their shop premises. We wonder at the skill of craftsmen who built the churches and can only imagine now their former early internal decoration and splendour.