Muthu Belstead Brook Hotel in Ipswich

Great parking great staff and lovely venue

My wife and I decided to come back to Muthu Bestead Brook Hotel after we had a baby and not had a break for some time. We had been here before so we decided to revisit. Well, never again! I think the most exciting part of any trip, anywhere is the food. And we were looking forward to it. Unfortunately, although I paid for half board, we didn't get dinner. The first night, we arrived at the restaurant at 7:10pm. There was no staff on the floor or behind the bar. All tables at the bar area were full. It was pretty busy. The restaurant area had a few tables in, fairly busy. It took 10 minutes for the waiter to bring the menus and then he never came back. We waited a total of 35 minutes and decided that our time was too valuable and we were very hungry at this point. So both nights I had to drive to Ipswich town and spend money for food. 35 minutes not even drinks order taken. The reception manager then offered to refund £90 (the value of both dinners) as internal credit which I found ridiculous. It's kind of, I'll give you the money back for the dinner you didn't have but you still have to spend it here on something else. Oh and also you have to pay for food somewhere else. I am not happy and never coming back.

Lovely old features at front, great facilities and decorated well.

A horrible experience and very disappointing. Originally placed in an accessible twin room (not requested). The bathroom was unusable, being set up for a disabled person to which I am not. The maximum shower height was very low and I am tall. I asked to change rooms and was greeted with very unhelpful reception staff who insisted the only other rooms available would incur an additional cost as they would be a superior room. Upon checking on various online hotel booking sites, it became clear this was not the case. After discussing this with the unhelpful staff, I was told that if I wished to change rooms, I would have to upgrade and pay an additional £25. It turns out the upgraded room online was in fact a cheaper rate than I had already paid. They continued to insist on the additional fee for upgrading to this cheaper room. The hotel itself is very dated and in need of refurbishment. The bar staff and restaurant staff at breakfast were very polite and welcoming unlike the reception staff. I would not recommend a visit.

I stayed for a few nights in March and it was just what I was looking for. I wanted an affordable hotel with a pool in East Anglia. The room I had was a single. Could do with refurbishing but generally quiet, reasonable value, and I slept well. The shower was very noisy in the next room, but only when in use. Staff were helpful and pleasant and breakfast was excellent. I also had a homemade veg lasagna which was a real treat and genuinely tasted homemade. The star of the show for me was the pool; warm, large and not too crowded, perfect. The other spa facilities also looked good but I'm mainly interested in the pool. I'd recommend this hotel and would definitely go back if I need a hotel in the area.

Really nice hotel with amazing decor, however there were some things which mean I can't give 5 stars. The pillows are extremely thin and in most hotels you get extras, as side sleepers tend to have deeper pillows. I had 2 pillows but was still flat. Went to reception to ask for more pillows as I was uncomfortable and they said that I would have to pay £5 for any extra pillows!! Surley the comfort of your guests are priority? Especially how much we paid for the room. In the end I had to use my clothes and bag to make an extra pillow. Secondly, the mattresses are not the best, especially for side sleepers. I woke up with very sore hips as there's no cushioning between the mattress springs and your pelvis. In the end I had to lay our towels out to try and minimise the discomfort. Apart from that, everything was fine, nice and clean and tidy.

Had a wonderful day and nights stay. Spa is clean and the food was really nice. I left the next morning and left all my jewelry in the bedroom drawer. I panicked and phoned immediately. Housekeeping located and baggaged it up and I picked it up from Reception. Would like to say a huge thank you for the honesty of housekeeping and the customer service to a lunatic, panic stricken middle aged woman. Will definitely be coming back x

We went there for the gold for money experience what a pleasure and a lovely surprise in money return for old gold

Plenty of facilities. Nice pool.

Love stopping at the Muthu Hotel, always friendly staff, the pool is spot on, had food a few times and always been spot on.

Very nice hotel with a swimming pool with an old style restaurant. Nice place to relax.

Been a couple of times loved it and facilities fantastic.food is good with plenty of choice.rebooked for 3rd visit.

Nice place for a party. Mariola, the event manager was great.

Friendly staff. Food was OK. Clean room.

My husband and I stayed here for the first time as we visited our daughter from the 19th to the 23rd Dec 2024 as my husband is registered blind and I have just gone through open heart surgery we requested a down stairs room with walk in shower and was told we would be on the 2nd floor but there was a lift as we checked in we were given our room number 310 which was on the bottom floor thank you for accommodating to our needs we had a most enjoyable stay breakfast was very nice and the breakfast waitress was a very happy girl singing carols throughout our stay the rest of the staff very pleasant, room was a large room and very comfortable bed,we couldn't understand why the bar closed at 9 during the week and 10 on a weekend very odd for a hotel bar,we will be staying here again Thank you for accommodating us

The rooms were very clean and quite nice; there was a very "lived in" chair I could have done without as it sort of let the rest down. Water, hot chocolate, tea coffee all the usual things. I personally thought the bed a little on the hard side for my taste but it didn't seem to affect my sleep. Also a plus the room was cool when we arrived so we could choose how much to warm it up by adjusting the radiator. So much better than a stifling room you can't cool down quick enough. The decor was eclectic but if you ate in the restaurant you were treated to some original carved oak fire surrounds, wood panelling and glimpse of some herring bone brick work. I think the waitress said 16th century.... further in a lovely arts and crafts fireplace. We enjoyed dinner, particularly the mushroom ravioli and the moules mariniere, very impressed with the sauce.... Then the icing on the cake, after the look of the historic building/dining room, we chose this hotel for the pool and sauna. Really nicely conceived pool, wet and dry saunas and as really good little gymn. We would definitely stay there again. Thank you.

This a rather tired and dated hotel that appears a shrine to its owner with a large portrait above reception. We were hoping to eat at the restaurant after potentially arriving at 21.00. We phoned ahead to be told that the kitchen shut at 20.30, the week before Christmas. The breakfast was good though

Shower heads need descaling as do not spray, no good for washing hair when it just dribbles.

Comfortable spacious bedrooms with good breakfasts

We had a great weekend stay here. The room was spacious and very clean. We stayed half board, the breakfast buffet had a great selection and evening meals were superb! Staff are friendly and very helpful. A staff member Angelos ( bar/restaurant) was fantastic. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The only slight shame was the bar closing at 10.30 on a Saturday evening. But not forgetting how nice the leisure facilities are. We will definitely return here.

Really nice spa and pool with parking and good service. Did not try the food so can't comment

I am a regular. Affable , with great surroundings. As for dining, I've only tried to fish. Highly recommend!

Myself and my friend were gifted a spa day along with afternoon tea, and we loved every minute of our visit. Staff were super friendly and accommodating, the afternoon tea was gorgeous and the gentleman serving us kindly offered us a soft drink instead as we both don't actually like tea 🙈 The pool wasn't too busy and we thoroughly enjoyed each section especially the jacuzzi. We decided to hire robes which actually worked perfectly for us and both treated ourselves to a treatment, a facial and a back massage. The lady was brilliant and made us totally relaxed. Would definitely recommend the whole place to friends and family. Thankyou!!

This Hotel is definitely not cheap & the price we paid to stay should of reflected that. The hotel decor is strange but maybe thats they are trying to achieve. We stayed in a Garden Room,which was clean but had a damp smell. The bed was ok,shower ok. Having stayed for a friends wedding reception we had chosen breakfast,what a disaster. We were told to take any table that was made up,none were so we ended up clearing some it ourselves. Watching some of the staff who had been working the evening before were probably tired as no interest and that showed. Hardly any food out,it was a buffet style and it was not overly busy. We had to ask for clean plates as the ones sitting to be picked had a yellow type oil on them. We got asked 4 times what was our room number by the same lady. Pastries were minimal when they did appear,the fruit had seen better days. Overall the breakfast was just poor. Since we have stayed & chatted to our friends it turns out that quite a few people got refunds for the breakfast as a lot of complaints.

My daughter and I did a spa day through Groupon which included afternoon tea and a 30 minute treatment each. The initial booking process was a bit slapdash (my booking hadn't been taken) but when I followed this up the spa manager couldn't have been more helpful and sorted this out immediately. The treatments were amazing and we wouldn't hesitate in doing this again.

Lovely and authentic atmosphere, I did the Blissful package which was use of spa facilities & lunch as a birthday gift. Happily spent majority of the day there. The steam & sauna room were perfectly set. Lunch was really nice however the jacket potato skin was a little over cooked but not a big deal. Absolutely look forward to returning soon.

The rooms are cosy, come with TV. The staff are very friendly and polite. The location is nice quit place. The meals are very good.

Very tired hotel, living on past reputation, nice grounds though, food was ok.

The location was great, easy parking, room in good location. Room itself was a little bit worn, and the bathroom was not well cleaned. The bed was really comfortable though... just needed some TLC around the edges.

amazing price, friendly staff and great facilities

Impossible to communicate with, don't bother with Spa.

Stayed only for weekend but not disappointed.... The hote staffl are very welcoming and in my opinion first class service from all of them. The food selection is excellent and portions size and quality is great... The rooms in my opinion are average and dated we stayed in club room which had a mixture of old and new furniture and fixtures in room and bathroom... Honestly as petty as it may sound the decor in room is confusing Two different style lampshades on each side of the bed, drawers have different handles and the pictures hanging on the walls are all different .. One picture is big ben then a picture of various mushrooms, a picture of a chicken and two futher pictures of houses....the feature wall does not help the room whatsoever.... Also they should some usb ports to the rooms. I would stay again simply because of the service received but maybe next time upgrade the room

Last minute booking of Spa with lunch. They didn't disappoint. Two course lunch was not small portions and very good. Spa was great, pool warm, hot tub hot, and a sauna and steam room. Staff excellent and overall a great lunch and afternoon. Highly recommended and will be going again.

Ist and last time I visit this hotel. Rooms not as pictured, dated, tired and dirty. Blood on mattress and mould around bath plus lots more. I got a refund and left within the first 30 minutes of being there. Receptionist helpful and polite tho

Me and my friend came on Thursday for a spa voucher it was lovely the staff extremely friendly nothing was too much amazing food !!! Lovely facial We defo coming back

A great place as a base for travelling,with bed and breakfast. Chilling out in the grounds or just treating yourself to a Spa day..

Lovely time Thanks Alison and team

really easy to find, good parking. staff were welcoming and friendly. I went for a spa package which included 2 course lunch - you had to pick your food on arrival which seemed odd but not an issue. changing rooms were clean and spacious. robe, slippers and dressing gown were provided. pool was good size, clean, enough loungers for regulars and spa users. only issue I noticed was that the condensation from the pool was ruining the window frames, and pool surroundings. it would have been resolved with some windows being opened just to let some of the dampness out. other than that no complaints. treatments were excellent. lunch was really nice. there is a different menu if you don't have lunch included in spa package; seemed to be a lot of choice on both menus

My wife and I had a weekend spa break and really enjoyed ourselves. Although the rooms were a little dated the staff were absolutely fantastic. Anolis and all the staff catered for our every need, they were very friendly and professional at all times. The restaurant staff and food was really good and the buffet breakfast was also really nice with tasty sausages and the food being freshened throughout the breakfast period. A big thumbs up!!!

Great hotel, nice gym and pool, food was lovely and staff were excellent

Some areas need a refresh but enjoyed the spa.

It’s 2am and the fire alarm won’t stop making deafening long beeps every two minutes - presumably because the battery is low. Called the front desk who told us that apparently every single room in the hotel was having this issue and they were working on solving it??? On another note, the room service menu is wildly different to the menu in the restaurant, which charges ridiculous extortionate prices. Also the rooms have no main light, only three dodgy lamps which you have to hope actually work, and the window is tiny - it is so dim.

Great hotel, lovely gym and pool to relax, food was lovely too

Only used the pool & Spa facilities today's, pool and jacuzzi nice but the hotel is in need of a lot more love attention. The reception area very plush, but other areas needed painting, cleaning and updating. Staff excellent very helpful and friendly best part of experience.

We took friends who were visiting for lunch and had a superb meal. Children were welcome, and the bar menu was small but had something for everyone. Food was absolutely delicious 😋 we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We were surprised at how busy it was so I do suggest booking. Toilets were clean and well stocked, staff were friendly. Thank you to everyone, we will be back X

I'll start with the positives which did the heavy lifting for the rest of the experience really - the food was really very nice and the restaurant staff/service was excellent, especially with special requests to help us pull off a special occasion celebration! The swimming pool was also lovely and warm (but lots of missing tiles, handrails broken etc). Unfortunately the room was extremely tired including holes in the carpet, light fixture hanging off the ceiling, lamps not working, dated decor, hole in the shower wall, extremely slippery shower tray (a non-slip mat was provided but it was far too small, our 5y/o daughter slid over hard), not enough sockets (you had to unplug the bedside lamp to plug in a phone charger) and the room was unbearably hot. It really needs modernising to reflect the price point. The decor/furniture in the lobby was quite gaudy, not my taste but fair enough, it just didn't really fit in with the rest of the hotel. It was clean though. The spa changing rooms leave a lot to be desired, they're not at all luxurious. Ensure you get a padlock for your locker before you go and get changed so you don't have to return to reception in your swimsuit to ask for one like we did! There are not nearly enough seats/loungers by the pool. Most of the car park/grounds were fine but the overflow car park was shocking! Rubbish strewn/blown everywhere and a dumping ground for old chairs, mattresses etc (lots of them!) - quite the first impression! We also walked past a courtyard on our way to the restaurant which looked very run down, again didn't scream luxury spa hotel! We're going back for a wedding party soon so it will be interesting to see if things have improved.

Just spent 2 days at the hotel and were really impressed by the price Anyone who makes a negative review must be hard to please Everywhere is spotless, food was excellent as are the staff Facilities are first class Will definitely go again

Amazing restaurant, have never had a bad meal and the service is excellent too.

We had a peaceful weekend stay and were delighted by the experience. The staff are friendly and accommodating; the sauna and stream rooms pleasantly hot, and the food delicious with quick service.

Friendly, welcoming staff. Cannot comment on rooms as we just used spa and had lunch. Lovely food and impressed with the decor

Rooms ok, on the small side. Shower in my room nicely renovated but not suitable for people taller than 1.85 m.

The location is pleasant although the arrival is spoilt due to over developments of housing estates. In fact, I really wasn't sure I was on the right path. Parking was acceptable. However, I would say the rear carpark needs some attention and a clear up. The reception is nice country grand style and sign of what the locationust have been in the past. The pool and spa facilities were adequate if not great. The hot tub was far to hot being at least 45. The seating was looking tired but usable. The quality of food high and the Sunday roast really was quite delicious. Staff were friendly and attentive. After talking to other guests the opinion was the rooms are a little tired and in need of some refurbishment. Which is my takeaway from the whole experience. Could be a little gem however it would seem that under investment is taking its toll. Worthy of a Spa day or afternoon tea if you get a deal.

had a lovely spa day and afternoon tea, thoroughly enjoyed it. unlike most swimming pools, this pool is lovely and warm, perfect for a gentle swim and chat. the showers were large rainfall ones, which you don't have to keep pressing a button in order to stay on- (which i hate!) wonderful ! nice and clean, coffee, tea and water facilities by the pool, glad to see its had a little refurb and the once tired looking palm trees have been replaced. the afternoon tea was perfect, I'm gluten free, and my sister is vegan, they catered to our needs and it was very enjoyable, lovely warm scones, sandwiches, and cakes, in the restaurant with fine china in a beautiful room. other guests were also chatty and friendly. staff, attentive and helpful, well done. highly recommend .

Always a great stay here Recommendation indeed

One night Ipswich booked late. Hotel is ok rooms rather dated and our TV did not work properly, Bath room had a recent refurbishment. Resturant lacked any character or atmosphere, breakfast was OK but nothing fantastic. Paid £100 for a double including breakfast which in my opinion was about £25 to much.

For the price we paid, this place was great (got a last minute deal). Loved the quirky decor (amazing furniture in the lobby!) Room/bed was comfortable. Hotel was quiet. It's clean. Bit dated in places & a bit of wear & tear but nothing major. Sauna was hot. Pool is a good temperature, and leisure facilities were generally good. Was all we needed for a night passing through Ipswich. Didn't eat in the restaurant but menu looked good. Will definitely check out some of the other Muthu brand hotels around the world. Location: great if you want somewhere to stay outside the centre, especially if coming from the south. I think it's walkable to town, but we didn't go to town.