The Ickworth Hotel in St Edmundsbury

One of the best experience for us. Staying at Ickworth Hotel gave us green and lush feelings. The food was also nice, and we enjoyed so much the surrounding areas and the architectures.

I don’t write many reviews but I’m writing this to try and help. We booked a family suite at Ickworth for Valentines weekend 2024. We have since had a full refund. Our experience of this hotel bordered on comedic. The staff at the hotel know that this place is so bad that they agree with you when you complain. Every meal we attempted came with a 1hr or so wait. The food that arrived was of basic pub food quality but described as though it were Michelin quality. We had to request knives, forks, a drink. On at least two occasions, having waited 30minutes for any service, a member of my family would order something. The serving person left and then would return 15minutes later to tell us the kitchen had run out of the dish. It was easily the most frustrating place I’ve ever paid to be in. Our room was scruffy and mouldy. The sheets on the beds were worn and tired. The room was cold and the heating was insufficient. The mould in our toilet was absolutely unacceptable. The pool was tired and dirty. The website photos are of when it was looked after, there are tiles missing, mould and rust everywhere and just at the point where we found some peace away from the things above, in walked 10/15 new mums (not hotel guests) and their baby swimming instructor to take over the pool house. This is literally the worst place I’ve ever been. Which is a shame because the property and site is an absolute gem.

We had a lovely stay, myself, husband with our two small dogs. The reason we picked this hotel was because it was dog friendly and for the National Trust land and gardens. The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful. We had afternoon tea and also ordered the doggy afternoon tea which the dogs loved. Our room was huge, clean and we loved the decor. Breakfast was served quickly. We couldn’t fault our stay for what we paid, we will definitely be coming back in the warmer months.

Having stayed at the Moonfleet Manor on Dorset, which is also part of the LFH group we were very excited about our recent stay at the Ickworth. However I must say we were a bit disappointed. The staff are incredible and so friendly and helpful, but the hotel itself is very tired, and does not feel luxurious at all. There is also not a lot of indoor entertainment for kids which was also a let down in comparison to the Moonfleet Manor. We loved our stay, but do feel that the hotel did not feel like a 4 star stay.

Very disappointed. Lovely location, but food and service lacking. Additional £15 service charge was laughable. Feedback in detail was sent to the hotel but after several weeks and no response from them, I feel compelled to leave a public review. Many other places in the area to enjoy a far better afternoon tea.

We had a "cosy" room. We were pleasantly surprised to find that it was warm, but not small as we expected (most hotels would use "cosy" as a euphemism for tiny).

We cut our planned two nights visit short to a single one because Ickworth, despite its beautiful setting and stunning architecture, was such a disappointment. We found that it did not live up to the standard that it advertises to be. Pealing paint, mouldy bathrooms, worn and soiled carpets and a musty, damp smell summed up the buildings and the room we stayed at. The restaurant food is a throwback to Britain in the 70s; overcooked, lukewarm and bland. Aside from the astonishingly poor food, dinner was not cheap at £199 for a family of four with no extravagant dishes or wine ordered. Staff was friendly though enough.

Great hotel with friendly and helpful staff. They have a good restaurant too. Ideally located for Ickworth House and grounds. Not too far from Bury St Edmunds. Our room could do with a little attention (new curtains and bed-side lights).

Very well located hotel. Fantastic for families and couples. Very clean bathrooms and swimming pool, staff are great, very good breakfasts.

We came here for a pamper day. The staff were absolutely lovely and very friendly. The facilities are very limited. There is a pool and a treatment room, although no steam / sauna, etc. We should have paid more attention to detail when booking. We had a lovely time regardless. The pool was nice and quiet. The changing rooms were a little tired and needed some TLC and there were some small touches that would improve the area. We had 25 minute treatments, which were really good and delivered by nice staff. We had lunch, which catered for vegan / plant based needs.

We stayed over a long weekend with our two year old. I would definitely recommend the Ickworth for families looking for a little weekend away from home. The reason I am giving four stars instead of five is their food for adults needs some work. Their menu is basic, and the preparation isn't good. Through three days of dinners and breakfasts, I had an extremely overcooked burger, bland eggs, and a pretty good chicken. Since the on site restaurant is pretty much your only food option, the Ickworth really need to focus more on food preparation.

For a hotel that markets itself as a ‘luxury family hotel’, this hotel fails to deliver. The food in the restaurant is average at best and extortionately priced. Rooms are tired and the mattress was well overdue replacement, had better sleeps in cheaper chain hotels. The staff were friendly however and the grounds are beautiful, however this hotel needs a lot of improvement too really live up too its luxury tag. Disappointing

I was very excited about going for my spa day! as it was a lovely gift! Firstly ickworth house in Bury st Eds which is only 20mins away from we’re l live ! The voucher was a spa day for 2 x and a 50min treatment! Firstly as I wanted to go we’re l live they changed me an extra £38 and when we got changed and went to go poolside, it was so busy there wasn’t enough beds or relaxing chairs for people to use when you think about it it’s not good enough, as it not an everyday thing, it’s a treat which is such a shame because I wouldn’t be rushing back again! I just think the company that book these days are spoiling a great experience as there patching was far to many people there! Very disappointing

Booked a weekend luxury afternoon session for my mother in laws 70th and also booked a mini me pamper day for my daughter. I have to say I was really disappointed. I have been to Ickworth Estate many times and have loved it but unfortunately I think the afternoon was a huge waste of money and really badly advertised. Staff were lovely and very friendly but I would not say it was ‘luxurious’ and there is no spa!! You spend most of the time in the main hotel with all the other holiday guests and their children. The children’s room was a complete mess with no staff tidying it. The massage was lovely to be fair but you are just in the basement of the hotel with no signs where to go and you just get 20 mins of relaxing before your back up into the main hotel which is busy and noisy. The cream tea was ok but after 30 minutes we had to chase the food (we were one of only two tables being used) and the ‘spa’ is just a nice rectangular swimming pool open to all the guests and their children. No spa, steam room, sauna to be seen! I am amazed they can have the changing room set up as is as there is just one changing area with no door so anyone walking in can see you get undressed and although there are two shower cubicles these were always in use. Lockers had no locks so had to take all bags onto pool side and the pool was full to bursting with children so might as well have been at a leisure center!!! The mini ‘experience’ was basically a scone and half an hour in the pool… I could have taken her to Costa and the local leisure center for a third of the price!!! The Estate is really beautiful but unfortunately it certainly was not a luxury spa experience.

Worst balance of cost to value I have seen in a very long time. So run down. I didn’t know there were still shower curtains in hotels! The younger members of staff were a delight at least.

I had a very comfortable large bedroom overnight, and a good evening meal. The meeting rooms were OK, the better one is the old kitchen, in the basement. The Wi-Fi was easy to connect to with no noticeable delays. There is plenty of car parking, and my attendees appeared to be very pleased with the Ickworth. Still a good stay and meeting venue.

Had a first class massage in the Spa and lunch was excellent 👌 highly recommend the pan fried fresh cod - fabulous and staff all very professional- thank you

They made my birthday realy special. I got a lovely surprise cake with happy birthday.

We came here for a high tea and we had a really nice time. The staff were super polite and helpful. The location is fabulous, next to a National Trust garden. The high tea was tasty. All in all it was a good break and we will surely be visiting here again. Thank you 😊

Spa day was a kinder garden so check people. my experience was kids screaming sorry. I no its a family place .just I got bought a couple spa day