Mermaid Inn

The staff are lovely and very helpful & welcoming. The terrace bar is delightful and the character of the hotel is charming. The room was a bit small but had lots of period details, especially the four post bed. We've been to the Mermaid before and knew what to expect (including the parking arrangements). However, if you're not familiar with the hotel it's an historic site which one visits for the experience rather than just another identical branch of a chain. If you're not in the mood to embrace its unique character, wonky floors and old world service, find somewhere else to stay.

You don't go to the Mermaid expecting the same levels of convenience you get from a modern hotel, creaking floors (& ceilings) are priced in. However, the shower was particularly weak in this room and there was (unfortunately) scaffolding outside our window (which as a shame, as we had a lovely view of the street). The breakfast is a sedate ritual straight out of the 1950s (which I happen to love) ... except for the coffee - please invest in some individual cafetieres.

Central location, and I managed to get a space in the small car park. Porters were very helpful in getting my luggage to and from my room. Room was quiet, a good size with comfortable armchairs, plenty of hot water for showers, bed was comfortable and I slept superbly well. The room was very clean. I ate in the bar in the evenings of my 2-night stay, very good food at reasonable prices, good service, didn’t have to wait long for the food to arrive. Lovely breakfast included in the room rate. I try and have a short stay here every year and am already looking forward to next year!

Only very small niggle is the rather chaotic breakfast service, allow plenty of time if you’re going out for the day!

This hotel is exceptional. Couldn't find fault with anything. It's in a beautiful location and is quite the most stunning building I've ever stayed in. The room was fantastic, tastefully decorated and in keeping with the reat of the hotel. The bed was comfy and we slept really well. The breakfast was lovely with a great choice available. By far the greatest asset of the Mermaid is the wonderful staff. They were brilliant, helpful, professional, and lovely. They couldn't do enough for you and were incredibly polite without exception. Thank you to each of you for making the stay perfect.

The hotel was absolutely amazing. Lovely atmosphere. So happy we came to stay.

The pillows were very hard. I understand it depends on what you like, may have been nice to have a soft and a hard one. The dusting in our room was very poor, thick dust on picture frames and on the wooden trusts in room above bed, we cleaned them as didnt fancy sleeping with that above us. Also found a large finger nail on the dressing table. Ordered room service continental breakfast and didnt get sugar or milk, butter or cutlery so had to ask them to bring up. Perhaps dont offer it if its too awkward.

This was my second stay at the Mermaid Inn. It is located in the heart of Rye and near to the high street as well as the bus and rail stations. The hotel is truly unique and the rooms are unique too, but watch your head as the ceilings can be a bit low in places if tall!. The weather was changeable during my stay but the bar was open from noon which also serves food, along with the restaurant, at lunch and there are two further nice lounges to sit in. The hotel’s cleanliness is exceptional and all staff are very friendly and willing to help.

Maybe slightly more choice at breakfast.

This stay was the main part of my holiday. I was upgraded (due to an error made) and everything went smoothly after that. The morning staff was exceptionally helpful when I discovered that the trains were on strike. I had to get to Canterbury and it looked like I wasn't going to make it. I cannot express enough gratitude to the one lady in particular (blonde hair, I believe) who helped me out so much with this predicament. She was so concerned about my situation and she spent a lot of time finding me an alternative route by bus. THANK YOU!!!!!! This is the kind of staff member all hotels should have. She was caring and compassionate and figured out my problem herself. It took a huge weight off of my shoulders and I wish I could have given her a big hug. I did write to let them know I had arrived safely and they were glad to hear that and wished me well. Everything about The Mermaid Inn was spectacular. Just loved the place! The lounges were stunning. The staff at the bar was wonderful. All of the staff members at the inn were very friendly. I appreciated the tour of the cellars. Can't say enough good things about this place.

Nothing not to like except for the strange "shushing" noise coming from near the bookcase and fire escape in my room in the middle of the night. I snuggled under the covers and pretended I didn't hear anything.

We loved our 2 night stay at the Mermaid. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. Amazing food in the restaurant. Very comfortable bar area with a great choice of food if you don't want to dine in the restaurant. Getting a car park on site was terrific. The rooms are very quirky and full of history right down to the creeking floor boards which all add to the overall experience.

The bathroom was incredibly small, which was expected, but we would have preferred a standing shower rather than having to sit in the bath. Something that we hadn't thought of when booking. Otherwise we loved everything else.

Breakfast was very good. We really liked the use of proper linen! We had evening meals in one of the sitting rooms which was very good. The room was clean and well presented, the biscuits and bottles of water a bonus. The central location is ideal.

The synthetic duvet meant that we spent one night baking then freezing as we kicked it off and then had to pull it back on. The second night we removed the duvet from the cover and slept under the cover which was fine. (Please get some natural fabric duvets). The water pressure in our top floor room was so low the bath water was cold by the time the bath was remotely full. Not a real problem for two days, but not good for longer. The car park is a nightmare, which I am sure you know.

This is definitely one of the most picturesque inns we have ever stayed in, with wobbly creaking corridors and tons of character. The room was small but comfortable, though quite warm without ac. (It was in the mid 80's while we were in Rye). The pancakes at breakfast were especially a standout, as was the fantastic vegetarian dinner - even though we are not vegetarians. The car park was quite crowded, but we got a space. The bar was packed with people, the perfect place for an afternoon or evening drink. While a bit pricey, the Mermaid Inn certainly lives up to its reputation!

Service was great, both restaurant and reception. Dinner was good and a whole rack of lamb was served for two which we could not finish. Breakfast was enjoyable and it was so nice to have fresh fruit included. The history associated with the Mermaid is also a good talking point. The location was ideal.

Due to its age, the hotel is a rabbit warren. My husband was not feeling well and got panicky as he got lost going back to the room ( rooms were not in sequential numerical order) so it would have been useful to have a copy of the room map on the landings or at the foot of each staircase. I think the rooms were signposted by name but the keys are numbered and it was the room number we remembered.