Ivy House Country Hotel

Ivy House Country Hotel descritpion

Enjoy a tranquil Broadside setting and beautiful country gardens at this hotel hidden away at the end of a leafy driveway.
The hotel’s restaurant is located within an attractive 18th century thatched barn overlooking the gardens, where you can enjoy imaginative and freshly prepared dishes made with fine, local produce.
Rooms are individually designed, and conveniently located to access the sights of Oulton Broad. The hotel has easy and direct access to the main road.

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Facilities of Ivy House Country Hotel

Outdoors ：Grounds

Pets ：Pets are allowed. Charges may apply.

Activities ：Hiking

Food & Drink ：Breakfast in the Room | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General ：Newspapers | Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests | Heating

Reviews for Ivy House Country Hotel

Review 1：Unimaginative menu; with a couple of exceptions, waiting staff were poorly trained. Overall, expensive for what it was.

Review 2：Peaceful surroundings; room comfortable.

Review 3：Poor service at second breakfast. One guest gluten free but staff didn't know (although had been advised on booking). 4 guests and one waited for breakfast. Asked if we wanted the buffet any more and then it was all taken away while we were having breakfast! Table had to be reconfigured, although owner said previous layout would be set up for the next day. It wasn't and we had to move tables. As one of our party was in wheelchair this was not really acceptable. One bathroom had broken toilet flush and toilet noise all night as couldn't stop filling. Wheelchair guest informed me (after checkout) that he had excrement in his toilet on arrival. Had he told me this, I would have been extremely concerned and would have informed cleaning staff. Disgusting to leave room like that. Appears to be focus on 'corporate' functions to the detriment of the guest rooms. Flooding outside in courtyard made it extremely awkward to cross to main reception.

Review 4：All 3 rooms booked we close together. As it was family reunion/wedding, this was very good

Review 5：Dinner on the first night was a bit of a disappointment. "Fine Dining" piled high on too small a plate leaving no room for the vegetables. Possible reason, dinner followed a large wedding in the Crooked Barn

Review 6：The Courtyard Room was spaceous and comfortable The attitued of staff at all levels and the aim to please. The location is very good and following the early comment on dinner all the remaining meals were excellent. Took them in the bar area as the were few people in the Barn Restaurant. Bar and Restaurant meals available in the bar which at the time had more atmosphere

Review 7：The food was fantastic. The room was spacious, comfortable and had THE most amazing shower I have ever had in my life...like standing under a waterfall. Staff were all very polite and helpful. Wifi signal strong and free. Very good quality beers.

Review 8：Music at breakfast (local radio playing loud pop music). Bathroom a little tired for a luxury room.

Review 9：Lovely location right on the Broads. Excellent public areas very tastefully renovated and extended (bar, restaurant, gardens). Food very good (dinner and breakfast). Service a little patchy but generally good. Certainly trying hard.

Review 10：We were unfortunate that our decision to dine at the hotel to coincided with a dinner gathering of a large number of workmates. What is it about women en masse that makes them so noisy and unaware of their impact on others?

Review 11：Good location. Pretty gardens. Quiet. Olde Worlde look.

Review 12：Nothing really except the prices of the main courses in the restaurant were way over expected price. A shame really as then perhaps more local people would use the restaurant which was tastefully restored with extremely comfortable seating.

Review 13：The location was excellent next to the reserve and river. Quiet with lovely walks. The hospitality was friendly but not too familiar approach and very considerate.Nothing appeared too much trouble. The breakfast waiter was fabulous.

Review 14：I did NOT have a bad experience, my only comment is the lovely staff were SO young that they couldn't recommend or have any knowledge of the local area (and none was provided in room). Not there fault but some training could help?

Review 15：Lovely place to be

Review 16：Having to leave so soon

Review 17：Our feeling is , to miss quote, you got more than it said on the tin.We were made to feel welcome. The dog was made to feel welcome. We liked the privacy of our room and the door opening onto the paddock

Review 18：Shower was powerful but was too slow to drain.

Review 19：Staff very helpful. Food was good. Rooms spacious. Responsive housekeeping when I reported broken light.

Review 20：Chairs made sitting areas look like a care home. Local radio playing in bar (with adverts) Chairs wrong height for tables in bar. Food in Dining Room was poor value for money.

Review 21：Good location for dog walking.Staff very friendly and helpful.Very clean. Excellent breakfast. Quiet and peaceful gardens.

Review 22：We liked everything

Review 23：This hotel was in a fabulous location if you enjoy walking you just walk straight onto the broads . Staff were friendly and very accommodating the room was large and clean and the bar area is lovely

Review 24：we stayed 2 nights sunday and monday sunday evening we were served what seemed like reheated sunday lunch left overs ...............not good

Review 25：we stayed 2 nights sunday and monday ...mondays menu and quality of food was excellent

Review 26：poor lighting on pathway to the room as in full darkness very dangerous , also the bathroom needs updating and a nasty smell wouldnt want that room again room 12

Review 27：the size of the room was very good

Review 28：The makeshift restaurant which was just a room as there was a big function on in the hotel the same night

Review 29：It was nice to use the courtyard as we took our dog so no need to walk through hallways just open the patio door

Review 30：That you can hear the next rooms bathroom fan switching on and off throughout the night.

Review 31：The staff were really helpful and the food was great. A little expensive but well worth it.

Review 32：The extractor fan runs for 20 minutes after using the bathroom and switching off the bathroom lights, not good for getting back to sleep after using the bathroom.

Review 33：Superb spacious room. Lovely breakfast, best sausages I have had in a long while!

Review 34：We have stayed several times before,but on this occasion the meals did not seem to be up to the previous standard. Hopefully this was just a short lived problem.

Review 35：Staff were mostly keen and willing to serve. The accommodation is excellent, we stayed in an executive suite which is well worth the addittonal cost

Review 36：staff was very helpful a food vas excellent and the grounds , bedrooms ,bar and restaurant were spotlessly clean .we will go to Ivy House again in the future .

Review 37：One of the receptionist (blond lady) being short of calling me a liar about not booking our dog prior to arrival, which we did .A big temporary white marquee spoiling the peaceful settings .

Review 38：beautiful new bar/bistro, still very peaceful (new keen owner). very nice friendly forgetful staff . lovely food.Nice rooms .

Review 39：Not being able to stay longer..

Review 40：My girlfriend is vegan ..nothing on menu..but chef conjured up an amazing dish absolutely well presented and very tasty ....that's difference between employing a CHEF and a cook ...quality hotel has lovely grounds so relaxing and quiet

Review 41：Being woken up at 5-00am by my neighbour flushing the toilet causing my shower head to dispurse water from a height into the bath. Then banging doors etc, but I guess that's hotel life

Review 42：Location, service, food.

Review 43：Bathroom was a joke (have seen better in places that are 1/3 of the price) dirty sink, broken flush, door didn't shut. Shower pressure was very weak! thinnest walls of any hotel we've stayed in and we were woken both mornings at 630 by neighbouring room talking/using their very loud bathroom. Room was not very clean - dead flies and a dead beetle (we named him John) by the window. we ate in the restaurant on our first night and although the staff were great, we were rushed through despite the place being empty. whilst my food was fine, my wife had the blandest duck, which was overcooked when she asked for medium. Have never written negative review before but anniversary was very nearly ruined by this expensive disappointment.

Review 44：Young waiting staff were attentive and polite. Grounds are beautiful. good parking facilities excellent breakfast

Review 45：Water pressure in shower was poor Restaurant food was overpriced

Review 46：Room quality was excellent, spacious, comfortable Good food in the restaurant Good breakfast, food and service Beautiful location

Review 47：The cost v executive room with garden view which was nothing more than shingle and a marquee. There were a lot of bugs in the room, no safe or mini bar. Not worth the extra cost over a standard room

Review 48：The upgrade after our complaint

Review 49：Ant trap all over my bedroom and the price for a room is far too dear

Review 50：The marquee for the wedding party we attended it was lovely.

Review 51：a stunning place , lovely buildings , grounds , walks and staff ,cant fault it really

Review 52：Location, modern, great food

Review 53：Beautiful garden - even the car park was well maintained. As we parked we were greeted by a large flower bed of gorgeous dahlias.

Review 54：the carpet in the room looked a bit old and dirty looking

Review 55：i wish the hotel was closer to me so i could stay more often

Review 56：Very relaxed atmosphere and attentive staff

Review 57：Good attentive staff very good food

Review 58：Nothing

Review 59：Everything

Review 60：Nice big comfy room

Review 61：noisey doors

Review 62：very comfortable rooms and friendly staff

Review 63：Extremely friendly staff Comfortable rooms Good food Beautiful gardens

Review 64：very comfortable room with good facilities. very pleasant breakfast.

Review 65：The service and quality of food are both excellent

Review 66：Staff very friendly

Review 67：Very friendly staff

Review 68：WIthin walking distance of Oulton Broad Attentive staff Great food

Review 69：Being called at 2am by someone saying hello and thats it

Review 70：The entire experience, the staff and the facilities

Review 71：The location was perfect and the staff could not have been more helpful and always served with a smile. Fully recommend this hotel.

Review 72：It's difficult to not like anything with this hotel because everyone tries hard in the team to give guests an excellent & friendly experience. An observation would be that there needs to be a little fine tuning in the gardens/outside areas to get them and the grounds/ buildings into tip-top shape i.e. weeding in bedding areas

Review 73：Location Style of accommodation Restaurant and Bar A first class example of 'Excellent Customer Service'

Review 74：The hotel lets itself down with lots of small things that are not 'quite' right. We had bought an executive room boasting views of the garden when in fact they had erected a marquee which obliterated any potential views so all we could see were parked cars. The room had a musty smell on arrival with signs of damp on one wall. There was a fairly loud intermittent humming sound at all hours of the day and night coming from what I'm guessing was a pump in the cleaners store next door. In the morning the cleaners had just left their trolley parked outside of our room. The garden needs a little love as it looks a little unkempt. Small touches in the room would help, one example being that the cleaner had removed a tissue from our tissue box to arrange it 'prettily' - only thing is they didn't notice it was the only tissue in the box! Overall, a pleasant enough stay but falling short of what I have come to expect for £170 per night.

Review 75：Restaurant and food

Review 76：My room was a bit dark and gloomy.

Review 77：The hotel is down the end of a private road and is set is lovely gardens. My room was quite big as was the bathroom and both were very clean. The staff were polite and cheerful.

Review 78：The only problem we had was that the heating wasn't working in our room on what was a cold night, and there was no hot water in the morning. Although the hotel let us use another room for showering in the morning, it was disappointing that we had complained the night before about the lack of heating and it was only the next morning they realised the boiler had been switched off for our rooms. This was the only thing that spoilt what was an otherwise excellent stay, and for the money we would have expected a bit better.

Review 79：Excellent staff and service Food was good Location excellent Rooms were comfortable apart from unfortunate lack of heat and hot water (see below)

Review 80：It was a bit disappointing that we gad to report several defects in the room when we arrived, particularly when it was their most expensive suite

Review 81：The location, and amenities were very good indeed. The staff were friendly and most helpful, particularly when a couple of things needed repairing in the room when we arrived. The menu in the restaurant was excellent as was the food, which was very well presented.

Review 82：Not enough light in the bedroom (same as most hotels!). Needs an anglepoise or similar so that a businessman can read documents easily. Mood lighting is not necessary.

Review 83：The Barn is beautiful, and the new bar very comfortable.

Review 84：Id like to be able get ice and bring it to my room. Id like to be able to arrange a little earlier check in time as I fly from the US eg 1pm. The wi fi didn't appear to support downloading a video on to a kindle.

Review 85：The new bar and the view of the duck pond. It gives us the option of a more relaxed place to eat. The staff made me feel welcome,were helpful and pleasant. The food is interesting and MSG free.

Review 86：The only grumble I can comment on is the mattress was not that comfortable on one side of our bed it felt as though you were sleeping on a slope so I put my husband on that side the second night. Also the mattress on our sons bed could have been better quality as it was rather thin you could feel the slatts underneath, there was a spare double duvet in the wardrobe so we put this between the mattress and the slatts which made it a lot better. There was also stain on the carpet which looked as though the previous guest had dropped the coffee pot, the maids had tried to clean this up as the carpet was damp when we arrived.

Review 87：We had a lovely relaxing long weekend break at Ivy House Hotel... the hotel is situated in a fantastic peaceful setting backing onto the Oulton Broads, there are plenty of seats around the grounds to sit and relax in if you are lucky enough to have fantastic weather as we did... There is a gate near the summerhouse within the grounds taking you about a ten minute walk to a couple of pubs -the wherry is well worth a visit - fantastic setting overlooking the boats. The staff at the hotel were all very friendly and helpful, we checked into our room early as the room was ready.The staff were chatty and helpful with information on places to visit in the surrounding areas.Great breakfast all cooked to order and plenty of choice well done to the chef. We stayed in a courtyard room with our teenage son the room was spacious with a lovely large bathroom. The maids serviced the room daily clean bedding, fluffy towels & plenty of toiletries. They stocked up our tea tray and even left lovely homemade biscuites which our son thought were fantastic. We found Ivy house a great base we visited Lowestoft, Beccles, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston on Sea and SouthWold which was fantastic could have spent longer here as we would have liked to have done the Lighthouse (climb to the top) but we ran out of time, we would also have liked to have done the Waveney River Tour from Oulton Broad which was just a few minutes drive from the hotel if we had been there a little longer. Hope to return one day!!

Review 88：I have put down fair for value for money but upon reflection £140 a night b & b is a bit expensive Evening meal was O.K. but being charged £1.50 for bread seemed a bit petty

Review 89：Location being walking distance from the river Grounds- plenty of green space and quiet Restaurant barn building - very attractive Lady at breakfast was friendly and welcoming Comfortable room

Review 90：Driveway very dusty and entrance not signed very well. Gardens need attention but understand that new owners have only just taken over so perhaps this is in their upgrade plan.

Review 91：The room and bathroom was very spacious, lovely fluffy towels and homemade biscuits on the welcoming tray. Good cooked breakfast with plenty of choice. Staff very helpful and friendly. Lovely walks to the broads.

Review 92：Evening menu a little pricey - but you'd have to travel to eat anywhere - but well cooked and delicious.

Review 93：A quiet retreat beside the Broads in a lovely garden setting, with ponds and wildlife, down a long private drive. Large comfortable room (although bed rather hard) and good restaurant. I'll come back!

Review 94：there was a wedding reception on the second night of our stay - which was not a problem. However, it just meant that we couldn't eat in the Crooked Barn. An alternative room was made available and the food was just as superb but it was like a make shift room - emptied of furniture and lacking in atmosphere but this is being highly critical of course - we could not fault our stay otherwise and had a fabulous short break

Review 95：we liked it all and the lovely walk to the broads as well as the grounds. It was all very lovely and our room was spacious and comfortable.

Review 96：Hotel seemed a bit tired and in need of TLC. Had to eat in garden room on Saturday evening bur were not told until we arrived(No atmosphere at all) and could not eat until late even though we booked for 7pm over phone. Menu and food ok but needed a bit more about it considering the reviews have had much better elsewhere. Would not return as there are much better at other hotels. Ivy House needs to make more effort to meet standards of a good hotel.

Review 97：Location very quiet and restaurant very good

Review 98：Stoney, dusty drive, car was filthy after a week. No aircon. No fridge. A lot of insects, so needed better cleaning. I could have had a cruise with food included for the same cost of the weekly accomodation here. Ought to offer evening meal concessions for hotel guests. Expensive to stay for other than a couple of nights although I knew before I went what I was expected to pay.

Review 99：Free 5mb wifi. Massive bed and good sized room. Exceptional food and Chef Martin is brilliant. Very friendly and helpful staff. Very peaceful and quiet. Pleasant gardens. Great location and access to Oulton Broad.

Review 100：The soft furnishings could do with an update. They are immaculate but they do not do the hotel justice

Review 101：Location. The grounds and gardens are the biggest asset Friendly staff Perfect location Good wifi

Review 102：Restaurant, waited 10 minutes to get a menu. No butter with expensiveportion of bread. Waitress spilled wine on table . No fish knife withtrout meal. Very poor coffee ( weak ). Desert was not as described.Raspberry cheese cake. Arrived as plain cheese cake with one raspberryand 3 strawberries. Breakfast . We're we're not shown orexplained how the buffet worked. Room was very expensive for what itwas. Driveway very dusty, just had car washed

Review 103：Gardens nice. Dog friendly, setting generally good

Review 104：Thought price of evening dining menu was well overpriced, with fish& chips £17.00.

Review 105：A great setting, well kept gardens. Staff very friendly,good breakfast.would return for the relaxation, but not for Lowestoft itself very run down dingy.

Review 106：Beautiful grounds and access to scenic walks from the hotel grounds. Very friendly and helpful staff. Comfortable beds and clean, well-equipped rooms.

Review 107：TV in room much too small - wi fi and telephone signal access intermittent and unreliable. Would have liked to see a snack menu choice for evening and lighter meals and perhaps some local fish.

Review 108：I have stayed before and returned now three or four times on business. Beautiful grounds and hotel location for Lowestoft ironically is much better than staying in Lowestoft itself. Staff are attentive and friendly. Cooked breakfasts are very good.Room decor has not changed significantly over 10 years from what I remember although bathroom appears to have been upgraded since I was last here in 2010.

Review 109：there was nothing to not like.

Review 110：the location was excellent, a quiet place to relax, unwind and de-stress from everyday life. Our room was very comfortable and clean.

Review 111：Could have had more toiletries - only one set for 2 sharing. No bar facilities/area

Review 112：Staff were brilliant, really friendly and couldn't do enough Wonderful setting/environment Great quality breakfast

Review 113：Room 1. Impractical design of items in the bathroom - sink off centre of very small basic mirror which was mostly steamed up despite the noisy but inefficient extractor fan)

Review 114：Location - courtyard layout - very attractive dinning room/restaurant facility

Review 115：The restaurant was expensive and so the background pop music was inappropriate. We didn't order a starter but weren't given any bread or anything - we just had to sit and wait for our main course.

Review 116：The room was spacious and we appreciated the toiletries and bathrobes. The bed was large and comfortable. The surroundings were tranquil.

Review 117：Staff are so friendly and kind. Felt really at home. Rooms are very comfortable and quiet. Lovely setting for walks . Food is of a very high standard.

Review 118：Having to leave... Would quite happily have spent more time there.

Review 119：The whole experience. The staff. The food. The room. The surrounding gardens. The service is of a high grade.

Review 120：Vinegar used to clean bathrooms, which meant the whole room stank. Shower was broken but fixed, no water or robes in room and then found a hair in my breakfast.

Review 121：Food was good, however not very consistent. (Ate there on both evenings),staff friendly. The bed was very comfortable.

Review 122：Poor quality of towels. Heating not on overnight and radiator in room needed bleeding.

Review 123：Nice Secluded Location with great walks through grounds to Oulton Broad. Great breakfast, amazing vaulted barn roof in dining room. Very helpful with last minute booking

Review 124：Nothing to dislike

Review 125：Quiet,luxurious,friendly staff,excellent food,large and comfortable very clean room,nice views. RECOMMENDED. Would stay here again.

Review 126：Food was slightly pricey, but the quality did match it!

Review 127：Service, size and cleanliness of rooms, beautiful décor (especially inrestaurant), feeling of relaxation and detachment from real world!

Review 128：For dinner I ordered lamb shank, Ive never eaten it will pui lentilsbefore, and never will again. Ive never had garlic carrots either - astrange dinner combo. It wasnt badly cooked, just not to my taste.

Review 129：The crooked barn restaurant is a lovely setting. I stayed in one of thechalets, very warm, clean and a huge room.

Review 130：WIFI access didn't seem to extend to the rooms but worked fine in the restaurant.

Review 131：Excellent room - much bigger than your average hotel room with direct access to a small patio area outside. Great food in the restaurant at dinner and breakfast and welcoming and friendly staff.