Breakfast was excellent although the avocado on toast was disappointing (ready-made out of a tub I think rather than fresh avocado), and the fish and chips also very good. The staff couldn't have been more helpful (special mention for Stuart). The first floor room was comfortable with a view over the marshes, lovely Egyptian cotton sheets and towels, and we could adjust the heating and open the window which was great too. The shampoo, conditioner etc was available but not in a mass of single use plastic individual containers encouraging plastic waste - also good and much appreciated. It is also a dog-friendly place and although we didn't have a dog with us, it was good to feel that they were welcome. The bar had a good range of drinks although the advertised Negroni special cocktail was not available. Overall we had a very nice stay.

We had a happy stay but there were a few things, mainly that the 'pub' had lost its feel as a pub with rooms, more a hotel with a secondary function as a bar. It felt like the hotel aspect dominated and in the one bar, the tables were laid up for breakfast by 9pm so it felt as though there was nowhere to relax apart from in our room, no lounge and yet no bar we could sit in. The staff were great but it felt a lot of the time as though we were too aware of the functioning of the hotel rather than being guest with priority. I think the Ship is a bit too small to be a hotel. The reception desk is intrusive in the space, with a garish tablet screen facing the stairs and a cramped feel on entering along the passage and up and down the stairs, and some of the room occupied by staff on laptops or other hotel tasks. I appreciate that it is not a peak time of year but it felt, at times, a bit like when you go into supermarket late at night and the shelf-stackers and cleaners outnumber the shoppers so there are stackers everywhere. This isn't a criticism of the staff - I think Chestnut chain need to rethink their operations there a bit. We didn't get the same feel in the nearby Westleton Crown where we went to eat on the second night which had more space, though even there all the chairs were stacked on tables in the large bar by 8.30pm. I didn't like the breakfast avocado!

Room was delightful! Spotlessly clean bedroom and bathroom. Excellent tea & coffee facilities. Dinner was very good, as was the delicious breakfast - good quality (local) ingredients. Staff were super-friendly and helpful. Location was fantastic with the beach and lovely walks across the heath on the doorstep.

Got a couple of messages encouraging me to check in online. Did try a couple of times but the link didn’t work. Maybe stop this automated message if it was a ‘covid thing’ - or repair the link. No trouble at all checking in in person.

Everything

Interesting history to the Lovely location, food was drink was great and very quiet.

The weather

Lovely clean linen, beautiful large bed with wonderfully soft mattress and pillows Great choice of breakfast

Window blinds let in too much light

the staff, building, room

unfortunately it was for a special occasion and my partners meal had to be sent back as it had been warmed up and over cooked. it was such a shame as wanted stay to be perfect. everything else was great

Great bathroom and breakfast offering.

Staff could have been friendlier/more welcoming. Room lacked privacy as looked in on from beer garden/patio and was a touch on small side.

We really enjoyed our stay at The Ship. It’s such a nice friendly pub. We really enjoyed our evening meal and cooked breakfast. The staff were very friendly and the pub is in a great location by the beach.

our “small room” was really very small! It could do with some more plug sockets as we struggled to charge our phone. We didn’t realise that there wasn’t a shower just a shower hose in the bathroom.