Having won a £200 Sawday’s voucher, we decided to visit Rye, and stay for two nights at “Jeake’s House”:https://www.jeakeshouse.com/, a five-star B&B. The house, built in the 17th century and located on the historic, cobbled Mermaid Street has 11 rooms of varying sizes.
Arriving at midday, our room was ready, apart from a vacuum of the carpet, which would be done whilst we were out. Although we’d booked a double, we were allocated the Elders Bedchamber (as opposed to the Elders Attic above us) which turned out to be a triple room with double and single beds.
The décor was a calming duck egg blue, with the walls, soft furnishings and curtains, a blend of florals and plaids. As befits a five-star, it was well equipped with a wardrobe containing robes, a dresser with tea and coffee making facilities and bottle of water, fridge and TV which we never used. The hairdryer plugged in near the mirror and there was a stool. We had two comfortable blue velvet chairs in front of an old fireplace and lighting was simple with good bedside reading lights. Complimentary chocolate mints were left on pillows and a sign said fresh milk could be provided.
The bathroom was a little narrow but had everything we needed, and although the shower over the bath looked a little lack lustre, it was surprisingly powerful with plenty of hot water. The white towels were fluffy and there were complimentary Cole and Lewis toiletries.
Breakfast times were spaced at 10-minute intervals from 8.10am to 9.50am and as we’d been the first to check in, we had the choice and plumped for the first slot on both days. This meant that we usually had breakfast virtually on our own as others appeared a little tardy for their slots.
Breakfast was a beautifully laid affair. The sideboard contained help yourself juices (grapefruit, apple and orange), cereals, a lavish array of fresh and tinned fruits and a bowl of plain yoghurt. Tables were set with blue and white china, starched white tablecloths and had saucers of butter curls and marmalade. Tea and filter coffee in a cafetiere was brought to the table along with brown or white toast (with top ups of both offered) and home-made jams or marmite on offer.
There was an extensive a la carte breakfast “menu”:https://www.jeakeshouse.com/breakfast/ (even prior to Covid) and over the two days we feasted on four dishes: a full English with bacon, sausage, fried egg, tomato and mushrooms; Rye rarebit with poached egg; smoked haddock with poached egg; and smoked salmon muffin with poached egg. All were beautifully presented with orange runny egg yolks and set whites.
We’d read the hotel operated an honesty bar but didn’t expect anything quite as impressive as the fully stocked bar with its range of optics, liqueurs on the bar, a fridge full of wine, tonics and soft drinks and an ice machine. Snacks were also available, and prices were reasonable.
Although there was a private car park nearby, it was only a six-minute walk from the train station.
The hotel is dog friendly but doesn’t favour anyone with mobility problems as stairs are steep, floors creaky and uneven and doors low.
Our room was £128 per night which included breakfast.
The house featured on the Channel 4 programme Three in a Bed which is available on catchup.
