Reviewed: Satis House hotel, Yoxford, Suffolk
Travelling with a toddler isn’t necessarily the drama it’s sometimes made out to be but it does require a certain amount of planning. So I usually find myself deliberating over various choices before booking, especially when it comes to accommodation.
What I don’t normally find myself doing is letting someone else decide for me – even my lovely mother-in-law.
But with my brother-in-law’s wedding in Suffolk last weekend, she took on the operation of organising somewhere for all the family to stay with military precision. Which is how we found ourselves at Satis House.
For more ideas of the best things to do in Suffolk with kids, check out my top picks
The name, from Great Expectations, promises that ‘whoever stays in the house could wish for nothing more’. Quite a boast. So how did it measure up?
Satis House Hotel: The good
Our room
Our room, Walberswick (also known as the Garden Room) was perfect. Lots of space with a big double bed, a huge bathroom with claw-foot bath, fresh milk and free water in the mini fridge along with wine and chocolate and recently decorated, based on the difference in the photos on the site.
Our possessions got strewn around so quickly, I barely took a single photo that’s suitable for public consumption…
A family-friendly atmosphere
Albeit with a few restrictions. The hotel is very clear that there are only two rooms suitable for families, ours and The Orangery, both of which are slightly separated from the main hotel to stop any noise disrupting other guests.
Perfect if you’ve got a baby or energetic child, and still only about 30 seconds walk (at toddler pace). There was a cot set up, high chairs and mini portions of scrambled eggs whipped up at Minnie’s request (demand).
The garden
Walled off from the driveway, there are seats where you can eat outside or relax with a drink, as well as apple trees, gorgeous flowers and just the right amount of space for a toddler to explore.
As our room opened onto it, Minnie asked to go out first thing every morning, before I could even get her out of her pyjamas.
The food
Gorgeous and some lovely unusual touches like my crab martini with guacamole, or eggs royale at breakfast. They even amended a few dishes and created one especially to meet various dietary requirements.
Children are welcome to dinner between 6.30 and 8pm, and the staff also happily transferred a meal outside for my nephew.
The rabbits
You’ve got to be quiet and persistent to spot them, which ruled out Minnie, but they do hop around the lawns if you keep your eyes open.
Satis House Hotel: The not always so good
A mix of rooms
Ours was wonderful. Some of the others aren’t quite so fabulous. The attic room, for example, is up some very narrow steep stairs, with low eaves and a malfunctioning shower (on our visit, at least).
Others have four-poster beds with antique bathrooms, as well as DVD players and WiFi so book carefully.
The service
Mostly fantastic, including helping to arrange a birthday surprise in the garden while juggling two separate wedding parties – only let down by a few slightly curt moments from one or two of the staff.
Satis House Hotel: Need to know
Rooms start from £140 per night for ‘good’ room on Sunday-Thursday. The hotel, an 18th Century Georgian country house is in Yoxford, just outside Saxmundham and near Southwold and the nature reserves of Minsmere, as well as Ipswich and Lowestoft.
For more ideas of family attractions in the area, check out my things to do in Aldeburgh with kids
Images copyright MummyTravels
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