The Star at Alfriston

A perfect 50th birthday retreat at The Star in Alfriston was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the front desk team was incredibly friendly and welcoming, setting a warm tone for our entire stay. The hotel itself perfectly balances a vibe that is both understated and effortlessly elegant. I was deeply touched by the little birthday surprises the staff provided, which went a long way in making me feel incredibly special on my milestone birthday. The room featured high-quality furnishings with thoughtfully curated design touches that made it feel like a luxurious home away from home. We loved relaxing on the lovely sofa around the coffee table, flipping through the quirky books provided in the room. It is a relief to stay somewhere where everything just works very well—the shower is wonderfully strong, and we looked forward to the thoughtful daily replenishment of our coffee tray with delicious homemade biscuits (with fresh milk readily available on request). The beautiful courtyard serves as an idyllic, atmospheric backdrop for dining, whether you are sitting down for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. What truly elevated the meals, however, was the restaurant team, who were consistently friendly, calm, and kind. The food was fantastic across the board. For breakfast, there were great quality choices, featuring excellent coffee, perfectly toasted quality sourdough, and freshly squeezed orange juice. For dinner, the menu offered wonderful, well-executed options; my scallop starter was delicious, followed by a beautifully cooked chicken with polenta, and my husband thoroughly enjoyed his incredibly tasty zucchini flower risotto. Practically speaking, the hotel's car park is incredibly convenient, making arrival and departure a breeze. But the true charm lies in the village of Alfriston itself. During our visit, Alfriston Pride was taking place, and seeing a Pride poster in every single shop window was genuinely heartwarming. As LGBTQ+ people, this incredibly inclusive and supportive atmosphere made us feel truly welcome and completely at ease in the community. The Star offers a flawless blend of beautiful design, fantastic food, and genuine hospitality. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a welcoming weekend escape, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Car park was a little like a penitentiary with slow moving electric gate requiring reception to let you in. Meals were very good, same price as other local establishments. Service could not be faulted. Bedroom exceedingly hot so sleep very difficult to come by. Tower fan not very effective and with a mind of its own and no instructions how to operate. View from Juliet balcony of the car park. Bathroom compact but nicely done though instructions on shower controls very difficult to read as faint grey writing against stainless steel. Bathroom exhaust only worked intermittently though we complained twice. Tea facilities fancy but short on basics like white sugar and English Breakfast tea. Milk delivered to room [because no fridge to keep fresh] THE MOST DISAPPOINTING THING - the interior design. No theme. Blue stripped wallpaper lovely though crease observed. The headboard hideous with clean strip in middle and both sides looking distinctly grubby. Bed cover orange pattern. Bedside stool covers a blue pattern. Blue Willow pattern plates on wall with a bright red frame. Mirrors had a green surround. Round table a faux antique beaten metal. Drawers in a very modern metal frame. Dimming light controls a fancy push button design with a very slow response time between turning on and illumination. No fridge. No lift. No menu in bedroom. Pressure to dine on site. Open courtyard a great success. Toilets a difficult find identified by a mysterious M F. Dining room interior design very nice. An expensive room rate £330 but not worth it and would not go again. Similar rooms available much cheaper in Alfriston. Though if you like reading there were 8 books in our room and dozens more at the top of the stairs. Dining and service very good but 12.5% service charge [discretionary] added to bill.

Lovely hotel with friendly, efficient and happy staff. We had a Star Junior Suite (room 30) which overlooked Star Lane. Double sinks, bath, separate shower. Lovely furnishings and decor. We ate at the hotel both nights of our stay. The staff and food were good.