The White Lion Hotel | A beautiful coastal retreat in Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Famed for its shingle beach as much as it is for its traditional fish and chips, Aldeburgh is one of the most popular seaside towns in Suffolk. There is something about this delightful little town that always draws visitors back. And for those seeking fresh sea air and a comfortable retreat to rest and relax, there is no better place than the White Lion hotel which is situated on the seafront, opposite the shingle beach.
The hotel offers a warm and friendly ambience and has two types of rooms - Inland rooms and Seaview rooms. The 'Inland' rooms do not benefit from the sea views but are cosy and well furnished. The 'Seaview' rooms (Standard and Superior) are sea facing bedrooms furnished to a high standard and with far reaching views of the sea.
We stayed in one of the Superior Seaview rooms (Room no 14) and it was fabulous with a fantastic bathroom including a bath and separate large shower. The room was well furnished with a king-sized bed, crisp white linens and had all the mod cons one would expect from such a hotel room. Tea and coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi, TV (with Sky channels), iron and ironing board, hairdryer and complimentary bottles of water were provided. There was a lovely view of the sea from the room and two chairs positioned near the windows meant we could enjoy the beautiful views in comfort for as long as we wanted.
We had a wonderful nights sleep and didn't hear any noise even taking into consideration the fact that our room was facing the road in front of the hotel which can sometimes be incredibly busy.
The bathroom was spotlessly clean with a large shower area and a lovely, big bath. Bathrobes and complimentary toiletries from Baroque were provided.
One of the highlights of our stay in Aldeburgh was the food. White Lion's Sea Spice restaurant serves up a feast of Indian cuisine from Goan inspired seafood dishes to tandoori grilled meats and an amazing selection of fragrant vegetarian curries. The menu was modern combining coastal Suffolk produce with exotic Indian cooking and with a strong focus on authentic Indian flavours. You can read more about our Sea Spice experience here.
Breakfast the next day was in the Brasserie Bleue restaurant. The restaurant serves both continental and traditional breakfast menus and the service was faultless.
Whatever the season, there are always so many things to see and do in Aldeburgh. Aldeburgh and the surrounding areas offer a number of activities centred around nature. You can explore the beach - from the Scallop in the north end to the Martello Tower in the south. You can also walk along the Sailor's Path to Snape while enjoying the beautiful countryside. Thorpeness, another small and quirky village is very close to Aldeburgh (around 2-3 miles). You can head down to the Meare (a huge boating area with islands) and hire a sailboat or kayak to explore the large water body. For avid birdwatchers, a visit to RSPB Minsmere would be perfect.
The small town of Aldeburgh itself has lots to offer - exclusive boutiques and antique shops, Aldeburgh Museum (one of Aldeburgh's most iconic buildings), Aldeburgh Cinema (which has been screening films continuously since 1919), The Red House (home to Benjamin Britten and the place where he wrote many of his famous works) and Aldeburgh River Trips (departing from Slaughden Quay).
If you are looking for a traditional coastal holiday in Suffolk then the White Lion in Aldeburgh is a very good pick. The atmosphere at the White Lion is personal and serene and whether you are love-struck honeymooners, nature lovers out to explore or a youthful family with kids, you will discover the hotel appropriate for your needs.
A one night stay at The White Lion (B&B for two sharing) ranges from £115 to £191 for inland facing rooms and from £140 to £216 for Seaview rooms. The prices for Superior sea view rooms (like the one we stayed in) ranges from £165 to £241. The White Lion also offer special packages that you can check on their website.
The White Lion Hotel | Market Cross Pl, Aldeburgh, IP15 5BJ
Telephone | 01728 452720
- The sea facing rooms have the best views. However, do check while booking if the room is easily accessible as there are quite a lot of stairs to reach certain rooms. We did not have an issue but it could be a problem for those with reduced mobility.
- If you plan to dine in Brasserie Bleue or Sea Spice during your stay in Aldeburgh, then it is advisable to book in advance as both the restaurants can be very busy.
- There is a small car park to the rear of the hotel and free parking on the seafront opposite the hotel. The reception team are always ready to help should you have any issues finding parking spots.
We were hosted by the White Lion hotel in exchange for the review. All opinions, however, as always, are genuine and solely our own.
The hotel offers a warm and friendly ambience and has two types of rooms - Inland rooms and Seaview rooms. The 'Inland' rooms do not benefit from the sea views but are cosy and well furnished. The 'Seaview' rooms (Standard and Superior) are sea facing bedrooms furnished to a high standard and with far reaching views of the sea.
Our Room
We stayed in one of the Superior Seaview rooms (Room no 14) and it was fabulous with a fantastic bathroom including a bath and separate large shower. The room was well furnished with a king-sized bed, crisp white linens and had all the mod cons one would expect from such a hotel room. Tea and coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi, TV (with Sky channels), iron and ironing board, hairdryer and complimentary bottles of water were provided. There was a lovely view of the sea from the room and two chairs positioned near the windows meant we could enjoy the beautiful views in comfort for as long as we wanted.
The bathroom was spotlessly clean with a large shower area and a lovely, big bath. Bathrobes and complimentary toiletries from Baroque were provided.
Dining
One of the highlights of our stay in Aldeburgh was the food. White Lion's Sea Spice restaurant serves up a feast of Indian cuisine from Goan inspired seafood dishes to tandoori grilled meats and an amazing selection of fragrant vegetarian curries. The menu was modern combining coastal Suffolk produce with exotic Indian cooking and with a strong focus on authentic Indian flavours. You can read more about our Sea Spice experience here.
Breakfast the next day was in the Brasserie Bleue restaurant. The restaurant serves both continental and traditional breakfast menus and the service was faultless.
What's nearby
Whatever the season, there are always so many things to see and do in Aldeburgh. Aldeburgh and the surrounding areas offer a number of activities centred around nature. You can explore the beach - from the Scallop in the north end to the Martello Tower in the south. You can also walk along the Sailor's Path to Snape while enjoying the beautiful countryside. Thorpeness, another small and quirky village is very close to Aldeburgh (around 2-3 miles). You can head down to the Meare (a huge boating area with islands) and hire a sailboat or kayak to explore the large water body. For avid birdwatchers, a visit to RSPB Minsmere would be perfect.
The small town of Aldeburgh itself has lots to offer - exclusive boutiques and antique shops, Aldeburgh Museum (one of Aldeburgh's most iconic buildings), Aldeburgh Cinema (which has been screening films continuously since 1919), The Red House (home to Benjamin Britten and the place where he wrote many of his famous works) and Aldeburgh River Trips (departing from Slaughden Quay).
Book your holiday
If you are looking for a traditional coastal holiday in Suffolk then the White Lion in Aldeburgh is a very good pick. The atmosphere at the White Lion is personal and serene and whether you are love-struck honeymooners, nature lovers out to explore or a youthful family with kids, you will discover the hotel appropriate for your needs.
A one night stay at The White Lion (B&B for two sharing) ranges from £115 to £191 for inland facing rooms and from £140 to £216 for Seaview rooms. The prices for Superior sea view rooms (like the one we stayed in) ranges from £165 to £241. The White Lion also offer special packages that you can check on their website.
The White Lion Hotel | Market Cross Pl, Aldeburgh, IP15 5BJ
Telephone | 01728 452720
Tips
- The sea facing rooms have the best views. However, do check while booking if the room is easily accessible as there are quite a lot of stairs to reach certain rooms. We did not have an issue but it could be a problem for those with reduced mobility.
- If you plan to dine in Brasserie Bleue or Sea Spice during your stay in Aldeburgh, then it is advisable to book in advance as both the restaurants can be very busy.
- There is a small car park to the rear of the hotel and free parking on the seafront opposite the hotel. The reception team are always ready to help should you have any issues finding parking spots.
This looks like a lovely place
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a beautiful little town. So unique and quirky. This may well now be on my bucket list! Wonderful to read x
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoy shingle beaches, then Aldeburgh has one of the best.
DeleteThat looks gorgeous. I love all the decor, and the idea of serving Indian cuisine; that fits perfectly with the theme. Lovely review and beautiful photos, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe White Lion Hotel looks great on the outside and especially on the inside.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this blog post! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
ReplyDeleteSuch a quaint little town! I'd love to escape here for a writing retreat.
ReplyDeleteAmazing bathroom and bath
ReplyDeleteThis hotel seems amazing and very cozy! Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteA good base for exploring Suffolk. And I would recommend their Sea Spice restaurant - awesome food and service.
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