Whenever I am in Oulton Broad/Lowestoft I stay at the Ivy, and have done so for a number of years. The location next to the Broads is restful, the rooms are excellent. and the staff are super friendly. Generally, I don't eat in Hotel restaurants, but I make an exception at the Ivy. Having the same menu in either a formal dining, or a relaxed dining area is awesome. The food has always been good, I've met the chef (Owner) and he produces good food every time.

One thing. I thought I had booked a courtyard room (ie ground floor). I got a farmhouse room (upstairs). I was travelling for a month, and don't travel light. Lugging a heavy suitcase upstairs at 74 years is taxing. Next time I will specify ground floor room as I will be travelling with my wife, which means two heavy suitcases.

The staff were all so lovely and welcoming, you felt like they were genuinely happy to see you. The grounds are stunning and although in a rural location it's just a short walk from the station so accessible by public transport. The barn is a beautiful dinner location and we enjoyed the food, very generous portions and tasty and good value! Huge rooms, nice, bright and clean. A pleasant walk to Oulton Broad and the Carlton Marshes nature reserve, the paths were trainer friendly so you can make the most of your country retreat without too much kit!

The room furnishings were a touch out dated but had everything you needed and honestly we didn't spend much time in the room as the grounds were so lovely!Given you have to go outside to get from your room to the shared areas it would have been handy to have some umbrellas available in the bar and your room to protect from the rain.

Grounds and location, breakfast in light and airy restaurant with amazing outlook. Staff all very helpful. Breakfast was well presented and plenty of food.

Could do with more staff at breakfast had to keep asking for table items not put out and items to be topped up in self service breakfast. For one waitress to be taking breakfast orders, bringing out food and relaying tables and top up self service is not always possible and hence hot cooked breakfast got cold waiting for cutlery not set.

Every member of staff was brilliant. A business or property are nothing. It's the people who make a business. The staff here were exceptionally friendly, cheerful and professional, they are 10 out of 10.

Nothing really except the pictures in the bedroom were uninspiring, They need replacing with something brighter?

The hotel is lovely, excellent food, staff are very friendly and accommodating. Room was clean, if a little dated, but comfortable.

Lowestoft isn't somewhere I need to visit again.

The breakfast was excellent Plenty of choice and the staff more than willing to customise the choice.My dog was also welcomed at all meals and provided with treats and water, and the staff were great with him. The hotel grounds were lovely and we enjoyed exploring the gardens on our walks. The room was fantastic and very relaxing and very comfortable.

The hairdryer provided! I forgot to take my own.

Beautiful setting, food lovely, staff lovely, bed comfortable

The room I stayed in very dated and could do with a refurbishment. Noise of chain flushing from room above. Could hear people talking and walking about in room above so not very soundproof.

Location, food & service great. Reception staff very efficient. Size of room & bathroom great

Cobwebs & spider on beams in bedroom. Room a little tired looking in places. Unfortunate early fire alarm call at 6.45am!

Food excellent in general good quality & nicely cooked

Lacked some little touches one has got to expect : No bread roll with dinner No small biscuit / chocolate with coffee Breakfast orange juice very poor

loved the location, suite & fantastic breakfast & dinner

Football presentation going on all afternoon & evening. Difficult to relax when groups of kids & young adults tearing round the place, shouting, swearing & generally getting up to mischief. A couple of kids around 10 years old destroyed a tree stump causing loads of work for the gardener the next day (where were the parents?)