Best Western Cedars Hotel

Formerly a fairly regular user of the cedars restaurant over the years, nothing super special, but normally good food, reasonable if sometimes erratic service. Recently became a Best western, revised menu, thought we would revisit. Pre-booked a table. Arrived, advised we had a table reserved, had our name listed but did not appear to know where to put us, we pointed to tables with reserved on, advised they were reserved... but obviously not for us! eventually we pointed to a table an suggested they remake that one and we would sit there. A quick re-org, but TBH, it was not the cleanest looking/feeling -- very sticky. Ordered food, Starters came Ok, very enjoyable. Albeit bread roll option would have been nice if it came with butter. Mains: I had mussels, no bowl to put empty shells, not bowl to wipe fingers, salad was a bit thick....but otherwise very nice. Partner specifically asked for salad not peas, meal came with peas!. Overall her meal was not that enjoyable and not comparable with previous meals. Gentlemen who we presumed was a manager came up a couple of times and discussed her meal, she explained hard to say what was wrong but did not taste right, he apologised and offered a desert, we said thanks we were ordering deserts anyway. Wife asked for a refill to her pink G&T , got bought a standard G&T mixed, when queried, response was quite blunt - We don't have pink gin, yes you do we said. went off and returned with a glass of pink Gin, assuming we would put in the original G&T not the way to handle a mis-order. Deserts came - very nice - but both appeared on bill! Why cannot waiter/ress look at the table they are serving and carry out basic checks, correct cutlery/serviettes etc - pretty basic stuff. Incidentally another table had issues re asking for salad but getting peas... All in all - not the best experience. Its local, its convenient, (a bit worn out and weary) and generally has been OK food, but do not think I will be rushing back for a while. Has potential to be a real local place to go , but based on our weekend visit needs to improve less

I had to stay for a night at Stowmarket and leave early next morning. The Cedars Hotel was a fair solution with free car park and a restaurant for dinner. I've got a standard double room somewhere upstairs with an extremelly difficult access (no lift, a lot of stairs and narrow corridors and doors) With my bulky suitcase it was quiet a chellange. Nobody came to help with the luggage. The room was comfortable enough with all the necessary facilities but no phonic isolation and ancient wooden floor, so I heard every step of my neighbors. I had prevented the reception about my early departure (7 am) and asked if I could get something for breakfast (it was included into the price) They replied that the cook would come on 7:30 and start to serve at 8:00, so no breakfast for me and no discount. I bit disappointing. Anyway it is still a good option of a hotelin Stowmarket. less

Our second Christmas lunch at the Cedars and it was an enjoyable occasion again. The staff working were all cheerful and helpful. Lunch included a complimentary glass of mulled wine, which was delicious. The food was all good, service prompt and good length of time between courses. We finished with some hand made chocolates and coffee. Very enjoyable and we shall be back next year. Thanks to all staff who gave up their Christmas day to be at work less

I have to declare an interest here, as the Cedars belonged to my ancestors during the 18th century, but it's still a place I'd thoroughly recommend. Other than three of the original cedar trees, the facade and the old beams, the building has been completely stripped out, yet it still retains something of its old world feel. All that aside, we found it friendly, comfortable and very reasonably priced, with good service and generous portions of food. I suspect that my 5x Great-Grandfather would have been more shocked by the industrial facility across the road than by his home having been turned into a hotel. less

Appalling service 30 minute wait at the bar to get drinks, slow service serving food we had booked for 7.30pm our main meal didn't arrive until 8.50pm. Am not blaming the staff they worked hard to keep everyone happy there is not enough staff for the amount of customers Seemed generally disorganised the bar ran out of ice. No rolls offered with the starters unless one had soup, had to ask for butter for the toast that went with the terrine Such a shame as this could be a very good venue but I fear that it is deliberately kept understaffed to save the pennies less