Best Western Gatehouse Hotel

Overnight stay as visiting Helmligham Hall for a car event. Slightly quirky older property with wood panelling on ground floor and lovely big comfortable bedrooms. Staff fantastic, really friendly and helpful. Individuals rather than the robots you normally seem to come across. Made for such a pleasing change! Good restaurant and great cooked breakfast thoroughly recommended less

We have been here several times in the past, but not for a while. We can not find fault with this wonderful place, the food, the rooms, the service and the value for money, all fantastic. Even when there is a change of staff, since our last visit, somehow they always manage to find the loveliest people. The present manage, Marina, is THE most lovely lady, most helpful, efficient and professional. We look forward to visiting again soon. Yours, Hugo and ALi Van-Manen less

You get a great welcome at the Gatehouse. Marianna always has a smile, from the moment you arrive at reception to the moment you leave. Nothing is too much trouble for her! Despite the fact there must be a team working somewhere in the building, Marianna seems responsible for virtually all aspects of customer care. I wonder if management value her input sufficiently. We only saw three members of staff over our two-day stay, however every need was catered for. Our room was spacious and spotless (No. 2). Double-aspect windows let the natural light flood in. The bathroom was roomy with lashings of hot water and clean towels at all times. The hotel is small (just as we like it), and the only thing missing in this 16 room hotel is a lounge area for guests. The Bar Area is also tiny. This did not prove troublesome for us over our two day stay, but if we had been resident for a longer period it could have become an issue, especially on wet days! There's lots of car-parking and spacious grounds. The tired-looking outside might put you off at first, but don't let it. Like many a good soul, it's what's inside that really counts; a happy, calm, restful peace pervades, interspersed with laughter and smiles. If you're looking for liveliness and laid on amenities, this is not for you. We love it! Meals were excellent and of much higher quality than the three-star AA rating the establishment currently holds. Lloyd, you did us proud. Thank you! We do so wish we lived closer. But then we would visit too often to rest and recover from our busy lives! less

This hotel only has 16 rooms so is small and friendly, not like many of the larger places, staff and food very good, rooms comfortable and surroundings very good, you are far enough away from Ipswich centre to be quiet but close enough to get in easily less

We enjoyed our stay and slept well. Breakfast freshly cooked to order and dinner was also enjoyable. Staff seemed thin on the ground but not a disadvantage as Marina is amazing and always seems to be at the right place at the right time when needed. Well done Marina- you would make a great employee for anyone! Hope to visit again. The grounds are pleasant to walk around. Lots of wild rabbits. less