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Reviews of Swan Hotel 3 stars

19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston, IP20 9AS, United Kingdom

#7 of 7 hotels in Harleston

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 320 hotel reviews

6.1

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    6.5

  • Comfort

    6.9

  • Location

    8.6

  • Facilities

    6.0

  • Staff

    8.4

  • Value for money

    6.8

  • Free WiFi

    6.5

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 20 August 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Couple
    • Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Bedroom and stairs/corridors state of repair poor reflecting the age of the building. The bedroom overlooked the main street so it was a little noisy.

    Good breakfast, friendly & helpful staff. The main bar & restaurant area was good with lots of character.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 11 August 2025

    7.0
    Good value. Great location.Nice staff. Great breakfast.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Excellent breakfast. Great location.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 3 August 2025

    5.0
    Bed was comfy breakfast was nice
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Our room had 2 sockets that were not working, the shower was cold (was in a rush so didn’t have time To report) Not very family friendly with a small child Restaurant was advertised prior to staying but was not open at all so had to go and find somewhere to eat outside of hotel

    The breakfast was lovely, the lady serving was very friendly

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 27 June 2025

    5.0
    We were warmly welcomed by the staff but the building is very old & clearly needs updating.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The beds weren’t very comfy & the room could have been cleaner.

    Breakfast was lovely & the staff were friendly & helpful

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 June 2025

    7.0
    A piece of British History
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It’s in need of updating but that would cost a fortune,this hotel room was basic.

    It’s a lovely piece of history,characterful and quirky. Staff were friendly and breakfast very good.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 May 2025

    6.0
    Super for a night if you’re out in town
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    A bit dated but comfortable

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 March 2025

    5.0
    Ok for one night but no more.
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The rooms although big enough need a big spruce up as they are very tired and in need of decoration. It was ok for one night but I would not want to stay for any more than that.

    The location is great as right in the centre of the town. The hotel itself is in a lovely historic building.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 January 2025

    5.0
    Passable
    • Business trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The staff asked what time I wanted breakfast I said 8am got down for 8.05 and the room was locked so didn't get the breakfast and no one about so left not very good 😢

    It nice and warm

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 January 2025

    7.0
    Historic coaching inn
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Bit cold but was early Jan !

    Wonky old building (1550s) with loads of character

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 December 2024

    5.0
    Passable
    • Business trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The familiar and very very candid treatment

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 13 November 2024

    7.0
    good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    There was no hot water for a shower, no fault of the hotel my car was backed into in the car park.

    The breakfast was great and the room was comfortable.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 26 August 2024

    5.0
    There was a crooked house..
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The hotel is 500 years old and reflects in the rooms. If you have ever been to a wonky house at the fun fair, that is what you get. Everything is run down and old . The bar and restaurant area is nice. As seen on the hotel inspector series 5 ep 5. People return because they are made welcome. Overall we had a lovely time. 😍

    The owners and the staff were fantastic. They made you welcome and couldn't do enough for you. A lovely breakfast. We were a family of 9 and they made all of our stay so special including the grandchildren. Our bank holiday weekend was so enjoyable. The village is lovely.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 26 August 2024

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Remember, it's a 500 year old building. The rooms reflect that. Everything is wonkey. The rooms need decorating.

    The owners and staff are amazing. They can't do enough to make your stay memorable. 5 🌟 The sheets were clean white cotton. The breakfast was delicious. Nothing was too much trouble.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 15 August 2024

    7.0
    Very good value for money in old, interesting building with friendly staff and great breakfast
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Room was very dated and old, not entirely clean, bathroom was terrible, shower hook broken and there were rat/mouse poison packets on the floor

    breakfast was fantastic, staff were lovely and helpful, location was perfect.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 14 August 2024

    7.0
    Meeh
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Needed a update and a clean

    Location

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 August 2024

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The hole in the pain of window glass . Unlevel floor

    The breakfast

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 8 August 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No Air-con, bathroom needs updating shower head very poor flow.

    Lovely old building, not a floor or wall was straight very characterful. In the centre of town. Free parking. Breakfast good, bed clean and comfortable

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 6 August 2024

    5.0
    Good value for the money.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room was old and worn.

    It's in with the cost.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 13 July 2024

    7.0
    Very pleasant for the two nights I was there.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    I think although the beds were nice and clean and fresh, a bit more attention to cleaning would be good.

    Location was excellent as within walking distance of the friend I came to visit. Breakfast was excellent. I think you might want to make clear that there were a lot of stairs to climb and no lift to enable someone who would struggle.

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: 8 July 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    it was a bit dated.needed a revamp.

    location great ,lovely little town,we attended a wedding.great for a base stop over.the owner was polite and frendly.

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: 4 July 2024

    7.0
    Quaint hotel but could do with attention to some rooms.
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    The rooms we had were nothing like those depicted in the photos and our's was small and very hot. Not the best equipped or furnished and the window was damaged and couldn't be opened to cool the room down. They could do with some TLC but I appreciate major changes would be difficult with the age of the building.

    A very old and quaint hotel which provided an interesting stay. Many areas have "wonky" doors, walls, no right angles and sloping floors which is fun after some alcohol.:-)

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 June 2024

    5.0
    Perfect for my needs
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    It is obviously very difficult to upgrade the hotel but the friendly manner of staff goes along way.

    Perfect location and wonderful breakfast

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 15 June 2024

    6.0
    Lovely old building but needs some TLC
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    As other reviewers highlight, it's needing a bit of TLC. The bathroom was tatty and the bathroom radiator was jammed on in the summer, so we had to shut the bathroom door and open our window. There was one tiny sachet of shower gel between two of us. Friends staying also had issues with their bathrooms.

    Lovely old historic building with wobbly walls and uneven floors which are charming. Staff were very friendly and helpful and helped us store our bicycles safely. They also arranged an earlier breakfast to suit us.

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: 13 June 2024

    5.0
    Cold comfort
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Reception unmanned. Keys and invoice just left on a table! The hotel/pub is understaffed. I believe only 2 staff members cover both. There was a charity music festival in a courtyard and pub less than 100 years away. The music and street noise carried on until about 11.30. Sleep was almost impossible. I had to be up at 6, not the hotels fault, of course Needed a shower to revive. But this was almost stone cold. Left it running for 2/3 minutes. Could only stand under for 30 seconds.. This place is clearly struggling to stay open and compete with a refurbished hotel nearby. The worst aspect is that I have emailed the hotel twice, seeking some form of compensation. A small refund or even a discount on a future stay (presuming the cold shower was a 1 off)

    Lovely slightly quirky period building. Comfortable bed, good sized room

    Stayed in May 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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