The Saracens Head Hotel & Restaurant

Very dated rooms, staff are rude and unhelpful. They can not cope with modern dietary requirements. This was made evident when they also cancelled our booking for a party with hardly any notice having said they would be able to do it. Last time we go there. Don't waste your money, plenty of nice places to stay close by.

So this is a very classic English hotel. The building itself is very historical - King Charles 1st was arrested there. The building shows its age and to be frank needs some TLC. You'll see imperfections everywhere. Some would call it character but some would say it's not been maintained. It's hard to look after such buildings and I think the owners have tried but are now struggling. Don't get me wrong my room was fine - large, warm and comfortable. Just not modern and some obvious snags. One thing lacking was disabled access and no baby changing. Again this is an old establishment - it is like turning back in time. The dining area was classic old hotel design and the food good. For some reason there was no menu and I was simply offered 'full English' and toast. At the time of my stay there were four other guests - the hotel can accommodate 27. This maybe brings me on to the real issue here.... Is Southwell a real destination? It has a lot to offer but perhaps not enough for an overnight stay. It feels like a town that is past its best (like the hotel) and is more a posh place to live rather than visit. I saw shops closed down, bars with no one in them. This is despite the obvious wealth the town has and the eye watering house prices. Maybe the timing of my visit was bad but Southwell appears to be drifting into decline. Not at all like when I visited 6 years ago here. Anyway other things to note are the parking - it's shared with the Methodist church and is a pay and display. I can certainly compliment the staff at the hotel in knowing when the parking inspector comes. They knew exactly when I needed to move my car before being given a ticket. In summary, a vintage hotel with plenty of character - whether you feel the charm would depend on a lot of things. Personally I was not overly charmed but concerned as to the future of this place. If this was a place royalty visited and is part of our history it is worth preservation. How that happens and how Southwell changes is perhaps the greater question. Maybe if I return in another 6 years time I will see the answer.

Terrible customer service, bar, restraint shut. No staff on reception on arrival. Strange and rude greeting. Hotel deserted. Room clean but very run down. Needs updating. Decent breakfast but again poor customer service on leaving. Would not stay here.

Had a lovely stay at this full of character hotel 4 poster bed lovely and comfortable . Room was really beautiful only problem with the room was lack of heating . Only had oil filled small radiator and heated towel rail in the bathroom. The restaurant was closed due to lack of staff but I suppose this is all to be expected during these times. Staff were great as was breakfast . Would stay again if in the area.

Only had a meal and drinks .toilets were great and old fashioned

Debby telephoned when we were in route at 7:30pm as they close at 8pm. We were stuck in traffic having had a lengthy journey and about an hour still to go. Debby remained friendly and professional and waited patiently for us to arrive. She guided us into the car park and welcomed us without complaint for extending her working day.
Our room was beautiful and very warm. Breakfast was served in the most gorgeous of rooms. Fresh fruit, yoghurt, cereals all out to help yourself and orders taken for hot breakfast of full English. Nothing was too much trouble. Very accommodating. This building is outstanding and holds so much history. If only the walls could talk!!!
We will definitely be staying here again and recommend to anyone visiting this wonderful market town. Very many thanks Rob & Debbie

We stayed hear for a wedding for 2 nights the receptionist was very full on and rude constantly smoking outside when we needed assistance she wasn't there we had no hot water on the 1st night we tried to get hold of some one and all the staff leave at 8 the phone number gose to the reception that no one is at we had a room st the front of the hotel on to the road and it was very noisy as the building is old the windows do not closed fully so there is alot of traffic sound so id take some ear plugs the rest of the staff were lovely the lady serving at breakfast was so professional and helpful she also cleaned the rooms and did a good job I would stay again but not for the receptionist for the beautiful building and the breakfast was amazing

Clean Rooms
Nice Breakfast
Bar closed
Rude staff on reception at 6 30pm as we had to ring door bell to get in so could check in .. Not a good first impression.