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Reviews of Chequers Inn Hotel

2.5 out of 5
Chequers Inn Hotel
The Square, Lewes Road, Forest Row, England

Reviews

5.4
Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 19 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 28 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 21 out of 96 reviews" "

6.0/10

Cleanliness

6.2/10

Staff & service

3.8/10

Amenities

5.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

3.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Graham

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Extremely dismal and dirty place ,bedding was soiled also !. Didn't stay after looking at room .
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

2/10 Terrible

John

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

2/10 Terrible

Joannes

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room and bathroom was in terrible condition, dirty and very old. The pillowcases were dirty. Hairs on the cover. Shower in the hallway dirty.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Supervisor on 2023/12/13
We have been here 53 years, and it's impossible to please everyone.In total we have 104 negative reviews, that equals around 2 bad reviews per year we have been here, it's nothing!We try our best. We would advise people to come and see for themselves and not listen to negative reviews, we are doing our best to make people delighted with there stay.

4/10 Poor

Jonathan

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Dark, dingy, depressing, dangerous.
Oh dear. Read the reviews, thought, surely its fine for one night. Avoid, honestly, it wont be worth half of what you are paying. So many red flags on this place but the biggest for me...when we checked it in was daytime, got the key and headed to the room which took you through a dark reception room and through unlit corridors, I just thought they are saving money as daytime....no....if you get back after the pub closes, all the lights are off. I mean all of them. As in you are walking though the corridors of this very old hotel in PITCH black. The room is extremely dated. I'd guess from the 70's-80's, and not in a cute kitch way. In a time when people are worried about beg bugs in Paris, I was more worried about the plague still infesting what honestly looked like could be original 15th century carpets. Last thing...honestly there are so many things but theres only so many characters. The back door to the hotel (which was on our floor), was just open all night, it doesnt even look like it has a functioning lock anymore.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

2/10 Terrible

John

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awful!
Absolutely Awful! Run down! Not worth £30 per night never mind £77
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

D

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

4/10 Poor

Cody

Business traveler
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fine as a place to sleep, no toilet paper in the toilet
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

2/10 Terrible

howard

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was booked in for 2 nights but didn't return for the 2nd night. Where do I start? I literally had to use the torch on my phone to find the room and dodge beams on the way. Parking was scarce and I had to park on double yellows for the night. Exit in the morning was through the fire escape which was wide open all night. No shower in my room but didn't dare look at the shared shower given the run down state of the whole place. Will be looking for a refund.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

CHRISTINA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Arrived after dark and left early so no chance to see outside. However, on staff a young lady named Tiffany was excellent and an absolute credit to her employers
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

2/10 Terrible

Chris

Business traveler
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

2/10 Terrible

Valerie

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Interesting old building BUT Service appalling. No coffee etc in room, bed not made - even when asked, dangerously dark downstairs. Came home early.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

4/10 Poor

Ellie

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was a derelict pub no doors where open at the front , we sonehow found our way into back entrance ages away ! No signs or anything ! It was dark and a gritty , we actually left and didn’t stay the night !
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Andrew

Business traveler
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Good value for the area
Stayed for business, it is what it is, reasonable rates for a reasonable room. Comfy beds, close to shops and plenty of food options within walking distance. Manageress very welcoming, polite and good local knowledge
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Carl

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
It wasn’t terrible but I wouldn’t bring my family here. The sheets were clean, the bed was comfortable, the shower was hot and powerful . It was Saturday so the bar was open but no food being served, but there were other options to eat in the village.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Chris

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
No tea coffee in room Cup was stuck to saucer with dirt In room says breakfast No breakfast offered Very poor overpriced
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

2/10 Terrible

martha

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Not one human was available to help. Ever! Room was dirty and smelled like a cave No other guests were seen! Creepy hallways that’s smelled like urine. No access to Wi-Fi Shower hard to find and was dirty
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

4/10 Poor

Tamara

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

2/10 Terrible

Sharnie

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Was dark when we arrived. Rooms were very outdated. Bathroom was filthy. Didn’t even attempt a shower. No facilities for food. Propert didn’t have set close time so was already closed when we returned to our room in the evening. Struggled to find the rear entrance, luckily another couple showed us how to get in. Even just for one night I spent the day looking for somewhere else to stay. Met one member of staff. He was very friendly and helpful can’t fault his customer service. Just a shame no staff on sight all night and that the rooms are so dirty and outdated.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

4/10 Poor

Rod

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Tired and dirt in places. Unable to pay by card, asked for cash.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

2/10 Terrible

Kate

Business traveler
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Didn’t even stay at the property,turned up to check in,place all locked up in darkness,spent afternoon in pub opposite trying to find another room,called and called on phone,no answer for hours,was told place is often like that,very disappointing,ruined my trip
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Response from Tiffany on 2023/4/20
Hi Kate,I do apologize that this has happened, something urgent came up and the owner needed to close the premises for a short while.

2/10 Terrible

Will

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Worst hotel ever.
The place needs demolition. Customer service is non existent. The place is deserted and you have to find a way in yourself. No towels. Cold water. No tea/coffee available. Advertised as bar & restaurant but they were always closed. Unbelievable the place is still open.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Response from Tiffany on 2023/4/19
Hi Will,As far as I can tell, you did not stay with us as intended on Monday, so this review is just slander and you have used previous reviews to find out information. Your room was not paid for, and therefor it was not reserved. You are making up lies to make us look bad which is very unfair.We are also concerned that an emergency door has been smashed in the last 2 days, which we now think could be you due to you being annoyed that you could not enter the building. We will be reveiwing CCTV, as we have cameras everywhere so if this is the case, please be prepared for us to contact you and the police.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
No hearing no hot water, very poor never again
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2020

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Looks lovely on the outside, but don't be fooled. Bedrooms horribly dated, very basic, and in need of lots of TLC. Rude man on hotel reception. Rooms look like something from the 70s. Not even a hook in the bathroom to hang your towel, and the switch on hairdryer had been sellotaped down (and the whole thing wasn't working anyway). Unpleasant sticky residue on bedside table and a used tissue down the back so obviously the room had not been properly cleaned. How disgusting. The staff are *not* willing to go to *any* extra trouble to help out with reasonable requests, and will just dismiss you with a shake of the head and no apology. Couldn't even try the food as there was no chef working there at present. Not surprised...! A total rip-off for the price we paid.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Friendly and helpful staff, not a great choice on the continental breakfast
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The owner rang us at 5 -30 to tell us that he wanted to shut he didn’t know what room was booked and that the kitchen closed at 5 . His excuse was that it was dead and it wasn’t worth opening . We managed to get in the Roebuck just up the road the staff food and bedroom were all excellent . The Chequers inn deserves to go bust which I suspect it will!!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

8/10 Good

Stephen

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Autumn festival
Stayed here to attend the Samhain gathering in Forest Row. The pub part was lovely with large open fire and friendly staff. The double bedroom was large, with 4 poster and en-suite. The room was warm and clean. Bathroom was a little dated but still clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

6/10 Okay

Robin

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

4/10 Poor

Kjerstin

Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Not capable of servicing a full hotel.
This place was not equipped to handle a full hotel. The beds were not made up when we checked in, only one towel until day 2. a dirty coffee cup was left after the last guest. And on returning around 12am on night, all the doors were locked, and only do to a fellow who was hanging around the pub, who showed us that the back door was open, did we get in. We were not told by the manager/owner how to get in. Not worth the money at all.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

6/10 Okay

Liliana

Basic but clean
If you are looking for a basic room to use just for a quick shower and sleep than this is the place for you.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

LeaLea, Kent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Quaint and Traditional
Staff are very friendly and helpful. Rooms are spacious and clean. Bed was very comfortable. Hotel is dated but very traditional. Set in a lovely village
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

6/10 Okay

Wayne

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Short shower
Check in very easy. Room nice with 4 poster bed Problem with shower. I am 6 ft 2 ins but shower head was fixed to the side wall above the bath and was at the same level as my chest. Continental breakfast only. Great difficulty in finding anyone to make toast Not happy about taking the cost 2 months before arrival
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

4/10 Poor

John

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disappointed.
stayed sat 2nd sept 2018 Room 43.No where to hang cloths. cobweds in pure view everywhere. there was 2 x 3 spot lights in room with 1 bulb in each. floors freaked in every room including mine so you know when someone was getting up or going to bed. breakfast: basic. cerial tea coffee toast. road works throughout the night making it impossible to sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Kev

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

john

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The tiffany factor
Excellent service and staff especially Tiffany
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

2/10 Terrible

Mr V

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
AVOID AT ALL COST. DON’T BE DECEIVED BY EXTERIOR
We did not get to see our room but judging from the reception area is s hotel that has seen better times, probably when it was built. The reason why we did not see our room was because when we arrived at the hotel and finally this old man with food in his mouth appeared at the reception desk, he just said no keys, no keys. When I explained what he meant he said that he was not given any keys and all rooms were taken. All he kept saying was that he would help if he could. All this despite having just reception from UK. Hotels.com a questionnaire the the check in! When I calmed down, I asked him whether he could recomnend a nearby hotel, he just shook his head. He then said Chequers Inn in Maresfield. I don’t think he even had a computer! Thank God our relatives whom we visited could accomodate us for the night. I do think however that we had a lucky escape. Don’t understand how such establishments retain their licence to trade and Hotel.com have them on their books despite the endless number of bad reviews
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

john

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely hotel in a lovely village
The staff were very friendly and helpful and the food was 5 star
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

6/10 Okay

Dave

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Lack lustre and a real shame
Visited here 9 years ago and had a lovely weekend in a four poster room. Returned this weekend as it was centrally placed ffor our weekend plans and literally just slept there. The rooms are extremely dated with a ‘make do and mend ‘ attitude from the owner whilst he drives around in his Ferrari. Shower head was a foot below head height and the toilet barely flushed. The bathroom door didn’t shut and the cistern was barely holding on to the wall. We didn’t bother with the breakfast but would highly recommend cocos next door! I wouldn’t even suggest a glass of wine here as it’s£8.50 a glass and doesn’t even taste like Chardonnay. The bar maid was very sweet but obviously new as she couldn’t change a barrel or use the coffee machine. Such a disappointment as the building is full of character but the lack of interest from the owner means the rooms are dire - won’t be returning
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

4/10 Poor

Dan, London

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Dated
Functional. The Ritz it’s not. Our bathroom was it desperate need of bringing into the 21st century.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

4/10 Poor

Victoria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Basic but clean
This hotel was in a good location, we were able to check in quickly in a clean but basic (but I wouldn,t expect any more for the low price of the room). The room was comfortable and we had a very good night's sleep considering it was a strange bed which was very comfortable. We were surprised to see 2 x double beds which was a nice surprise considering we had booked a twin room. The breakfast was very basic with 2 x slices of toast between 2 of us, a small selection of cereals, fruit, pastries, fruit juice, coffee and a huge selection of teas. Again I would,t expect anymore for the price we paid. My only suggestion would be to have the option to pay more for more breakfast options. The breakfast was again clean and tidy and laid out in an attractive manner, however the breakfast selection was basic. Our overall experience was good and we would use this hotel again, we came only across 1 x member of staff who was friendly and polite. We have certainly stayed in much more expensive hotels with a worse experience.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not Value for money
This place may have the title ‘Hotel’ in the name but in my opinion it is far from a hotel. This is a local pub which does rooms. This was popular with blue collar workers straight from work on a Friday afternoon-evening although this did add character to the bar area. There was certainly lots of ‘effing and jeffing’ and although that doesn’t bother me it certainly bothered the family that was checking in early evening on the Friday. The ground floor area doesn’t look like it’s been updated since the coronation! Not only is the accommodation overpriced but a pint of Guinness cost £5, with scampi and chips costing £12, although there was plenty of scampi. I know its been hot recently, but every fire door had been wedged open. Unfortunately I had room over the front of the place, which meant that I could not have the windows open due to everyone smoking out the front, the windows did reduce some of the noise, but I was kept awake by people sat at the tables until 3.o’clock in the morning talking.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

4/10 Poor

Claire, Rochester kent

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Had better for far cheaper.
For the money I paid I expected more. Upon going into my room I found an empty vodka bottle on the table that the previous guest had left. There was no towel rail in the bathroom so the towels had to go on the floor The four poster bed had two mattresses on it , making it very high which made it difficult to get in. They only had one member of staff in the morning to help with the breakfast and he kept disappearing so had to wait ages for toast , also had to ask for milk as there was none in the jug. Another guest left their key with us to hand in as they had waited quite a while for the man to come back. The site tells you there is parking,which there is but its on the main road so if they are all full , you have to drive around til you find somewhere.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

6/10 Okay

martin, dorset

Liked: Cleanliness
A bit basic but good value for what we paid,friendly
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

George

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Happy stay at Chequers Hotel.
Very comfortable and clean. Friendly owner who is happy to help. Cereal breakfast and toast.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Chequers Hotel
No password for free WiFi given on literature in room, and was charged for room on leaving after having already prepaid via expedite, not happy looking forward to my refund!!!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Robt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A solid olde inn and a great night’s sleep!
Stayed 1 night in May 2018