Mermaid Inn

There is nowhere else quite like it, it’s unique and the experience of staying there was wonderful. The service was excellent at every point - checkin, room, restaurant, bar, checkout. Staff were friendly and helpful and knowledgeable about the long history of the Mermaid. The room was small but clean and well appointed and exactly as expected from the booking. Despite being the such an old building and staying in December every part of the Mermaid was warm and cosy including the bedroom. There is parking for guests but it’s very small and the spaces are very tight. I’d recommend paying a few quid to park nearby in one of the overnight car parks. The food was excellent with the evening meal a surprise… the vegetarian menu options were some of the best I’ve tasted and definitely not an afterthought as they often are on menus. I would highly recommend a stay here. You might pay a little more than other hotels but it is well worth it. Unforgettable.

I surprised my husband with a stay here last night for his birthday 🎂. We couldn’t get in the car park as reduced spaces due to a collapsed drain but we parked in a 24hr car park just a 5 minute walk away for a good price. We stayed in Rye Royal overlooking roof tops and country views, what a beautiful quirky place, our room was cosy, very clean and had so much character. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the stunning restaurant before we headed home, the weather was amazing and we enjoyed a wonderful day looking around the various antique shops and enjoyed a drink and a wonderful dinner at Simply Italian, only 30 minutes from home.

We had a drink in the bar before dinner - amazing gin list and good local beer. Great bar staff. Moved to the dining room - lovely fine dining experience with good a**osphere, great staff and delicious wine. Started with bread and amuse bouche - yum! Followed by pigeon wellington and beetroot/goats cheese 😋 and then we both had the belly pork - so tender! No room for dessert but had coffee and petit fours. Recommend whole heartedly and will definitely return when we visit the area again.

We love coming here both as a couple and family. We have both stayed here and eaten here and every single time it’s wonderful, an escape from the norm. On dark stormy wintery nights to summer evenings there is a magic about the Mermaid that cannot be found elsewhere. Yesterday we came as a family for Sunday lunch, we could only manage the one course but it was one of the nicest plated Sunday lunches I have eaten in years. The quality of the beef was fabulous, the roast potatoes delicious the cauliflower cheese amazing. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon yesterday.

Hospitality at its best. Very welcoming , outstanding service , spotlessly clean, comfy beds, delicious breakfast. Enjoyed our stay immensely. A particular mention to Rhia and James who are a credit to their profession and the Inn. Thank you

Can’t recommend highly enough. Only stayed one night but service excellent, friendly staff, excellent food. Incredibly characterful inn with quirky and cosy room. Modern ensuite and comfy bed. Perfect location in the centre of Rye. A must.

Came here for an evening meal with our daughter whilst staying elsewhere in Rye. The whole experience was a delight. The staff were very polite and friendly, particularly the young lady who served us. The food and wine was generally really excellent, and the ambience great. It was a treat to have coffee in the lounge after our meal. The only thing that spoilt it for me was the pork belly - it was a bit dry - could have had a bit more jus - and there was no crackling!! The leeks were a bit undercooked too. But everything else was delicious.

Fabulous Sunday lunch, highly recommend the Pork Belly, very generous portions, Friends had the Beef which again couldn’t be faulted, lovely desert menu, all served in lovely surroundings, good wine selection at reasonable prices. Staff very professional and attentive.

Don’t stay here if you want modern, souless, plastic hotel with unresponsive robotic staff ! This is a stunning hotel , steeped in history with quirky rooms , creaky floorboards , wonky walls , old beams and so much more . It is romantic, cosy , excellent caring staff who go out of their way to make your stay very special. The food is great , the owner Judith is on site to deal with any problems in the unlikely event they should arise . Reception staff very friendly and go the extra mile to help with every aspect of your stay . They have great knowledge of the local area and can suggest various things to do ! We absolutely loved our stay at this amazing hotel , it is so rare to find such a gem. We can highly recommend this wonderful Inn .