I had stayed at the Mermaid once before but on that occasion I had become a bit unwell, owing entirely to medication I was on at the time, no fault of the hotel, and I had been obliged to limit what I did and where I went. But I had enjoyed the Mermaid all the same. So I booked again and this time I got to see and do all my planned things and to enjoy the restaurant as well as my room. On both occasions I found all the staff friendly, efficient and helpful. I love the fact the building is genuinely many centuries old, that it exudes charm and character and heritage, and that the hotel preserves and promotes all of that. It means of course that there may be narrow stairs, low beams etc. It wouldn't be ideal for people with significant mobility problems but I thankfully am fully mobile whilst also being in my sixties. I'm lucky. The best compliment you can pay any hotel is that you will come back. I will come back to the Mermaid at some point in the foreseeable future.

The water pressure was a little low in my room. I had the "room at the top" in an ancient building. I managed okay. But it is something to consider.

An ancient and historic building which is beautifully maintained. Oozes character. Staff clearly proud of the hotel and its history. Excellent cooked breakfast, perfectly cooked. Buffet could be more extensive. We enjoyed the baguettes and the chicken and cashew salad was delicious. We appreciated the water and biscuits in the room. Great location.

We found the beds much too soft and the pillows hard. We were not fans of the very noisy birds, especially at dawn, but appreciate they are difficult to control. Our room ran out of loo roll on the last night.

We have been to the mermaid several times for an evening meal and lunchtime drinks, However hadn’t stayed in the hotel. Our room was lovely the only downside was the water literally dripped out of the shower attachment ( couldn’t have a stand up shower due to sloping ceiling) so didn’t have a proper shower or wash hair. Taps swivelled round when turned on. Dinner as ever was exceptional as was breakfast. The two barmen were brilliant, friendly, very funny and told us so much history about the mermaid inn, they always went that extra mile making our drinks. Well done guys and thank you. . ….. see you in December 😁

We loved this hotel. In the heart of Rye within walking distance from shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Beautiful old hotel. Staff really helpful and friendly. We booked a small double room on the top floor. The room had sloping ceilings so you had to watch you didn't bang your head! Very comfortable bed. Clean bathroom with bath and shower attachment. Tea and coffee making facilities. Breakfast was included in the price. Very nice cooked breakfast with vegetarian and vegan options available. Beer garden to the rear which seemed very popular on the Saturday afternoon when we arrived.

There was nothing we didn't like. I wouldn't recommend staying in a room on the top floor if you have walking difficulties as stairs are very steep. We didn't have any issues.

The cooked breakfasts were wonderful and I don't think I fully explored the choice available. Friendly helpful waiting staff - it was hard coming back to Weetabix again! I had 2 rooms - one was a single and the other was a spacious double with a bath. The Mermaid is such a great location for exploring Rye. It's a very historic building with all the rooms named after historic characters. The reception staff were really helpful, friendly and attentive throughout. I would love to stay there again!

The water pressure was a problem as it was difficult to get a decent shower but I managed.

The location of the Mermaid Inn is excellent as are the staff.. the service provided in the restaurant was very good. The food was good value for money and the breakfast in the morning was very good.

The room was very small and the shower very slow and the bathroom desperately needed updating. I think the room was very overpriced for the size and the state of the bathroom. Also a member of staff forgot to turn off the ice machine which was directly under our room. The humming kept us awake so at 4am we had to go downstairs to ask the porter to turn it off.

Its antiquity. An ancient hostelry dating back to the 1100s (‘re-built’ in the 1400s!) beautifully furnished and well maintained, with excellent food and service. My en-suite single room even had a four-poster bed. The Mermaid is on one of Rye’s old cobbled streets and is an ideal centre for exploring the town. The hotel has a very good website with videos and detailed information about every room, including the secret passages and ghosts!

Nothing! I loved it all. However, because of its age there are lots of little steps, uneven floors and steep narrow stairs which possibly wouldn’t suit those with mobility issues.

Beautiful surroundings, decor and amenities. Room 12 was a Small Double, but it was more than big enough for the two of us. The high ceilings in this room were a pleasant change compared to other places I've stayed in Rye, and I had no issues at 6'4". The wonderful porters, cleaners, waiters, receptionists and bar staff were very friendly, welcoming and accommodating. We appreciated the luggage storage both before and after checkout. The cleaning team did a great job with housekeeping throughout the stay and food was exceptional. We also thoroughly enjoyed the free breakfast options available. It was a lovely romantic stay for Valentines, and another reminder as to why we come back every year.

Gorgeous and unique period property - it oozes history! Lovely welcoming staff.

Couldn’t bring our dog into the bar or restaurant - I knew this beforehand but is still a shame! The hotel needs to find a way to allow people with dogs to come down for breakfast inside as I doubt many would leave their dog alone in the stunning rooms, so we went out for breakfast instead despite it being included, as it was rainy and foggy outside. Think they could also have one of the bar rooms as dog friendly quite easily - we went to the Old Bell instead for drinks which is just over the road and gorgeous!

I completely fell in love with the Mermaid Inn. The moment you arrive, it feels like stepping into a storybook — the charm of the old beams, the cosy corners, and the history of the place is just incredible. The location is perfect, right in the heart of pretty Rye, with its cobbled streets and lovely little shops just around the corner. Our room was beautiful and full of character, with a very comfortable bed and thoughtful touches that made the stay even more special. The staff were so welcoming and made us feel at home straight away. Thank you, Barbara! We also really enjoyed our breakfast. The food was excellent and the atmosphere just added to the experience. It’s rare to find a place that feels this authentic and enchanting.

Unfortunately, although the hotel allows dogs in the guest rooms, they're not allowed in any of the shared areas like the bar or restaurant. This meant we couldn’t fully enjoy the lovely bar and restaurant in the evening, as we didn’t want to leave our little one alone in an unfamiliar place. It would have been perfect if there were a few dog-friendly areas to relax together.