Rural foodie hotel in south England with eclectic design and rich heritage

The Star / Alfriston / East Sussex / UK

Maybe this is not surprise (and also not super unique) but I am a sucker for great service. And I have realized when I am being subjected to it (ok, maybe not the best choice of words since it almost make it sound negative when using ”subjected”) how rare it is to actually feel like a guest or rather a paying customer when going to restaurants, bars, airports or staying at hotels. My husband has on several occasions pointed out that it is often me giving service to the people working rather than the opposite.

Ok, I will get to the point.

What I wanted to get to with that ultra long intro is that the service at The Star is like it has been taken out of a handbook. It is, dare I say it, perfect.

And the best thing is that great service isn’t the only thing the Star has to offer. The hotel is located in the small, cute village of Alfriston located in the rolling hills in the south of England. The building dates back to the 15th century and was originally a religious hostel for traveling monks and pilgrims. Today there is another kind of religion practiced here: the enjoyment of the good things in life.

The Star is a uniquely designed hotel where owner Alex Polizzi has worked together with several of the local business owners to create an eclectic looking hotel. What really stands out to me is the bold use of patterns and prints. Like in our room where different patterns and colors had been used very generously. It makes for a cozy, homey hotel room. All these vivid colors are complimented by carefully selected antiques that makes sure the heritage of the building is honored with the respect it deserves.

And then there is the food. The combination of Italian and classic British cuisine really works. Or how does panna cotta with grilled peach sound? You don’t have to answer. I feel you!

The building looks like something straight out of a Grimm Brother’s story. It dates all the way back to the 15th century.

I can’t get enough of this beautiful facade where the age really shows.

The inside is a beautiful mix of old and new where there isn’t a straight angle to be found in the older part of the hotel.

A golden star. Through the tinted glass you can (barely) see the courtyard, the heart of the hotel.

The bed in our room is a real statement piece.

I love how the different patterns and colors of the wallpaper, the headboard, the pillow and the bed throw both meet and clash at the same time.

In the room your you’ll find suggestions of several hikes to explore during your stay. Just lace up your boots, bring a map and go!

I think this is my favorite photo from our stay. I just love designers that dare to mix prints and colors. Bold and beautiful.

This reading chair is so fun and quirky. It is a chair and a book shelf, all in one.

The courtyard has plenty of places to sit and enjoy your afternoon tea and something to read.

You have got to love a hotel with a hidden door that connects the library with the restaurant. So cleverly hidden.

The restaurant with antique furniture and exposed beams.

The floor in the restaurant was one of my favorite things at the hotel. It was stenciled by one of the local shop owners, Amanda, who runs Objets Trouves.

A breakfast for champions. Served on beautiful china displaying examples of typical British plants and trees.

If you’ve forgotten to bring your own Wellies the hotel has some to loan…

…and the same goes for hats, if you want to shield yourself from the strong British sun :-) Or maybe you just want to look stylish.

The Alfriston High Street. Managed to snap a photo just when this vintage van rolled by.

There are an array of different hikes and walks around the village where you can either build up an appetite or use to digest your dinner.

The area surrounding Alfriston is wonderful with rolling green hills. Almost made me feel like I was in Tuscany or Piedmont.

A village alleyway lined with hollyhocks.

If you walk for an hour (or drive for 10 min) form the hotel you will be rewarded with this. The dramatic coastline headlined by the famous Seven Sisters.

And if you need some kind of reward afterwards like these excellent buns there is a bakery called To the Rise in nearby Eastbourne that is well worth a visit.

Time to say good night to the cute village of Alfriston and start to dream about the breakfast that will be waiting when you wake up.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…like to be pampered by attentive, personable and relaxed staff while staying in a beautifully designed hotel with super tasty food. If you wanna learn what good service is, then this is your place.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is that the owner herself, Alex Polizzi from TV’s Hotel Inspector fame, was there throughout the day, both during breakfast, when we watched the England game in the bar and during dinner service making sure we were all having the best time ever. I love when the owner is present to make sure us staying here are enjoying our stay.

What not to miss when staying here is…

…is to go down to the beach, preferably by hiking. The famous Seven Sisters is just an hours walk away along the Cuckomere River and is well worth the effort. Stunning white cliffs with a dramatical drop. Another thing not to miss is having dinner at the hotel. You will regret it if you don’t. Trust me!

If you like this hotel you might also like…

Villa La Madonna, Monastero Bormida, Piedmont, Italy

Hotel Hirschen, Schwarzenberg, Vorarlberg, Austria

Maison Ceronne, Sainte-Céronne-lès-Mortagne, Normandy, France