The Suffolk, Aldeburgh: visited & reviewed

Tell us more…
After hosting a hugely successful pop-up restaurant, L’Escargot Sur-Mer, owner George Pell and his team opened this newly renovated hotel and a permanent restaurant within it in 2022. Pell had spent the previous 15 years working in some of London’s most renowned members’ clubs and restaurants, including Soho’s L’Escargot, so in many senses you can see this seafront sanctuary as a restaurant with rooms rather than a hotel. The six rooms at The Suffolk are all exquisitely designed, each taking inspiration from the surrounding area, with names like Orford Ness, Iken and The Butley.

Interior designer Kate Fulford’s soft green and purple palette is inspired by the colours of the elephant hawk moth found in the nearby area. And this gentle landscape feeling is continued throughout the hotel. Nods to the seaside location are dotted across the restaurant and reception-lounge-bar area without resorting to cliché nautical trinkets: the textured fabrics of the banquette seating echo the waves outside and the rattan lampshades are reminiscent of fishing baskets. It’s sophisticated and feels instantly calming, much like a breath of fresh sea air.

Why it’s great
You’ll be greeted by a warm, knowledgeable team of staff that understands how to deliver the service of a trendy Soho boutique hotel but pitched perfectly for the seaside sleepy-town location. Subtle touches of luxury and a focus on food and drink is found throughout.

There’s a shared pantry sitting between the rooms on the first floor, stocked with house pre-mixed cocktails, teas, coffee and nibbles – offering a bigger variety than an in-room coffee tray and the chance to try local baron bigod cheese without the need for an energy-wasting fridge per room. It’s the perfect stop-off on your return to the hotel after a coastal walk or the ideal excuse to hide in your room on a stormy afternoon with a good book and a negroni. Just remember to save room for dinner, as it really is the main event.

If you enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink, the reception lounge area doubles as a bar with the best cocktails you’ll find for miles. Simple twists on the classics also showcase Suffolk produce. The house martini includes oyster liquor, served with a fresh oyster on the side, while my personal favourite, the sea buckthorn margarita, is infused with the locally-grown berry. A selection of vinyl records are on standby to add to the soothing atmosphere.

Aldeburgh is a pretty town with a pebble beach and plenty of small smalls selling trinkets, clothes and books. Good-quality fish and chips is easily enjoyed on the high street and at shacks along the beach. The Suffolk’s staff are happy to advise on walks in the local area and if you have a car it’s not far to the equally quaint Orford, home to a castle and one of our favourite bakeries, Pump Street (also known for its bean-to-bar chocolate).

For those who love to watch the sunset, The Suffolk has a rooftop terrace with views out to sea as well as across the town’s rooftops. Drinks will be brought to you and, if needed, thick wool blankets to keep you warm (more than welcome on our blustery visit).

What’s the food like?
With Suffolk-born-and-raised head chef Tom Payne in the kitchen, The Suffolk’s restaurant showcases the world-class produce of the east coast of England. The seasonal menu has a classic French core but is unfussy with good-size portions, and lets the ingredients do the talking. As expected, seafood is a big player, with typical dishes including dressed Suffolk crab served with pickled cucumber and avocado, Butley native lobster with garlic butter and Orford oysters.

Local farms provide high-quality veg for their smoked beetroot tartare with dill sauce, and high-welfare, regeneratively farmed meat, including lamb chops. A lovely touch is the list of producers at the start of the menu, each noted with their distance from the restaurant in miles.

On our visit we shared a steak and half a lobster for the timeless surf and turf combo. Everything was cooked to perfection. A highlight was the homemade fudge to finish, which had the most wonderful soft bite.

Breakfast is also not to be missed, once again focusing on the quality of local ingredients. A classic fry-up is even better when the bacon is thick-cut outdoor-bred pork, the grilled tomato is topped with slithers of garlic and fresh herbs and the bread is from a nearby bakery. Breakfast is taken in The Suffolk’s restaurant space, with its light wood furniture and panelled walls; it’s hard not to be lulled into a state of serenity.

What’s in the rooms?
They’re spacious, light and comforting. Superking beds are all topped with Lansdowne Cashmere mattresses, with layers of bedding and throws ready for you to snuggle up on lazy mornings. The furniture is sourced from local antiques dealers, doing the grandeur of the listed building justice while giving a relaxed, playful feel that complements the subtly quaint decor.

Our room had a small dressing table and two chairs for reading, while looking out to sea. The luxurious bathrooms offer waterfall showers and, in the bigger suites, an impressively large bath too. Cork tiles provide a pleasantly warm bounce underfoot as you step out of the tub and into the provided robe. Plus, if you have a dog, there’s a few pet-friendly rooms, with just a £30 fee for extra cleaning.

What’s not so great?
The hotel’s location is less ideal for those without a car. The nearest train station is at Saxmundham, a 15-minute drive away, so you’ll need to factor in the extra cost of a taxi. And similarly, once in Aldeburgh, you are restricted to where you can walk to as the bus service is very limited.

What’s the damage?
Rooms start at £180 per night including breakfast.

Find our more about The Suffolk – and browse more delicious. travel inspiration. Photographs: Rebecca Dickson.