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Summary of reviewsTHE SARACENS HEAD INN, located in the picturesque village of Old Amersham, offers a delightful blend of historical charm and modern conveniences. Its prime location amidst charming historical buildings and quaint streets provides easy access to the high street, cafes, restaurants and various local attractions. Many guests appreciate the traditional English pub ambiance of the 1530s-built establishment, which enhances its appeal with a distinctive old-world feel. The ease of free on-street parking and the inn’s positioning make it a convenient choice for both leisure and business stays.
The breakfast experience at THE SARACENS HEAD INN generally garners positive feedback, especially for the excellent quality of its full English breakfast. Guests laud the freshly cooked meals and commend the staff’s friendly and personalized service, which significantly enhances the morning meal experience. While some guests noted limited options for vegetarians or those seeking healthier choices, the overall impression remains favorable due to the tasty offerings and welcoming atmosphere.
Dinner at the inn is also well-regarded with guests appreciating the good food choices and excellent value meals. The pub atmosphere and decent beer selection, combined with generous servings and friendly service, create a satisfying dining experience. Although the absence of Sunday evening dining is a minor drawback, the culinary offerings largely leave guests pleased.
When it comes to the rooms, there’s a mix of positive and constructive feedback. Many guests find the rooms clean, comfortable and well-equipped with essential amenities. The unique charm and character of the old coaching inn enhance their stay and staff friendliness adds to the positive experience. However, some rooms are described as dated and in need of refurbishment with issues like noise, small bathrooms and occasional maintenance problems. Despite these shortcomings, the rooms offer a decent level of comfort and are generally suitable for short stays.
Cleanliness receives mixed reviews; some guests find the rooms clean and comfortable, while others note issues such as dusty corners and mold in bathrooms. The inn could benefit from more consistent cleaning standards and refurbishment to address these concerns.
The staff at THE SARACENS HEAD INN shine brightly in guest reviews, frequently praised for their exceptional friendliness, professionalism and helpfulness. The engaging and supportive nature of both bar and kitchen staff significantly contributes to the inn's charm and overall positive guest experience.
Parking arrangements are a mixed bag with free on-street parking and complimentary off-street parking being appreciated. However, the lack of direct hotel parking and occasional confusion regarding parking locations pose challenges for some guests.
Beds receive varied feedback; many guests find them comfortable with mentions of cozy and aesthetically pleasing four-poster beds. However, some guests note issues with the comfort and size of certain beds and pillows, indicating room for improvement in upgrading older mattresses.
Accessibility is an area with mixed reviews. While some parts of the hotel are accessible and praised for ease of access, other areas present challenges, especially for those with mobility issues, indicating that improvements are needed.
Lastly, the historic nature of THE SARACENS HEAD INN is a highlight for many visitors. The inn’s rich history, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, is evident throughout the property, providing a unique and charming atmosphere. The lovely old property with original beams and period features offers a captivating glimpse into the past, making it a memorable place to stay despite some aspects requiring better maintenance.
Overall, THE SARACENS HEAD INN stands out for its historical charm, friendly staff and convenient location, making it a delightful choice for visitors seeking a blend of old-world ambiance and modern hospitality. Show more
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Categories
Historic Inn
Dog Friendly Inn
Dogs Stay Free
Inn with Free Wi-Fi
Inn with Parking
Accessible Inn
Small Inn
3-Star Inn
Inn where Dogs Stay Free
Room Types
Twin Room with Private BathroomThe twin room features a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. There is a wardrobe, a carpeted floor and an outdoor dining area and complimentary wine/champagne is available for guests.
Twin Room with Private BathroomThis twin room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a private bathroom as well as a terrace with an inner courtyard view. The unit has 2 beds.
Double Room with Private BathroomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This double room features a tea and coffee maker, flat-screen TV with streaming services, garden views, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit offers 1 bed.
Single RoomThe single room provides a tea and coffee maker. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.1
Good
Location
Located in the beautiful village of Old Amersham, THE SARACENS HEAD INN boasts a prime position amidst charming historical buildings and quaint streets. Guests consistently praise its convenient and central location, being a short walk from the high street, cafes, restaurants and great shopping. The traditional English pub ambiance adds to its charm with many appreciating the old-world feel of the 1530s-built establishment.
Free on-street parking is a notable perk, though some mention parking can be a bit tricky. The staff receive high marks for their friendliness and helpful nature, enhancing the welcoming atmosphere of this cosy, quintessential English pub. It's a spot well-situated for various local activities, whether visiting nearby Windsor or enjoying the lovely surroundings of Amersham.
The inn provides an excellent base for those with specific purposes in the area, offering a blend of historical charm and modern convenience. With good breakfast options and a variety of beers, it meets guests' needs for both leisure and business stays. Overall, its perfect positioning and congenial hospitality make it a delightful choice for any visitor.
Breakfast
Guests at THE SARACENS HEAD INN generally have positive feedback regarding the breakfast experience. Many reviewers highlight the excellent quality of the full English breakfast, often describing it as delicious and a delightful treat. The bacon and sausages, in particular, receive frequent praise for their taste and the meals are often noted for being freshly cooked and well presented.
The friendly and helpful staff contribute significantly to the positive breakfast experience with several guests mentioning the personalized service and the welcoming atmosphere created by the staff.
However, some reviews indicate areas of improvement; a few guests found the breakfast options limited, particularly for vegetarians or those looking for healthier choices like fruit or yogurt. Nonetheless, the ample and tasty offerings, coupled with the attentive service, generally leave a favorable impression on visitors.
Dinner
The Saracens Head Inn offers a commendable dining experience as noted by guests. The menu provides good food choices with some excellent value meals that stand out. Diners have described the food ranging from good to excellent, often noting generous servings and tasty options. The pub’s atmosphere is frequently praised alongside its decent beer selection. The friendly and attentive staff add to the positive dining experience, ensuring guests feel welcome. Although limited by the absence of Sunday evening dining, the overall feedback indicates a satisfying culinary offering. The combination of good food, great beer and a pleasant ambiance makes it a viable dining option for guests.
Rooms
The Saracens Head Inn offers a mixed experience when it comes to the rooms. Positively noted are the cleanliness and comfort found in many of the rooms with several guests mentioning tidy and spacious accommodations that are well-equipped with amenities such as tea, coffee, biscuits and large TVs. The character and unique charm of the old coaching inn add a distinct flair to the stay, further complemented by very friendly hotel staff and excellent breakfasts.
However, a number of issues have been noted that might affect the overall experience. Some rooms, though clean, are described as dated and in need of decoration with tired-looking furniture and fixtures. Noise can be a problem, especially for rooms close to the road or beer garden. Additionally, bathrooms tend to be small with instances of sliding doors not closing properly, mold and broken tiles reported. Some specific rooms appear to be quite run-down with complaints of dirt, coldness and unpleasant smells.
While many guests found their rooms perfectly adequate for an overnight stay, others felt that the rooms were overpriced considering their condition. Accessibility in certain rooms has been praised, but a few rooms have also been described as cramped with minimal space for luggage and twin beds being uncomfortable. Overall, the accommodations could benefit from a refresh to address the tired decor and maintenance issues. Despite these shortcomings, the general consensus is that the rooms offer a decent level of comfort and cleanliness suitable for short stays.
Beds
The beds at THE SARACENS HEAD INN have received a range of feedback from guests. Many have found the beds to be quite comfortable with several mentions of comfy and really comfortable beds, as well as a four-poster bed that made a good impression aesthetically. Some guests were pleased with the large size of the beds and found the bedding to be very comfortable, contributing to a positive sleeping experience.
However, the feedback is not uniformly positive. Issues have been noted with the comfort and size of some beds, particularly the twin beds, which some guests found too small and uncomfortable. Some mattresses have been described as old and lumpy and pillows have occasionally been mentioned as flat or rock hard. Additionally, there were comments about some beds being narrow and unsupportive, impacting sleep quality for some guests. Overall, while many guests enjoyed a good night's sleep, there are areas where comfort could be improved, especially with regards to upgrading older mattresses and improving pillow quality.
Cleanliness
The cleanliness of THE SARACENS HEAD INN has received mixed reviews from guests. On a positive note, several guests found their rooms to be clean, tidy and comfortable. The bedding and towels were often mentioned as being clean and some reviews describe the property as very clean overall. There were mentions of rooms being nice and dry, contributing to a comfortable stay.
However, numerous reviews highlighted significant cleanliness issues. Complaints included dusty corners, cobwebs, mould in the bathroom and stained carpets. Some guests noted that their rooms appeared generally unclean with thick dust on surfaces, dirty tiles and unwashed windows. Several reviews pointed out that the bathrooms, in particular, needed more attention to cleaning with mentions of mould, filthy grouting and shower screens that hadn't been cleaned in a long time.
Comments also indicated that many of the rooms felt dated and in need of refurbishment with broken furniture, cracked sinks and overall shabby appearances. Despite the occasional mention of cleanliness and comfort, the recurring theme suggested that the inn could greatly benefit from a thorough deep cleaning and systematic updates to improve guest satisfaction.
Staff
The SARACENS HEAD INN has received glowing feedback regarding its staff with numerous guest reviews highlighting their exceptional friendliness, professionalism and willingness to go the extra mile. Descriptions such as engaging, helpful and approachable were commonly used, underscoring a consistent theme of warm hospitality. Visitors appreciated the professional demeanor of both the bar and kitchen staff, along with the courteous nature of the reception team. The supportive and accommodating attitude of the staff left a positive impression, making guests feel relaxed and welcomed. Special mentions were given to staff members like James, celebrated for their outstanding service. The general consensus paints a picture of a team that is not only competent and hospitable but also genuinely invested in creating a pleasant experience for every guest. Whether interacting with friendly locals or enjoying delicious meals, the uniformly excellent service at The SARACENS HEAD INN contributes significantly to its charm and appeal.
Parking
The Saracens Head Inn receives mixed feedback concerning its parking arrangements. Many guests appreciate the excellent location coupled with free on-street parking and some note the availability of off-street parking just a short distance away, often around 100-150 meters. The inn has made arrangements for guests to use the car park of the local British Legion, which is complimentary and a fair walk from the hotel.
However, the lack of onsite parking poses challenges for some visitors, as parking can be tricky and occasionally difficult to find. Some guests were directed to park in no-parking zones, while others found the process awkward or hit-and-miss. Moreover, the car park, though close by at around a two-minute walk, is not always clearly communicated, leading to some confusion.
Overall, while the available parking options prove convenient for many, the absence of direct hotel parking and the need to park up the street might require some planning ahead for a smoother experience.
Accessible
Reviews of THE SARACENS HEAD INN highlight challenges and mixed experiences regarding its accessibility for guests with disabilities. Some guests noted that certain rooms were not accessible, citing large steps up to the room and into the shower, which presented difficulties, especially for elderly guests. Steep and angled stairs with broken balustrades also added to the challenge, making it tricky for some to navigate.
However, there were positive mentions where a room was described as a great size and accessible for a wheelchair and another area of the hotel was noted to have no steps, which was easy to access. These highlights underscore that while parts of the hotel may meet accessibility needs, there are significant areas that could use improvement to better accommodate all guests.
Historic
Nestled in a charming village, THE SARACENS HEAD INN stands out as a prime example of a historic British Coaching Inn. Dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, this property exudes a quaint and charming atmosphere that reflects its storied past. Visitors appreciate the lovely old property, complete with original beams and period features, portraying a captivating glimpse into rural Gloucestershire of bygone days. The inn's 500-year history is evident in every corner, making it a fascinating place for those seeking a unique experience instead of a standard hotel chain. While some aspects of the ancient building require better maintenance, the overall charm and character outweigh these minor inconveniences. Guests can enjoy the blend of historical ambiance and the picturesque setting within a charming historical part of town, making it a truly memorable stay.
No, THE SARACENS HEAD INN doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at THE SARACENS HEAD INN.
Yes, THE SARACENS HEAD INN welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at THE SARACENS HEAD INN.