First Impressions
Tucked away in the Suffolk countryside is a hotel like no other. Peaceful settings and calming colours make you ready to switch off from your normal routine and fully enjoy your time here at Retreat East. Every corner is full of beautiful furnishings that make you want to redecorate your own home and you are surrounded by the most glorious countryside that you can’t help but relax and be at one with nature.
You may be thinking that with the name Retreat it means you are on juice diets and doing yoga during your stay, but don’t worry, this really isn’t the case at all. They simply mean somewhere to relax and unwind and recharge your batteries, whatever that means for you. So you can still get cocktails and spend a day having spa treatments and relaxing in your barn.
I was so excited when I booked to stay here as it’s been on my wish list for quite some time and my expectations were met in every single way as soon as we drove down the drive. Each building is as beautiful from the outside as it is on the inside. With wood cladding and rustic brick buildings from the old barns, wonderful country decor, and modern furnishings inside, it really was country chic.
Interiors
After visiting, prepare to want to redecorate! From the exposed brickwork, country kitchens, fabulous bathrooms, and everything in between, the interiors are to die for. As they have used natural materials like the wood throughout all their properties it creates a calming and warm feeling, instantly making you relax and set into life at Retreat East.
They seamlessly combine the original barns with modern touches so you really do get the best of both worlds. The main barn where reception sits and where you are served food is an instant wow factor. The high ceilings with exposed beams, slate floors, brick fireplace, and sophisticated design get you excited to explore your room for the night.
Rooms
They have 15 fabulous barns to choose from and each is filled with calming colours, luxurious extras, and comfy soft furnishings. They have romantic one bedroom barns that are perfect for a romantic weekend away, all the way up to the incredible Farmhouse which can sleep 8 people in its 4 bedrooms. You will definitely find the perfect barn for you depending on who you are traveling with. The hardest part will be deciding which one to go for.
Every detail had clearly been thought of to make your stay extra special. With French doors leading to the decking outside where you can relax amongst the surrounding countryside. Organic bathroom and kitchen products make the whole barn smell delicious, and with the comfiest bed ever so won’t want to leave your barn during your stay. You instantly feel at home when you step into your accommodation which is always a great touch. It didn’t just feel like somewhere to just sleep, it felt like we were a million miles away from home.
They are also extremely dog friendly and child friendly which means the whole family can come along too. Each room has some sort of outside space whether it’s a decking, a whole courtyard, or a garden so you can make the most of any type of weather during your stay.
Dining
If your plan is to spend the weekend on site, all the barns at Retreat East are self-catering, with cooking facilities and all the pots, pans, and kitchen utensils you need to rustle up a delicious dinner.
Onsite they have a wonderful restaurant in the main barn. This is a great place for all occasions with cosy sofas around a fire to unwind after your day exploring the site, cocktails whilst playing a game of pool near the bar, or relaxed dining under the exposed beams. It becomes the hub of Retreat East and a place where people hang out with friends and family or simply just relax.
The menu showcases the abundance of seasonal ingredients nearby, with highlights from your meal plucked straight from the garden. Continental breakfast is free for all guests staying there and they offer a great selection of cereals, fruit, and pastries, so it’s a great way to start your day.
We had dinner there one evening too and it very tasty and very well presented. We had homemade bread and balsamic to start as we sipped on cocktails. This was followed by the vegetarian sharing platter (£16) and Rib eye steak (£25) for mains. We couldn’t leave without trying one of their delicious puddings, so we had sticky toffee pudding (£8) and the cheese board (£10) which was all sourced locally from Suffolk. Other menu highlights include the dressed Cromer crab, pan-fried sea bass, and garden strawberries with whipped cream and mini meringues.
Extras
They offer lots of activities to keep you busy so you don’t even have to get the car out if you don’t want to. From free bikes to explore the local area, yoga classes to feel even more relaxed, clay pigeon shooting to really get into country living, or horse riding to be at one with nature. Everyone staying here, of all ages will have the opportunity to try something new or just do the things they love.
To top it all off they even have a spa and offer treatments. You are able to book the outdoor Jacuzzi for an hour which means you can get away from it all and have some peace and quiet. You can also treat yourself to a facial, massage, or manicure if you really want to experience true relaxation. They have a sauna as well but unfortunately due to Covid-19 (damn you Coronavirus!!!), it wasn’t open. If you have kids but want some time without them so you can truly enjoy the spa, then send them off to learn how to do archery or even axe throwing (age dependent!)
Dogs
As mentioned previously, they are very dog friendly, which is amazing as most places that are this luxurious often don’t allow your four legged friends to come with you, so this makes it even more special and wonderful in my books. Dogs are allowed in every room too, which means you are able to book whichever barn you fancy which is another great touch. Well behaved dogs are allowed in the main barn so they can come and join you for breakfast, cocktails, and dinner if you choose to dine there. Where they keep the bikes they also have a four paw spa where you can shower your dog down after a muddy day playing in the fields, which was very handy!
Don’t just take my word for it though, go and have a look on their Instagram and website to see all the wonderful things on offer and book yourself a night or two away here, trust me you won’t be disappointed.
Nearby
Woodbridge
This is a lovely market town that sits on the river Deben. It is around a 25 minute drive away but it has some lovely places to eat and shop. Make sure you head to Market Hill for some great independent home and clothes shops. Fancy something to eat? Then I would recommend Honey and Harvey for breakfast, lunch, or for some of their delicious cakes. They also do takeaways, which is great if you want to go and have a picnic somewhere, but the cafe is dog friendly so everyone can sit in if you prefer. Head to Blue Salt if you want some wood-fired or smoked food or go to Pump Street Bakery for some incredible chocolate treats. Just on the outskirts of Woodbridge is a prestigious restaurant called The Unruly Pig if you are looking for somewhere a bit fancier to dine at.
Framlingham
28 minute drive away is the historic market town of Framlingham. For history lovers, you can explore the English Heritage Castle that looks down at the town below and was where Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England. You can even book a ghost tour during the Autumn months if you are ready to be scared. If that doesn’t sound like your thing, then just enjoy walking around the beautiful town and marvel at the exquisite cottages that line the roads.
Lavenham
This is a 35 minute drive in the other direction but is definitely one to pop to during your stay or while you make your way to and from Retreat East. This is an extremely picturesque town, so will be busy with other tourists who have come to see a classic old English town. With their half-timbered medieval cottages and colourful houses up and down every road, this really is one of the most picture perfect towns. It also boasts many shops so you will be able to spend your day browsing sweet boutiques and treating yourself. Check out Number Ten Wine Bar And Kitchen for a glass of Rose and a nibble after a long day exploring and shopping. The Swan dominates the town with its beautiful building and offers luxury dining in their restaurant, afternoon tea, or a garden retreat for a glass of fizz.
Kersey
Kersey is a quintessential picture-postcard village. With thatched and timber-framed cottages lining the main road and a stream running through it, it really is an iconic Suffolk sight. There isn’t too much to see or do here but just walking the winding streets to uncover some idyllic cottages is just perfect. Take a seat near the church to have views of the village and spend some time watching the world go by in this little slice of heaven.
Dedham
Leave the Suffolk countryside for a glimpse of Essex and visit this sweet village of Dedham that sits right on the River Stour. If you are looking for something to do then definitely check out The Boathouse where not only can you have something to eat, but you guessed it, you can hire a rowing boat there too. The river is extremely pretty so you will have plenty to look at as you glide through the water for an hour. Make sure you walk up to the main village and explore the attractive streets of Georgian-fronted houses and old inns.
There are some other great places to visit, however, they are around an hour’s drive away, so maybe too far if you are wanting to stay fairly local and just explore the countryside surrounding Retreat East.
Thaxted and Saffron Walden
I may be slightly biased as Thaxted is my hometown, so this is why we decided to stop off here, but it really is a lovely Essex town. Make sure you go up and down the cobbled streets, and head to the Windmill and Guildhall to really get a feel for this beautiful, colourful town. Saffron Walden is a bigger market town so if you want to do some shops and have some food then this is a great place to stop off at. Go to The Eight Bells for not only great food but to also be inspired by all the lovely decor.
Southwold
Known for its family owned brewery Adnams, Southwold is a charming seaside town surrounded by beautiful beaches and lush countryside. Situated on the East Suffolk coastline it’s a popular tourist town for many Londoners trying to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
It’s a fairly small town but has many delightful shops and pubs to spoil yourself with so it really is a great spot for a day or why not visit for another holiday. There are a couple of Deli’s in the town so you can get some wonderful, local, and homemade produce to fill a picnic or to take back to your barn. If you are lucky to be there on a sunny day then I would head to The Denes beach, get a cosy spot up in the dunes and take a picnic, and a bottle of Adnams Rose Fizz and spend the afternoon people watching and dipping your toes in the sea.
For more information on Southwold, check out our blog here.
