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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Star, housed in a mixture of new and old buildings, has been totally rebuilt, with new roofs, new wooden windows, many trees planted and its 30 bedrooms and bathrooms all remodelled and newly decorated. The dining room is decorated with a striking black and white Elizabethan design on the floor. The library is a sanctuary for guests to enjoy a drink or a cup of tea, or play one of the board games. Its bookshelves are packed with poetry, short stories and novels by British authors, and there is a section dedicated to local history, flora and fauna. The library has a secret door that opens onto the restaurant.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Classic
Languages Spoken
English, Italian
Location
High Street East Sussex, Alfriston BN26 5TA England
The Star
336 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The Star hotel garners appreciation for its stylish and tranquil atmosphere, with guests frequently lauding the tasteful decoration and comfortable amenities, such as cozy common areas adorned with fireplaces. While the rooms are celebrated for their comfort and high-quality features, a few guests find them somewhat small.
The hotel's cleanliness is exemplary, with both rooms and public spaces being well-maintained. Opinions on value and service are divided; the quality of food receives praise, yet some guests feel the prices are steep and the service can be inconsistent.
Atmosphere
Welcoming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Well-appointed
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We were fortunate enough to book a stay on the official opening of 14th June. We had enjoyed many walks around Alfriston during lockdown as we live locally and had seen work on The Star progress - very slowly it seemed at times. We had wanted to book a table to eat in the restaurant but for the first few weeks it is dining for residents only so we stretched to an extravagant Monday night treat. The parking is gated but was very busy on arrival so we parked on the edge of the village, I am sure we could have been squeezed in if I had asked but I was happy to park elsewhere. We had a standard balcony room at £290 per night Bed and Breakfast and this was in what had looked a rather ugly extension but had been worked absolute wonders with externally and the decor inside was beautiful as you would expect from a hotel owned by the Polizzi family. Excellent bedding and towels, with many items sporting the Star symbol. We ate delicious Italian influenced but predominantly locally sourced food in the stunning refurbished restaurant, the Lamb with anchovies was wonderful, super crispy fat and pink flesh. Retiring to the library for coffee with it's secret door in the bookcase was heavenly. Breakfast was delicious served to your table, we enjoyed the creamiest of Scrambled Egg and Smoked Salmon and Tomatoes on Toast. Very good bathroom and lighting throughout our room. Niggles - I asked for Coffee to be available in room twice at reception, once with the porter and directly with housekeeping but it wasn't taken care of nor was fresh milk placed in room, The superb Shannon our restaurant host took care of this after I had returned from dinner to this oversight but the milk had gone sour by the morning and there was no UHT alternative, a fridge with fresh milk made available for guests to help themselves to would be very welcome. At 4.30 am we were woken by the sweeping with a stiff brush the area in front of reception it went on for about 30 minutes and could perhaps be done a little later. Other than these minor niggles, The Star looks a fabulous addition for Alfriston and we look forward to being able to dine as a non resident once they are operating at full speed.
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Date of stay: June 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Last stayed at the Star 5 years ago and the changes are amazing. They start as soon as you arrive, with electric gates into the car park (which has charging points) and a very short walk brings you to reception, staffed by amongst the best staff I’ve seen. The room was immaculate and my wife really liked the ‘small things’, hair dryer next to the main mirror, small towels were the perfect size to wrap hair etc The bar, dining room and the courtyard have all been beautifully done and the menu and quality of food & presentation did not disappoint, definitely a food destination. Alfriston is a very pretty village and walking along the river or further down by the coast is a must, the hotel provides wellies of all sizes as it can get very muddy and they went beyond anything I’ve seen previously by offering to clean our very muddy hiking boots (they came back spotless 😀) Basically lots of things to impress but the most impressive were the staff who were uniformly excellent and nothing was too much trouble. This was our first night away post lockdown and the Star made us realise what we’ve been missing
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Date of stay: August 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Everything about our one night stay made me happy. We had a ground floor room in the newer wing with a small, sunny terrace. I loved the decor and the way the limited space is optimised, with a little sofa included. Similarly although the bathroom is small it has a large walk-in rain shower. There were lovely Bramley toiletries but no slippers or robes. (I'd have loved a pair of slippers with the Star logo ...). Hidden in the wardrobe was a safe, hairdryer, and kettle with the prettiest cups and saucers. Tea is provided, fresh milk and coffee on request. Carafes of water by the bedside were replenished with the turndown service. The bed was extremely comfortable with luxurious bedlinen. Hotel bedrooms are often too hot for me and this was a warm night so I came armed with my trusty Dyson fan but the room was surprisingly cool and I had no need for it. Difficult to decide whether to dine in the pretty, candlelit courtyard or the beautiful, timber beamed restaurant with its stunning stencilled floor. We chose the latter and enjoyed an excellent if expensive meal. The menu is limited, and I was a little disappointed that the fish options were sea bass or sea trout - both things that I cook at home (albeit these were wild, not farmed), so I chose instead the South Downs lamb leg with fennel, spinach and a herb vinaigrette. It was delicious and a very generous portion. The wine list covers a range of prices and there are many available by the glass, giving us the chance to sample some lovely Italian wines that we were unfamiliar with. Having followed the TV series about the refurbishment of The Star and witnessed the blood, sweat and tears that Alex put in to it, it was good to see her looking relaxed and chatting to guests at their tables, both then and again at breakfast the next morning. Breakfast was a lovely, relaxed affair. Berries with local yogurt and fresh figs and nuts followed by a selection of hot dishes and great coffee. All the staff without exception we found to be friendly and helpful, both in the restaurant and at reception. What makes The Star special for me is the way a sense of history has been retained and the mix of warmth and homeliness with style and an eclectic taste in furnishings and art. I loved the sculpture in the library of the woman with bird's nest hair! There is information in your room regarding nearby walks. Cuckmere Haven is only a short drive away and we enjoyed visits to the nearby Rathfinney Wine Estate and to Charleston Farmhouse. We had such a brilliant time!
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel looks nice and the village is lovely. However, something is missing. I felt the same as I did at Tresanton, an awkwardness that makes me feel a little unsure how things work, where to go. It feels like a club that I am not a member of.
The atmosphere is very serious and quiet, No music In the dining room for example. The courtyard area is nice but there’s very little public space inside for winter or wet weather, a small library but if anyone’s in there you don’t feel you can intrude and we sat there for 30 mins wandering if anyone would come to take a drinks order or if we should go looking for help.
I appreciate they have only just opened and there are bound to be teething troubles and that the pandemic and brexit aren't helping in terms of staffing, but you shouldn’t open til your ready - we didn’t know where to go to check in, and only got turn down on one of the nights. Our beds were never made til late afternoon which isn’t very nice when you return from a long walk! It shows they are struggling. There is a kettle and teabags but you have to ring for coffee or milk which isn’t great at 7am when you want a quiet cuppa as you surface. The beds were really hard and after 2 nights both our backs were achy. All in all it’s got potential for a summer stay when you are doing something in the area but it’s not enough of a draw on its own.
In terms of price the restaurant is very expensive for quite uninspiring fare. A meal for 2 with a pint and a glass of wine set us back £150. The menu was very earthy and autumnal lots of aubergine, lentils etc and didn’t feel exciting or summery. There is more atmosphere in the bar at the front but it’s the same overpriced menu in there and it was almost the same menu as the previous evening. Had we known we would have had one dinner elsewhere on the second evening. The total price of our stay was £1200 for 2 nights which is similar to our favourite hotel the Covent Garden which is more luxurious in every aspect and the service always without fault and being in central London should command higher rates.
Watching the channel 5 documentary having stayed there is very interesting - they need to focus more on making people feel pampered and comfy and less on choosing plates. I really feel for everyone in the hospitality sector at this challenging time abc I hope in time this hotel can become worthy of its steep rates
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We really liked The Star - it has been beautifully renovated, and with the attention to detail that characterises the Polizzi hotels (we are also fans of the others). The location in Alfriston is rather idyllic (breathtaking walks on the Downs and by the river just yards from the hotel). There are no real views from the rooms, but they are stylish and comfortable (beds, towels, decor and touches all highest standards). The service is friendly and professional and we had the highest praise for the food. The menus are short but very nicely presented and prepared (we don't eat meat but delicious fish and vegetarian dishes). We were lucky to have a day of warm and sunny weather, where we were able to sit in the pretty courtyard - sunny and relaxed during the day, and rather magical at night (it will only improve as the plants mature). A really nice experience all round.
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Date of stay: August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We found the staff friendly and extremely well trained. The attention to detail in our room, a standard room, was beautiful and colour carefully thought out. Super ginger biscuits as thin as paper supplied on tea and coffee tray, fresh milk brought when asked for as per instruction. Superb linen and comfortable bed. We enjoyed a local gin and tonic in the library before a delicious dinner although watercress replaced by rocket! We are not foodies but loved our meals on both nights and excellent breakfasts. We look for attention to detail as well as service in a dining room, this we received. Only sadness was only one of the local Alfriston shops which were so well advertised in our room, was open.
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Date of stay: December 2021
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So disappointing! The Star Inn is somewhere we have visited for many years and enjoyed food and drinks in a lovely friendly setting. Whilst the décor and environment is much improved, it has lost it's charm, spirit, warm and welcoming atmosphere that has always been a reason for local people to visit. I am not at all surprised that the recent review in the Sunday Times gave The Star such a damming review and yet positively praised other local venues in the vicinity that were worthy of praise. The staff are clearly intimated by the expectations set upon them and this was evident in their nervousness around customers, as well as a lack of service in the courtyard area. Goodness knows how they will cope if it ever gets busy! The drinks were extortionately overpriced and whilst we asked for the service charge to be removed we will still overcharged for a small glass of wine! The staff clearly do not have the confidence or autonomy to deal with these issues themselves and were robotic in their demeanour. We all understand and appreciate the need for staff training but they need to learn to smile, be friendly and make customers feel welcome, instead of displaying their own nervousness! A great shame that such a special place in the heart of a beautiful village is clearly not interested in welcoming people just for a drink and is only interested in the big money that they will command from highly overpriced rooms and food - read the review in The Times before you visit! The signs were there when we walked past just after it opened to say that it was only open to residents - clearly not an invite for a drink!
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Date of stay: September 2021
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I, like many others, have known The Star for decades. I have stayed, dined and drunk there many times. It was so sad to see it decline and close. So it was so exciting to be in the area and pop in just to see what it is like, and have a drink to start.
Our welcome was not brilliant. A grizzled chap asked if he could help us, and when I joked that we didn’t need anything, he said ‘well goodbye then’. Ah ok. I then said, seriously, as the chap had zero sense of welcome or humour, I understand you are fully booked for lunch? The place looked almost empty at 1.30 but I was assured they were booked for the foreseeable future for Sunday lunch. I then asked if we could get a drink at the bar - and yes of course we were most welcome. So, an awkward start but hopefully it would pick up.
The barman was a delight. Charming, helpful. We had a small bottle of coke, a dry Sherry and a free (!) bowl of nibbles. £9.60. Only a couple of other people in the bar, which seemed strange as they have done a reasonable job on the decor. When I looked at the bill they add 12.5% service charge for drinks from the bar - not table service. I think that is a shame.
When we left at 2pm there was still a swathe of empty tables but they insisted they were fully booked, and lunch finishes at 3pm.
We had a look at the restaurant, which sadly features marble top tables like at Pizza Express - goodness knows who thought that was attractive. But very sweet staff showed us around.
I wish The Star lots of luck. The history has been sanitised, the black beams stripped back and made chic boutique. However it’s not too bad. It needs tweaking in my opinion.
We went across the road to The George where we got a warm welcome, quick table service and a spectacular plate of roast beef and Yorkshire’s for £15 and no service charge. It was packed. When we left at 4pm there were still unused tables at the Star. Maybe the fully booked didn’t turn up. Or maybe they went across the road to The George.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After watching the TV series exploring the renovation of The Star we decided to book a 2 night stay for my birthday treat. From the moment we entered to when we left all the staff made us feel so at home & truly welcome. We’d actually arrived a couple of hours earlier than check in as if room wasn’t ready we could explore village. To our delight room was ready & we were swiftly shown to our room. Sadly, although room was ready it was made up as a twin ? No worries it was swiftly changed to a lovely comfy double while we were out exploring the village. We had a courtyard room (we had our small dog with us & these are the rooms dogs can stay in) the room was smallish,but perfectly ok for a 2night break. Anyone with a big dog may find them a bit of a squeeze. Rooms are so tastefully decorated & once the plants hv grown the little seating area outside will be a delight to sit at. We had drinks both nights & during the daytime in the bar which has been lovingly restored & improved to its full splendour. Dogs are welcome in the bar area, so both days we chose to have breakfast there. Absolutely perfect & don’t think we missed out on having breakfast in the main restaurant. In fact on our last morning they had made up a table just for us & lit the fire,such a lovely touch & made me feel very special. We also ate in the restaurant (left our dog in a crate in room, staff kindly said they would let us know if he was making a noise) I have done a separate restaurant review. Throughout our stay was the constant voice & presence of Alex. She is as delightful in person as she is on tv and is very hands on serving customers & watching everything going on & takes the time to interact with every guest. Truly wish Alex & Olga every success & can’t wait to stay at their sister hotels.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just spent 3 nights at The Star over the Jubilee weekend. We picked The Star for the location and also because their ground floor rooms are dog friendly. In fact you receive a bowl, blanket and treats in your room. The beauty of the downstairs rooms are the fact you have a small terrace area off your room and in addition, opposite you room door is a walled garden with tables and chairs which is a very private sun trap. The rooms are very comfortable and clean with the usual facilities such as tea & coffee tray (you order fresh milk each day) and hairdryer along with curated books covering the local area along with vintage fiction. The hotel offers wellies, straw hats and blankets to cover all eventualities. The weather was nice so we were able to lunch in the courtyard which has a Mediterranean feel. There is a smart restaurant, the pub area where you can dine with your dog and a library with a vast array of books. The food changes each night and there is always local produce and a nice mix of meat and seafood. As expected there are Italian flavours on offer with daily pasta dishes. The staff work very hard. They are attentive and professional without being over-bearing. Alex is a wonderful host, chatting to guests, taking orders, clearing tables and overseeing all operational aspects of The Star. If you watch the Hotel Inspector, Alex practices what she preaches. The village itself is lovely with a real community feel, lovely independent shops, pubs and beautiful countryside walks. I’ve stayed in many hotels across the world and I was made to feel very welcome and enjoyed my stay thoroughly. So much so that we have now booked to stay over Christmas. I recommend booking lunch/dinner in advance as it’s a popular venue but still retains that personal feel.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Book meals in advance and choose a terrace room if you want outside space.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
London, United Kingdom62 contributions45 helpful votes
There is no doubt that the many complaints reflect a problem. If I were you, and given you have committed to stay there, I would give them a call in advance and explain your concerns, not rely on the owner reading this. Tell them you'd like a decorated room and insist on seeing it before. I usually find that those who take extra steps to get what they want get it and those who rely on good faith don't sadly. If you are walking the SDW get over to The Seven Sisters it's an amazing days walking
There are more places to choose from in the Alfriston area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
the star at alfriston hotel alfriston, star hotel alfriston, the star hotel, star alfriston
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
The Star Inn
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandEast SussexAlfriston
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
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