The Crown and Castle has 19 light, stylish bedrooms all with modern en-suite bathrooms, and one fabulous suite. The hotel is quietly positioned within a stone's throw of Orford Castle. Neither a country house hotel in the ruched-curtain, prohibitively expensive sense, nor is it a boutique hotel where (taupe and wenge) cutting-edge design precludes hospitality – or functionality, if it comes to that. Our aim is to offer a relaxing atmosphere with thoughtful, smiling service; interesting food that respects the seasons; and light, comfortable bedrooms with good beds. Orford itself does the rest.

Ruth and David Watson, along with partner, Tim Sunderland, own and manage the Crown and Castle. The Watsons are well known restaurateurs and hoteliers in Suffolk, having previously owned Hintlesham Hall and the famous Fox and Goose Inn at Fressingfield. Tim Sunderland remained General Manager at Hintlesham for over 15 years after the Watsons sold the Hall, rejoining them in Orford at the start of 2007.

Divided between the garden (10 rooms), courtyard (1 room and 1 suite), and the main hotel (7 rooms), all the bedrooms have been completely refurbished and are airy and bright. The garden rooms have undergone both external and internal refurbishment over the last three years and are now modestly stylish.They also have the added virtue of each having a semi-private terrace overlooking the garden, many with a great view of the castle. Bathrooms throughout the hotel have been completely modernised and have both baths and power showers - with the exception of our two good house doubles, which have walk-in showers only.

DOGS: we welcome a limited number of well-behaved dogs in the hotel, bar and restaurant so please be aware of this should you not like them.

CHILDREN: we welcome children of any age in the restaurant at lunchtime and those over 8 years old in the hotel and at dinner time so please be aware of this should you not like them.

CAR PARKING: we are lucky enough to have parking on site but are 2 spaces short when we are full so guests may occasionally have to park in the village square or by the castle – please drop off luggage at reception first. Marvellously, Orford does not have traffic wardens in operation. 

 www.goodhotelguide.com