April 2025 by Jo Jo
I recently visited the Golden Lion Hotel in Hunstanton, and unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory. Despite its prime location near the beach, and the beautifully renovated bar and conservatory areas, the hotel failed to meet basic expectations.
We attended on Saturday evening after a night of entertainment at the Princess Theatre. It could be the perfect venue for after show drinks and a chance to reflect and catch up with friends after a hard week at work. Our negative experience tis weekend means we wont be returning in any great hurry.
The bar staff were unhelpful and seemed disinterested in providing quality service. The overall attitude was far from welcoming and to make matters worse, we were told to leave an area of lounge seating because the staff wanted to close it early, which was incredibly inconvenient and unprofessional.
As business people ourselves we regularly recommend venues to host our clients; the Golden Lion setting could be a perfect place to entertain and impress our clients, but instead of welcoming customers, staff on Saturday evening were telling residents that they would be announcing last orders at 10:30 and making it as uncomfortable as possible for everyone by clearing up around them early.
Not a patch on the Manor at Heacham or the friendly and welcoming Marine Bar in the town.
On a Saturday night in the middle of a half term I would have thought it good business sense to be showcasing this beautifully renovated venue, setting a positive experience and encouraging return visits from locals and residents alike.
A huge disappointment - I hope the owners take note and address their staffing and management concerns. This place could be a thriving hub in what is increasingly becoming a place for elderly residents in a dying town.
Overall, the Golden Lion Hotel did not live up to its reputation or the expectations set by its location. I would not recommend staying here unless significant customer service and staffing improvements are made.
April 2025 by Michaela Spurling
had an overnight stay at the Golden Lion Hotel, and already planning a return visit, rooms so clean and fresh. beautiful bedding, and high quality breakfast. all bought together by the wonderful staff.
will be back.
August 2024 by Jo Leach
Called in based on a recommendation from another restaurant (we couldn't get a table there)
We were not disappointed.
Staff very friendly, welcoming & food amazing. Smaller bar menu, which to me means all food cooked fresh. It arrived hot & well presented.
When visiting the area again, we will definitely be back.
August 2024 by Debbie Creask
fabulous rooms .. 5*
Great food .. lovely breakfast.. wonderful staff.
February 2024 by Joe Pressland
Staff are friendly as always. Great place to
February 2024 by Rainbow Lappage
I came here with my son last summer and we loved it. The location is amazing. Staff very welcoming and friendly. We had a sea view room. The room was clean but very basic and slightly dated. ( although they are updating some rooms now) We still loved our stay and we can't wait to come back and see the
January 2024 by Penny B
Popped in for hot drinks in the bar. Great service, warm and welcoming atmosphere, spacious and comfortable seating areas. Beautiful building, did not stay as was only in Hunstanton the day but would definitely book up if was staying in the area.
January 2024 by Suzanne
Service was incredibly slow with just one person serving at the bar on a very busy day. Nice pint though!
January 2024 by David Learner
2024. It gets to be a habit, Hunstanton, and there are others who love it for life. The new builds are springing up like ivy now but the sea, the sea, will always supply a fourth wall to remind us we're an island. And the Golden Lion marches on, the staff friendly and welcoming, the beer, the food, as good as ever.2023. The end of Christmas means a leaning tree, its star drooping. Somehow it's apt in that Festive Dead Zone during the week before New Year. Hunstanton has everything you could wish for out of season and the beer battered cod at the Golden Lion is to die for. Guinness makes a great complement and then a walk by the candy stripe cliffs to watch the oyster catchers and that amazing wreck, the SS Sheraton, beached until the waves claim it again for their own once nature has disassembled the hulk forever.
January 2024 by Keith Drayton
Tasty and great value food on pleasant surroundings and a lovely sea-front
January 2024 by Louise Smith
Sadly, our party of 12 booked for an after Christmas lunch together. The food was very poor, a large amount of it was inedible. The service and quality fell very short, and we will not be going again. Very disappointing and certainly not worth the money.
January 2024 by steven dewar
Just had 2023 Christmas Dinner there. Well cooked on a very hot plate. I'm booking up for next year. You won't be disappointed with a visit to the Golden Lion.
January 2024 by Russ Welch
Lovely food but lack of staff, I didn?t feel
December 2023 by Gill Hayden
Spotlessly clean. Bar was closed and kitchen closed at 7.00pm There were repairs going on that's is why bar was closed. Hole in the net curtain in bedroom not a good look.
December 2023 by Lofti Kaz
Stayed in with a friend in two separate rooms, overall happy for what I paid, quite night, comfty bed, victorian style,. Nice and basic. friend was vegan so they had sausages and tomatoes and beans. Didn?t try the food, Shower room too cold to have in winter but Great staff, even you can tell they?re not very happy inside times are tough but they do their best. I?ll definitely comeback again.
