The Cross Keys

Everything was great for my stay. Not sure why the overall score isn’t much much higher. Maybe rooms vary?! My room was pretty much perfect other than it being too hot & me not knowing until the next morning that I could have turned it down or off during the night. My own fault. (After a pub crawl though so…) Very comfortable bed. I guess it’s slightly noisy-ish on the main street but it didn’t bother me at all. I wanted the old/historic room with the low ceiling and that’s exactly what I got. Shower was perfect for me too. Very clean bathroom and very nice amenities for shower use. I ate lunch on arrival before check in and it was delicious. I had dinner towards the end of my pub crawl & the fish and chips here were so good. I have had bad fish & chips in England a lot in the past and felt lucky that wasn’t the case here. I had my 3rd meal here for breakfast the next morning. It was very fitting to hear ABBA “Waterloo” somewhat blasting when I got to breakfast after 9 am and then Tom Jones right after that. The staff was always friendly and helpful too. The breakfast woman was a character & working with two fun people hanging up Santa hats for Xmas decorations. The woman who checked me in and answered many questions was also great. Sorry I don’t remember names. She and her husband who also works there were very kind. A new staff member who had lived in Australia for two years and was new to Saffron Walden showed me to my room and she too was great and very personable and seemed to be a good fit with the others. The young guy who closed the pub area and restaurant was also awesome. He recommended places in town for what I was looking for and all recs were fun. I’m not sure how people can dock them points for insufficient parking options within the beautiful walking district within Saffron Walden. Seems a bit strict and unnecessary to be honest.

The staff were so kind and happy to make us comfortable. My daughter asked for boiled eggs, which weren’t on the menu, and they made it special by putting the eggs in cups for her. My daughter also bumped her head walking into the glass entry door and she was made to feel so important and looked after. My son loved the tiny window in his room and the age of the building, he wants to have the same room again! My father was visiting from America and loved everything. Would highly recommend!

Lovely old building with plenty of character , staff were very welcoming on arrival and its l in a great location for exploring the Town with plenty of parking only a short walk away. Evening meal in the restaurant was good and they had a nice menu. Breakfast was excellent and great value for money again staff were very friendly and welcoming. Our room in the barn conversion was great , the heating worked well and was big with a vaulted ceiling, interesting bathroom facilities which we liked but that's perhaps not for everyone so a screen is provided. Overall a great overnight stay and very happy.

We nearly booked the Holiday Inn and so glad we didn't, what was a overnight stay before an early meeting turned into a lovely break. The hotel dates back to 1579, it's beautifully maintained our room was up a spiral stair case beautifully designed free standing bath in the room lovely comfortable bedding with crisp luxurious bedding. The food in the restaurant was excellent a quick bite to eat turned into 3 courses and finished with Irish coffees. The young staff were so friendly and helpful, when I asked for the kitchen to change my order the dish arrived with the request sauted fresh spinach with just a hint of garlic not on the menu but happily supplied. Cannot rate the place highly enough. Fantastic breakfast cooked to order with all the items I asked for Again thank you.

Arrived for lunch which was excellent,after we explored the area a quaint little town with lots of interesting shops. Booked for an evening meal staff were polite professional and once again food delicious reasonably price. Our waitress was smiley polite and helpful. Down for breakfast in the morning,everthing you could want a beautiful well cooked breakfast and the lady that welcomed us on our arrival and served breakfast was delightful and helpful. We all had a very enjoyable time and will be back