Suffolk: The Angel Inn named among UK's best hotels

The Angel Inn, a restaurant with rooms in Stoke-by-Nayland was recently named as the Sunday Times Best Place to Stay 2023 in the East of England. 

Richard Clark, a director at the Angel Inn, said he is incredibly proud of the team who have worked so hard since their opening.

"We're all incredibly proud and delighted," Mr Clark said. 

Hotel room in the Angel Inn (Image: Tim Green)

"It is a tremendous accolade and a great testament to all our staff who have worked incredibly hard and with great passion. 

"I think to have achieved best hotel of the year when we have only been open for less than nine months is incredible and we are over the moon. 

Mr Clark said that they have been able to keep the original features of the 500-year-old building as well as add some modern features including air conditioning and underground heating. 

"We have invested very heavily into the site to give it a standard of luxury and specialness which I think would be difficult to find elsewhere, and the Sunday Times has recognised that," Mr Clark added.

"The standout is our restaurant which was also given a top score for food and wine, and is a credit to our exceptional chef and front of house waiting staff. 

"What we are trying to do is create a very special experience for people and everything we do is around that philosophy."

"The guests are really enjoying it and we have a very high proportion of repeat guests who have come back several times. 

"What has been particularly pleasing is we have had tremendous support from the local area."

Claire Irvin, head of travel at The Times and The Sunday Times, added: "Best Places to Stay 2023 is a celebration of the incredible properties we have here on home soil and, most importantly, the hard-working teams that have made each one of them such a singular success."