The Bell Inn Hotel, Stilton — Hotel in Huntingdonshire

We stopped by at the Bell Inn for one night and were pleased with our room and our food, both in the evening and at breakfast. We look out for somewhere that is quiet at night - which it was despite being close to the A1(M) - but has a bit of life and this was ideal for that. The hotel was refurbished in late 2024, and that showed. The room was small but very well laid out, and bed was comfortable. Water was provided. Parking was easy (available on street if car park is full). The pub wasn't too dead in the evening, unlike some others we have stayed at, and the village has a few others places to go if you want (we popped into another local pub). We were very impressed given the price we paid, though not everything was perfect. In particular, though the forecast was for a hot day, and we knew were were booking a room without air conditioning, we hadn't expected a 13.5 tog duvet. There was a fan and the room was reasonably well insulated, and let us open the windows (over the quiet courtyard) but we still did not sleep very well as the temperature had reached 30 degrees that day. At home we have a 3 tog duvet for most of the summer! We queried this the next morning when checking out but were told the duvet was "All year round" and the opposite might be a problem in winter. I don't think 13.5 is a neutral tog for all year round, and would suggest that for the whole summer 7.5 or 10.5 be used as more suitable for most people. A second issue was the shower - which was fine most of the time but the pressure went very low for a while, probably as neighbouring rooms were using theirs. Final room for improvement was how the phone is answered. We wanted to pre book our evening meal and tried ringing several times, but just got a very long message about weddings etc, before ringing without answer, so we gave up. Luckily there was good availability that evening for eating. |Overall an impressive hotel, which would be particularly good to stay at outside hot periods (or if you like 13.5 tog duvets...

Living a short drive away from Stilton we always enjoy a meal at The Bell whenever possible, whether it be a lunch or dinner we have never been disappointed, especially in good weather when we can dine in the lovely atmospheric courtyard, when the summer nights are warm and pleasant you could be anywhere in Europe, The building which hugs the courtyard on three sides makes it a beautiful setting for outside dining. We have also seen intimate, beautiful wedding functions enjoy the courtyard area during summer allowing guests to wander outside the function rooms for a breath of fresh air and a catch up with friends and relatives. There is a great bar area which leads into an informal restaurant which we have enjoyed on numerous occasions. There is also a Bistro dining area which is again very pleasant, both of these areas have easy access to the courtyard from two bar areas. Upstairs is a charming silver service restaurant which is graced with oak beams, crisp white table linen and excellent attention at all times from a very professional staff, we have had many delightful Sunday lunches here, but not yet had the pleasure of dining on a dark winters night which I would imagine is magical with candles flickering to enhance the old world charm of The Bell in all its glory. We have never stayed overnight at the hotel as we live just a short distance away so I cannot comment on the accommodation, but what I can say is that in all the years we have eaten at this establishment we have never had a disappointing meal, there is always an ever changing specials board and a good menu. There is a good selection of real ales for the man in your life and an extensive wine list. The Bell is just minutes off the A1 and within easy reach of many surrounding villages and Peterborough. I can highly recommend this hotel/restaurant from...

Beautiful restaurant and setting, a receptionist who couldn't be more helpful and was lovely and the starter was very nice and tasty too. That's unfortunately all the positives. Very poor waiter service. After being there a while we had to go and ask for someone to take drink orders. Starters like I said above very very tasty and beautifully made. However... We were still eating the starters when the waiter came with our main meals.... 3 of those the cheesy burgers. Not being ready for them they took them back. Ordered a second round of drinks. Half hour later food arrives. 3 meals were lovely, the 3 burgers however not so much. One was sent back being cold in the middle. All 3 were tough and overcooked as if just kept hot in the microwave. I'm sorry but paying £17 for a burger that's not acceptable.A side order of extra vegetables was brought out when nearly finished our meal.... Pointless and got sent back. Meanwhile we had to remind the waitress for a 4th time about the missing glass of wine. Once finished and told a waitress we weren't happy with the burgers but no response really. After another while they asked if we would like coffee which most of us did. A long wait again for 5 coffees. Got the coffees and 5 minutes later got told we had 10 minutes to finish the coffee and leave the table which wouldn't of course have been a problem understanding the rules.... Had the staff brought them out 20 minutes earlier. So got handed paper cups to take away coffee. It was not overly busy to what we could tell so no excuse there I don't think, just staff needing a lot of training when they re open. We won't...