White Hart Hotel 55 High Street, Lewes BN7 1XE

"A grand old hotel with log fires and panelled walls downstairs. No restaurant these days so, no hot cooked food, but, bed and breakfast good value faire nonetheless. Rooms comfy if a bit worn. Good location to Newhaven Port. Lewes has many good restaurants."

"I went to Lewes as a bystander trying to understand the attraction of the Lewes boxing day fox hunt event. Only a few horses half with kids on them. I assume the main pack of savages pretending to be trail hunting set off early to carry out their barbaric ritual elsewhere. Lovely old pub though. Pity they have the hunt meet there."

"Very, very run down. The hotel and the “spa” both need to start over. I booked it thinking oh well even if it’s a bit tatty I can have a nice sauna but even that doesn’t really work. Same price as places that are actually nice."

"It was OK for 1 night. No central heating so had to ask for an electric heater. Hotel is generally worn out, ripped net curtains, curtain hanging off the pole. Worn carpets. Dirty shower cubical. No restaurant facilities available. Only continental breakfast available."

"I read some horrible reviews about this hotel the evening before my stay and wondered what I'd let myself in for - gulp. All I can say is I think you need to come and visit it right now! if you don't then you're going to miss out on exploring this iconic timber beamed early 18th century coaching inn with its rich history, many original features including an enormous open fire in the lounge, great situation on the High Street, and its friendly, helpful staff. Okay, it is indeed in need of TLC because it's in the process of being sold and not everything is up to standard. However, no problems at all in my quite spartan room. My only comment would be the chipped tea mug... but I do know if I'd had a word with the staff then it would have been replaced immediately. They were at pains to tell me if guests ever have any complaints then they try to deal with them immediately. The swimming pool was really nice, a good size, not over-chlorinated with an ideal temperature, and the sauna was pleasantly hot. In most hotel saunas the temperature is never high enough. The steps from the changing rooms to the pool were quite slippery so I'd advise wearing flip-flops. I felt privileged to stay at the White Hart Inn with its connection to Thomas Paine, the notorious Revolutionary who wrote the 'Age of Reason' at the end of the 18th century. He formed the 'Headstrong Club' around 1768, which used to meet in the wood-panelled room upstairs (Sheriff's and Tudor rooms). It was from this debating club that led Paine to his association with the American Revolution, and also prison in France. Hotel staff kindly unlocked the room for me to allow me to look - wow! This hotel could easily become a 5-star hotel if its new owners invest in 'smartening' it up. And then guess what? Most people won't be able to afford to stay here and be deprived of its rich history to be enjoyed by a minority. Don't waste time - go and stay there now while you can afford it! Just remember to take your own special mug, flip-flops, and a vase with flowers to brighten up your room."