The Swan, Southwold
The Swan is a 35-room luxury seaside retreat in Southwold, Suffolk, home to two restaurants and an all-day lounge; owned and run by the family behind the iconic Adnams brewery and distillery for over 150 years.
A recent restoration has reinvigorated the accommodation offering in this much-loved 17th-century Georgian Coach House which presides over Southwold’s celebrated market square. Savouring its brewing history and seaside location, the interiors inject a touch of urban style to this quintessential Suffolk bolthole. Vibrant shades combine with old-world charm; ocean blues, nautical artwork and storied antiques ensure heaps of coastal character and pops of hot pink and copper details seamlessly pay homage to the Adnams brewery next door. Throughout the hotel, artwork by renowned Suffolk artists Harry Becker, Jason Gathorne-Hardy and Fred Ingrams ensure a continued sense of place, whilst Brigitte Herrod’s colourful and playful pieces reinforce the hotel’s sense of fun.
The Tap Room at the rear of the hotel is the perfect expression of a modern pub and offers the ultimate Adnams experience. Serving over 17 varieties of beer and informal dishes in a back-bar setting, the restaurant has quickly become a favourite watering hole for locals and visitors alike. At the front, The Still Room encapsulates a deliciously different dining experience for Southwold through a regularly rotating menu of locally inspired seasonal dishes.
For guests eager to explore, the hotel’s butlers – all whom hail from the surrounding area – are on hand. In line with The Swan’s ‘casual luxury’ approach, the butlers go against the uniformed top hat and bow tie stereotype and can organise everything from restaurant bookings to brewery tours and impromptu local excursions.