The Mermaid has been welcoming travellers for 600 years. From Thursday 5th November we will be closed due to the latest Government Guidelines. We will be open for the following purposes:

“where people are unable to return to their main residence;
or live in accommodation permanently;
or need accommodation while moving house;
or need accommodation while attending a funeral;
or is isolating themselves from others as required by law;
is an elite athlete or coach and requires accommodation for training or competition;
or is providing accommodation for any persons who requires accommodation for the purposes of their work.”

We hope to fully re-open on Thursday 3rd December.

HOWEVER……….

Takeaway Service from Monday 9th November…….Menu……it will probably be the oldest Drive Thru in the world……

Ordering:

1. Phone reception on 01797 223065 between 9am and 8.30pm Friday – Tuesday.
2. Reception will record the order. Payment is by card only. If picking up by car, please supply the car registration.
3. A Time will be given for pick up.

Pick Up:

By Car:
1. Please drive up Mermaid Street and drive through the Arch and park in the Car Park at the rear.
2. The order will be brought to your car.
3. Please exit the Car park via The Mint.

On Foot:
1. Please wait in the areas marked on the Patio outside the Bar.
2. Your Order will be placed on a table for you to pick up.

Reception is open ….please be patient as we are very busy…..we will respond to all enquiries. [email protected] or 01797223065

Our Restaurant is open for bookings on Open Table for Thursday 3rd December onwards . Both The Restaurant and The Giants Fireplace Bar will be operating with reduced capacity. We have opened The Tudor Bar to provide seating for 50 people. Bookings are not taken for the Bars.

THE TUDOR BAR

Due to the Government Rulings, the Restaurant and Bar will be closed at 10pm The timings for Food Service will be 6.00pm until 8.30pm in both the Restaurant and the Bars

There will be clearly identified entrance and exit points to the building. There will be table service throughout.

There will be staff with the specific role to meet and greet.

Please see our Covid 19 Protocol for full details.

The Cellars date from 1156 and the building was rebuilt in 1420 after The Mermaid and the Town of Rye were burnt to the ground by French Raiders on June 22nd 1377.

Experience a drink in the Giant’s Fireplace Bar and imagine how the Hawkhurst Gang, local smugglers in the 1730s and 1740s, caroused in the bar. Can you see the secret passageway entrance?

Dine in the Linen Fold Panelled Restaurant. Enjoy the ambience of the large restaurant, the cosiness of the Dr Syn dining room or the privacy of the Boardroom for your evening meal, lunch and breakfast.

Explore our Rooms

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Car Parks in Rye:

Due to Covid 19 Regulations our car parking capacity is reduced, as staff will not be able to drive guests’ cars. We recommend guests drop off luggage in reception, then park the car in Rye. We recommend The Market Car Park (Closed Wednesday Night for Thursday Market) which is 5 minutes walk or Strand Quay Car Park which is 2 minutes walk.

Click the link below for the details of all Car Parks in Rye.

Car Parks in Rye.

RECENT REVIEWS

Good Hotel, Great Food, Superb Staff

We can only underline the many positive comments of recent reviews. We enjoyed first class customer service, beautifully prepared and presented food and very comfortable public areas. An early evening drink in front of the open fire in the bar is the perfect way to start the evening. Our standard room (30) was quite small. Room décor was traditional with creaky wooden furniture and an okay bed. However, getting to it up crooked narrow stairs and a maze of corridors was great fun. The highlight of our stay was the breakfast and dinner service. The quality of food is outstanding and the well-trained attentive staff superb. There are only four mains on offer at dinner but perfect for our two-night stay. Breakfast was the best we have enjoyed for many years with every option we desired. The Mermaid Hotel is highly recommended albeit Rye is a bit dull at this time of year especially with Covid restrictions taking charge.

Beautiful hotel, delicious breakfast, well managed

Gorgeous, charming, quirky hotel. Comfortable bed (room 25) with a decent sized room. There is parking and It is well placed in the town. The managers and staff cannot do enough to help and assist. We ordered an ice bucket and glasses for our room which (amazingly) arrived within 5 minutes. A huge thank you to Sam Cowling who looked after us exceptionally well during breakfast. His smile, warmth, service and professionalism went above and beyond with walking and sightseeing tips; also to the night Manager and Michael who speedily dealt with a couple of issues we had. We would definitely return and recommend to all our friends.

Wonderful historic building with great service and atmosphere

My husband and I stayed here in one of the superior four poster rooms. The bed was 360 years old but extremely comfortable! Water for the bath was piping hot and we pre-ordered our breakfast to be delivered to the room the next morning. We ate from the bar menu sitting near the enormous fireplace. The whole building is wonderfully wonky and a little bit spooky although we weren’t troubled by any ghosts. Every part of the service here was absolutely perfect and the bar food was great. Would thoroughly recommend (not our first time staying here)

OPEN TABLE REVIEWS

“Beautiful old inn in a very picturesque street. The staff couldn’t have been more charming and our waitress was extremely welcoming. Covid-19 safety precautions were well addressed and we felt safe there with my elderly mother. Tables were well spaced and staff wore masks or visors. The lunch menu was limited to a selection of homemade burgers and fish. The smoked chicken burger was one of the best I’ve ever had and the raspberry pannacotta desert was divine! We have already recommended this destination to friends and will return when back in Rye.”

“We absolutely loved staying here. If you want to feel surrounded by history there is no better place. Floor boards creaked a bit, so what, the place is 600 years old what do you expect. Love It. Will return. Food and choice brilliant.”

“Really recommend this restaurant, and cosy bar with amazing fire…. food excellent, staff professional and friendly, really lovely atmosphere, Definitely book in advance as very popular Covid aware but not in your face”