Dolphin Hotel St Ives

The hotel enjoys a prime riverside location near St Ives town center, with picturesque views and close proximity to dining and shopping. Guests appreciate the modern, comfortable rooms and the attentive, friendly reception staff.

This is a place of mixed responses. The staff are lovely - friendly, welcoming, helpful. And the location is great, right on the river by St. Ives medieval bridge. There's a great terrace there, that overlooks all this and at night, you can sit there and listen to the music and chatter and laughter drifting across the water from the town. And that's the issue - everything's happening across the river. The first night I stayed, I sat on this terrace, totally alone, with a drink from a bar that was... completely empty. So wha't wrong? Difficult to say but there are some key things that stood out. Still in the bar, there's no whisky... there's bourbon and excessively expensive malt but no regular whisky - in an English bar. Then there's the room. Perfectly well presented with comfortable bed and some tea making facilities and even biscuits. But housekeeping consists of someone making the bed and... that's it. No emptying of bins, or hanging towels or replenishing tea and coffee. And the shower mounting was broken so only water on the chest and not on the head. And breakfast, whilst not expensive, was served in a vast, joyless event room on tables that hadn't been laid. This meant several trips to the serving area for hot food that wasn't hot and, in come cases, was very dry and overcooked. There is an unfinished air about the place. It should be great but it feels tired and half-finished. And some sort of idea about what service is needs to be looked at. There is massive potential here but, in a town which seems to have live music in every pub and some great, and full, restaurants, there's a lot of competition. It feels like a missed opportunity,. but it's still an opportunity. And the staff were nice.

Ok this place was closed for years but is now undergoing a refurbishment the public bar is open and lookin fresh which was always a go too for drinks as it’s one of the nicest beer gardens in st ives right on the river and looking over to hemmingford meadow the other way. fantastic sunset good choice of beer etc and average prices for town. The work is ongoing but they are getting there and the staff are great. Definitely worth a lazy drink or two.