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38 St Giles is a grand house with a long and interesting history. It was built in 1700 for the Gurney family and became home to the former Lord Mayor of Norwich. Its neatly tucked-away entrance just off St Giles Street creates an intimacy and privacy that is unrivalled. We are the most centrally located boutique accommodation in Norwich, a stone's throw from the largest outdoor covered marketplace in the UK and adjacent to 'the lanes' - one of the oldest parts of this fine city and an area of national repute boasting well over 200 independent retailers of fashion, food and just about anything else that you might wish to buy. Inside the main entrance we have a grand staircase from which most of the bedrooms are accessed. From our wonderful double rooms to our two large suites you will be surrounded in comfort and a sense of history. We have chosen an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary pieces of furniture & artefacts, sumptuous throws, cushions and rugs. Our bathrooms feature oversized walk-in showers and rain shower heads, several rooms also have baths. White, fluffy towels and a range of quality toiletries help ensure that your morning ablutions are a positive experience! In selecting our bedding we have chosen simply embroidered 400 thread count white Egyptian cotton (not easy to iron but wonderful next to the skin) with goose down and feather pillows and duvets. Homemade cakes are served on arrival with a choice of teas or our specially blended and locally roasted coffee. We bake our own bread, make our own preserves and source all of our ingredients from the best local suppliers. No corners are cut in attempting to provide you with a relaxing, comfortable and memorable stay. We are happy to cater for small wedding parties, birthdays, anniversaries and other group bookings. We can even create a special meal with fine wines and champagne on arrival for that extra special treat.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TheAA: The Automobile Association.
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English
Location
38 St. Giles Street, Norwich NR2 1LL England
38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
512 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
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38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast has garnered widespread accolades for its cleanliness, with guests frequently highlighting the spotless conditions and comfortable, high-quality bedding. The service at this hotel is often celebrated for being attentive and warm, although a few guests have mentioned occasional delays at breakfast. The central location is a consistent hit among travelers, making it easy to explore Norwich's attractions.
While the rooms are lauded for their comfort and elegance, a handful of guests have noted concerns with size and noise. The ambiance of the hotel is frequently described as a blend of historical charm and luxury, and while the amenities receive praise, especially the quality breakfast and homemade treats, some guests feel the value is diminished due to unexpected costs and the smaller rooms.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Luxurious
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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Although we live only 40 minutes away, we like to come overnight in Norwich to enjoy a good meal with wine, so book a hotel overnight. I hadn't booked 38 St Giles before, as am not keen on a B&B, this is not a typical one, more like a hotel with very limited facilities but perfect for a city break. It is now our favourite in Norwich.
Throughout, it is decorated with taste and of quality, the rooms are very comfortable, nothing lacking. We stayed in Mancroft which I chose after browsing the other rooms, it did not disappoint. Includes many thoughtful touches such as: 2 large bottles of still and sparkling water, a Nespresso coffee machine with a flask of fresh milk (also kettle & tea), a plate of delicious brownies. The bathroom is tiny but no need for anything else, the shower is hot and powerful, little bottles of L'Occitane are provided, dressing gowns too.
Delicious breakfast next morning was served by the charming and efficient Rory who is also a student at UAE, so interesting to talk to as well.
We will be back.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Its an old building in the centre of town so just accept that floorboards may creek but...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dennis Bacon, Owner at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Responded 18 Dec 2024
A very well written description of 38 St Giles, if you don't mind me saying so! I tend to (try to) explain to people who haven't visited us that we sort of sit in-between a B&B and hotel. It's a tough balancing act because we cannot offer a 24hr desk or other services most hotels offer. However, we do offer more than most B&B's plus I would like to think that the culture we have created is one where attention to detail, warmth and the personal touch make up for any loss of hotel amenity. Many people who live in Norfolk stay with us, especially when they visit the theatre or go out for a meal, or shop - or all three! Delighted that the breakfast was up to scratch and that Rory took good care of you. He's our newest recruit and highly personable!
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What a gem of a hotel. Delightfully decorated and spotlessly clean, Very welcoming young lady to meet and greet us. Room was spotless and really comfortable (toasty warm )No noise in room from road or other guests. Breakfast was really good. Really nice feel to the place, will definitely return.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
38 St Giles is a truly exceptional boutique bed and breakfast in the heart of Norwich. From the moment you step into this beautiful Georgian townhouse, you are welcomed with warmth and elegance. The rooms are individually designed, featuring handmade mattresses and luxurious linens, ensuring a comfortable and restful stay.
The highlight of our visit was the gourmet breakfast. Served in a bright and sunny breakfast room, the selection included both full English and Continental options, prepared with the best local produce. Danni, who prepared the breakfast, was exceptional, making each morning a delightful experience.
The location is perfect, just a short walk from Norwich’s main attractions, including the market, cathedrals, and various restaurants and shops. The staff are incredibly friendly and go out of their way to make you feel at home, providing excellent service throughout our stay.
Whether you’re visiting Norwich for a special occasion or just a relaxing getaway, 38 St Giles exceeds expectations in every way. We can’t recommend it highly enough!
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Central city lots of options
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dennis Bacon, Owner at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Responded 14 Jun 2024
Thanks, Samantha. What a lovely review. We really do appreciate your comments and are genuinely delighted that you had such a great experience. Hope to see you again in the not too distant future!
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Norwich is quickly becoming my favourite small city in the East of England and at just under 2 hours from home, a convenient place to visit. So where better to stay within this vibrant city centre than 38 St Giles St, an elegant Georgian townhouse situated on a street of similarly architectural pleasures and less than 2 minutes walk from the eclectic market place and independent shopping lanes. We were warmly welcomed upon arrival and shown to the Nelson room, which is on the ground floor and facing onto the street. It would be difficult to walk into this room without saying wow, its period features are highlighted by the quality finish and quality furnishings and we were pleased to see that home made brownies had been provided on the well stocked tea tray. We were also gifted a small box of chocolates and upon request oat milk. The bed had quality linen, was large, very comfortable and provided us with a peaceful nights sleep, both the bedroom and adjoining en suite were spotless and the room temperature just right. The following morning every effort was made to accommodate our dietary requirements and this was what really stood out for us, the level of service is second to none and everyone we met was genuinely warm and kind. This is without doubt the best place to stay in Norwich and will always be our first choice when visiting, thank you so much
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â The Nelson room is spotless, spacious and special
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dennis Bacon, Owner at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Responded 27 Jan 2024
Thanks so much for such a comprehensive and positive review. I am delighted that you enjoy visiting Norwich, I share your opinion of our fine city, it really does offer so much to visitors and 38 St Giles' location provides access to pretty much everything of interest. I was particularly pleased to learn that the staff provided you with the attention to detail and care that is all too often lacking when we spend our money. I will make a point of speaking with the staff and congratulating them. It means a great deal, so thanks once again and we hope to see you again soon.
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Another fantastic stay…thank you. I stayed in St Augustine which has a pretty little fireplace and a great bathroom stuffed with lovely thick white towels Great breakfast with such quality ingredients. Staff are all so friendly but special mention goes out to Danni who went above and beyond helping me with a lost item See you again soon
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dennis Bacon, Owner at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Responded 16 Sept 2024
I'm so pleased that you found the time to leave a review and that your stay was up to scratch. As a returning guest we need to work extra hard to ensure that your experience is always positive and that whichever room you choose, you feel comfortable and well looked after. I'm also pleased you mentioned the breakfast because many hospitality operators are now turning to pre-prepared and 'no-breakfast' offerings because it really is quite hard to hire and retain dedicated breakfast chefs. Our produce is locally sourced and we genuinely care about getting it tight, nobody moreso than Danni. She was delighted to read your review, it means a great deal. Thank you.
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I recently stayed here for a second time having originally visited in February. I'd seen the great reviews of 38 St Giles and on the first visit I was a shade disappointed. The room (Cavell) was a bit pokey and there didn't appear to be many breakfast options. But I needed to be in Norwich again this month and thought I'd give the B&B another try and I'm so glad that I did. I tried a different room (Mancroft) overlooking St Giles Street, a spacious room with a contender for the most comfortable bed I've slept on. Danni was the host and she is simply excellent. She extended a warm welcome on arrival and was a ray of light at breakfast each morning. Nothing was any trouble for her. The B&B has an excellent central location, just a short walk to Norwich market/cathedral/city centre, and is about a twelve minute walk from Norwich train station. I'm looking forward to visiting Norwich again and I'll be using 38 St Giles as my base one more. Thanks Danni!
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dennis Bacon, Owner at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Responded 15 Oct 2024
Well, as owner I am delighted you gave us another chance, many wouldn't have done so. Thank you. The experience you describe is in keeping with our aim - for guests to feel happy, valued and comfortable. Danni is a great addition to our team and I know she was delighted to have received a mention. We hope to welcome you back to 38 St Giles again - maybe try another room as they're all quite different. Mancroft is a personal favourite tho'!
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Rarely have we more enjoyed a B & B stay. With Victorian decor befitting its historic neighborhood, 38 St, Giles offers a warm and delectable welcome. Only adding to the charm, its walkway is shared by prams and darling toddlers making their way to the nursery school next door. Our room, the St. Giles, featured double-doors of stained glass leading to a deep, chrome tub and separate shower. Rich hues, fine linens, and architectural details complete the picture. Best of all, Dani’s warm hospitality brightened breakfast each morning. What a treasure!
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Arrange parking ahead of your stay.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dennis Bacon, Owner at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Responded 14 Jun 2024
It was lovely to read your review and we were delighted to accommodate you both for the duration of your stay in Norwich. The staff loved serving you and we sincerely hope to see you again should you decide to return to the UK. All reviews are shared with our staff team, it means a great deal, so thank-you.
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Stayed here 1 night and wanted something a bit above average. The write ups looked good so….. Let’s start with the good. Lovely location, very close to the city centre, but on a fairly quiet and pleasant road. The room we got on the top floor was clean and nicely decorated if a little dark. The extras such as the coffee machine and flask of milk were good. The girl who checked us in ( Ellie) was also excellent and should be managing the place…
The room was ok for size, but for £207 for a night I expected something a little larger and less stuffy. The windows were sealed and but for the fan in the room, it would have been unbearable. The fan made it bearable…just. The landing outside has no carpet so the coming and going of the guest in the next room made it quite noisy, as did the ridiculous old fashioned keys set under a large door knob that made it difficult to open. I’m all for old fashioned charm but…. The wall between us and next door was also not particularly soundproof and I had to knock and ask the guy in there to turn down the tv at midnight.
When we arrived we were asked what time we wanted breakfast, because they have a very small dining room and can only cope with so many guests at a time. Fair enough we chose 9 o clock, when we arrived there was one other guest waiting for food. The staff were pleasant and attentive but it took 45 minutes for our breakfast to arrive! The food was ok, but the bacon was dried up and brittle and everything had a strange slightly spicy background taste.
Prior to arrival, I had to contact the hotel 3 times because despite being booked via Booking .com who took payment, they attempted to take payment again at least 8 times. I would then get a notification that payment had failed. The last of these messages arrived at 0815 on the morning of our stay. The first 2 times I called I got vague and unhelpful responses but the last time, Ellie answered and gave a very thorough and helpful assurance that all was ok. Add to this a fairly eye watering £18 for private parking and I’m afraid that our overall impression is that we would not stay here again.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â There is a multi story car park just along from the hotel which is cheaper and more accessible.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dennis Bacon, Owner at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Responded 5 Nov 2024
As owner I am naturally disappointed to read your review but appreciate the time and thought that has been spent in sharing your experience. I would like to address each point in turn; 1. You stayed in Mancroft, which is, I must say, one of my personal favourites and we have many returning guests who specifically request Mancroft as their preferred room - all of our rooms and suites are different. I am genuinely sorry (and surprised) that you found the room 'stuffy' and can only put this down to a subjective opinion, to which we are all entitled. The windows have secondary glazing for heat and noise insulation, I'm sorry if you weren't able to get the ventilation you wanted but pleased our new portable Aircon' units helped improve the situation. We have subsequently checked the window and it can be opened tho' is a bit 'sticky.' 2. I regret that the guest staying in the next door room had their tv rather late and that the volume disturbed you. It is certainly true that floorboards transmit more noise than carpet but we are a very old Grade II* listed building and it is sometimes difficult to strike the right balance between preserving the buildings heritage and eradicating noise. That said, the walls are double insulated in an attempt to lessen noise. 3. I have spoken with the staff about the breakfast service and unfortunately we did have a number of guests arrive for breakfast at the same time. However, a 45 minute wait is too long and for this I apologise. As regards your apparent disappointment with the food you were served, I am genuinely surprised. I can honestly say that in 10 years we can probably count the complaints about food quality on one hand such is our desire to get it right for all guests. I am unable to comment on the 'strange, slightly spicy background taste' as we received no other reports of this from other guests(?) 4. I apologise for your booking experience, we were changing over from one booking platform to another and there were a number of glitches that created issues that ought not to have occurred. I'm afraid the tech failed our staff and guests and we are taking this up with the new provider. 5. Thank you for your praise of Ellie, she is my niece and excellent. My daughter, her cousin, is the Manager and equally excellent. We are a family run business with several family members working within the team. The fact you feel our staff team overall wasn't up to scratch is very disappointing and not illustrative of the feedback I receive and monitor on an almost daily basis. 6. Parking. Again, I'm really sorry that you felt our private city centre car parking was 'eye wateringly' expensive at £18 for your stay. It's hard for me to comment other than to confirm that I was away last week and paid £35 for city centre parking linked to a 4* hotel. In conclusion, I can see that we didn't provide you with the experience you expected and I very much regret this. Taking everything you have written into account, it would seem that you were unhappy with the price paid for the room once you had checked in. The glitches didn't help and then you were disturbed by late night noise. Also, you didn't enjoy your breakfast and had to wait longer than you should. I will pick up all salient points with the staff team and if you do decide to try us again please get in touch with me direct, I would be happy to talk through the issues and allocate a room that I think might better meet your expectations, at no additional cost.
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Beautiful hotel and comfortable rooms, this was our 3rd stay. Some minor issues with checking in as it is not manned. Our disappointment this time was with breakfast. In the restaurant area it is cook to order, relaxed and delicious. The more expensive suites do not have this option any more and are served a continental (croissant, granola with yogurt and fruit, banana and apple. We booked the 3 most expensive rooms for 3 couples, only one was able to enjoy a cooked breakfast. At £250 a night we were really disappointed (it does say in the small print but didn't mention when we booked over the phone). We went to buy breakfast somewhere else and wont be staying again.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dennis Bacon, Owner at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Responded 24 Feb 2024
Dear Julie. I'm grateful to you for leaving a review - and for the positive comments about 38 St Giles - but naturally disappointed to read about your recent experience, which I have looked into. I have also tried to make contact with you by telephone and sms. It is important to respond to your concerns in order: 38 St Giles is not staffed 24/7 although we do have a number for urgent requests or emergencies 'out of hours.' I can see that we tried calling you several times on the day of arrival and sent an sms message to your phone. The staff member who was on duty stayed on as late as possible to greet you in person but eventually had to leave. You booked direct with us and I'm sorry that the information about breakfasts was not sufficiently prominent. We tend to offer a full breakfast, even for the townhouse rooms, but when the main house breakfast room is full it isn't possible, I'm afraid. I do apologise as this appears to have created the main problem for you. The rooms/suites within the main house all have a full breakfast included. I did speak with staff who were on duty the morning of your (and your friends') departure and they have told me that very positive comments were received and that no concern was raised. As owner, I would always urge customers to raise concerns at the time of their stay. We are then afforded an opportunity to remedy any issues. In your case it might have been possible for staff to offer a later breakfast - assuming a table had vacated. If not we would have done something else to help you. I sincerely hope that we do eventually speak and that you will reconsider your decision not to return given it is a misunderstanding over breakfast that seems to be the main issue, something we can fix I am sure.
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This is the second time my family has been to 38 St Giles - we needed somewhere to stay while my daughter was studying at UEA - I now wish that her course had lasted longer than a year so that we could keep coming back to this hotel! The way that the hotel is decorated is just gorgeous - I would love my house to look half as good. Everything about the hotel feels like quality - from the sheets and towels to the brownies on arrival and the delicious cooked breakfasts which other guests have raved about. We will find other reasons to keep coming back to Norwich...!
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â We stayed in Colman and Mancroft at the top of the house - both lovely and very quiet
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dennis Bacon, Owner at 38 St Giles Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Responded 16 Sept 2024
Thank you for such a lovely review - and please do find as many reasons as you can to return as we would love to welcome you back! Norwich is generally regarded as the most complete medieval settlement in the country, with great architecture, a vibrant arts scene and lots of other attractions, not to mention the c260 independent retailers located within a short stroll of 38 St Giles. It is important therefore that we provide a 5* experience for all our guests. The fact you enjoyed your stay with us as much as you did is most pleasing and we do take a lot of time and trouble to ensure the decor is attractive and befitting of such a special building. We have a staff meeting this week and we always cover guests' feedback/reviews. I know that they'll be delighted with what you've written, thank you so much.
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There are more places to choose from in the Norwich area.
PRICE RANGE
£119 - £184 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
38 st giles hotel norwich
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandEast AngliaNorfolkNorwich
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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