What’s the Pentahotel like?
With retro rooms, disco balls above the bar and an incredibly Instagrammable lounge, this riverside hotel attracts a cool young crowd – and the young at heart. The funky Penta brand originated in Germany but you can now find its hotels around the world.
How dog-friendly is the Pentahotel?
Pets are very welcome although no provisions are provided so you’ll have to bring your own bedding, bowls and food. Guests can drink or dine with their dog in the lounge area but not the restaurant. There’s an additional nightly charge of £20 for pets to stay.
Tell me more about the Pentahotel
In the Ipswich hotel, which is close to the station, you’ll find 126 rooms spread over three floors. We stayed in Room 108, which overlooked the car park but was not at all noisy. The stylish room had a 1950s vibe, with retro furniture, light fittings and a rotary telephone. I loved the huge feature headboard too, which was actually a map of Ipswich, complete with local landmarks.
There were tea and coffee-making facilities and complimentary Zenology toiletries in the small yet stylish bathroom. We also managed to park right beneath our room in the onsite car park, which, at the time of writing, cost £8 for 24 hours.
When we visited, after the first coronavirus lockdown had lifted, the hotel had made a number of changes to keep guests and staff safe. There was a one-way system in the main lobby with floor markings and several hand sanitisers dotted around. Masks also had to be worn in all public areas and the onsite gym had been temporarily closed.
What’s the food like at the Pentahotel?
Decent. There’s everything from sirloin steak to club sandwiches on the menu and a whole host of cool cocktails. Indeed, the drinks list is 40 pages long! When we visited, the hotel was operating with limited staff so cocktails were unfortunately off the menu. It was also only serving pizzas, but these were available 24/7 and although we didn’t try them, they looked good.
Breakfast is usually a self-service buffet but due to Covid restrictions, table service was being offered instead. Guests could choose between either a hot or cold breakfast and the staff would then go off and make you up a plate. Foolishly, we didn’t realise this so didn’t say we were vegetarian. We didn’t want to make a fuss when two Full Englishes were presented as there was only one member of staff looking after everyone. Needless to say, Ernie did well when it came to his meat intake that day!
Are there resident dogs at the Pentahotel?
No, but you may well meet other a couple of other pooches who are staying overnight.
Where are the best dog walks near the Pentahotel?
The hotel is located on the banks of the River Orwell, so start there. Cross the Sir Bobby Robson Bridge (where there’s a small green with several poo bins) and pick up the River Path. This winds down to Ipswich’s historic waterfront and takes about 20 minutes to walk.
Sure, the path is a bit overgrown in parts and does get rather urban, but the area around Neptune Marina is well worth a visit. It has a mix of old buildings and modern apartments, plus several bars and restaurants.
Ipswich also has some lovely green spaces to explore. Christchurch Park, in the middle of the town centre, has an arboretum, duck pond and small cafe. And Chantry Park, on the outskirts of the town, is great for dogs. The 125-acre park has plenty of space for off-lead walks as well as an enclosed area.
What Ernie loved about the Pentahotel
The riverside walks nearby, the fuss from staff, the bonus meaty treats at breakfast
What I loved about the Pentahotel
The stylish decor, the excellent blackout curtains in the room, the affordable rates
How to book the Pentahotel
Overnight stays start from £45. Breakfast costs an extra £15. For more information or to book, call 01473 694600 or visit the Pentahotel website. Sign up to become a Pentafriend member to get discounts and benefits such as late check-outs, money off breakfasts and free desserts.
I stayed at the Pentahotel in Ipswich a few years back, and had a terrible experience. I was in a room overlooking the outside parking, and there was talking outside my room until 3am in the morning (from the 24 hour bar).