No.41 - The Randolph Hotel, Reydon, Suffolk

Sunday 11th December, 2011 - A pair of hotels.
After spending an hour or so attempting to lose a couple of pounds in 2p pieces on Southwold pier, Tony, Andrew Smith and myself gave up, waved goodbye to the wives and children and started the long (15mins!) walk to find the Randolph Hotel.
We've visited Southwold a number of times now and never ventured into Reydon, where The Randolph sits, so this weekend I was determined to get up there. After taking a wrong turn, we eventually found ourselves on Wangford Road and soon the 10 bedroomed Randolph appeared before our very eyes. A very grand looking building which you would expect to see somewhere along a coastal road, but to be an Adnams establishment is a real bonus.
It was built in the late 1800's and was only very recently refurbished to a very nice bright and upto date standard. Wooden floors, light coloured tables and chairs, and large windows give the restaurant bar a lovely open feel. Although the only down side to this is the smell of Sunday dinner being served. The aromas of a Turkey Christmas dinner smelt beautiful and the 3 of us were very tempted to have a sneaky meal - but ladies I can confirm we didn't!
After the stroll up from the beach, about a mile, I really fancied a Broadside. I don't know why but while walking I just found myself taking a fancy to this idea. Of course, as luck would have it, we arrived to find no Broadside! Bitter, Yuletide, Tally Ho, and Sole Star were on. Sole Star! Yes, a new one! At 2.7% it's a kind of answer for those who are the 'Des' on a night out. At 2.7% you could certainly have a nice pint - as Tony and Andrew will confirm - and feel like you've had a 'beer with your mates' rather than having to down a fizzy coke! I plumped for a Yuletide and then before we made tracks we all managed to force down a half of Tally Ho. Just for the road of course.
With the hotel being just a mile outside of the main drag of Southwold I sensed that this was a place used a lot more by the locals for their Sunday afternoon. Southwold itself on a Sunday can be very quiet and I believe that we may have un-earthed where the local contingent may get together for their Sunday afternoon / evening entertainment. There was a public bar through another entrance but unfortunately time was against us and we didn't manage to get in there. Next time though!