If you’re searching for a luxury Norfolk spa hotel that feels special, personal, and genuinely worth the money, let me introduce you to one of my favourite local staycation spots. Slow mornings, outdoor baths, pastel-coloured spa rooms, street-food afternoon tea, and one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had in years… this stay at Ffolkes completely stole my heart.
As someone who’s lived in Norfolk for over 35 years and loves uncovering the very best places to eat, stay, and unwind, I’ve watched Ffolkes grow into one of the most exciting lifestyle hotels in the region. From outdoor bath rooms and container golf to a brand-new spa and standout food, this is far more than just “a hotel near King’s Lynn”.
I was lucky enough to visit as part of a press trip (with absolutely no obligation to post), but I genuinely wanted to share this experience – because wow. That bath alone deserves its own fan club.
I’ve visited Ffolkes many times over the years for food, but this was my first overnight stay — and it felt like rediscovering a place I already loved, all over again. If you’re planning a Norfolk staycation or a trip to the North Norfolk Coast, this is one hotel I truly recommend from both a local and traveller’s perspective.
In this honest review, I’m sharing my full experience of staying overnight at Ffolkes — plus insider tips to help you plan the perfect Norfolk weekend.
In this review: The Ffolkes King’s Lynn
In this guide, you’ll find:
- My stay in an Upper Courtyard room with outdoor bath
- The storybook spa experience (with disco included 🪩)
- Afternoon Street Tea (yes, it’s as fun as it sounds)
- Restaurant, brunch & breakfast highlights
- Container golf & on-site activities
- Local insider tips
- A ready-made weekend itinerary
If you’re searching for a Norfolk spa hotel that’s full of personality, this post will help you decide if Ffolkes is for you.
The Ffolkes King’s Lynn Review: Norfolk’s best spa hotel:
- Where is the Ffolkes Arms and why I love the location (as a local)
- My Room Review: Upper Courtyard Room with Outdoor Bath
- The Spa at Ffolkes: Is it worth it?
- Afternoon street tea at The Ffolkes Arms, Norfolk
- Food, brunch and breakfast at Ffolkes Arms
- Container golf and family-friendly extras
- Is Ffolkes Worth It? (Honest Verdict)
- My local’s weekend itinerary from Ffolkes Arms, Hillington
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Where is the Ffolkes Arms & why I love the location (as a local)
Ffolkes sits just outside King’s Lynn, perfectly placed for exploring both West and North Norfolk. From here, you’re only a short drive from:
- Hunstanton Beach (25 mins)
- Holkham & Wells-next-the-Sea (45 mins)
- Sandringham Estate (15 mins)
- King’s Lynn town centre (10 mins)
- Sandringham Estate (5 mins)
- Castle Rising (10 mins)
- North Norfolk coastal walks
As someone who’s lived in Norfolk for over 35 years, I can honestly say this is one of the most convenient bases in the county. I love this location because you get countryside peace without feeling isolated. You get countryside calm, spa luxury, and easy access to beaches, Norfolk's nature reserves and stately homes — all in one. If you're visiting the area, it's a perfect opportunity to plan your Norfolk holidays - you won't want to miss The Norfolk Coasthopper Day Trip Guide. You could even plan a trip for Festival Too King’s Lynn.
Book The Ffolkes Arms on Booking.com or Hotels.com
My Room Review: Upper Courtyard Room with Outdoor Bath
For this stay, I booked one of Ffolkes’ famous outdoor bath rooms — they’re one of the main reasons people come here. We stayed in an Upper Courtyard room with an outdoor bath and private terrace, and honestly… it was stunning. This was the bath you might have seen all over my socials, and yes, it’s even better in real life.
The room was so peaceful and fully embraces the colourful, vibrant decor The Ffolkes is known for. It's the perfect retreat in the Norfolk countryside, and was heavenly to return to after a day of exploring. If you're craving a great night's sleep and a relaxing stay, this is the one to book. Imagine starting your day waking up in this cosy bed (which was one of the most comfortable I've slept in), making a cup of tea and sliding into a hot bath for a morning soak. I'm wishing I was back there, I could do with a break like this!
Why I loved this room:
There is something incredibly special about soaking in a warm bath outdoors in the evening, glass of wine in hand, surrounded by fairy lights and countryside calm. Slow mornings here were absolute bliss. Sitting in a warm outdoor bath with a coffee, birds singing, and Norfolk countryside around you? That’s my idea of luxury.
- Private terrace with outdoor bathtub
- Beautiful, calming interiors
- Super comfy bed (best sleep ever)
- Quiet, peaceful setting
- Lovely toiletries and details
Local tip: They also have Spa Cabins with hot tubs, which are perfect if you want extra privacy and a more secluded feel.
Who these rooms are best for:
- Couples
- Anniversary trips
- Romantic weekends
- Solo luxury escapes
If you’re celebrating something, these rooms are absolutely worth the upgrade. If you’re choosing where to splurge — choose the bath room. You won’t regret it.
Book The Ffolkes Arms on Booking.com or Hotels.com
The Spa at Ffolkes: Is it worth it?
The spa is one of Ffolkes’ newest additions – and it’s quickly made them one of the top Norfolk spa hotels. We booked a spa day… and somehow ended up inside a Wes Anderson film. It's the perfect place to unwind with your girls and have a spa experience that is elevated from the bog-standard spa hotel.
Forget neutral decor and the sound of water trickling mingled with spa music. The Ffolkes Arms spa is vibrant, playful and full of character. Every inch of the spa has been meticulously designed to bring joy, even a visit to the loo has a "push for disco" button! You can also book treatments and thermal spa experiences which I highly recommend.
We laughed, relaxed, switched off, and completely lost track of time. It was the perfect balance of calm and fun.
What the spa includes:
- The iconic huge jacuzzi and swim-up bar
- 3x different saunas
- 2x steam rooms
- Lots of foot spas
- Salt scrub stations
- Experience showers (cool mist → warm rain)
- Cosy relaxation lounges
- Fresh smoothies or cocktails if you prefer
- A disco room (yes, really)
- Outdoor courtyard and outdoor fire
- Heated seating areas
- Snack bar and tea station
Local Tip: Midweek spa sessions are quieter and often better value. If you can visit Tuesday to Thursday, do it.
Book The Ffolkes Arms on Booking.com or Hotels.com
Afternoon street tea at The Ffolkes Arms, Norfolk
This is the one you might have seen on my Instagram – and for good reason. Ffolkes’ Afternoon Street Tea is their bold, brilliant reimagining of traditional afternoon tea. No dainty cucumber sandwiches here. We ended our spa day in the most delicious way, with tasty street food-style bites and fun, creative flavour combinations.
Our favourites were the cheese & jalapeño scone was served warm, crumbly, with just the right kick – served with Lego-shaped butter (iconic). The Bakewell choux bun was soft, sweet, nostalgic perfection. Other tasty bites included the chocolate chip scones and homemade chocolate spread, cheeseburger sausage rolls, Korean BBQ bao buns.
It’s included in their half-day spa sessions (Monday–Saturday) and feels like a hidden gem experience. Because a great spa treat should make you smile before the first bite, and this one absolutely did.
Serving: 1pm–5pm | £30 per person (£27 with Norfolk Passport)
Local tip: You don't have to be on a spa day to enjoy this treat – you can just book an Afternoon street tea!
Book The Ffolkes Arms on Booking.com or Hotels.com
Food, brunch & breakfast at Ffolkes Arms
As a Norfolk foodie, one thing I’ve always loved about Ffolkes – long before I ever stayed overnight – is that they take food seriously, without taking themselves too seriously. Everything feels fun and generous. No tiny portions. No stuffy dining rooms. Just really good food in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Here’s what you can expect when it comes to eating (and drinking) during your stay.
Morning Feast: Brunch, But Make It Legendary – Serving: 7:30am–12pm
If you’re a brunch lover, prepare yourself – because Ffolkes doesn’t do “light continental breakfast”. They do Morning Feast, and it really is a feast. This is the kind of breakfast where you sit down thinking, “I’ll just have something small”… and end up going back three times. No regrets.
Every morning, you head to the FEAST counter and build your perfect breakfast. From bacon, sausages & fried eggs, to fresh pancakes made to order and fluffy omelettes cooked just how you like them. There’s also a live cooking station, which honestly makes it feel more like a boutique hotel brunch in London than a countryside pub in Norfolk.
Prefer something lighter? You’re covered too with fresh fruit salad, granola, cinnamon rolls and pastries. And yes – unlimited coffee, tea, and juice. Most dishes cost £10–£18, and portions are generous. Well worth it and it's popular with the locals.
Book The Ffolkes Arms on Booking.com or Hotels.com
Street Food Eats at the Ffolkes Arms – Serving: 5pm–8:30pm
Dinner is always a fun affair at the Ffolkes and they have lots of variety to keep you on your toes. You can come here for brunch, spa lunch, date-night dinner, or Sunday comfort food — and it always works. If you’re booking a stay, I’d genuinely plan at least one full day where you don’t leave the site. Between the spa, golf, drinks, and food… you won’t need to.
Spice Up Your Week: Guac & Mole (Mon & Thu Evenings)
On Mondays and Thursdays, Ffolkes welcomes Guac & Mole — and if you love bold flavours, don’t miss this. Run by Tom and Catherine from Sheringham, their Tex-Mex is seriously good. This isn’t “average pub Mexican”. There’s also a Little Ffolkes Feast for under-12s, which makes this a great option for families too.
Pie Kitchen: The Heart of Ffolkes (Sunday to Thurs)
Before Ffolkes became a street food hotspot, they were known for one thing – their pies. And thankfully, they’ve kept that tradition alive with Pie Kitchen. These are proper, homemade, comforting pies — the kind you crave after a coastal walk or spa day. It’s classic, feel-good food, done really well.
Book The Ffolkes Arms on Booking.com or Hotels.com
Container golf & family-friendly extras
One of the quirkiest features at Ffolkes is their container golf course – a shipping-container-based crazy golf experience. It adds a playful, relaxed feel to your stay and makes Ffolkes feel more like a mini destination rather than just a hotel. The hotel's golf course is popular for wedding parties, hen-dos and group gatherings, but it also makes a great date night or family activity!
The hotel also has a large outdoor play area or kids, seasonal street feast events, live music and pop-ups. Another thing I love is that the venue also hosts lots of themed events including:
- The Paint Club runs a monthly Paint and Sip night
- Yoga and sauna events
- Yoga and spa retreats
I've previous been to a few of the Paint and Sip nights with friends and family, then ventured to the restaurant to enjoy some street food before. It's a fun group activity and well worth seeing if there are any events happening when you are visiting.
Book The Ffolkes Arms on Booking.com or Hotels.com
Is Ffolkes Worth It? (Honest Verdict)
Without hesitation – yes. As a local, I’m picky about where I stay in my own county. Ffolkes consistently delivers a high-quality, memorable experience that feels special every time. With its outdoor bath rooms, stylish spa, brilliant food, and fun extras, it’s one of the best places for a Norfolk staycation – whether you’re celebrating something special or just need a proper reset. If you’re considering booking, I’d highly recommend it, it’s one of the best romantic hotels in Norfolk.
If you're wondering whether this Norfolk spa hotel is worth the money, I think it's worth every penny. Unlike other spa breaks in Norfolk (and across the UK), you're getting a high quality and one-of-a-kind spa experience, unique rooms, tasty food and amazing access to the rest of Norfolk. It's perfect for anyone looking for a romantic couples weekend, a relaxing staycation or celebrating a special occasion.
Booking tips & how to get the best deal:
To get the most value, I recommend trying to book mid-week if possible. Look out for spa packages and seasonal offers, they do run these often. They also run competitions to win a break on social media (if you're feeling lucky!) If you're interested in treatments or specific rooms in the hotel, be sure to book these in advance so you don't risk missing out. If you’re planning to visit in summer or school holidays, book well ahead – they sell out fast.
Book The Ffolkes Arms on Booking.com or Hotels.com
My local’s weekend itinerary from Ffolkes Arms, Hillington:
Here’s how I’d plan the perfect stay:
Day 1: Arrival & Relax
- Check in mid-afternoon
- Spa session
- Outdoor bath in your room
- Dinner at Ffolkes
- Container golf
Day 2: Coast & Countryside
- Breakfast at hotel
- Drive to Holkham Beach
- Walk to Wells-next-the-Sea
- Lunch by the harbour
- Visit Sandringham on return
- Afternoon tea at Ffolkes
This gives you the best of Norfolk without rushing.
