Stayed here last year, aroun October time I think so apologies this review is a little late.
Great location for the New Forest and in a fantastically picturesque area and village.
the free, spacious, parking is a definite bonus.
The hotel is an old building so a little tired looking internally, but this is more age (which i find interesting & romantic) and, for the most part, is not that it's not been kept up, I think they are trying to keep the character, instead of renovate & lose that - which is admirable - if that is the case.
It's an old, beautiful building & the only part that was a let-down was the dining hall for breakfast - but everythig else was absolutely fine.

The staff range from friendly to average - which is perfectly OK, I personally don't like being ignored, but I also get uncomfortable when people are over-familiar, so everything was spot-on from that point of view. The bed was a good size, the room a little dated, but warm and comfortable throughout.

The only downside is that I booked through a 3rd party company to get the best deal & thought no more of it, got checked in and was given a key-card and the man on reception said 'breakfast is served between XX and XX through there' so, to us, it sounded like we were being informed of where to get breakfast in the morning (all other times we've stayed here it was on a B&B basis) so we stayed & had a good evening and in the morning went through to the breakfast room.
We had a small but adequate breakfast and prepared to check out - on check out a further amount had been added, I can't remember now if it was £8 or £10 (or more) per person but it was for the breakfast and it was extortionate for what you got - especially as no one had mentioned paying at any point. there were no signs, no prices, nothing. I genuinely believe this is so everyone assumes they have breakfast included and then have to pay. We tried to point this out and the lady and duty manager basically said that yes, they we're trying to 'sell' breakfasts but at no time had we been sold to... just passively tricked. the waived the charge - which was generous, I would have been happy to pay 50% but it was still an awkward end to an otherwise pleasant stay.

If you can get this on a deal it can be great value, but please be careful to check if breakfast is included, ask the direct question, as you may be lead to believe it is, when it isn't and then charged.
otherwise a good time & a nice hotel.

I stayed here with my boyfriend during a mini-trip to the New Forest and I loved this hotel. The staff were all very helpful and sweet (always smiling which makes such a difference). The room was lovely and clean and also comfortable and was of a very good standard. The hotel itself has a lot of character and retains a lot of charm.

The hotel was ideally located and had a lovely bar and restaurant. I really enjoyed my stay here and would not hesitate to come back.

Spent a very relaxing weekend at "The Crown" The excellent staff provide a friendly, helpful service. The room (superior) was well appointed.comfy and spotlessly clean. We ate in the Brasserie on both nights and the food was of a good standard and was throughly enjoyed, although a liitle expensive. A set price with the booking would encourage more to eat in. A good location to tour around the New Forest and we would not hesitate in returning. Thanks to all the staff for a pleasent weekend

A special offer at this hotel encouraged us to spend a couple of nights here before continuing our journey to visit a relative in Dorset. We are very familiar with the lovely town of Lyndhurst, regarded as the ‘capital’ of the New Forest and have always wanted to stay at the historic Crown Hotel.

Although situated in the High Street, there is ample free parking at the rear of the building. Check in was friendly and quick. The lift to the first and second floors is tiny but as you pull the gate across, bear in mind that this is one of the oldest surviving lifts in Europe and enjoy the ride. The hotel was once the site of a coaching inn. The present building dates from 1897 and the interior décor is in keeping with the building, which seems to be the approach adopted by most Best Western Hotels I have visited. Each bedroom has individual pieces of period furniture, avoiding the usual modern, corporate look, and everywhere was spotlessly clean.

We found the room allocated to us, room 208 on the second floor, rather gloomy with its high window, but after a request for a different room, we were given room 100 on the first floor, without any fuss. We were perhaps fortunate that being mid January, the hotel was very quiet. Our new room was delightful, with a large bay window and wide sill where we could plonk all our possessions. This room is situated over the arch through which coaches and horses would have once passed. We had a view of the High Street and the church across the road. We only heard the bells twice, once when there was a short bell-ringing practice early one evening, not in the least intrusive. By the way, it is in the churchyard of this church that Alice Liddell is buried, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ and ‘Alice Through The Looking Glass’.

Our bed was very comfortable, soft rather than firm, and there was a beverage tray with biscuits. Breakfast is served in a room overlooking the gardens and offers a good choice of Continental and English breakfasts. The Hotel also has a Brasserie that has a wide choice of dishes, including at least three vegetarian options. Within a few yards of the hotel there are other restaurants, including Indian, Chinese and Thai, a Prezzo, a pub and teashops and fast food outlets. There is a small supermarket and plenty of quaint food and gift shops selling individual items. Lyndhust also has a splendid Visitors’ Centre, located in the town’s car park. Continue through the town, towards Ashurst, and on the left there is an Italian restaurant perhaps worth seeking out, called La Pegola. At the end of the evening, retire to the comfortable lounge back at the hotel with its large sofas and blazing fire, and check your emails via the hotel’s free internet connection.

When leaving the hotel via the front entrance turn right and continue for around ten minutes, on foot, until The Swan pub is on your left, then turn right towards Emery Down. A further five minutes down the road and you will reach The New Forest Inn. This family run pub serves home cooked, locally sourced food. Walk on for another two and a half miles to Minstead, stopping at Furzy Gardens on the way, then have a break at The Trusty Servant, a cosy pub that also serves food, before visiting the unusual church nearby, with its 700 year old yew tree and Saxon font. You will find another celebrity in the churchyard – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is buried here. Take the footpath beside the church to join the road back to Lyndhurst. Cycle and walking maps are available at the hotel.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Crown Hotel, and when we checked out we received a voucher towards our next stay, which we certainly intend using.