Now you can even have a butler at hotel spa resort
FOR those of you lucky enough to have visited Hoar Cross Hall hotel and spa near Burton before the pandemic, you will know the pure luxury and impeccable standards that always await you.
And for those who, like me, have not had the privilege of going for a few years, you will be astounded to discover that the health retreat could actually get any more jawdropping than it already was.
And if you have never been, well, you have been missing out, but now has never been a more perfect time to discover this magnificent choice of staycation venue.
As part of its £14 million most recent upgrade, many new features and facilities have been added.
The stand-out addition for me has to be the new Royal Suite experience, which caters for a group of up to four people, complete with a private butler and barman service.
Prices for this are further down, and while it is Hoar Cross Hall’s higher end option, this would be obtainable for some budgets, particularly if you are splitting the cost.
Whatever your budget, there really is something for everyone because you can design a package to suit your requirements.
And this was mine...
Allow me to take you on a journey of serenity as I coax you through my overnight stay at Hoar Cross Hall.
Surrounded by stunning countryside, Hoar Cross Hall is a Grade Iilisted property situated in a 50-acre estate within the National Forest.
My car journey took just over 40 minutes from Birmingham and was a stress-free journey, with the venue easily accessible via the A38.
The hotel and spa strikes the right balance between not being too much “out in the sticks” but enough for you to feel as though you have left the hustle and bustle behind you.
You have two options: opt for the spa day experience or stay overnight in the hotel and gain full access to the spa and leisure facilities.
Either way, the freedom to explore both is actively encouraged. This became evident when chatting to hotel general manager Andy Rath-
bone, who was keen to tell me about the new spa garden they have created, which is actually in the hotel ground.
He told me: “We wanted our guests to have the confidence to explore all of our grounds and we want them to know they are open for everyone, whether you are staying overnight or here for the spa day.
“The spa garden was the perfect way to open out the grounds and provide that natural transition.
“The grounds surrounding us are stunning and we want all of guests to experience this.”
A warm and friendly greeting awaited me at the hotel reception, alongside a nice glass of bubbly.
We learned all staff were given a pay rise when they returned after lockdown. Investment in their staff’s welfare is even more paramount than it was before, which was evident through the hospitality I received throughout my stay.
Before being taken on a grand tour of the Grand Hall and spa facilities, we sampled some of the culinary delights on the lunch menu at Henry’s restaurant, dining with the dedicated management team.
Hoar Cross Hall was a family home and, drawing on this point, director of Hoar Cross Hall owners Barons Eden, Ed Law, shared the experience that they want to give their guests.
“We want to treat our guests exactly this way, like family. We want it to be somewhere they want to return to, time and again.
“We want to make this experience fit around you and your idea of a health spa. This doesn’t have to mean fitness and health, it can be about pure indulgence.”
Henry’s restaurant is ideal for lunch and breakfast dining, with its relaxed, informal and casual atmosphere. Care, thought and dedication has clearly been put into the menu and the locally-sourced food served at both this restaurant and Hugo’s restaurant. Meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes are available, alongside a choice of homemade cakes and desserts.
Henry’s is where you will see the more modern part of the hotel. Stairs then lead to the spa, gym and hair parlour.
We were then guided through a range of rooms available at the hotel, including the traditional suites in the original part of the building and the modern accommodation in the extension.
Wherever you stay in the hotel, there is a unique design or feature in each room, including the opportunity to soak in a roll top bath or having access to your own hot tub on the balcony.
I stayed in the original part of the hotel, with the spacious room boasting a stunning fireplace feature.
Spa time came next. I was instantly plunged into a entirely different level of relaxation following a spa treatment, which was the Serene back, face and shoulder massage. I then took full advantage of the spa facilities on offer including the Sanctum area, pools and quiet rest areas.
Evening dining was spent in the library. This room is stunning and can be hired out by guests for more of an intimate dining and entertaining experience.
The library can be found along the route of the long gallery, which is 114ft in length. Along here, you will also find the ballroom, where breakfast is served to guests.
Moving into the East Wing, you find the idyllic private chapel, used by the Meynell family who lived at Hoar Cross. Again, this room is available to guests for hire.
Following a relaxing night’s sleep and a walk around some of the grounds in the morning, I reluctantly drifted out of Hoar Cross knowing that without a doubt I will be returning, time and time again.
More information and prices for some of the rooms and packages available at Hoar Cross Hall:
■ Heritage Room – available from £155. The sophisticated Heritage rooms are a fitting backdrop to a weekend escape, and are situated in the original east wing and more recent west wing.
■ The Royal Suite – available from £835. The impressive Royal Suite is the most glamorous accommodation the Hall has to offer, and features two opulent double bedrooms, two spacious bathrooms and three sprawling balconies.
■ Serene Spa Escape – available from £237.50 per person. Designed to reduce tension and increase endorphins, the Serene Spa Escape includes unlimited use of the Hall’s spa facilities, an evening escape in one of the sublime rooms, a la carte dining and a Skin Specific Facial.
■ Winter Glow Spa Stay – available from £247.50 per person. The limited edition Winter Glow Spa Stay includes unlimited use of the Hall’s spa facilities, an evening escape in one of the sublime rooms or suites, a la carte dining, and a soothing body and face treatment featuring products scented with winter spice and exotic citrus.
For more information, visit the Hoar Cross Hall website.