What a hotel. I got married here in 2004 and have been returning for our wedding anniversary ever since. Matfen hall is situated in a charming small village in the heart of Northumberland. This magnificent old property was voted 'Britains Best Large Hotel' in the Enjoy England Awards 2006.
So what about the experience, well from the moment you pull up the long drive you are treat like royalty. The staff in this hotel really cannot do enough for you. The are pleasent without being overbearing and are always quick to help should you need it. The conservatory serves wonderfull light bits and lunches where the Library is used for formal dining on an evening with a fantastic choice of food from an A'la Carte menu. Times for dining are best pre-booked because a lot of local people dine here for the food on Friday and Saturday nights so the restaurant can often be busy, which always leads to a good atmosphere.
There has been an newly built wing to hotel over the last few years and although the rooms in this part of the hotel are still of excellent standard they lack the charm and high ceilings of the 'original part' of the hotel. My recommendation would be to request the old part for a room. While we are on rooms I have seen most of them but would suggest that 'if the budget stretches' you request room No. 3 or 4. These are the premier rooms, one of which is 4 poster the other a normal bed but non the less an outstanding room in size and decor.
There are 4 standards of room available:
Classic
Deluxe
Premier
Four Poster
Prices range from £110-260 per room
In saying this my parents stayed in room No.6 (Premier room @ £260 per night) and were a little disappointed as the size of the room and bathroom were about 50% of room No.4 being let at the same rate. I guess this is what happens in an older hotel where every room is different but I did not think it warranted the same price.
Facilites are much improved now the newly built gym, pool spa and leisure club has opened. Opened in 2005 this is a fantastic addition to the hotel. There are spa facilities at extra cost but the pool, sauna, gym, salt baths, jacuzzi steam room etc can be used at anytime. Spa days can also be booked without having to be staying at the hotel. There is also a 27 hole championship standard golf coursewithin the ground also. Tee times must be booke prior to visit to avoid any dissappointment. As i said earlier I was married here and the whole place has had a lasting impression on me and every year I return I can believe that it seems better than the following year. I will be coming here for many years to come without any hesitation.
If you want pampering for the weekend you would be hard pushed to find anywhere better.
Oh one last thing. I now have a 14 month old who was 11 months on our last visit and the hotel catered well for our needs, cot in the room and the staff made a fuss of our little girl which was great. There time restrictions on the pool for small children. They are only allowed in between 10-12 and 4-7 which i thought was a shame, but i guess some guests do not want children interupting there relaxation time.