This fairytale hotel in England should go straight on your bucket list
If you are invited to a fancy weekend in England where you sleep in an estate that both Robert Jan and Albert from B&B Vol Liefde can still learn a thing or two from, then you don't say no, you understand that.
The prestigious Country & Spa Hotel Matfen Hall in Newcastle has been nominated for boutique hotel of the year 2024 and after spending about 48 hours there, I understand why.
A weekend full of scones, crackling fires, and Downton Abbey-like scenes: this 5-star hotel is one for your bucket list and here’s why.
The service…
The concierge who calls you ‘daaaahrling’. Your suitcase that is brought to your room in a split second, your coat that is spontaneously whisked away to the coat rack, and you who can plop down in the lobby by the fire within two minutes.
The interior
As if you’ve landed in a Harry Potter movie. The grand wing in The Great Hall, with the old staircase and above it the stained glass windows. The massive fireplace (fun fact: originally made for Queen Elizabeth) and the centuries-old bookshelf. Matfen Hall is steeped in British Heritage with a capital H.
The rooms
First of all: that king-size bed. You never want to get out of it. Or maybe just to hop over to that marble bathroom. To take a bath with a view of the golf course, then slather yourself with that fancy body lotion. And all the toiletries that you want to take home without any shame. The wonderfully heavy duvet, the soft carpet that kisses your toes, the towels you only experience in 5-star hotels. Sigh… Oh and one more thing: the tap water tastes soft. The shower spray is even gentle on your skin. How do hotels do this?? And what do you think of the toilet roll that is folded into a decorative point? Such a small gesture and yet it feels immediately different than a sad hanging sheet…
The Afternoon Tea
Tea lovers can really enjoy themselves here. With a view of a thousand hectares of green (where the grass is mowed in alternating strips creating a pattern), you enjoy the most extensive Afternoon Tea ever. The warm scones, sausage rolls, and dozens of I-can't-choose pastries fly around you. Oh and tasting three types of champagne? No problem at all. The British do like a bit of *extra*.
The amazing bars & restaurants
Dining in an old library. A ballroom full of velvet and golden details on the ceiling. Whether you go for pre-dinner drinks at one of the beautiful bars, join for lunch at The Keepers, or for an 8-course dinner at Emerald restaurant: wherever you go, you want to take pictures of it. Oh and: the king scallop with caramelized artichoke, smoked pancetta, and fig at restaurant Cloisters is to die for, just saying…
The Secret Champagne Cellar
A top hotel naturally has a secret cellar where The Big Decisions are made over a good glass of Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs. Trust me: that champagne tasting is an experience in itself.
The Retreat Spa
Now there are whispers in the corridors that the spa will soon undergo a renovation with a price tag of around 11 million pounds (I kid you not) but even for the ‘old style’ many people would sign up. The shoulder and back massage from Chloé is everything you want in life. Goosebumps all over the place and zen floating back to your room.
Matfen Hall, until we meet again, okay? I’m looking forward to it.
