Crewe Hall Hotel Review

by Shabana Adam | 12 April 2013

Crewe Hall Hotel

I spent one night at Crewe Hall in one of the properties large twin rooms located in the new wing of the hotel. The impressive Jacobean mansion is situated in a picturesque part of the Cheshire countryside, and is by far one of the most welcoming hotels I’ve ever stayed in. Here’s all about my experience at the outstanding grade I listed building.

Check-in

As far as first impressions go, Crewe Hall will grab you in seconds; from the moment you turn onto the majestic tree lined drive and the see the hotel slowly appear before you, everything about it will appeal to you. Its lush grounds, breathtaking architecture and peaceful setting all made me feel like I was miles away from everyday realities.

The opulence of Crewe Hall is what will catch you in an instance; entering through the Old Hall entrance – the more grandeur part of the building – I was greeted by tall, stained glass windows, beautiful, traditional and well-preserved Jacobean decor and a royal ambience that left me in awe. 

Check in was very smooth – the reception staff member was friendly, happy to answer questions and, although our room was not ready, she reassured us that we could head straight towards the leisure facilities, as myself and my mum had spa treatments booked, and leave our luggage in a safe place with the spa staff.

On check-in you will be asked for all the normal details; name, address, car registration etc – and you can even opt to have room service charged to a chosen payment card – which means less hassle when checking out.

Room

Don’t be put off staying in the new part of the hotel. Here, rooms are incredibly spacious with every home from home comfort including super comfy beds, a large desk, armchairs to relax in, lots of storage space, a flat screen TV with freeview channels and a choice of on-demand entertainment, tea and coffee making facilities, a safe, and other basics like an iron and hairdryer.

Ours was a twin room; large, inviting and very clean. The décor in the room was neutral with calming, earthy tones of beige, browns, cream and gold. The bathroom was the best part for me as I didn’t expect a generous sized tub as well as a walk in power shower!

Out of the tall windows we had a lovely view of the woodlands in the hotel grounds and it seemed that the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors worked its way into the room.

During the stay I ordered room service – a stonebaked pizza, homemade chips and a diet coke – needless to say, ordering was easy, the service fast and the food delicious. Though some may believe that £9.50 for a 10.5’ pizza may be a little over-priced, my opinion was that for the standard of hotel that Crewe Hall is and the impeccable accommodation it provides – this price was actually fairly reasonable compared to other luxury hotels.

Hotel

Crewe Hall is simply majestic, and offers a real slice of English elegance; the old hall will help you take a step back in time through the buildings interesting history with its impressive stained glass windows, exquisite marble fireplaces, intricate carved wood designs and breathtaking architecture.

The contemporary bedroom wing where I stayed neatly joins onto the old hall and though the hotel can, at first, appear like a bit of a maze, just follow the many signs and you’ll be fine wandering through its grand corridors. That said, if there ever were a building you’d want to get lost in, this would definitely be it!

The hotel grounds are as equally gorgeous as the property itself and there are plenty chances for lovely morning walks and afternoon strolls to really appreciate the beautiful setting.

My greatest experience at the hotel was hands down the spa and leisure facilities. With a great pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi this is the ideal place for a spa break, a girls’ weekend or a romantic trip. I also had a massage treatment at the spa, which was exceptional and I would highly recommend.

The spa lounge in particular was a chilled out room where you could kick back and relax away from everyday stresses. You are provided with complimentary robes, towels and slippers here so all the necessities are already covered.

An absolute must at Crewe Hall is the afternoon tea.  The lounge where this favourite pastime is served is a grand room - like something you would expect to find in a palace; with thick drapes, ceiling-high stained glass windows, a grand fireplace, and lavish and comfortable furniture, everything is dripped in royal splendor.

There is a good selection of teas, delicious sandwiches, warm scones and other sweet treats as well as a great family atmosphere. The staff, especially Pelin, were organised, knowledgeable and very observant in providing a great service – they accommodated our dietary needs at short notice and the food was presented beautifully as well as being incredibly tasty. 

Service

In one word – exceptional. On arrival the spa staff were very accommodating as our room was not ready yet. Though our luggage was quite large and didn’t fit in the lockers, it was locked away safely in the staff room.

At the spa, in particular Danielle, Lisa and Carol, were very attentive, professional, friendly and extremely talented at their trade. All around the hotel, guests seemed very happy and staff more than competent at their jobs.

Location

Crewe Hall is located in a picture-perfect spot with easy motorway access but secluded enough for a break from the bustle of busy roads. The long tree-lined drive up to the hotel sets the scene for what to expect from this tranquil spot.

For those who want to experience the nearby attractions – Chester, Liverpool and Manchester are within good distance for a day trip.  

Downfall

Where afternoon tea was a great experience, the biggest disappointment during my stay was dinner at the brasserie. The restaurant itself was clean and nicely decorated, however, service was somewhat slow and the staff seemed quite unorganised and rushed off their feet.

The main course arrived almost over an hour after we ordered and the tuna steak was visibly undercooked.  The restaurant manager, however, was very apologetic, and even replaced the food at a neighbouring table which had complained about their main course being cold.

Though dinner was slightly underwhelming, I can imagine that the brasserie would be a pleasant place for a meal on nights when it was less busy, and though organisation on this evening wasn’t key, the staff were clearly managing their workload the best they could.

Verdict

Whether it’s a weekend, break with mum, a romantic gesture for your other half, or a spa break with friends – Crewe Hall is the perfect choice for every occasion.

You can marvel the stunning architecture, stroll the lovely lush grounds or relax at the spa – all the while brushing up on a bit of history about the place.

During my stay, all guests were upbeat, good-spirited and thoroughly enjoying themselves. It was noticeable that just being there made people relaxed and happier, and I don’t blame them, as the allure of Crewe Hall is unforgettable.

I would highly recommend the 117-room Crewe Hall for a staycation, it’s simply a haven to escape everyday stresses and experience a few days living in an impressive property.

For more information on the Crewe Hall Hotel or to book a room, go to www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/crewe-hall/

Have you stayed at this hotel? Tell us about your experience in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK

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by Shabana Adam for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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