Crewe Hall
Given that the town of Crewe is not especially big, I was unsure of what to expect from a hall situated in this part of the country.
The long driveway hints at something grand, but it is only when you have passed by all of the hedgerows and to the entrance that you can truly appreciate its beauty.
Dating back to 1800s, the hall boasts all of its original features both inside and out. Namely the large, ornate fireplaces that are a beautiful focal point in each room, stone flooring and wooden carving in the staircases and ceilings. The whole hotel is steeped in history and I would urge you to arrange tour while there to learn about its colourful history and family stories. We were fortunate to be taken around the hall by Jayne, who guided us through each room and told us about its background.
We were warmly welcomed by Johnathan on the front desk who confirmed our reservation an offered us a newspaper and a dinner reservation, which we took advantage of. And a wake-up call- which we did not for the Saturday morning!
We were shown to our room, which can be likened to walking on to the set of a movie. The impressive dark wood, four poster bed dominated the room, along with the heavy floor to ceiling curtains all decorated in the family crest of the hall. There was a dressing table and mirrored side table that provided all of the usual comforts such as tea, coffee and biscuits. We were also kindly left a bottle of wine and chocolates to mark our stay.
The bathroom was large with the option of a bath or a shower and plenty of towels and bathrobes to ensure our stay was as cozy as possible. The older part of the hotel is a bit chilly- which can only be expected of a hotel of its age, so make sure you bring warm pjs!
The in house contemporary restaurant was busy, late into the Friday night, however the staff were poised and attentive despite the demands.
We were served by Grant who was efficient to our needs, making sure we had enough drinks and food. We enjoyed a three course meal of chicken, leek and truffle terrine, a shoulder of lamb with daupihnoise potatoes, duck with caramelised pear and sweet red cabbage. All of that was finished with a mango cheesecake and vanilla creme brule.
Even if not staying in the hotel I would strongly urge you to try out the restaurant. Despite the location and the high standard of the food- there was a very warm and friendly feel- which is sometimes not found in places that pride themselves on a quality menu. The entire experience was relaxed and welcoming which made a refreshing change.
The breakfast was a buffet style with waitress service for the teas and coffees. All of the ingredients were of a high quality and plentiful with made to order dishes if you want something that is not out already.
The hotel offers many other perks while staying, such as full use of the gym, swimming pool and spa as well as their famous afternoon tea which has been exclusively blended for a summer and winter. This is offered to people who are staying at the hotel and those who are just looking for an outing for couple of hours on an afternoon.
I would recommend this hotel for anyone passionate about history, who want to stay overnight and absorb the atmosphere and take in the richness of its heritage. For those who can appreciate its history but are looking for something more contemporary- there is a newer part of the hotel attached to accommodate those who prefer a modern feel. There is little need to leave the site if you don’t wish to as everything is there to entertain you while you stay. However the motorway is nearby to take in some of the local sites too.
Thanks to Johnathan, Jayne, Grant and all the staff who made our stay so memorable!
Press trip was courtesy of Q Hotels.
www.qhotels.co.uk
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