Crewe Hall has had many functions throughout the centuries. At one point in time, it housed over 2,000 high ranking German officers whilst being used as a prisoner of war camp. Luxury digs for some pretty terrible people.
Up until 1998, the property remained in the hands of the Duchy of Lancaster, belonging to the Crown but, fast forward to today, and the hotel is now a part of the QHotels group along with a restaurant, brasserie, conference facilities, tennis courts and a health club, including a gym, spa and swimming pool.
Arriving at Crewe Hall
At first sight, Crewe Hall is simply breathtaking. A gorgeous gravel driveway leads to the building, with large gates that are adorned with stone statues of lions and gryphons. It’s one of the most stunning properties I’ve had the opportunity to visit and, as would be expected, large sections of one of the hotel’s interior wings remain traditional with a plethora of period features that take you right back to the time in which they were originally constructed.
The second wing is a lot more modernised and has the feel of your usual hotel chain. It will undoubtedly be more to the taste of some visitors but I imagine that for the vast majority, being a part of the historic wing is a priority.
It’s this tradition that greets you upon entry to the building. The reception is vast and one of, if not the single most beautiful reception area I’ve ever seen. Staff are immediately attentive, assuring you that your wait shouldn’t be too long if they’re already in the middle of dealing with another visitor or taking care of another job. They’re also adept at answering any questions you may have about your room, the leisure facilities and anything else you could think of.
Our West Wing bedroom
There are 117 bedrooms to choose from during your visit; we were given a homely classic room in the contemporary West Wing, which instantly felt like a comfortable place to call home.
Autumnal colours brought warmth to the room and the large double was extremely comfortable whether relaxing and watching a bit of television, or enjoying a snooze.
When it came to the bathroom, it was a decent size with both a bath and a large shower, so that you can relax in any way you like, complete with luxury toiletries.
Unfortunately, we did have to ring through to reception to get some hand soap for the bathroom but, it was a very minor issue that was quickly attended to by the very apologetic staff.
Wining and dining
When it came time to enjoy some dinner, we booked in a slot at the Brasserie which boasts a wide variety of unique starters, mains and sweet treats. The BBQ-glazed meatballs come with my hearty recommendation!
The Brasserie also plays host to breakfast, which is your usual buffet-style, help yourself affair. There are hot plates of food you’d expect from an English breakfast, as well as a bunch of different pastries, cereals and jams. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone not accommodated for here.
If you fancy a change of scenery, you can also head to the Sheridan Lounge and enjoy their afternoon tea, which includes a selection of finger sandwiches, along with scones, tarts and more.
There's also a vegan option, as well as champagne afternoon tea and Hendricks afternoon tea, for any gin lovers.
Leisure facilities
On the morning of our departure, we checked out at reception before heading to the leisure facilities on-site, which remain open to hotel visitors.
The Reflections Health Club and Spa has a few main facilities, including a heated pool, jacuzzi, heated loungers, steam room, experience shower and sauna, as well as a fitness centre and a spa, where treatments and luxury pampering can be booked for an additional fee.
A number of different packages are available, allowing you to take your pick from treatments including facials, massages, exfoliation and more.
With a one-of-a-kind countryside setting, that's close to both Manchester and Liverpool, Crewe Hall is the perfect getaway for solo adventurers looking to take some time out, couples looking for a romantic staycation or, a group of friends hoping to sit back and relax for a day or two.
For more information on the hotel and to book yourself a stay, you can visit https://www.crewehallcheshire.co.uk/.
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