Slaley Hall sits nestled within 1000 acres of woodland and countryside in the heart of Northumberland. After an hour-long drive, we turned off the main road and headed closer to our weekend haven.
As we drove up the driveway of Slaley Hall and caught sight of the grand and imposing hotel, it felt as though we were leaving behind the hustle and bustle of life and heading towards a haven of relaxation.
On our arrival, we were greeted at the door by the Experience Manager who, after giving us a warm welcome, insisted on carrying our bags and guiding us to our room. A great start to our stay. As we stepped through the door, my eyes were instantly drawn to the huge window with panoramic views across the golf course. As a lover of the outdoors and nature it was a huge tick from me and the first thing we did was sit in the chairs by the window, kick off our shoes and enjoy a drink. Heaven. Our room was tastefully thought out to create an inviting sanctuary of relaxation with a clean, modern décor.
As evening called, we headed down to Mr Kennedy’s Brasserie for dinner. The relaxed, spacious restaurant had stunning views across the terrace and we were lucky enough to be seated by the window. The décor was clean and modern and I loved that the tables were spread out just enough to give us privacy but still enjoy the atmosphere. The menu was varied and included lots of vegetarian and vegan options as well as many meat based dishes. After much deliberation and accepting we couldn’t just order one of everything, we both opted for steak. It was culinary perfection, cooked exactly how I had asked and served with a lightly seasoned salad and home cooked chips, it certainly hit the spot for me. The dessert was aptly named ‘The Best Warm Lemon Treacle Tart’ and was devoured alongside a running commentary of positive mumblings and nods of the head.
Our waiter was so attentive and we had a lovely conversation about the deer that roam the grounds each evening. After a few tips on where to go, we headed out with high hopes of spotting one. We had a gorgeous evening walk, just as the sun was setting, but weren’t lucky enough to spot any deer. There’s always next time!
Sometimes being in a busy bar enjoying the atmosphere is just what you need. The 19th bar offers a vibrant place to enjoy a drink. With its tasteful, modern decor and views across the terrace, it’s a great spot to continue your evening after dinner.
As the main aim of our break away was to slow down and recharge batteries, we were looking for a quieter place to while away the evening. The beauty of Slaley Hall is the amount of cosy snugs and sumptuous lounge areas scattered throughout the hotel. We found a perfect spot to spend a good hour relaxing and chatting.
We headed back to our room and enjoyed a final nightcap before rolling into our super king size bed. It must have been comfortable because the next thing I knew it was 7am and the alarm was waking me up. Breakfast was everything you could imagine, cereal, delicious pastries, platters of fresh fruit with accompaniments of nuts, seeds and dried fruit. To complement the fruit there was also a variety of yogurt to choose from and the option of a cooked breakfast at the self-serve area, it included all of the usual items you’d want from a hotel breakfast, well cooked and nicely presented.
After breakfast we headed out to grab some fresh air and stretch our legs. We were given great advice on which of the many walking routes to take and off we headed into the woods. What we weren’t expecting was to stumble upon a hidden Japanese garden and temple set in a sunken green woodland. While listening to the trickle of the small waterfalls and babbling stream, we meandered around this hidden treasure then followed the winding paths through the forest and eventually arrived back at the hotel.
For something a little more energetic, there is always the opportunity to enjoy a round of golf on the award winning 18 hole course. Or for a more relaxing day spend some time in the spa with relaxing pool areas and the choice from a variety of rejuvenating Elemis treatments.
Leaving Slaley Hall, I can say without doubt that we were relaxed and energised. A short break was enough to reset and gain perspective in the midst of a busy life.
Would I recommend a stay at Slaley Hall? Absolutely – it offered everything we wanted and exceeded our expectations for such a short stay. This is a hotel for all and one you will want to return to time and time again.
Review and some images by Maria Davison @girlaboutdurham
Some images courtesy of Slaley Hall Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, Hexham
