Champneys Mottram Hall

Dirty, dirty, dirty, from the spa itself to the restaurant toilets. The spa area was rusty and needed cleaning, the lockers were broken so there was nowhere to store our things safely, and the cafe was cold. It was overbooked. Staff said they regularly tell reservations, yet the overbooking continued. When we complained on site, the managers were too busy to deal with it. Head office said they knew about all these issues, but they’re still taking people’s money. We’d paid £350 for an overnight stay as a birthday present, and it was ruined. They offered us a return visit in six months to inspect the upgrade, but we live two hours away and the offer was for an evening spa visit. A joke. Don’t spend your money on such a horrendous place.

The ribeye with frites, vine tomatoes and watercress was incredible. I like a rare steak, and this one wasn’t bloody, with just the slightly crunchy edges I love. The frites were fluffy and soft inside, crisp outside, and nicely seasoned with salt and pepper. The tomatoes were soft, zesty and perfectly cooked without being charred. Booking was easy, and I was shown to my table without any fuss. Amy W looked after me, taking my order smoothly and being polite and attentive. The meal was a delight from start to finish, with exquisite food, fantastic service and superb attention to detail. I’d thoroughly recommend it.

The coffee shop was lovely, and we relaxed in front of the fire. The Champneys shop was nice too, with 20% off during happy hour from 2 to 3pm. The spa looked beautiful when we arrived early, and the reception staff were friendly and welcoming. They gave us a slip for lunch, which is important to keep with you. There are three pools, a jacuzzi, two saunas, a steam room and a cold room. The outdoor jacuzzi wasn’t working, so it was just a warm pool. We got a sun lounger because we arrived early, but the number of people around made it feel less relaxing than other spas. The changing rooms were chaotic, with only two changing cubicles and two large pouffes in the middle. There was hardly any space for the number of guests, so we had to change on the floor in front of the lockers. Our overnight package included a two-course lunch and the food was nice, but drinks were very expensive. Two Peronis, a glass of Prosecco and an Elderflower tonic cost £26.40.

Matthew Maylin helped with my booking personally and went above and beyond to make sure I had a wonderful stay at Champneys Mottram Hall. The whole experience felt luxurious and five-star, while still being friendly and welcoming. The spa had wonderful facilities and great service. I had a facial and a Tibetan head massage, and would highly recommend the treatments. It was lovely to relax there with a book. The building is beautiful and well maintained, and our bedroom was stunning. The bedding felt luxurious and I had the best night's sleep. Dinner was gorgeous, with fantastic service, and we loved lunch and breakfast too. I’d highly recommend staying at Mottram Hall. Thanks to Matthew and the wider team for making it so memorable and rejuvenating.