Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, BW Signature Collection

The treatments were great, and the staff were friendly, skilled and easy to talk to. We were welcomed warmly at the spa and went for our treatments soon after arriving. The reception team in the treatment area were helpful too. We managed to book at the last minute, which was useful, but it was expensive for what we got. The spa itself was lovely, though small and a little crowded, with too few seats and places to hang robes. The restaurant was a real disappointment. We asked for a quiet table because of my friend's health condition, but staff were rude and unaccommodating. They said the other tables were reserved, though they weren't, and eventually moved us after we asked again. I can't eat dairy, and there wasn't much I could choose from, so I ordered fish and chips. There was something inside the fish, like leek and/or cheese, that wasn't mentioned on the menu and I didn't enjoy it. I left most of it. Service was slow and not very friendly or helpful, so I didn't bring up the food issue. Given the restaurant experience, I don't think we'll be back.

We had a birthday night away as a gift. The room was clean and comfortable, and everyone on staff was very nice. The hotel was a good base for Chatsworth House on the way there and The Monsal Head Trail on the way home. Dinner exceeded our expectations: a small menu, but the food was freshly cooked to a high standard. Breakfast was good as well.

The restaurant food was lovely, a little pricey but not over the top. The staff there seemed a bit chaotic for such a quiet evening, and someone mistakenly tried to charge nearly £6 for a lime and soda. On arrival, the building and grounds made a strong impression, and the receptionist was helpful and explained the meal details. The room was spacious and impressive too, though a little dated. There were several problems: leaking bathroom taps, a floor that hadn't been mopped properly, crumbs across the floor as if it hadn't been vacuumed, and very thin pillows. The hotel is nice and I'm sure it usually does things better, but this visit fell short.

The spa pool was cold, and the sauna and steam room felt more like residential versions than the ones at other spas we've visited. The upgraded room wasn't clean, and the spa bath didn't work. The rooms are very dated and need bringing up to standard, so I don't know how this is rated four stars. On Valentines evening, the rooms were very cold and the heating barely worked. We had to ask for an extra radiator, which just about made the room bearable. Staff, including the duty manager, were standing around the spa reception slagging off customers, which was a nice touch. The only saving grace was the front desk staff and the blonde lad in the restaurant. The food was okay, though I wish we'd had more choice.