Middleton Lodge

The room, bathroom, location and grounds were all lovely. But the restaurant breakfast and the staff the next morning really let our stay down. At £340 for the room, it was disappointing to have to pay extra to upgrade from filter coffee. The people at the next table had warned us the filter coffee was undrinkable. Our food also came out wrong, and when we mentioned it, the staff weren’t polite about it. Middleton Lodge is a beautiful hotel and venue, so it’s a shame that the poor hospitality at that price soured the stay.

We stayed an extra night at the hotel around my son’s wedding, and it was a wonderful place to be. The room was superb, with an outdoor hot tub, a very comfortable bed and fantastic linen. I had the best sleep. There were plenty of towels, toiletries and bathrobes, too. The grounds are amazing for a short walk, and breakfast had lots of hot and cold options. Reception staff were friendly and helpful, and nothing felt like too much trouble. The setting is fabulous. It’s quite pricey, but I’d highly recommend it for a special stay.

The relaxation room was my favourite part of the day. After our 45-minute facial, we spent half an hour there and were brought peppermint tea and snacks. QR codes on the sun beds and hot tub let you order drinks to be brought over. The staff were all lovely, and the facilities were excellent. My only suggestion would be to add cushions to the sun beds. I went to the spa yesterday with my daughter, and the setting was beautiful. The pool was heated to 28 degrees and everyone was using it. It was a sunny day despite it being March. There are two hot tubs beside the pool, plus outdoor tables and seating. Inside, we found two sofa areas and individual changing and shower rooms, with Voya toiletries provided. The steam room, sauna, cold plunge and cosy relaxation area are all in one building, with a log burner, showers, blankets and beds to lie on. There are also wooden loungers by the pool. Our spa package included a two-course lunch from the Forge restaurant, which was delicious, and lovely drinks. I highly recommend the smoothie, the best I’ve ever tasted!

A romantic getaway would suit this lovely, beautifully restored estate. The team are well trained and look after you. Don’t miss the Forge fine dining restaurant, its varied tasting menus are excellent and full of surprises. A real treat!