Hardwick Hall Hotel

The building has loads of history, and the dinner and bar areas are lovely places to unwind. Katie behind the bar really made the stay for me. She’s bubbly and friendly, my new matcha go-to, and had great dinner recommendations and useful tips to share. The older gentleman in the breakfast area was lovely too, and clearly enjoys a good chat. Fifty-seven years of service is real dedication. The rooms were spacious, nicely maintained, and had thoughtful touches. I loved the Elemis bathroom products. It’s a beautiful setting, though having a car is the best way to get around.

There’s plenty to see around the grounds, from the ducks, geese and swans to the monuments, cafe, toilets, gift shop and children’s play area. There’s also lots of parking, including another large car park just for the grounds. The Hall is a lovely spot for weddings and parties, and they host plenty of festivals and other events too. The food was spot on, and I’d say try the rack of lamb. Staff are extremely friendly and obliging, always going the extra mile. The park and surroundings are beautiful, with cosy areas and banquet rooms. Some rooms and buildings feel a little dated, though that comes with the history of the place.

We were there for an event, so I can’t rate the hotel rooms from experience. The building itself is huge, attractive and well kept, and the location is really nice. Drinks were overpriced, though, and the food was mostly disappointing. My soup starter was okay, the hunter’s chicken was nice, but the cheesecake arrived warm and seemed to have been sitting out. Our daughter liked her garlic bread starter and pudding, but her main was awful. The fries were so overcooked they were almost solid, and lots of other children left theirs too. The staff looked unprepared for an event of that size and were rushing around. One waiter was carrying about 15 plates when he dropped one onto my daughter’s head. He gave a small “sorry” while she helped him pick up the fries he’d spilled over her and the floor.

The staff were amazing and the property was lovely, but we ended up with the last room available, number 409. It was tiny and had no view. In October it was boiling hot, even with the window open and a fan running all night. Maybe it was above a generator area. The other rooms in the pictures look lovely, but we had to take what was available.