Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa

The afternoon tea was the letdown. We had to leave the spa in our robes, walk through the main hotel reception and then go into the conservatory, which spoiled the experience. It would have made much more sense to bring it to the seating area by the spa café. The sandwiches were poor value and had no style or presentation, although the scone was warm, fresh and enjoyable. The staff were welcoming and made us comfortable throughout. The massage was good and the facial excellent. The sauna and steam room were very good too. But the pool area looked neglected, with black mould on the walls, which didn’t give me much confidence about swimming there.

Breakfast was delicious, and staff were friendly, responsive and great with customer service. The communal areas were nicely decorated. Our room was fairly clean, but very dated, especially the bathroom. The children appreciated having Freeview TV. It was handy to find still and sparkling water taps along the corridors.

My husband and I had a wonderfully relaxing stay, from the leisure centre and overnight visit through to breakfast and service. All the staff took good care of us, especially Diane at reception. She was welcoming, friendly and kind, and went out of her way to make us feel at home and help us enjoy the stay. She’s a credit to the team. Thanking Diane doesn’t feel like enough for what she did. We’ll definitely visit again soon. xx

The meals were a real highlight. Everything from breakfast to dinner was faultless, some of the tastiest hotel food I’ve ever had. The spa facilities were excellent for the price too. I’d read mixed reviews before visiting Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was blown away from the moment we arrived. Abbie greeted us at the desk with a huge smile. Our room wasn’t ready because we’d arrived early, so she gave us a quick tour and made sure we were comfortable by the pool while we waited. That small gesture set the tone. Some reviews mention the decor, but I found it charming. It may not be the most modern, but it’s spotless, well kept and homely. A big thank you to Abbie for making the stay memorable, and to Elizabeth and Izzy for their warm service. Amazing place, we’ll definitely be back and can’t wait to try another Macdonald spa.