Fawsley Hall

The spa was lovely, especially the outdoor hydrotherapy pool. We were sorry we couldn’t stay longer, and would love to come back to try another feature room and see more of the hotel’s history and decor. For my husband’s birthday, we stayed overnight in the Robert Dudley feature room. The views of the lake and gardens were breathtaking, and the room felt spacious and bright while still keeping its beautiful beams and character. The bed was the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. Fawsley Hall feels like stepping into a grand medieval world, and it was wonderfully quiet too. In the morning, all we could hear was birdsong. Dinner and breakfast at the cedar restaurant were incredible. Every staff member was polite, professional and accommodating. They even brought my husband two little birthday cakes, such a lovely gesture. Thank you, Fawsley Hall, for a wonderful stay.

The bathroom flush stopped working, was looked at, then failed again. The sink water also wasn’t draining properly, and that hadn’t improved after it was checked. Even so, this was our fifth stay at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, and we still haven’t found a spa that lives up to it, even after moving to Yorkshire. We travelled over three hours this time for another peaceful, relaxing two-night visit. We stayed in a room above the spa again, which made it very convenient to use the facilities. The food was perfect as usual, especially breakfast. Chef Joe clearly puts a lot of care into the details, and our dietary needs are always accommodated, so many thanks to him. Karen was very helpful at check-in; Chris helped us choose food at the Tudor Bar, and Kylie and Rahul were attentive on the second night. Helen at evening reception, Tammy at the spa, and Lauren at breakfast were helpful too. Special thanks to Sean for all his help before we arrived and during our stay. We can’t wait to return.

The views and gardens are lovely, and there are thoughtful extras like umbrellas and wellies for anyone heading out to explore. Food at the bar and restaurant is top notch, and there’s a fantastic spa with a good-sized pool, several saunas and a steam room. It can get busy since non-residents can use the spa. It’s a great historic themed hotel if you want something different from the usual. The access road is a potholed single track lane from either direction, though there’s plenty of parking. Feature rooms vary a lot in style, so ask for a specifically Tudor themed one if that’s what you’re after.

The hall has lovely atmosphere, the decor is excellent, and the toilets are clean and well kept. Parking gets busy, but there’s always a space. The Christmas trees are consistently the best I’ve seen in any hotel, and the man on reception is absolutely charming. The staff are friendly, helpful and really nice. Afternoon tea is generally lovely, with very good tea and coffee. The chef chose the wrong jam for the scones, though, since strawberry should be the default. And if it’s called butter, it should be butter, not margarine. That was really poor. The food is fine, and the crème brûlée is excellent, but could use more brûlée. One tip for the person serving at the bar: if you’re unsure what’s in a menu item, don’t wing it. Service is polite otherwise. This place deserves a visit or two.