Orton Hall Hotel & Spa Peterborough

The scones were delicious with jam and clotted cream, and our waitress kept checking whether we wanted more tea. We eventually had another pot. We were too full for the assorted cakes on the top tray, so the staff gave us a dish to take them away. I told my friend her husband could have mine too. Hope he enjoyed them! My friend and I had Festive afternoon tea at Orton Hall Hotel and spa. We waited on comfy sofas and were collected when our table was ready. The large dining room had lovely views over the grounds. The sandwiches were very nice: turkey and cranberry, grated cheese with onion, and a tasty, moreish Festive falafel. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, you might see us again, watch this space 😀

The team were professional and attentive throughout the day, which helped everything run smoothly. The ceremony and reception rooms felt elegant but still relaxed. I photographed a wedding at Orton Hall Hotel & Spa, and it was a beautiful place to work. Its historic architecture and landscaped gardens made lovely backdrops for couple portraits in every season. It’s a wonderful setting for couples after a classic, romantic wedding.

The room wasn’t quite right for me, there was a spider web on the ceiling, though the bed was comfortable. Breakfast was the same English breakfast each day, and I’d have preferred more choice, perhaps continental options. The spa was small, especially the jacuzzi. The service was good, and the hotel’s location near Nene Park is great. Beside it there’s an old church among lots of very old graves and trees 🌳. It’s a good choice for a quiet, relaxed weekend.

We paid close to £400 for two nights with breakfast, and the room’s condition left us very disappointed. Water was pooling on the window sill from heavy condensation, and there was visible mould, rot, and rust around the frames. Wallpaper was peeling in large areas, the carpet was frayed and didn’t sit properly against the walls, the sink was cracked, some furniture handles were missing, and there was dust and debris behind drawers and furniture. These felt like basic upkeep and cleanliness problems, not matters of taste. We raised it with a manager at the hotel. We were told nothing could be done because the building was old, and that the problems counted as maintenance rather than cleanliness. They offered to refund the final night only if we left the hotel, which wasn’t practical since we were visiting family locally. We were also told nothing could be done about breakfast because it came with the room, even though it was part of what we paid. The building itself is old and has character, but that doesn’t excuse the state of the room or the lack of a useful resolution. For this price and calibre, the hotel should meet basic standards of upkeep regardless of its age.