Middlethorpe Hall & Spa

Abby gave me an absolutely brilliant aromatherapy massage, five stars. The spa was included free with the hotel and had a nice jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. As a day spa, though, it's very small. The pool felt a bit chilly, the changing and lounging area was cramped, and the place lacked ambience. The information said children could only come at set times, but that rule wasn't followed. The hotel itself is beautiful, inside and out, and the garden is lovely. Mark helped with our luggage and showed us around, which we appreciated. Our room was perfect and spotlessly clean. Breakfast was a little disappointing: the fruit salad, croissants and juice took a while to be replenished, and the portions were slightly small. The staff were excellent.

The gardens are lovely, though they're quite close to the A64. Getting into York was easy, with a bus route nearby, and we even walked back along the river. Parking was straightforward too. This historic hotel has real charm and quality, though it isn't cheap. We were upgraded from a junior suite to a full suite, which made our stay very comfortable. The room had fruit, a hospitality tray, robes and a safe, but no fridge. They replenished the milk, and reception gave us mugs when we asked. The staff at the front were welcoming and efficient. The pool across from the courtyard is very nice, but club members who aren't hotel guests use it a lot, so it was never quiet. The changing rooms were poky and the showers tiny. My husband said the men's showers weren't working properly. Breakfast is cooked to order in the dining room overlooking the gardens. The food was lovely, but some staff seemed slightly surly, and we noticed a few people didn't get what they'd ordered.

We've stayed here twice now and are already looking forward to coming back. The staff were warm and couldn't have been more helpful, including the chef, who accommodated our request for non-gluten, non-dairy food. Our room was lovely, with a comfortable bed, and everything was clean and tidy. We also enjoyed walking around the lovely gardens and admiring the Listed building. The price felt very fair.

We loved the garden setting and had a wonderful stay in a spacious garden suite with its own private courtyard and a pond with a fountain. The food was excellent, and the head waiter really took care of us. I wish I knew his name, because he clearly takes pride in his work. His service was the icing on the cake for our 50th birthday celebration. The spa is in a separate house with a lovely, almost heavenly setting. It's small, and the changing rooms are too, but that wouldn't put us off returning. It was a real treat to celebrate here.