Chilston Park

Stayed in one of the junior suites. Really nice and comfortable. Had the champagne afternoon tea which was lovely. In the evening had 2 course Valentine’s dinner which was wonderful. But the most outstanding thing about the place is the staff, the most attentive and lovely staff I have met. We will be back. Thank you.

This is somewhere we return to regularly, and each visit feels heightened while remaining reassuringly consistent. The hotel has clearly evolved in recent years, with thoughtful improvements that enhance the experience without losing the sense of history that defines the house and its connection to the Viscounts Chilston. There is an immediate feeling of heritage on arrival. Although I have not yet stayed overnight myself, friends and family have and speak very highly of the rooms and overall experience, which only adds to our confidence in returning time and again. Service is one of the property’s great strengths. The staff are unfailingly professional yet genuinely warm and friendly, creating an atmosphere that feels both relaxed and polished. The food is consistently excellent. Our favourites are the quail starter and the beef Wellington, which is outstanding and comfortably rivals those served in some of the very best hotels and restaurants in London and beyond. Much of this progress is clearly down to the leadership of their General Manager, Paul, who has done a stellar job in elevating the hotel across many areas while maintaining its character. One small area for consideration would be a refresh of the gents loo, which would sit nicely alongside the other improvements and further enhance the overall guest experience. Overall, this country house impresses with quiet confidence. A place that honours its past, delivers in the present and leaves you eager to return. I would wholeheartedly recommend both the hotel and restaurant to anyone seeking a refined and memorable country house experience.

Having selected the hotel for Christmas based on reviews, we were not unhappy with our choice. If you choose an old country manor you are not going to get the ultimate in convenience but the conversion, so far as our room was concerned had been done pretty well, apart from the location of the mirrors! The water was hot and the loo worked. I would have preferred firmer pillows but, possibly aided by alcohol, I had no problem sleeping although I never understand why hotels always provide such enormous beds! Food was plentiful and our Christmas lunch was a marked improvement over our experience the previous year at another hotel. Staff were friendly and helpful and the whole holiday, with fireworks on Christmas Eve, Father Christmas’s footprints on the stairs and regular opportunities for refreshment and conversation was most enjoyable. It was sadly too cold (for us) for a long walk round the lake and you are aware of the hum from the motorway (M2) when doing so. Despite the nearness of this road, it is nevertheless a slightly tricky place to get to and your satnav will be invaluable. Obviously, this is not a cheap place to stay but for special occasions, well worth considering.