There’s something really lovely about driving in the Autumn sunshine, especially when it’s through the British countryside and on the way to a lovely destination. Our pre-Christmas overnight weekday visit to Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire feels like a real treat.
To escape the chill, and the screen, we headed to the award-winning spa to soak up some festive warmth and take the opportunity to rejuvenate, as well as giving ourselves a little early treat ahead of party season.
SPA TREATS
With cold outdoors combined with home central heating our skin has been feeling a bit neglected so we booked in for a facial spa treatment. All the Elemis treatments help energise the skin offering to boost and detoxify dull skin leaving you ready for the socialising ahead.
While you are there you get to indulge in all the facilities including the warm hyrdotherapy pool, the salt water pool, aromatherapy steam room and saunas. You can then jump into the ice shower to cool off.
The spa is huge (you even get a map to help you get around) and with both day and overnight visitors welcome it is busy, but not so much that you won’t be able to take advantage of all the facilities.
Whatever level of activity, fitness or relaxing you want to do there is an area to find; there’s a top class gym for the more motivated or a swing chairs for relaxing for a post-treatment chill-out.
STAYING OVER
Our heritage room is situated on the original east wing of the beautiful hall and accessed via the grand staircase with sweeping views of the countryside and manicured gardens.
The king bed is set in the centre of the large room with sumptuous jewel blue velvet curtains and a comfy sofa to lounge on. There’s plenty of room to move around and the en-suite is up a small flight of stairs which feels conveniently out of the way.
There’s a Nespresso machine for your coffee fix and plenty of speciality teas to choose from and the dressing table includes a Dyson hairdryer, but beware; you won’t want to go back to your usual one if you’re not lucky enough to own one of your own.
DRINKING and DINING
The Christmas theme is subtle throughout the resort with tastefully decorated Christmas trees dotted around the main communal areas. The long hallway is great for a cocktail sipping by one of the open fires and perfect for people watching.
Lunch is served in either Henry’s or Hugo’s. We chose Henry’s for a superfood bowl (a tasty green salad of quinoa, avocado, spinach and feta) and a jerk chicken salad. Although we chose healthily we did top off lunch with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc so weren’t too virtuous.
For dinner we headed to The Ballroom for a 3-course meal. The AA Rosette-awarded restaurant is a great way to end a relaxing day with a range of classic dishes that cross over the usual meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan options.
Most of the dishes are recognisable but have been given a contemporary twist on the expected. We chose the king scallops to start which came with both butternut squash and Granny Smith purée which gave the dish a good sharp tang.
For the mains we had the Duo of Pork (a piece of pork loin and crispy belly) which came with an Asian broth and sticky rice – it had a slight Thai taste to the broth which was really good. And we also ordered the 8oz fillet steak which came with triple-cooked chips and was cooked beautifully.
Feeling happy and full on our 2 courses we had the cheese plate as our dessert option however the ‘selection of regional English cheese’ was just two: a Stilton and Cheddar.
GOOD TO KNOW
On arrival we were handed a glass of rose Prosecco and were able to check in early which was great. Check in is usually 3pm and while you have to vacate you room at 11am the following day you an use the spa facilities until 2.pm.
To escape the chill, and the screen, we headed to the award-winning spa to soak up some festive warmth and take the opportunity to rejuvenate, as well as giving ourselves a little early treat ahead of party season.
