Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

We came first cocktails!!! The bar is stunning, the bar staff very knowledgeable and so keen to please. Overall decor beautifully, recent big makeover. Garden views lovely. Wish we could stay for food as menu looked good. Definitely a destination venue.

We have stayed at Matfen Hall on numerous occasions both before and after the refurbishment but as we hadn't stayed since the new Cloisters restaurant opened we decided to stay on a bed, breakfast and dinner basis. Check in was great, we relaxed in The Great Hall with a complimentary drink while our cases were whisked away to our room. We were escorted to our room (18) by a lovely member of staff called Alan who I have to say is a credit to the hotel. Our room was lovely with the biggest bathroom I've seen, free standing bath and huge shower! The bed was very comfortable and the bed linen top quality. The window overlooked a little courtyard and we had a door which opened straight out onto the terrace with great views of the golf course. We had our evening meal in The Cloisters, and the food was very good and service generally fine. The only complaint I have is that we walked into The Cloisters and there was one member of staff, concentrating on a computer screen who didn't acknowledge our arrival at first and after standing for a minute she did acknowledge we were there but continued to look at the screen. In the meantime another couple arrived and stood behind us waiting to be served also. Another member of staff arrived and to our surprise ignored us completely and proceeded to show the couple who arrived after us to their table. By the time we were shown to our table, the other couple had given their order and had drinks and bread. I guess we had our invisible cloaks on! I can't fault the service or food after this. Next morning we had breakfast in the Cloisters and again the food was lovely. I had a big bowl of granola, greek yoghurt and honey followed by a cooked breakfast. Like other reviews have stated, the service was a bit hit and miss. Our order was taken quickly and drinks including tea and juice arrived promptly. There was a long wait for our cold items which was puzzling as it was only the granola and a box of Frosties. My husband ordered white toast and after a wait, the young waiter brought a wrong order of brown toast and croissants to our table. We queried it and was told " well it's definitely for your table" it was actually the order for another table, who were very frustrated as they had asked for their toast order twice. We had a long wait after the cold items and nobody checked on us until I grabbed the waiters attention to ask for more tea, it was only then he asked if we wanted our hot breakfast. The breakfast when it did couldn't be faulted. All in all we had a great stay and really liked the turn down service, it was lovely coming back to our room after dinner to find the bed turned down curtains closed and water provided next to the bed. The only negative is that there is a slight lack of attention during breakfast service and the young staff seem very inexperienced. That said, I can't wait to revisit.

Visited Matfen Hall in March 2025 for Sunday lunch in their Emerald Restaurant. What a wonderful environment to dine in! Quiet, calm elegance with attentive, but not intrusive, serving staff. The food, beef and salmon respectively, was full of flavour and joy. The waitress was able to give knowledgeable advice regarding wine pairings and all staff made us feel comfortable and very much at home. A wonderful experience and one we will long remember.

Special overnight treat for a big anniversary. Bought Christmas vouchers to stay and have the 8 course taster menu and paired wine. The food was beautiful but didn't like the wine pairings - didn't expect the additional £43 service charge either. Morning was manic - over 80 having breakfast and having waited 30 minutes without any hot drinks eventually got our breakfast but without any toast. Missed the fried egg on the breakfast and when mentioned, they forgot it again. (Staff did apologise). Appreciate we didn't pay the full £600+ price it should have cost but I must admit we were expecting a bit more when paying over £400 for food and overnight stay. We've visited a few times before the new ownership and although it looks nicer now, and the reception / evening staff were fab, we left disappointed. Not sure if we'd visit again but perhaps local people are not their prefered clientele. Beautiful rooms and surroundings but costly and variable quality of service

This hotel is a must visit when staying in the northeast, if you’re looking for a 5* hotel and Spa. The building itself he’s been renovated to the highest level of detail, the mixture of new and old works together in perfect harmony. There are bars and restaurants both in the main hotel and also at the golf clubhouse which is just a few minutes walk away. The Spa has everything you would expect and ever need, swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and a steam room. The rooms are well appointed with all the opulence and comfort that you would expect in a hotel of this stature.

In a truly magnificent location this is a lovely estate with a grand hotel building. There are 2 golf course and a driving range as well as a swimming pool and spa. There are three restaurants, the Keepers is not in the hotel but is part of the main golf complex near the hotel, the driving range and short course are some distance away on the estate. Keepers is an interesting venue with a good menu and service, you are offered a buggy ride back to the hotel after dinner. The Emerald restaurant is truly marvellous with an excellent tasting menu and wines. We had a truly fantastic young gentleman looking after us who also looks after the bar. He made our evening memorable. The Cloisters is average and is the main restaurant and breakfast venue. Our evening meal was helped by the same person serving us as in the Emerald. A very luxurious bedroom and bathroom complimented by a very professional 'front desk' team made our stay.