Losehill House Hotel review: Understated luxury in fairytale surroundings

Nestled within the valley of Lose Hill and Win Hill, there’s something very fairytale about the way Losehill House dramatically emerges as you veer down a one-lane track through the Derbyshire hills.

Gazing out across sweeping Peak District landscapes, the surrounding slopes offer an ever-changing backdrop of seasonal colour. Steeped in history, the hotel was built in the Arts & Crafts style by the CHA walking charity in 1914, on the site of an 18th-century farmhouse.

The hotel’s name is rooted in local folklore. It’s said that around 650 AD, two Anglo-Saxon kings battled for control of the Hope Valley. According to legend, Northumbrian forces, stationed on nearby Win Hill, sent boulders crashing down onto the Wessex army below, causing them to “lose” the battle. While the story endures, it is likely mythical. Alternative theories suggest “Lose” derives from “loose,” meaning “free” land, and that the hill may once have been known as Laws Hill.

Whatever its origins, Losehill House today feels beautifully connected to its surroundings. Nature underpins the experience, with a proud emphasis on sustainability and environmentally conscious choices. Interiors are calm and welcoming, with décor sympathetic to the building’s heritage.

With just 22 individually designed rooms and suites, the hotel presents unfussy luxury while maintaining an intimate and homely feel. Our room, a deluxe king, is adorned with wooden beams, which add a nice injection of rustic personality, while a grand, free-standing bath makes things feel that bit more upscale.

Elsewhere, facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a terrace hot tub and sauna with panoramic views. Independently owned and family-run, Losehill House holds its unique position as the only hotel and spa within the Peak District National Park boundary.

In the Thalgo Spa, treatments use carefully selected products, alongside thoughtful touches such as their home-made honey and beeswax soap. A full variety of services is available, ranging from therapeutic massages, which start at £45, to the £120 Losehill Spa Ritual, which covers everything from a back polish, facial and a full body massage.

Award-winning dining at The Grafene

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a light-filled orangery, which makes brilliant use of the beautiful vistas that envelope the hotel. Much of the produce served in the hotel’s two-AA-rosette restaurant, The Grafene, is grown in its own gardens, with additional ingredients sourced as locally as possible.

Before being seated for dinner, guests are invited to first enjoy canapes and a drink in the lounge and bar area, which does make the experience feel that bit more special.

The dinner menu is shaped by modern takes on seasonal British staples. Dishes are presented beautifully. Plating is simple and considered, while injections of vibrant colour ensure servings are aesthetically enticing. Despite a small hiccup with one of our dishes, the friendly team, all of whom were wonderful and attentive despite service being pretty much full, sorted things instantly and without fuss, and our meal was largely excellent throughout. The short loin of lamb and duck egg yolk starter were particular standouts, as was the artisanal cheese selection, which featured a handful of delightfully obscure variations.

An ideal gateway for ramblers

Perfectly positioned near the picturesque village of Hope, and between historic Castleton and Edale, Losehill House offers convenient access to some of the country’s most popular walking routes, including Kinder Scout, Mam Tor, The Great Ridge and Derwent Edge, with Sheffield and Manchester both within easy reach by train.

King double rooms start from around £147 per night. For the latest prices and availability, visit the Losehill House Hotel website.

Featured image credit: John Finney Photography