Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa review: A 17th-century getaway on Manchester’s doorstep

Set within vast grounds of lush Cheshire countryside, Crewe Hall can be reached in little over an hour from Manchester Piccadilly, though its splendid surroundings and striking architecture do a fine job of ensuring it feels worlds away.

The hotel is split into two halves. There’s the modern wing, which houses the spa, restaurant, fitness centre and classic rooms, and the original, Grade-I listed 17th-century mansion, where you’ll find the hotel’s suites, feature rooms and the gorgeous Sheridan Bar.

Unsurprisingly, it’s the historic side of the hotel that impresses most. The building is a dramatic, gorgeous example of preserved Jacobean and Victorian architecture, flanked by winding grounds that blend into the Cheshire countryside.

We spent the night in one of Crewe Hall’s signature Tower Rooms. The multi-level layout was great for an added sense of pageantry — upstairs, a TV room doubles up as a viewing deck, while the bedroom maintains an air of understated elegance.

The room’s decoration and upholstery probably tread a fine line between charming and a little dated, though this doesn’t detract from our stay by any means. It does feel like something as simple as some new carpets could make a big difference though.

The room’s ginormous bathroom provided a welcome injection of luxury, and the free-standing bath which overlooked the hotel’s gardens below was a welcome feature after a morning in the fitness centre.

The main qualm would be how detached the hotel’s two wings feel from one another. The traditional side does a marvellous job of transporting you into another era, but the cold glass walkway connecting the two sides undoes some of that.

The Sheridan Bar, is one of the big standouts, though, and definitely gets full marks in terms of aesthetics. Recently opened as part of a £1m refurbishment, the lavish space blends dark woods, brass accents and stained-glass windows to create an elegant and theatrical space that is a grand setting to unwind and relax late into the evening, cocktail in hand.

Food comes by way of a sleek, stylish brasserie. Despite our visit coming on an unassuming Wednesday evening, the place is surprisingly and pleasantly lively. We had the Roasted Scottish Sea Trout and the Baked Fillet of Sea Bass — both of which were cooked and presented excellently.

While perhaps veering a little on the pricier side, guests who have booked a food-inclusive package shouldn’t be too far off squeezing a starter and main into their £32 allowance.

Rooms at Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa start at £139 per night. For more information, or to book your stay, click the button below.