Carden Park Review: Award-laden Spa Hotel and Restaurant lives up to the hype near Chester

Ready for the ultimate spa break? Among other awards, Carden Park has recently secured the enviable title of Global Spa of the Year at the World Luxury Awards. And it lives up to the hype. After a serious upgrade, the complex includes a wow-factor outdoor space, dotted with five hot tubs, and cosy, all weather booths.

There’s a garden sauna, decked in hanging herbs and playing the most chilled out Ibiza beach music, and a spacious outdoor pool that wouldn’t feel out of place on Gary’s luxury yacht in The White Lotus.

An indoor complex of treatment rooms, infinity pool, and five sauna and steam rooms complete the luxurious picture. It’s gorgeous from second you walk in, and after a day of steaming and preening, I could barely lift my head off the pillow at the end of the day.

Carden Park is not just a spa, though. It’s a celebrated hotel and golf course too, including a multi-AA Rossette winning restaurant, The Vines. Just one hour’s drive from Manchester, it’s the closest five star spa to Manchester and the perfect overnight getaway.

Estate views

I checked into an ‘Estate View King Room’ the night before my spa day. Views take in the golf course, sculpture garden and pillowy hills between Chester and Wrexham. Part of me hoped I might see Ryan Reynold’s from Wrexham FC on a break. I mean, It could happen. There’s a starry vibe, after all, to Carden Park with its helipads and valet parking.

The gourmet journey starts on arrival with a box of Swiss chocolates waiting in the room. We head downstairs for cocktails – a house White Negroni and minus 5 degree Celsius Martini (£19 each) in the bar, complete with sunset views, and pianist playing requests. With three bars to choose from, Carden Park is undeniably massive. But attention to detail has gone into every aspect.

The hotel can accommodate large events such as weddings, but it’s ideal as a couples or mates break too. There are luxurious rooms in the main hotel plus cottages and apartments. Facilities include an in-house gym, swimming pool and spa updated in 2019 – with private Padel courts on the horizon. The gym is packed with state of the art kit like ski ergs. There’s a lively class programme too.

In terms of dining, Morgan’s bar is an upmarket pub-themed space with a sunset views. The Redwood Tavern is home to daytime pub fare, and world-class buffet breakfast. But the jewel in the crown is The Vines restaurant.

The estate includes three acres of vineyards (hence ‘The Vines’). We try Carden Park’s own sparkling wine, followed by three impeccably served courses in the restaurant. Covering the classic French bases, we feast on beef tartare (£21), cauliflower velouté with toasted hazelnuts (£14), glazed beef cheek, with pearls of sweet, slow cooked onion (£44), and baked Alaska with limoncello (£14).

The Vines is unashamedly fancy; somewhere to dress smart, and enjoy being waited with old fashioned panache. Think white gloves, peachy tones, and as many wine samples as you desire. We enjoyed slightly too many, thanks to our bubbly sommelier, Julian.

Spa o clock

The exceptional service continues on our spa visit the next day. The spa feels brand new and we explore the outside first, coasting between hot tub, sauna, lounger, and outdoor pool. Everyone is kissed by the sun, relaxing in the carefully planted gardens which offer plenty of privacy.

Lunch is in the purpose built first floor ‘Elements’ restaurant overlooking the spa complex. The menu includes refreshingly simple Caesar salad with grilled chicken and wafers of crisp bacon, and a bahn-mi vegan baguette. I love chilled atmosphere and views – it feels like a genuine break from the daily grind.

The afternoon poses pressing questions like: which of the interior hot rooms to explore first? I particularly love to the two saunas; one moderate ‘bio’ one, and a hotter Finnish room, each with huge, triple glazed seamless windows at one end, creating a sense of being fully in touch with the elements, while still enwrapped in warmth.

Steam rooms

A trio of steam rooms include aromatherapy, straight up hot steam and a more temperate space. At the centre is an ice fountain and a rainbow of showers. I love mixing up hot and cold, trying at least three rotations before its time to relax by the pool again on the heated loungers.

Thinking back over the experience, there’s nothing I would change. Obviously, the weather was good to us  but there are enough features in the outside space – sheltered bars, garden saunas, and social ‘pods’ – to allow guests to enjoy the space in all weathers. There’s no risk of the inside becoming overcrowded either, thanks to the team who patrol the area, ensuring no one has reserved a lounger. I really like this touch: it feels refreshingly democratic.

My partner is not necessarily the world’s most passionate spa goer, but by the end of the day, he’s completely supine, with a beatific expression on his face. And as for me? I’ve already booked my return visit.