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 were last here 2 years ago and we were blown away with the changes to the place in this short space of time. Some stunning spaces. Loved the clubhouse and Cloisters. Spa was the only area really needing attention (though by no means bad) - but they have already started building a new one! We ate in every place and loved every meal. Emeralds was very good. Desserts not to the same level as starters and mains (same in Cloisters). Pastry on our rhubarb dessert was burnt and hard. Some stunning courses though - bread and the most amazing chicken skin butter, lamb and scallop dishes real standouts. Staff all friendly. Can't wait to come back.

Really disappointed is an understatement! 9.25pm and currently sat in our room waiting for the manager whilst I write this ….. Here is a detailed review of our stay ….. -Arrived 3pm and checked in - all good with luggage being taken to the room -When we went up to the room our bags were left in the room with the door wide open (and the outer fire door propped open) -Realised our deluxe room that has king size or emperor beds had two singles shoved together -Went to phone reception - phone not working despite being in a far part of the hotel with no mobile signal and no way of contacting reception in emergency -Went outside to call reception - was promised at 5pm a new mattress would be put on whilst we are at dinner -At 7pm we went thirty minutes early and told them we were early so they could get on with it -Lady at reception apologised for earlier and said “ we’ll sort it “and apologised for the luggage and no welcome pack in the room (we didn’t even have a timetable for breakfast) -Called at reception after dinner and was told all good and to call it any problems - the irony - he even said if not sorted he would move us rooms -Came back to the room at 9pm no new mattress - just the single beds pushed closer together - went back to reception to be told someone would call to the room in 5 minutes -thirty minutes later called reception (via mobile) - no sign of the manager and no communication - was told that he is sorry no room to Move us and he is sorting out other guests - - After 35 minutes manager arrived to help - we ended up stripping the beds and helping them link the mattresses together (housekeepers hadn’t done this and put the wrong covers on hence a gap) - 10pm actually could sleep on the bed we had paid for - The room “cold water” was hot / warm - clearly an old hotel with infrastructure issues but not convenient or safe - Breakfast busy so no table - shoved in the bar whilst we waited For the money it’s not good enough - it’s not as advertised and premier inn are more organised - to be fair to the manager at 9pm he had just come on shift and did his best albeit late to help and solve the problems caused by the team earlier in the day . However the hotel clearly can’t cope when there is a wedding the next day and this shouldn’t impact on normal paying guests - the location - amazing - the service and customer care………not so great

Just returned from a three day stay at Matfen Hall and what a superb hotel!.....The re-furbishment work is truly stunning with amazing rooms and lounges to relax in. The bedrooms are 5 star, the food in the hotel and the golf clubhouse was excellent and the staff were all so very friendly and helpful. The breakfasts in the hotel were also excellent, the hotel and grounds were maintained to a very high standard. The only issue we had was that our room close to the spa was extremely warm but we were moved to a room with patio doors which solved the problem. This is one of the best hotels we have stayed in and once the new golf driving range and golf course improvements are implemented next year together with a new spa being constructed it really will be something special!....well done to all the staff at Matfen Hall!

A beautiful hotel, set in lovely grounds with glorious views! Impossible to recommend too highly! We stayed a week & had the most wonderful holiday! We were 3 generations, the youngest being too young to be completely alone but too old for no privacy, so we got two interconnecting bedrooms (one sealed from the outside), each with its own bathroom, with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. It was a great deal and it really worked - the breakfasts are so generous that they keep even a teenager going until evening! And if you fancy a walk around the grounds before breakfast but would like an espresso in the bar first, that’s no problem: it’s prepared instantly, it tastes really good, and you’re not charged extra. Matfen is no cheapskate. Trips to its lovely, light & airy swimming pool are pure pleasure, because the water’s just the right temperature & they provide everything you could possibly need; there are loads of outdoor games like croquet or badminton; they lent us a putter & 3 balls so we could putt whenever, and it was a brilliant thing to do early in the morning or late in the evening. It’s impossible to list everything that’s great about this hotel, but it’s first-class at every level. You never see anyone cleaning, but it’s spotless, with all the brasswork glowing; clothes come back, carefully laundered, the same day; the gardens are immaculate, but wonderfully imaginative, and you can spend hours working out the different planting schemes, or simply enjoying them; the Keepers golf club is welcoming, with a nice terrace where you can enjoy a drink or a meal, and offering lessons from the kindest, most patient pro on the planet, with state of the art equipment; the chefs are all in a class of their own … Anyone reading this will be asleep by now, so I’ll stop, but not before saying that the jewel in Matfen’s crown is its staff - without exception, they are incredibly competent, hard-working and genuinely friendly, and will go to great lengths to ensure that guests are comfortable. I hope their hospitality will never be abused.

I was looking forward to my birthday treat and it was a huge disappointment. The food was very overpriced for what it was and I think that if you have a set price menu, £ 60 for two courses and £70 for three you shouldn't then have to pay extra for any vegetables. the chips to go with our fish were £6 per portion. The best part of our four day stay were the staff who were absolutely delightful