Rockliffe Hall Restaurant & Hotel Review

Located in Darlington, Rockliffe Hall Hotel is in an ideal location to visit the Yorkshire Dales or North Yorkshire Moors and for Soccer fans it overlooks Middlesbrough Instruction ground.

The Hotel

The exterior itself is grand, it is long and wide with Victorian-esque brickwork and a roof, but the interior tells a story. You are greeted with sleek, polished tile, high ceilings that were beautifully and refined splashes of contemporary decor — armchairs in a hues and lavishly abstract statues.

The Hotel, A Victorian mansion is divided into two elements — both the old and the new hallway. The hallway harbours several of more style suites and rooms, drawing room, bar, central staircase, pianist and a gorgeous morning room. The new Hall features most of the spa the bedrooms, fitness center and a much more relaxed style brasserie.
We remained in the New Hall, this part of the Hotel’s decor is a marrying of the classic and the contemporary, intertwining the rich tradition with a modern twist of the establishment. We’re talking gilt photo-frames and finely embroidered curtains with modern chandeliers and spotlighting.

The Space

The very first thing which I noticed as I entered the bedroom were the lights that bordered the room turned on automatically (you can set four distinct moods of light) and the next was that the vast quantity of space. The bathroom was put to a little corridor led to a bedroom with a stunning bed, twin sofas and the right, desk and patio doors and soccer training grounds. Sunlight streamed in through a chink in the curtains adding warm hues to walls and the plum coloured rug. The overall result is a room that’s as stylish as it is warm and comfortable. There was nothing to fault. The bathroom was a fashionable marble appointed event, together with his and hers sinks, NEOM toiletries, a huge bath and shower plus a separate toilet room.
In the wardrobe were just two attractively soft bath robes and slippers, ideal for the brief walk to the spa — one of the real highlights of the 5* establishment.

The Spa

Rockliffe Hall is proud to boast one of the greatest spa’s in the nation and its Great Spa Guide ‘5 Luxury Spa’ heralds it as the very best in the North of England for Spa breaks and Spa days. Whilst we believe size does matter, the expansive size of the spa of Rockliffe Hall is a real feature that is winning. Separate areas allow rejuvenating and relaxing in the way a spa that is perfect truly could. And they are unique in their installment of their ‘Spa Garden’ — an additional extra but well worth the cost.
Adjacent to the most important spa, The Spa Garden (that requires a code to access) offers unrivalled luxury whilst revelling in amazing panoramic views of the countryside tumbling as much as the eye could see. It provides an indoor and outdoor encounter for that extra touch of tranquillity to make your break truly perfect.

Indoors have spa concierge can lie back and relax on a heated comfort lounger with refreshments, or sit around water characteristic and their fire pit with a magazine or book. You can head outside where there are just two hot pools such as an edge experience pool and a Jacuzzi that is warm, for when the weather is warm plus lounge and decking areas. It is hard to imagine a place you would rather be when you are in the gorgeous gardens, muscles soothed by the massage features staring out in the pool. All in all, it is an excellent extra for a single day of indulgence.

The spa itself offers numerous experience rooms, a Jacuzzi pool, a large pool and plenty of places to relax. Light puddles across the surfaces and soft music plays — it’s an utter recipe for comfort and rest.
There is a juice bar available for some smoothies if you get thirsty during of the relaxing and a sip of something yummy- they taste great and are great for you !
For virtually any health club fanatics out there, Rockliffe Hall includes a state of the art Technogym equipped gym and a range of wellness classes like Nordic Walking all under the expert advice of their fitness pros. Whilst the gym did not try during my stay, I did glance in and it really looks fantastic.

Dinner

Dinner at Rockliffe is an adventure in itself. It’s hard to worry in words how delicious the food, just how amazing the setting and just how much you need to go to get a special event.
I’d recommend you visit their own bar for a pre-dinner tipple — their list is mouth-watering and will whet your appetite for the meals. The hotel’s resident professional pianist Michael Mulroy provides an elegant backdrop whilst you peruse the menu and if you are lucky to grab a seat you can watch the sun setting.
The menu itself is a wondrous treat, Executive chef Richard Allen portrays his passion for food with premium ingredients which both taste and look yummy (true we cannot argue.) Aswell as it is indulgent, however not too overbearingly so — one of the reasons for its 3AA rosette status.
We opted for the tasting menu followed by wine pairings, but the a la carte menu also seemed delicious. Whilst we decided to go all out and try the 7 courses, it is possible to also have the 5 class taster and do not need to opt for the wine accompaniment (but we recommend that you do!)

Dinner itself happens in the Orangery, a breathtaking room bursting and wallowed in a moonlight come nightfall. Gold columns illuminated by spotlights line grand olive-coloured curtains and the room frame the floor-to-ceiling windows. Seats and White clothed tables added into the feel of course and splendor and pretence is set for a meal each and every time you enter.

The moment we were shown to our table, it had been clear that this was to be a meal unlike any other — and from the end this belief (as well as our stomachs) was completely satisfied. Why it had been chosen as the partnering for each course, the sommelier was exceptional, describing each wine and just — and they did go. The food itself would go down as one of the restaurants and was outstanding I’ve ever had the joy of eating in. Every dish    at Rockliffe Hall was cooked to these precision, flavours married collectively so meticulously that every class was a real treat into the palette. Perfectly completed, every dish looked as great as it tasted. Designed to appeal and expertly crafted, imagination were it not for the scents from the plate it’d be hard to tuck in for fear of ruining something so beautiful and was rife in the demonstration of each class. Courses incorporate a roast breast of pigeon with broccoli, chickpea dahl and fig & ginger jam and roast loin of rabbit, though a firm favorite was the pork belly with citrus and poached langoustine. All dishes were tender, juicy and succulent in all the right areas with an marrying of flavours. The evening was rounded off by a cup of coffee bar in the bar; sadly the pianist was no more playing (he plays with a 3 hour slot) nevertheless there was still a soothing classical music in the background to really set the mood.

Rockliffe Hall is one that is going to stick with you long after you depart and a break. It leaves you feeling relaxed, relaxed and checking when you’re able to return and is a break of utter indulgence without a ridiculous cost. Whether you decide to come as an anniversary treat or simply to go through the restaurant and spa you won’t be let down. Everything from the staff to the decoration makes this a Resort that’s so much more than just bricks and mortar. We can’t recommend Rockliffe Hall highly enough.

Found from the City was hosted by Rockliffe Hall, a member of Pride of Britain Hotels — a collection of 49 privately-owned independent British resorts. Set within 375 acres on the banks of the River Tees, close to the village of Hurworth, the 18th-century red-brick mansion has 61 tasteful guest bedrooms, three restaurants and an award-winning spa which provides a range of remedies such as the 60-minute Caudalie Facial (#90 pp). A pool, Jacuzzi, decked living area, fire pit, water feature and views across the estate is featured by A Spa Garden. An overnight stay prices from #220 per room (two sharing), including full English breakfast and use of the indoor hot tub. Spa Garden access costs #30 pp for a two-hour session. To reserve call Pride of Britain Hotels (0800 089 3929, www.prideofbritainhotels.com).

Picture From:seeninthecity.co.uk