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The Bottom Line

By far one of the most exciting hotel openings in 2010. Rockliffe is a destination venue for anyone looking for great service from staff for whom nothing is too much trouble.

Rooms, whether in the Old Hall or the newer extension are spacious, beautifully appointed with large comfy beds, good seating areas and all have marble bathrooms as standard

The food offering is excellent and extras come in the form of a luxurious spa and championship golf course.

If being spoiled in opulent surroundings or golf, spa treatments or maybe good food and fine wines are your thing, then head up to the north east - right now.



Pros

• Stunning, 5-Star Venue
• 50,000 Square Foot Luxurious Spa
• Impeccable service and attention to detail.
• Superb food offering from relaxed to fine-dining.
• One of Europe’s longest, and most challenging, golf courses

Cons

• Needs a little more time to settle in.

Description

• Contact Details
  Rockliffe Hall
  Hurworth-on-Tees,
  Darlington,
  County Durham DL2 2DU
• Tel: 01325 729999
• Website
• Rooms
  10 rooms and suites in the Old Hall.
  33 rooms in the New Hall
  
• Near the main hotel: 12-room Tiplady Lodge and Armstrong House, containing six self-catering apartments.
• Double rooms cost from £270 (June 2010) Please call the hotel for current price. Special offers and packages often available.
• Food and Drink
• 3 food offerings. Fine dining - the Orangery with chef Kenny Atkinson; informal - Waterside Bistro; relaxed - golf Clubhouse.
• The Spa
  50,000 sq ft luxurious spa available for hotel guests and visitors. Spa packages available.

• Golf
  Call the clubhouse for details of membership and green fees - 01325 729980

Guide Review - Rockliffe Hall, Darlington

See More Pictures of Rockliffe Hall

To say that first sight of Rockliffe Hall is delightful is an understatement, it is spectacular. The broad, sweep of the hotel encompasses both the Grade II listed Old Hall and the sympathetic new bedroom and function room extension. The new section is all new and shiny but a few years should see it settle down. Inside the new extension sits seamlessly with it's older sibling which is more comforting than worrying about the outside.

No expense has been spared in the renovation by Middlesbrough Football Club's owner Steve Gibson. He has brought in the best to provide the best which is evident in the careful attention to detail from the soaps in the bedrooms, flat screen TV's above the bath, through to the unashamed luxury of the 50,000 sq ft spa or stunning golf course and club house. There has been some unfair poking at Rockliffe because of the football connection (Middlesborough's training ground is adjacent to the hotel grounds) with words like "Bling" and "WAG" bandied about, which is unfair. The decor here is sumptuous, opulent and grand, as befits the surroundings. Chandeliers adorn bedrooms and public spaces, carpets are thick and squashy, beds supremely comfy and marble bathrooms come standard in all rooms.

Food at Rockliffe Hall

The decor is right, the rooms beautifully appointed and thankfully, the food is also great. Breakfast is well worth getting out of those comfy beds for with no squabbles over a buffet here as it's full on waiter service from a menu providing something for everyone.

For informal eating (after a round of golf, lazing by the pool or relaxing in the spa) then there's the Waterside Bistro or the Clubhouse. And, for a full-on treat there's the cooking of celebrity chef Kenny Atkinson in the Orangery. The Orangery is a beautiful restoration of the conservatory of the Old Hall and creates a lovely backdrop for an evening of fine wining and dining. Kenny is known for his appearance and as a winner on the highly popular TV series, Great British Menu. His cooking is highly accomplished with a strong emphasis on locally sourced, seasonal produce. Three courses start at £45 per head. An eight-course tasting menu also available from £60 per head (correct at time of going to publishing, please call the restaurant for up to date prices.

The Spa

50,000 square feet of unashamed luxury. The spa at Rockliffe is by far the best I have visited for quite some time. There's a hydro-pool,leisure pool, sound-wave therapy beds, a thermal bathing suite with tepidarium, caldarium, roman and heat saunas, tropicarium, hydropool and ice fountain, poolside butler service, 13 treatment rooms, including a couples' suite, and a rasul mud room....phew. A few hours in this spa is truly a heavenly treat.

Golf

I'm afraid I am unable at this moment in time to comment on the golf ... I'm not a player and my significant other was unable to play due to a knee injury. Details of the golf can be found on the website.


As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.