The Luxrury Editor’s Chrystal, ventured again to her roots and lately loved a keep at Rockliffe Corridor in north-east England. The award-winning resort boasts a 3AA Rosette fine-dining restaurant, spacious spa and championship golf-course. Learn on for the complete evaluation.
Background
Set within the neighbouring village to the one the place I spent many a summer season vacation taking part in by the river is the five-star resort, golf and spa resort Rockliffe Corridor. The 375 acres of land and stately home was as soon as the personal residence of the Backhouse household (well-known for co-founding Barclays Financial institution) and dates again to 1863. This lovely resort tucked away within the Tees Valley, is a splendid retreat; best for pals to fulfill, {couples} to reconnect and households to collect. We had been lately invited to remain, learn our evaluation to find extra.
Rockliffe Corridor is a POB resort – a group of the perfect unbiased inns throughout the British Isles.
Arrival
I first visited Rockliffe about 13 years in the past, not lengthy after it first opened, and I keep in mind the huge open fields surrounding the driveway. Quick ahead to the current day and the mature woodland that envelopes the large and winding driveway seems prefer it has been there endlessly. It’s a distinguished entrance that’s befitting of this five-star property.
We arrived on a moist Friday afternoon, however our spirits had been quickly brightened by the seasonal Halloween decorations on the door and within the reception corridor.
Nice {and professional} receptionists welcomed us as we accomplished the fast and straightforward check-in course of. We had been then escorted to our room (floor flooring superior suite) the place our instances awaited our arrival.
Our Suite
Our suite was within the New Corridor, which is an extension of the unique constructing and advantages from a south-facing facet, that means every room (or suite) presents visitors with lovely views throughout the intensive landscaped gardens and the championship golf course. Company staying in a superior suite may even take pleasure in a Juliet balcony or floor flooring patio. We had been staying in a ground-floor superior so the bottom to flooring doorways brings ‘the outside in’ and actually accentuated the already extraordinarily spacious suite.
The New Corridor rooms had been lately refurbished in partnership with main native inside designers, Cocoon & Bauer. The result’s a relaxing and traditional aesthetic with pops of color accentuating the impartial pallet.
The tremendous king-sized mattress was luxurious, with luxurious bedding made the ‘sleep’ space a comfortable haven while the plush couch and completely positioned espresso tables within the lounge space created a calming area. The well-designed separate dressing room space provided privateness and separation so the remainder of the suite permitting visitors to do their very own factor with out encroaching on each other.
The temper lighting with bedside controls was a sensible characteristic and I at all times love a room with a ‘world off’ to show all lights off as you stroll out the door.
The neutral-toned marble-clad lavatory comprised walk-in monsoon type bathe and separate bathtub with a built-in TV’s so visitors can actually relax and loosen up, the same old fluffy bathrobes and towels adorned the heated towel rail, and his and her sinks with Molten Brown toiletries accomplished the ensuite. A separate WC provided nice comfort.
A bonus of staying within the New Corridor is that each one rooms are solely a brief fluffy robe-clad stroll to the spa and health club amenities.
Different Lodging
Outdated Corridor rooms and suites, every of which is particular person in design with conventional furnishings reflective of the traditional and chic period of the unique constructing. Up to date double rooms could be present in Tiplady Lodge which is a really quick stroll from the principle resort and rooms inside overlook the golf course. For these wishing to benefit from the amenities of the resort however with extra independence there are self-catering flats and a home – best for bigger teams.
Eating
Eating right here could be as formal or as relaxed as you want.
The Orangery is the high quality eating restaurant throughout the resort, nevertheless should you’d choose one thing extra casual then go for The Clubhouse which overlooks the golf-course and is open all day, each day. Nu Sana is above the Spa and serves wholesome and fulfilling dishes, visitors may even dine of their robes (till 5pm) and if the climate is beneficial the terrace is a good spot to benefit from the tasty dishes served right here.
We dined in The Orangery, which is a part of the unique constructing and fairly a proper affair. We loved a cocktail within the bar while we perused the a la carte menu, and our order was taken earlier than we had been escorted into the massive high-ceiling restaurant overlooking the well-lit panorama gardens. The menu adjustments recurrently and makes use of seasonal produce a lot of which is home-grown. The fine-dining dishes crafted by Head Chef, Paul Nicholson, had been scrumptious and high quality over amount is the main focus.
Appetizer: Beef And 36-Month Aged Parmesan Cappuccino, Onion Bread.
Starter 1: Pan Seared Foie Gras, Gingerbread, Pecan, Granny Smith, Brioche.
Starter 2: Orkney Scallop, Celeriac, Smoked Roe, Pine.
Primary 1: Salt Aged Highland Venison, Oxtail, Chervil Root, Malt, Elderflower.
Primary 2: Joshu A5 Wagu Sirloin, Jerusalem Artichoke, Black Garlic, Hen of the Woods, Truffle Hash Brown, Caper, Bone Marrow Bordelaise.
Dessert 1: Valrhona Chocolate, Caramel, Milk, Yuzu
Dessert 2: Pressed Caramelised Granny Smith Apple, Sable Breton, Calvados Mascarpone, Peanut.
Breakfast was additionally served in The Orangery, visitors are requested to make a previous reservation and are welcomed by the Maître D. Company can select a starter and a most important, with toast and occasional to go with the meal. With my candy tooth, I opted for 2 starters (Bircher Muesli and Do-it-yourself Pancakes) each of which had been completely scrumptious – I might have eaten at the very least three extra! Saying that I fairly like this ‘order’ idea as I do tend to overindulge at breakfast buffets. This strategy can be a great way to good personal on meals waste which works in direction of sustainability efforts.
Amenities
The Spa
The Spa is open to resort visitors, members and non-resident day guests. It’s extraordinarily spacious at 50,000 sqft and the ground to ceiling home windows that overlook the golf course enhanced the area.
The magnificent stain glass within the spa entrance and across the pool facet had been the truth is the unique home windows from the chapel that was a part of the unique constructing. These touches of historical past assist preserve the heritage all through the newer a part of the resort.
With a 20m swimming pool, poolside loungers, hydro pool, a number of saunas, tropic atrium, caldarium, igloo, trepidation, monsoon bathe, out of doors sizzling tub there may be loads of selection to make sure visitors really feel 100% relaxed. My favorite spa room was the igloo – there may be nothing like rubbing ice throughout your physique for the last word invigoration!!
Fruit, water, and a seasonal natural tea are all complimentary. Smoothies are additionally accessible to order at a further cost.
The Spa Backyard with a non-public infinity hydro pool, is fashionable with visitors and use of this tranquil amenity could be organized at a further cost. We didn’t spend any time in right here on our go to, however I’ve heard good issues. Discover out extra
Spa and Wellness Remedies
There are a number of personal, quiet, cosy and ambient remedy rooms for visitors to take pleasure in a holistic wellness message or facial, and positioning themselves as innovators within the business, Rockliffe Corridor has simply launched its FACE SPAce therapies within the Spa boutique. We had been invited to be one of many first to do this remedy – earlier than it launched to most of the people – and regardless of my reservations I used to be very impressed with the results-driven facial. Learn the complete evaluation right here.
Actions
A health club could be accessed within the spa constructing, it boasts a fantastic vary of contemporary cardio and resistance machines with a free-weight space. I had a fast exercise however didn’t spend as a lot time as I might have appreciated (breakfast was calling!) because it was a fairly sensible health club. Company can be a part of group train lessons and PT periods can be organized.
There’s a full-size tennis court docket, bikes for rent, lovely riverside walks, a driving vary and naturally not forgetting the parkland 18-hole golf course.
As you move by way of the resort you might discover random however inventive letter plaques hidden in obscure locations – they aren’t as random as they might look. They’re a part of the Alphabet Hunt, and the Alphabet Tree, is discovered within the Spa reception. This can be a nice exercise to maintain kids (and adults alike!) entertained but additionally one other nod to the historical past of the property. The Backhouse household (authentic house owners) had a ardour for crops and introduced many crops and bushes from around the globe (one for every letter of the alphabet) and planted them within the grounds – a lot of which stay immediately.
The Drawing Room and Library discovered within the Outdated Corridor are fantastically elegant spots to sit down again and revel in a second or two of peace – and be transported again to days passed by.
Getting There
For UK visitors, Rockliffe is definitely accessible by street or rail – only a 10-minute drive from Darlington Railway station or for visitors preferring to make use of their very own personal transport there’s a helipad.
Ultimate Ideas
We had a totally pretty keep right here. It combines fashionable amenities with elegant appeal and completely caters for all kinds of celebratory events.
