If you’re planning a spa break in the UK, you’re probably wondering if Hoar Cross Hall is worth the hype…
After spending the weekend at this Staffordshire estate, I’ve put together a complete Hoar Cross Hall review with all the juicy details so you can decide if this is the spot for your latest self-care fest.
I’d like to preface this review by letting you know that while I love a good spa hotel abroad, I haven’t been to many in the UK because I usually find spa hotels a bit of a disappointment. They look great online, but then the spa itself is dark, dingy or just plain in desperate need of a refurb.
Plus, I’ve found the spa packages offered by many UK spa hotels can be a bit of a rip-off – tying you in to low-quality food at the hotel and giving off an overall ‘cheap, all-inclusive’ vibe.
So, as you can tell, I was a bit apprehensive about booking into one of the UK’s most well-known spa hotels.
But, for the benefit of my readers, I was determined to find out if Hoar Cross Hall was worth the hype, and provide some top tips for anyone else planning a spa weekend.
Just so you know, we paid full price for our spa break, and this review is in no way sponsored or paid for by the hotel.
So without further ado, let’s get into it!
Hoar Cross Hall Review in Brief
In case you’re in a hurry, I’ll give you a quick overview of our visit here, before deep-diving into the details and FAQs below.
The short answer is yes, Hoar Cross Hall was worth the hype, for the most part. Unlike other spa hotels I’ve been to, the facilities felt super clean, modern, and the recently renovated outdoor spa terrace was to-die-for.
The main hotel and restaurant are housed in a grand, stately home that’s giving Bridgerton, and the staff do make you feel special from the moment you arrive. However, there were a few small communication issues, which I’ll go into later.
Since Hoar Cross is one of the most popular UK spa hotels, the whole place did feel pretty ‘busy’ on the Saturday we were there. So if you’re looking for a totally serene experience, this might not work for you.
However, if you’re after a fun weekend away with some girlfriends or your other half, we really enjoyed the bars and the more lively atmosphere after dark.
Plus, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, considering it’s all included in the spa break package (more on that below).
Hoar Cross Hall Review in Detail
The Spa Facilities
9/10
Obviously, one of the main reasons you go to Hoar Cross is because of the amazing spa facilities. The underground indoor spa is supposed to be one of the biggest in Europe, and it really does feel like a complete maze when you first arrive.
There are two indoor swimming pools, including one for water meditation, multiple saunas and steam rooms, and a whole range of different ‘experience showers’. There’s also an indoor cold plunge and a Nordic heat and Ice Suite (which is really just a fancy name for more saunas and cold showers.
One part I wasn’t keen on was the duty-free style shopping area by the main spa reception. You had to walk through it to get to the fitness areas and to the stairs to the main hotel, so I often found myself getting bombarded by bright lights and an overwhelming array of products on my way through. However, if you are looking to upgrade your skincare routine, it looked like a good place to get product advice before you buy.
Along with the indoor spa, there’s also a fully-kitted out gym, two fitness studios for yoga and so-on, lots of little nooks where you can curl up in your robe and get lost in a good book, and of course, dozens of treatment rooms.
The show-stopper is the new outdoor spa terrace, though. They’ve got three massive hot tubs up here, an apres-ski-style bar, rows of cabanas, and a juniper log sauna with a huge picture window. They’ve also got two cold plunge barrels here, so we spent a lot of time hopping between hot and cold.
We loved the fact that you could order cocktails right to your spot in the hot tub, and the service was really fast and efficient out there.
The only downside was how popular this area was; sometimes it was hard to find a quiet little spot for yourself. And at about 5 pm on Saturday evening, I found myself getting drenched by a nearby lady on a hen party, who had clearly over-indulged in the aforementioned cocktails.
All in all, the spa facilities were some of the best I’ve ever experienced, and I’m only docking one point for the issues mentioned above. I’d 100% return just for the facilities alone, but maybe I’d consider coming on a weekday for a bit of a calmer atmosphere.
Accomodation
8/10
We opted for a suite, and the room we had was incredibly spacious, with a whole separate lounge area and a lovely (allbeit empty) fireplace.
The en-suite was a little small, although it had lovely modern tiling, and the shower was nice and powerful. This is a very niche complaint, but I did find the water in the shower was very hard (which my hair struggles with). Speaking of hair, I was VERY thankful for the powerful Dyson hairdryer, which was a luxurious touch.
Hotel bedding is a HUGE thing for me (my husband always says I am like the Princess and the Pea when it comes to mattresses), so I’m pleased to confirm the bed was perfectly soft enough, and the pillows felt luxurious.
As part of the suite package, we were given some goodies in a box on arrival, including a pack of cards, some Elemis face cream, and a full-sized body moisturiser. This was a really nice touch that did help the experience feel special.
Our room was located in the main building overlooking the gardens, and while the view was lovely, the windows were quite small. This meant that the room felt a tad dark thanks to the moody, overcast January weather we experienced.
Food and Drink
10/10
The food and drink were a huge bonus for us. Since most spa packages include at least one three-course meal, we were expecting pretty standard food, nothing special, but we were pleasantly surprised to find the food was a real high point.
Our overnight package included a three-course dinner in the main restaurant on the evening, plus breakfast and another three-course lunch the following day. This might explain how I managed to put on two kilos in one weekend.
On arrival at the hotel, we were told our dinner and lunch reservation times, which I thought was an odd way of doing it, particularly as they had scheduled our dinner for 9:30pm. I would have preferred to make my own reservation in advance.
Thankfully, it wasn’t an issue in the end as the helpful woman at reception managed to change our reservation to 8:30 pm, but I did find it strange that we weren’t able to choose our timings in the first place. It all felt like a bit of a kerfuffle for nothing.
At dinner, we had a cocktail in the Long Gallery bar area, and this time we were glad there were lots of people around because there was a really buzzing atmosphere.
We were shown to our table in the main dining room and enjoyed an indulgent dinner, with options from lamb to blade of beef to choose from. I opted for a burrata and fig salad for starter, which was lovely and light, and the puddings were presented beautifully (I definitely recommend the chocolate pear!)
The following morning, a huge breakfast spread had everything you could think of, including gluten-free pastry options, the full English works, and even a Bloody Mary mixing station.
Lunch was essentially a repeat of dinner, with lots of tempting options to choose from. My one gripe would be that for some unknown reason, there was a surcharge to add chicken to the salads (even though the roast chicken with potato was an included option). Make it make sense, I guess?
A highlight on the food and drink front (as it usually is, for me), was the cocktails. I loved the fact that you could order cocktails in the spa itself, and they had all the usual suspects, as well as some tasty signature options, which I made the most of (try the Coachella if you like a sweet-tart cocktail).
Service
9/10
I have to say the service at Hoar Cross Hall was spot on. We arrived at what seemed like a very busy time for reception, but we were quickly welcomed with a glass of bubbly and someone whisked our bags away almost immediately.
The staff are very thorough with providing any information you need, and super helpful whenever you need something – we asked for a bottle opener to be brought up to our room, and the request was quickly actioned.
One thing I would perhaps change would be the fact that the main hotel reception did not make spa bookings, and you had to go to the separate spa reception to do that. This was quite a long walk away from our room, so it was a bit of a hassle to book onto the classes once we’d decided what we wanted to do.
I’d like to give a special mention to the staff at the outdoor terrace bar. They were particularly good at catching your eye when you needed another cocktail, remembering where you were sitting and generally working hard outdoors in the freezing cold.
The staff in the ballroom restaurant and the long gallery bar were also very friendly and efficient. All in all, I really cannot fault the staff for their extremely high standards of professionalism.
Location
7/10
Hoar Cross Hall is set in a lovely slice of UK countryside, about an hour’s drive from both Birmingham and Nottingham. There’s not a huge amount to do nearby, but most people come to Hoar Cross to enjoy the facilities on site, so that’s not too much of an issue.
There is a quaint village nearby called Abbots Bromley, where we went on a walk and stopped in the local pub and cafe for a quick drink. There’s a brewery called Freedom you can visit there.
Obviously, the remote location means transport links are tricky, and the nearest train station is in Burton-on-Trent, about a 20-minute drive away. So having a car to get there is almost essential.
The location is pretty convenient for those travelling by car from central England towns and cities, but it’s a bit more of a trek from London (three and a half hours).
Atmosphere
8/10
The vibe at Hoar Cross Hall was fun, upscale, and perhaps more lively than I was expecting, especially on the Saturday. There were plenty of groups enjoying the facilities in order to celebrate a special occasion, so it’s not your typical quiet, serene spa-style experience.
We experienced a few particularly rowdy guests who had maybe had one cocktail too many in the outdoor hot tubs. Having said this, the atmosphere in the restaurant in the evening was just right – lively without feeling crowded.
On Sunday, we noticed the whole spa area had a much more chilled vibe, so I definitely recommend visiting on a weekday or off-peak if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience.
**You might also be interested in reading Hever Castle Review: An Iconic Kent Bed and Breakfast.**
Hoar Cross Hall Review: FAQs
Is the food good at Hoar Cross Hall?
The food was a real highlight at Hoar Cross Hall, even though it’s all included as part of the spa packages. You get at least one three-course meal included in your package, with options to choose from, including quality local produce and beautifully presented desserts.
Is Hoar Cross Hall adults only?
Yes, Hoar Cross Hall is an adults-only hotel and spa, with all areas exclusively reserved for guests over the age of 16.
Can you walk around Hoar Cross Hall?
Hoar Cross Hall has extensive grounds you can walk around, including formal gardens, a woodland path, and a link to a nearby chapel. If you’re looking for a longer walk, we found a circular route on All Trails that leaves directly from the hotel, and there was another circular route from a nearby village called Abbots Bromley.
Since Hoar Cross is located in the Staffordshire countryside, there are plenty of walks and outdoor activities nearby, plus classic countryside pubs, cafes and local farm shops.
What do you need to take to Hoar Cross Hall?
You need to take a swimsuit to Hoar Cross Hall to enjoy the spa facilities, plus some flip flops or slides to walk around in. Robes are provided. You might also want to pack some gym clothes and headphones to make use of the fitness facilities (they also have a yoga and pilates studio). Shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion is provided in the rooms as well as the spa changing rooms, and they also provided make up remover in the spa changing room which I thought was very handy.
We also brought some smart casual clothes for the evening, and our walking boots for a country walk.
What is there to do at Hoar Cross Hall?
There is so much to do at Hoar Cross Hall, we didn’t get time to try it all. Of course, you’ve got the sprawling spa area, with multiple saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools, water meditation, experience showers, hot tubs and cold plunges to circulate between. There’s also an outdoor spa terrace with a bar, cabanas, and an outdoor sauna.
Elsewhere in the grounds, you’ve got outdoor activities like axe throwing, archery, tennis and bike rental (summer only). Fitness fans can make the most of a fully-equipped gym, and there’s also a full timetable of classes, including yoga, Reformer Pilates (with an extra charge), spin, and HIIT. You can work on your wellness with guided sauna sessions, sound healing, and meditation.
What time is dinner at Hoar Cross Hall?
There’s no set dinner time at Hoar Cross Hall; you’ll be assigned an individual reservation time when you arrive. We were given a time later than we’d liked, however, we were able to move our booking to a time that suited us better.
Is there a dress code for Hoar Cross Hall?
For evenings in the main Ballroom restaurant, the dress code is smart casual. We found people made a little bit of an effort, with some ladies sporting heels or heeled boots, and gents in jeans or smart trousers and polos.
At breakfast and lunch, the dress code is much more relaxed, and many people came to the Ballroom in their spa robes, but you could also wear casual clothes or gymwear if you preferred.
Have more questions about visiting or want to give your own Hoar Cross Hall review? Drop it in the comments section!
Or book your spa break directly on the Hoar Cross Hall website here.
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