If your idea of a perfect weekend involves long spa afternoons, delicious food and peaceful countryside views, Mottram Hall delivers on all fronts.
This luxury hotel in Cheshire feels a world away from everyday life and is set within 270 acres of landscaped gardens. The journey up the driveway alone is enough to encourage a slower pace, with a tree-lined avenue flanked by wildflower meadows on one side and rolling fairways on the other.
At the end of the drive, the gorgeous red-brick Grade II-listed hotel comes into view, overlooking a fountain framed by colourful summer blooms. My shoulders drop a couple of inches before I’ve even stepped through the door.
Inside Mottram Hall
I arrive slightly ahead of check-in, but the reception team are quick to store my luggage while the finishing touches are made to my room.
With time to spare, I head straight to Rafaella’s, the spa restaurant, for lunch.
There’s a relaxed atmosphere here, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grounds. Opting for something nourishing before an afternoon in the spa, I choose grilled sea bass served with a Sicilian-style potato salad and sun-dried tomato pesto. A baked yoghurt follows, topped with fruit compote and granola.
Delicious yet light enough to feel satisfied rather than sleepy, it’s the perfect start to a restorative weekend.
Afterwards, I complete check-in and make my way to my suite.
My room
My suite overlooks the hotel’s picturesque lake, where geese glide across the water and young cygnets paddle in the spray from the fountain.
Inside, the accommodation is spacious and thoughtfully designed. A generous lounge area features comfortable seating, a coffee table and large television, creating a separate space to relax away from the bedroom.
The bedroom itself is calm and inviting, complete with a comfortable bed, tea and coffee-making facilities and a large dressing table. Beyond this lies a spacious bathroom with both a bath and shower, stocked with luxurious ESPA toiletries.
Fluffy robes and slippers add an extra touch of comfort, but it’s the private terrace that steals the show.
Furnished with reclining loungers, it’s the perfect spot for a slow morning coffee, accompanied by birds tweeting and views across both the lake and landscaped grounds.
Inside the spa
The £15 million Champneys spa is undoubtedly one of Mottram Hall’s standout features.
A tranquil water feature welcomes guests on arrival, setting the tone for what’s inside. The facilities are extensive, with two indoor swimming pools, an indoor jacuzzi and a range of thermal experiences, including saunas, experience showers and a refreshing cold room.
Outside, a spacious hydrotherapy pool is surrounded by loungers, creating a social atmosphere on sunny days. Whether you’re sipping a mocktail or something a little more celebratory, it’s an easy place to lose track of time.
What impresses me most is the sense of space.
Despite visiting on a summer Saturday, the spa never feels overcrowded. There are no queues for facilities and no competition for loungers. At various points during my stay, I find myself alone in the jacuzzi and able to swim uninterrupted lengths in the pool.
The treatments
The treatment menu is equally extensive, spanning everything from facials and manicures to deep-tissue massages and reflexology.
Even the journey to the treatment room feels calming. Soft candlelight illuminates the corridors, while low lighting and hushed surroundings encourage you to switch off completely.
I opt for the Champneys Body Radiance treatment. This is a deeply relaxing ritual designed to leave both body and mind feeling renewed.
The experience begins with invigorating dry body brushing to stimulate circulation and gently exfoliate the skin. This is followed by a full-body massage that melts away any lingering tension.
My therapist, Nicola, immediately puts me at ease, taking the time to discuss any areas of concern and tailoring the treatment accordingly.
By the time it ends, I feel completely relaxed. My muscles are noticeably looser, my skin feels incredibly soft and I float away from the treatment room with what can only be described as a ‘post-treatment glow’.
Dining
Dinner is served in The Carrington Grill, where a lively atmosphere fills the restaurant as guests settle in for the evening.
I begin with the lobster macaroni. This is a rich and indulgent dish packed with generous chunks of lobster and topped with golden breadcrumbs. It’s delicious, though substantial enough to share if you’re planning three courses.
For my main course, sea bream is served alongside mussels, silky potato purée, spinach, samphire, and a rich lobster chowder. The sauce is so good I’d happily order a bowl of it on its own.
Dessert comes in the form of a classic crème brûlée accompanied by pistachio biscuits. Is there any better feeling than cracking through the caramelised sugar to reveal the silky vanilla custard beneath?
As the sun begins to set, I take a stroll around the grounds. The evening light casts soft pink hues across the sky, creating a beautiful backdrop for an after-dinner wander.
Later, I settle onto the terrace outside the Champagne Bar for a nightcap beneath the stars before retreating to bed for a wonderfully comfortable night’s sleep.
Breakfast the following morning is served back in The Carrington Grill and includes fresh fruit, yoghurt, pastries and a selection of cooked breakfast options, alongside tea and freshly brewed coffee.
With a leisurely 11am check-out, I leave feeling rested, restored and ready for the week ahead.
For something a little more active…
While the spa is undoubtedly the main attraction, there’s plenty to keep active guests occupied.
Within the spa complex, a light-filled studio overlooking the grounds hosts a daily programme of classes, including yoga and Pilates.
Golf enthusiasts are well catered for too, with an 18-hole Championship golf course on the doorstep.
The hotel is also home to a FIFA-accredited football pitch, as well as a padel court. There’s a fully equipped gym for those looking to fit in a workout during their stay, too.
Mottram Hall in a nutshell
Whether you’re spending the afternoon moving between thermal experiences, indulging in a treatment, enjoying long lunches or simply soaking up views of the grounds, relaxation comes easily at Mottram Hall.
Mottram Hall offers the perfect blend of luxury, tranquillity and wellbeing for anyone in need of a restorative escape.
A one-night stay at Mottram Hall costs from £395 for two sharing a Standard Room, including 10 am check-in, spa access for the duration of your stay, use of gym and aqua classes, plus a full English & continental breakfast, lunch and dinner (£35 credit pp). B&B-only stays from £134 for two sharing a Standard Room.
