PRE FLIGHT HOTEL STAY

DOWN HALL COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL
 

 

 

 

Ironically, being as how they are supposed to be enjoyable, restful, and relaxing, holidays can be very stressful! It's not the holiday itself that causes the stress, rather, the organizing, packing, and, above all, the getting there. Airports, these days, are not happy places, they are fraught with complications, hassle, panic, and all manner of emotional stress that can leave a traveller bewildered, frustrated and anxious, before the holiday has even begun. Add to this an early morning flight, preceded by a long car journey to get to the airport, and, potentially, you have a recipe for disaster. However, all is not lost!

I was recently faced with a 6.25am flight out of London Stansted airport. That meant arriving at the airport around 4.30am, with a 90 minute drive from home to the airport. Therefore, leaving home at 3am, which meant getting up around 1am. 'Hang on a minute!, is there any point in going to bed?' The answer came in the form of Down Hall Country House Hotel.

 

 

Located on the Essex/Hertfordshire border in Hatfield Heath, just 9 miles from Stansted airport, Down Hall is a well established country house set in 110 acres of woodland, parkland and gardens. Just 45 minutes from central London, Down Hall is situated within easy travelling distance to Stansted airport, which makes it the ideal pre or post flight hotel. The property has a fascinating history dating back to 1322, when Robert Taper gave the house to Hatfield Broad Oak Abbey. Since then, the house has had a number of owners and many uses, including a convalescent home for wounded soldiers, a school, an antiques business and conference centre, and now, today, a beautiful country house hotel.

 

 

Purchased in 1986 by the Veladail Group, the hotel is presently going through a major refurbishment, on-going during my visit, but with very little disruption to the everyday running of the hotel, and the guests enjoyment. Many of the 99 bedrooms have already been refurbished, with the remaining rooms being refurbished over the coming months. Soon to open, will be a brand new spa and treatment area, which will be available for public membership as well as hotel guests. Initial outlay for the refurbishment is in the region of £2.5 million, but total cost is estimated to be close to £7 million.

There is certainly no need to go hungry at Down Hall, as dining options are excellent. The Grill Room Restaurant is a fine restaurant, serving modern English cooking, including fresh ingredients sourced from their own vegetable garden. Here, dinner is served from 7pm. There is also a comfortable and intimate bar area, and afternoon tea can be taken in either the lounge area or Ibbetsons Tearoom. In the summer, picnic hampers can be arranged for a picnic in the grounds. To keep the guests entertained during their stay, facilities include a steam room, sauna, gym, 2 tennis courts, croquet, and a giant chess set. The existing spa facilities are for hotel guests only, these will remain after completion of the new spa, giving hotel guests the option of using either spa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I arrived early afternoon, in good time to make the most of the facilities, and get myself into the holiday mood. I had stayed at Down Hall on one previous occasion, a 'Murder Mystery' weekend, but even so, I still found the sight of the mansion, as I drove up the drive towards the entrance, most impressive. It really is a grand looking building, set in a beautiful location. I parked my car and made my way to reception, carrying only a small overnight bag, having left my main holiday luggage in the car. Check in was quick and efficient, and the reception staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I took the opportunity to arrange a table for dinner at 7pm, I needed an early night! I also arranged for an early morning wake up call.

 

 

 

My room, one of the refurbished rooms in the west wing, was very tastefully decorated. Situated on the ground floor, with patio doors leading on to the grounds, it was perfect for relaxing in after a long journey. It was a very good sized room with high ceilings and a beautiful chandelier, there was everything I could wish for to ensure a most comfortable stay. Amenities included a seating area, with table and chairs, tea and coffee making facilities which was very welcome after a long drive, and a very spacious bathroom with bath/shower, toilet, bidet, twin sinks and complimentary toiletries. But, most important of all, a generously proportioned and exceptionally comfortable king sized bed. There were also bathrobes which came in very useful for the spa. 



There is something of interest around every corner of Down Hall, beautiful, sweeping staircases, adorned with fine works of art, large, tastefully decorated rooms which are available for private functions, along with cosy and comfortable public areas. The grounds are a delight to walk around, although, unfortunately, limited for time, I did not get to see all the grounds on this occasion.

 

 

 

 

I decided to spend some time chilling out in the spa area. The gym was well laid out with a good choice of exercise equipment, however, I chose not to work out on this visit, preferring instead to just relax in the sauna and steam rooms. There are lockers, towels, and toiletries available in the spa area, and drinking water is available in the gym area. Following my chill out time in the spa, I showered and made my way back to my room to rest before dinner.

 

 

 

Dinner was served in The Grill Room by very friendly and attentive staff who had, clearly, been trained to a very high standard. The food, too, was of a very high standard, and the overall ambiance of the restaurant was very relaxing and welcoming. I chose Prawn and White fish Ravioli for starters, and Salmon in Beetroot with Pea Risotto for my main course, delicious! As I needed to be up by 3am, I, reluctantly, declined the offer of desert or coffee, and headed back to my room around 9pm, ready for an early night. 

 

 

I awoke to my wake up call at 3am as arranged. I had also arranged for a light breakfast to be brought to my room for 3.30am. It arrived promptly, and I enjoyed a breakfast of fruit and yoghurt, and a pot of tea. Just enough to keep me going until brunch. I checked out of the hotel at 4am. The drive to the airport took a mere 20 minutes, and the journey was made even more enjoyable when I was rewarded by the sight of 2 deer, 3 foxes, 1 owl, and several rabbits, a wonderful way to start the day! I arrived at the airport in plenty of time for my flight, relaxed, refreshed, and a lot less stressed than had I driven from home that morning. Without doubt, a far more enjoyable way to start a holiday.

I would definitely consider Down Hall again for a pre/post flight stay, but I would also highly recommend the hotel for a longer stay as it is such a wonderful, comfortable, relaxing hotel, set in an area where there is so much to see and do. Down Hall is also the perfect location for a wedding, and with 161 weddings taking place every year, I am clearly not alone in my opinion. Down Hall is also a fantastic location for business meetings, with 18 well equipped conference and meeting rooms and its close proximity to London.

 

 

 

 

Places to visit during any stay at Down Hall include: Mountfitchit Castle, the House on the hill toy museum, Audley End House, Hatfield House, Hatfield forest, Bishop's Stortford, Cambridge, Colchester, Imperial War Museum Duxford, and, of course, London. All these destinations, and many more are within easy travelling distance of Down Hall. For further information visit Down Hall Country House Hotel's website at:  www.downhall.co.uk