A Surprisingly Grand Palace
My first visit to Norton House, which is roughly an hour's drive from my home, left me pleasantly surprised. Despite its proximity, I had never really known about this fantastic hotel before my stay. Now that I'm aware of its location and amazing staff, I'll definitely be returning and would 100% recommend it. The adventure begins as you turn off the main road onto the charming long driveway. We were greeted first by David, the kilted concierge, and checked in by Lucy at reception—our welcome had begun. While Lucy checked if our room was ready, as we arrived around 2 PM, we had a quick wander around the hotel. We soaked in the beauty and grandeur of this lovely old building. The staircase in the original part of the building across from reception is truly stunning, above a cozy nook with a fireplace and seating area. There are several other quiet seating spots nearby on the way to the bar/restaurant areas, all beautifully decorated in burgundy, brown, and natural tones. Our designated room, Twin Room 306, was located at the rear/side of the hotel, offering lovely views of the grounds and a peaceful atmosphere. David, the helpful concierge, assisted us with our luggage, sharing hints and tips about the walks around the grounds and answering any questions we had. The room was clean, well-organized, featuring a nice seat by the window and a large bathroom with both a shower and bath, fluffy towels, and delightful toiletries. However, the room was uncomfortably warm as the heating was on despite mild weather outside. We also found a welcome bottle of wine with robes and slippers in the wardrobe as part of our stay deal. The fridge contained a complimentary bottle of water and a small carton of milk for the tea tray, which provided a good selection of Clipper tea, coffee, and hot chocolate sachets alongside shortbread biscuits. Once checked in, it was time to explore the spa in a separate building outside the main hotel. It appeared very new, so I was surprised to learn it had been there for years. The spa is beautifully maintained with large individual areas from the spa reception/spa lounge where spa menu food is served until 5 PM and drinks until 6 PM in the lounge/bar area. There's a gym I didn't use, then on to the spa area, all equipped with individual mani/pedi stations. A large waiting area is available if you're fortunate enough to have treatments booked, alongside treatment rooms and a spacious, quiet relaxation area. This features sectioned-off beds with small wall lights that can be turned off, offering a sense of privacy even when busy. Luckily, it was quite empty when I visited after my treatment. The changing rooms, toilets, and pool areas are well-maintained and very clean. I used the pool both mornings before breakfast, which opens at 6:30 and wasn't too busy. The hydro pool was delightfully hot and relaxing after my swim and large enough when compared to many other spas. Dinner on both evenings was delightful, served by Lyndsey and Muir on Sunday and servers Jillian and Muir on Monday evening. Special acknowledgment to chefs Lewis and Billy, who accommodated my sister's dietary requirements. Billy even came out to say hello on Monday during his busy service, which was much appreciated. While the menu isn't extensive for picky eaters like us, we were able to choose between the restaurant or lounge menus, so there should be something for everyone. All food was tasty and well-presented. On Monday evening, we enjoyed a perfect souffle made by pastry chef Jack with delicious mango and passion fruit sorbet and coconut ice cream. The menus are seasonal, but the online ones are slightly different from those at the hotel during our stay, perhaps not quite up to date. Breakfast on both mornings was just fabulous, with a wide selection of hot and cold food. There was a lovely selection of yogurt and fruit pots with pastries and bread, along with various cereals and fruit juices. The hot food buffet was filled with fresh, tasty, and good quality products, not dried out like some other hotels can be. If that isn't enough, there's an additional breakfast menu at no extra charge. This includes omelets, French toast, waffles, sourdough with mashed avocado and poached egg, or scrambled eggs with salmon or smoked mackerel, along with a hand-picked breakfast item of the day, which was bagels when we visited. We tried the omelet and French toast with maple syrup during our stay. Both mornings were delightful, thanks to the lovely Natalie, who served and took care of us. Every staff member seemed genuinely happy to be working, with nothing being too much trouble. A lovely relaxed and chilled atmosphere envelops you, no matter where you are in the hotel. After breakfast on our first morning, we took a stroll around the hotel grounds, followed by several hours enjoying the spa facilities. Surprisingly, the leisure facilities were busier on Monday than Sunday because they have a private membership, so aren't exclusively for hotel guests. The spa utilizes both Elemis and Ishga products, selling lovely items as well. Despite the hotel being near the airport and having a train line behind the extensive grounds, it's still very quiet and peaceful. The only minor issue during our stay was my spa treatment—£100 for 55 minutes felt quite pricey. Thankfully, I managed to get a small discount after asking if there were any offers available. As it was quiet with ample availability, the Spa Manager was kind enough to offer a better price, so I decided to treat myself to a facial. I filled out my consultation form well ahead of time and relaxed in the facilities before my treatment. Fluffy robes were provided, and I waited for my therapist, Mirren, to collect me from the waiting area. Once in the treatment room, we discussed my treatment needs and I chose between Elemis and Ishga products. It was around 15 minutes past my scheduled appointment time when the treatment began, ending at the 55-minute mark, so it only lasted about 40-45 minutes and felt a bit rushed. I mentioned this to spa receptionist Michelle when leaving, who apologized and said Roison would speak with me since the Spa Manager had already left for the day. Roison acknowledged my comments and explained that the advertised 55 minutes include consultation and after-care time. It does seem quite costly compared to other spa hotel prices, which I frequently visit. Overall, we loved our stay, and I can't wait to return. Thanks to everyone at Norton House.