All it took was a short journey west on the M62 winding up and through the Pennines and we had arrived. Oddfellows on the Park is a luxury boutique hotel and spa situated in the middle of a park in Chester and I couldn’t wait to stay!
The team at Oddfellows had very kindly invited me over for an extravagant night’s sleep to showcase everything the hotel had to offer. I’ve actually been needing a relaxing trip away so this came at the perfect time and I jumped at the offer.
On first appearance the hotel is simply stunning within a perfect setting on a park. Bruntwood Hall stands tall upon the grounds of greenery and wildlife, gleaming with history and tastefully brought back to life with a fun modern/classical touch. What once stood as a town hall in the war, one of the greatest equestrian studs in the North and a film company, this hall has had its fair share of interesting purposes. Now its purpose is to thrill its guests as a hotel and spa taking inspiration from a society of ODD fellows, the people who can’t be categorised and the ones who aren’t afraid to stand out.
We were greeted on arrival by one of the loveliest receptionists who we actually saw throughout our whole stay. He couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful. First impressions mean everything and this set our stay off to a great start. The first thing you notice inside this building is the outstandingly beautiful ceilings. These ceilings are like vast pieces of art work and my words wouldn’t do them justice, truly beautiful. We did arrive a little early so our room wasn’t ready, we didn’t expect it to be and trust me,it was worth the wait! The receptionist invited us for drinks into the super stylish “Stud Bar” on the ground floor. The bar consists of large windows looking out over the grounds, a dark interior with elegant flashes of gold. I immediately felt luxury and so began to order two drinks from the extensive drinks menu. I opted for the pumpkin spiced espresso Martini, and it was beautiful!
Half an hour later and our room was ready, we were given number 19 “The Kendal Suit”. “Wow, wow, wow” is how we entered the room as it was truly gorgeous. A huge room, with a modern four poster bed taking centre stage. Surrounded by tasteful hanging ceiling lights, a standalone bathtub sitting proudly within the bay windows overlooking the park. A mix of dark interiors and light greys paint the walls in this room with flashes of metallic, it was very special. There is a separate bathroom encased in glass with two sinks, an extended part of the room for the toilet and if that wasn’t enough a huge rainfall shower to add a little more luxury. I always find in hotels, it’s all in the small details and ODDfellow’s do this perfectly. As we walked in the flat screen smart TV was showcasing what the hotel had to offer, there was the low drum of a song from the DAB radio next to the bed and the place looked so clean, perfect almost, like it was brand new. There were an array of toiletries next to the roll top bath and in the bathroom, a mini bar, wardrobes, luxurious sofa and armchair, the list genuinely go’s on. Without doubt, this is one of the nicest rooms I’ve ever been luckily enough to stay in.
At 3:30 we were invited into The Pigsty (the spa) for a Rasul Mud experience, something we were really looking forward to ( approx 40 mins). This consisted of a natural grapefruit salt scrub to rub all over your body, followed by a nourishing natural clay. We were then asked to sit inside a steam room that baked on the clay to our bodies using a low emitting steam that smelt beautiful. Once the clay was baked on the showers automatically come on , spraying you and brushing off the natural products to leave your skin cleansed and soft.
Something I really want to write home about is the restaurant. What a unique and beautiful place. Soft armchairs married with dark tables in a room that mixes both traditional and fun styles. It was delicious and so was the food. The breakfast had everything, smiling staff, endless coffee, toast, a large menu of beautifully cooked food with quality ingredients and then a continental buffet with juices, pastry’s , fresh fruit, cereal and yogurts. It topped off what was a wonderful and well needed stay that I highly recommend.
Just check the reviews on Trip Advisor if you don’t believe me.
Oddfellows On The Park – Bruntwood Hall, Bruntwood Park, Bruntwood Ln, Cheadle SK8 1HX – 01616 973066
tomsheard.com 