North East Luxury Stays To Enjoy Over The Festive Season
The Christmas break is an ideal time to escape for a night or two and enjoy some luxury time to yourself, or with someone close to you. Although the cost of living is increasing, many of us prefer to spend our money on something special, and a luxury stay even close to home can be a welcome break among all the festive craziness, between Christmas and New Year, or even in January as something to look forward to. Here’s some suggestions for North East luxury stays that you could enjoy this year.
They would all make fabulous Christmas presents too, if you prefer to give experience gifts rather than physical presents, and many of these do vouchers. A luxury stay in the North East is something I’d always love to receive on Christmas morning. These luxury breaks range from 5 star hotels, to self catering options, depending on your preference.
They all have dog friendly options available too, so your luxury North East getaway can include all the family.
Chester’s Stables, Northumberland
Chester’s Stables near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland market themselves as your luxury home away from home, and that’s exactly what they are. The renovated stables originally belonged to the Chester’s estate, and were refurbished to the highest spec in 2018 resulting in eight luxury apartment suites, that sleep between 2 and 8 guests.
They’re self catering, some are dog friendly, each have unique elements that make the most of the building and it’s original features, and are genuinely the most beautiful apartments to retreat to and enjoy the local area. They have a very modern twist to them, with glass windows worked naturally into the design, and all modern facilities to make it an effortless, comfortable stay.
I had the pleasure of staying in The Stallion last year, a two person suite complete with log burner, heated floors and a fabulous bath tub. It really was something special, you can read my full review on that specific apartment here. The log burner in winter will make it just the most cosy, fabulous setting to switch off and enjoy some down time with a bottle of wine.
Chester’s Stables offer a concierge service which can include pre ordering and unpacking your groceries for you, and you can also enjoy the facilities that Matfen Hall has to offer nearby.
Take a look at Chester’s Stables for a luxury break here.
Matfen Hall, Northumberland
For a real indulgent stay, consider Matfen Hall in Northumberland. This 17th Century house and estate have undergone an extensive refurbishment and it’s really elevated the whole place into one of the most luxurious experiences the North East has to offer. The hotel has 65 rooms and suites, varying in size, and honestly the bathrooms are amazing – they were my favourite bit of the rooms.
There are also five different dining areas, including private dining options, the new Cloister’s Restaurant with modern mezzanine where I enjoyed dinner a few months ago, and the main grand Emerald dining room that offers an exceptional culinary experience with locally sourced ingredients for dinner or Sunday lunch. The Orangery also offers afternoon tea in the quaintest of surroundings.
Also on site you can make the most of the Retreat Spa, the championship golf course, 300 acres of land and gardens to enjoy – stunning in the snow, and for the festive season a champagne ice skating experience. I’m booked in to do this and can’t wait. Matfen Hall have a full festive programme available with festive afternoon tea, Christmas packages, ice skating and Santa paying a visit.
Take a look at the full festive offering from Matfen Hall here, and my review of Matfen Hall here. Matfen Hall is dog friendly in some rooms.
Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire
The Middleton Lodge Estate near Richmond, North Yorkshire is simply stunning, with a range of accommodation options including private self catering cottages and farmhouse, to hotel rooms, dog friendly annexes and even a shepherd hut within the grounds.
It’s very much a country estate with a walled garden to enjoy and grounds to walk amongst. It’s one of the most calming and naturally beautiful places I’ve stayed, I enjoyed a January break here a couple of years ago.
There is an outdoor courtyard which is covered in winter, and has a big firepit that smells amazing, as well as blankets to keep you warm if it’s chilly. Inside there is the Snug bar area that is dog friendly, and then the main Forge restaurant serving incredible food – I really recommend the Sunday lunch it was fabulous.
This year they opened what I think is their crown jewel of the estate, their Forest Spa. It is absolutely incredible, with an outdoor pool and covered jacuzzi, beautiful private treatment huts in the garden to enjoy a massage or facial, and an indoor area with loungers by the fire, saunas and steam rooms. I enjoyed the most perfect spa day here in summer, and it would be just as magical in winter.
Take a look at what Middleton Lodge have on this Christmas here, and my review of our stay here.
The Tempus, Northumberland
The Tempus by Charlton Hall opened its doors earlier this year, and is a boutique style hotel based on Alice in Wonderland. It’s bold, unique, and has hotel bedroom suites each decorated differently, as well as private cottages, a farmhouse and the Lookout within the grounds.
The bar and restaurant are in keeping with the same style, with some fabulous themed cocktails on the menu as well as a big seasonal menu. I’ve enjoyed two excellent meals here, once recently to try the winter menu, and once earlier in the summer when I also enjoyed a stay at The Lookout – the dog friendly one bedroom private cottage.
Christmas at The Tempus can include a package deal, festive afternoon tea, or build your own experience to enjoy the estate and all it has to offer. See the festive information here, read my review of The Lookout here.
Rest at the Nest, County Durham
The most luxurious glamping experience I’ve ever had was at Rest at the Nest earlier this year, I’m actually not even sure I’d call it glamping. Nest offers two elevated treehouses and two waterside lodges, one of which is dog friendly, and they’re all fabulous. I stayed in Kingfisher and it was stunning, with a suspended log burner that would be incredible during winter – so cosy, and Wren treehouse.
All of the accommodation options are self catered with a fully equipped kitchen, and they have hot tubs to enjoy on the terraces too – would be amazing if it snows. The design and spec of all of the stays is stunning, and from speaking to the owner I know how much care and attention to detail has gone into making these beautiful luxury stays.
There isn’t much nearby, so these are ideal if you’re looking for a real escape to cosy away for a couple of days. They do offer one night stays, and you could choose to switch off or enjoy all the modern tech features that they have built in too.
Read my full review of Kingfisher lodge and Wren treehouse here, and book a stay via their website here. They have availability during December and January.
Newcastle City Stays
If you’re looking for a luxury city stay in Newcastle, which I know many people like to do to make the most of Christmas shopping or for convenience after a night out, my recommendations would be:
The Malmaison: it looked like they’re sprucing up the outside when I was on the quayside the other night, but inside I always love a Mal stay, and they have some beautiful suites and two bathtub penthouse.
The Vermont: Either one of their suites or if you need a bigger option they also offer some serviced apartments, and they look beautiful. Take a look here.
As you can see when it comes to luxury stays in the North East to enjoy this Christmas and New Year, there are options. Hotels like Matfen Hall and Middleton Lodge can really take the stress and hassle out of the busiest time of year, with top quality meals prepared for you and spas to enjoy, while self catered stays like Chester’s Stables, and Nest can offer seclusion, privacy and the opportunity to really switch off.
Other posts you might like:
Private Hot Tub Rooms in the North East
Where to PYO Christmas Tree in the North East
Festive Afternoon Tea in Newcastle and the North East for 2023
Over 70 Things to do in December