A truly glorious 5 star retreat. Superstar luxury through and through – from the bedrooms to the spa. High class dining and amazing surroundings. The conference space is top class as well, being very functional with meeting rooms for every size of event, amid a very impressive property on every aspect. This stunning hotel is highly recommended for your meetings in the north of England.
A 61 bedroom, top class luxury resort with everything you could wish for – fab conferencing spaces, golf course, amazing luxury spa and high class dining. What’s not to love?
Address: Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Hurworth on Tees, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 2DU
Website: www.rockliffehall.com
Conference Sales Contact: Gemma Pott
Tel: +44 (0)1325 729999
Email: gemma.pott@rockliffehall.com
Distance & time from nearest airport:
Durham Tees Valley Airport is located 15 minutes away and Newcastle International Airport is located 50 minutes away
Distance & time from nearest railway station:
Darlington Railway Station is located 5 minutes by taxi
Official star rating:
Hotel has 5 Red Stars and the Orangery restaurant has 3 Red Rosettes
First impression: Wow! What an entrance! From the moment you turn off the road into the plush driveway of Rockliffe Hall, you realise that this place is something special. The tree lined driveway leads you past a lovely cricket green and Middlesbrough FCs’ training facility before you even reach the main hotel. And very impressive it is – with some parts of the hotel dating back to the 18th century, it has a very historic feel to it. This property is a really good example of an old building being developed in a really tasteful way with new sections added to it. To put it simply, this place would really impress your clients as it has that wow factor about it!
Parking: Is a dream. The main car park has 300 spaces and is situated just outside the main hotel entrance, with a further 250 spaces being available nearby. Valet parking is also available with the concierge.
Coach / Bus Pick-up Location at hotel: Absolutely no problem at all because the hotel has so much land. No problems at all foreseen.
Lobby: The lobby was really nice and tasteful. Although not a large space, it was extremely welcoming, with seats being offered at the reception desk when you check in. There was a larger space just beyond the reception desk with plenty of space for a registration desk, should you need one in that area.
Bedrooms: The 61 bedrooms in this property are absolutely amazing – very stylish and classy, with quality bed linen and furnishings. And also very large in size – the smallest bedroom in the hotel is 32 Sq.M!! Each room has a fabulous bathroom with a separate shower cubical and a bath with a TV built into the wall – wow!
In terms of the breakdown of the bedrooms, the hotel is split into two distinct sections and different types of rooms in each:
The Old Hall: Old Hall Double, Old Hall Superior & Old Hall Suite
Minimum size of room: 32 Sq.M
The New Hall: New Hall Junior Double, New Hall Junior Twin, New Hall Superior Double, New Hall Superior Twin, New Hall Accessible Double or Twin
Minimum size of room: 49 Sq.M
There are also some other accommodations outside the main building in the form of the Tiplady Lodge, Armstrong House Apartments & Woodland Mews Homes – all of which can be hired for your event.
Wi-fi: Fast and free access throughout the property. It worked really well and I didn’t have any drop-out of signal at all during my stay.
Number of floors: 2
Number of bedrooms: 61 (of which 11 are suites)
Fitness gym: Yes
Swimming Pools: Yes, it has two. One indoor pool for swimming and one outdoor pool (in the Spa Garden) for relaxing in.
Spa: Yes – and what a spa it is! This luxurious spa is one of the largest in the country and includes a large swimming pool and gorgeous hydrotherapy area with multiple sauna rooms, ice-room, Jacuzzis. For a little bit extra, you can experience the Spa Garden which includes more saunas, heated stone loungers, outdoor infinity pool with power jets, Jacuzzi and lots of relaxing loungers where you can chill out. It is the best spa experience I’ve ever had – can’t say much more than that really!
STAFF
Reception staff: The front desk staff were very helpful and checking in took no time at all. Everything was very luxurious and the service reflected this including being shown to my room by the concierge.
RESTAURANTS & BARS
There are three restaurants on the property: The (3 Rosette) Orangery in the Old Hall, The Brasserie in the New Hall and The Clubhouse at the golf clubhouse.
For dinner during my stay, I took it in the fabulous Orangery and had the 6 course ‘a la carte’ menu with wine coupling. To say it was out of this world was an understatement. The sommelier explained the reasons behind every glass of wine that accompanied each course and it made for a very entertaining and enjoyable dining experience! This really has to be experienced!
The Cocktail bar was also fabulous with a large selection of cocktails, wines and beers to choose from. The setting was amazing with views across the golf course and beyond.
Breakfast the next morning was amazing too – the staff were really friendly and the service was great. My bacon brioche bun was delicious!
ACTIVITIES
Being set in so much land, there are multiple activities for your groups to do within the confides of the hotel or nearby – all can be arranged with the hotel:
Rockliffe Hall has 10 meeting rooms in total. 5 in the Old Hall, 3 in the New Hall and 2 in the golf course club house. On top of this there are also 6 artic cabin activity pods in the grounds
Gorgeously atmospheric room on the ground floor of the Old Hall – lots of period features and overlooks the golf course and hotel grounds. Perfect for a breakout room, a drinks reception or private dining room.
Natural light: Yes
Size: 49 Sq.M
Theatre: 24
Classroom: N/A
Cabaret: N/A
Dinner: 24
Reception: 20
Location: Ground floor – Old Hall
AV Equipment included: None built in but can be provided
Lovely and bright room with pale décor – this was my favourite room in the hotel. Situated on the ground floor with lovely period windows on two aspects. Fitted out with static antique furniture, its therefore suited for an informal break-out lounge or private drinks reception. By special request this room may also be hired for civil ceremonies, or private dining.
Natural light: Yes
Size: 49 Sq.M
Theatre: 40
Cabaret: 24
Boardroom: 30
Dinner: 30
Reception: 50
Location: Ground floor – Old Hall
AV Equipment included: None built in but can be provided
A small room joined on the Orangery, this is best suited for a small board meeting or breakout room.
Natural light: No
Size: 25 Sq.M
Boardroom: 8
Location: Ground floor – Old Hall
AV Equipment included: Yes – plasma TV on the wall
A stunning room in the heart of the Old Hall, enjoying views over the gardens. Perfect more intimate gatherings and private dining.
Natural light: Yes
Boardroom: 8
Dinner: 8
Location: Ground floor – Old Hall
AV Equipment included: None built in but can be provided
A really impressive room next to the Orangery, with lots of natural light – it features a stunning marble fireplace and brilliant views of the golf course and gardens. This room can be used for a small meeting or great for private dining / pre-dinner drinks.
Size: 55 Sq.M
Theatre: 30
Classroom: 18
Cabaret: 20
Dinner: 16
Reception: 30
Boardroom: 22
Location: Ground floor – Old Hall
AV Equipment included: None built in but can be provided
This meeting room can be divided into two equal sized room with very tasteful air-walls or used as one large room. It also features a lovely private balcony area outside as well as natural daylight as each half has a glass ceiling with retractable covers for when you need to show a presentation. It also has its own entrance from the front of the building where you come through a private lobby and up to the Rockliffe lounge area before entering the suite – which is perfect for coffee breaks / drinks receptions before using the main Rockliffe Suite which is really nice and flexible
Natural light: Yes
Size: 218 Sq.M
Theatre: 180
Classroom: 100
Cabaret: 96
Reception: 250
Dinner: 180
Location: First floor – New Hall
AV Equipment included: Screen & projector – built in
This adjoins the Rockliffe suite and has natural light and is perfect for pre-dinner drinks or as a breakout space. It has its own very stylish bar and has direct access to the Rocklifee Suite’s private entrance
Natural light: Yes
Size: Sq.M: 85 Sq.M (approx.)
Reception: 150
Location: First floor – New Hall
AV Equipment included: None built in but can be provided
A lovely bright room on the first floor of the New Hall – overlooks the golf course and garden – perfect for a small meeting, breakout room or private dining
Natural light: Yes
Size: 25 Sq.M (approx.)
Boardroom: 12
Dinner: 16
Reception: 30
Location: First floor – New Hall
AV Equipment included: None built in but can be provided
Situated in the fabulous golf course clubhouse (2 mins walk from the main hotel), this large meeting room is flooded with natural light in a stylish setting. This is the second largest meeting space on the property and is perfect for a larger conference in either theatre or cabaret style. Would also work really well for a group dinner.
Natural light: Yes
Size: Sq.M: 140 Sq.M
Theatre: 120
Cabaret: 90
Dinner: 120
Reception: 140
Boardroom: 30
Classroom: 80
Location: Golf Course Clubhouse
AV Equipment included: Built in
This meeting room in the golf course clubhouse is perfect for a small board meeting with excellent built in AV equipment. Also would work as a private dining room or breakout room.
Natural light: Yes
Size: Sq.M: 140 Sq.M
Boardroom: 8
Dinner: 8 Location: Golf Course Clubhouse
AV Equipment included: Yes – Plasma screen on wall
Situated in a wooded area just outside the main hotel are six fabulous artic cabin activity pods which would be perfect for team-building and breakout sessions – especially for your clients who want something a bit different. Each cabin seats 20 people.