The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa

A really lovely, stylish and chic hotel in the heart of North Yorkshire. Ideal for a corporate getaway, board meeting or incentive as it comes with fabulous touches of luxury such as the spa and the amazing swimming pool – perfect to chill out after a long meeting. There is also the opportunity to hire the whole hotel for exclusive use - which would an amazing prospect for some clients. It's the type of place where you would attend a meeting and then definitely come back separately for a luxury weekend break.

A gorgeous secluded luxury retreat – a little slice of Ibiza chic in North Yorkshire. Perfect for incentives and corporate getaways

Address: Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5AG

Website: www.fevershamarmshotel.com

Conference Sales Contact: Bobby Polkey

Tel: +44 (0)1439 770766

Email: [email protected]

Distance & time from nearest airport:

Durham Tees Valley Airport and Leeds Bradford Airport are both approx. 60 minutes away.

Distance & time from nearest train station:

The nearest main line railway station is York Station with connections to Malton Station and Thirsk Station – both of which are approx. 20 minutes away from the hotel

Official star rating:

4 AA red star

First impression: The hotel looked very quaint yet chic as you drive towards through the lovely little town of Helmsley. Its location on a quiet corner next to the church made it even more impressive.

Parking: I love a place with valet parking and the Feversham Arms did not disappoint. Ian the concierge was super friendly and immediately put us at ease as he helped us with our bags and took our car away to their underground car park. It’s these little touches that give you a glimpse of what was to come at the hotel.

Coach / Bus Pick-up Location at hotel:

From a conference management perspective this really wouldn’t be a problem here. They have their own off road car park in front of the main entrance, where a mini-van could wait and even a large coach could pull in directly outside the hotel and passengers could alight safely for an external dinner or team building exercise.

Lobby:

Although the lobby was small, it was really functional and was in keeping with a hotel of this size. There was plenty of room for a registration desk to greet delegates as they arrive into the hotel. The other thing that strikes you as you enter the lobby and adjoining corridors is the wonderful artwork on the walls, all of which are available to purchase.

The main attraction of the lobby area is the gorgeous Mediterranean style swimming pool and surrounding patio area that dominates the eye as you enter through the hotel and wander outside. On a super sunny day such as the day of our review, you were drawn to it. Who knew that a hotel in Helmsley could have such a fabulous Ibiza chic feel to it?

Bedrooms:

The hotel has 33 bedrooms, made up of five different categories – which are: Standard Double, Executive Double, Junior Suite, Deluxe Suite and Luxury Poolside Suites / Spa Suites. All of the suites have excellent air conditioning which worked brilliantly.

I stayed in a Deluxe Suite and it was perfect. It had a separate bedroom and sitting room (overlooking the pool) and it came complete with a fab wood burning stove and really comfortable sofas. The bathroom was very stylish with a large walk-in shower and a double ended bath.

Wi-fi:

Wi-fi in the hotel was excellent, completely free and super easy to set-up. No problems at all on connection issues wherever I was in the hotel which for such an old building with thick walls is impressive!

Number of floors: Two

Number of bedrooms: 33

Fitness gym: No

Spa: Yes – the fabulous Verbena Spa relaxation lounge is super relaxing with views across the south facing terrace garden. The spa houses six single treatment rooms and one couples room, in which guests can experience a tandem therapy, perfect for couples. The products they use for the treatment are Temple Spa products, a uniquely British brand inspired by Mediterranean healthy diet and lifestyle. The spa also has an extensive heat experience including an aromatherapy room, salt inhalation chamber, saunarium, monsoon shower and foot spas. In addition you can relax in the outdoor heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi. What’s not to love?

Swimming Pool: The outdoor swimming pool is amazing. Just the right size and best of all – it’s heated! There were lots of super comfortable couches, chairs and loungers to relax on poolside. In a word, it’s glorious!

Things to do locally:

There are plenty of things to do locally on top of all the lovely pubs within 5 minutes walking distance:

  • Helmsley Castle english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/helmsley-castle
  • Helmsley Walled Gardens - helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk/
  • Birds of Prey Centre - ncbp.co.uk/
  • Castle Howard
  • Rievaulx Abbey
  • Duncombe Park

Away-Day Activities:

  • Dalby Activity Centre – dalbyactivitycentre.co.uk/
  • Verbena Spa (at the hotel)
  • Birds of Prey Centre
  • Kirkbymoorside Golf Club - kirkbymoorsidegolf.co.uk/

STAFF

Reception staff: The reception staff were very friendly and the check-in procedure was handled very smoothly & quickly – perfect! I was then shown to my room by Ian (the Concierge) who was very friendly and gave me just the right amount of info about the hotel.

RESTAURANT & BAR

The Weathervane restaurant although fairly small, was excellent. Located in the heart of the hotel it served up fabulous cuisine - the crab starter was truly delicious. Service was really friendly and although the food was quite expensive, it was worth every penny. Locally sourced produce and food foraged from the North York Moors at the centre of many of the dishes.

There’s a 6-course tasting menu to enjoy as well as dishes from the À la Carte dining selection. There’s also the ‘Bloody Good Cuts of Meat’ to share, which is cooked to your liking and carved at your table.

For those taking a 24 hour package a three course dinner can be served in the restaurant or in the comfort of a private dining room, and pre-dinner drinks can be taken poolside in the garden or at the cocktail bar.

Private Dining Rooms:

There are a three private dining options for groups – details as follows:

Room Name

Round Tables

On One Table

The Churchill Suite

30

24

The Snug

30

20

The Boardroom

16

The Feversham Arms Hotel has three meeting rooms to use for conference purposes and all have natural daylight. Each room is in keeping with the character of the hotel and geared for small to medium sized meetings.

The Boardroom

A really nice boardroom on the ground floor next to reception with natural light. Perfect for a board meeting or used as a PDR.

Natural light: Yes

Size: 27 Sq.M

Theatre: 22

Boardroom: 16

Cabaret: n/a

Private dining: 16

Location: Ground floor

AV Equipment included: No but can be organised at no charge extra charge

The Churchill Suite

A larger and more private room – with natural daylight and away from the reception. Perfect for small conference in either cabaret or theatre style.

Natural light: Yes

Size: 40.18 Sq.M

Theatre: 35

Boardroom: 24

Cabaret: 24

Private dining: 24

Location: Ground floor

AV Equipment included: No but can be organised at no charge extra charge

The Weathervane Restaurant

A larger room – with less privacy and lots of natural daylight. This would be perfect for a large drinks reception of breakout area for lunch / coffee breaks etc. As well as the main room for any exclusive use bookings.

Natural light: Yes

Theatre: 60

Boardroom: 30

Cabaret: 64

Private dining: 30

Location: Ground floor

AV Equipment included: No but can be organised