The Bite Magazine - Spring 2019 - Issue 24

bite spa review utterly divine and just what we needed to complete our experience with a perfect end of the day treat! With the culinary delights of the restaurant over, we sat down with our last glasses of red wine into the most comfortable plush velvet sofa opposite a fireplace in the lounge area and were reluctant to move for the rest of the evening. Spoiled with a night of deep sleep in the most comfort- able beds and waking up to the view of the gardens and the sound of birds the morning after, the breakfast was a buffet with more emphasis on the makings of an English cooked breakfast than continental. However, the relatively small selection of pastries, bread, cereals, meats and fruits were just enough. I very much enjoyed the Eggs Royale available on the kitchen menu for a £2 supplement – Bar- gain if you ask me! Filled up on hearty smoked salmon and poached eggs, we took ourselves off to the gym for a short fitness session before checking out. The well-equipped gym features running machines, cross trainers, exercise bicycles, and a rowing machine, alongside a great selection of free weights and exercise balls. Our 20 minutes workout was then followed by the last dose of pampering in the sauna and steam room to get us feeling revived for the day. Down Hall Hotel & Spa seduces their visitors with its un- rivalled natural scenery and you cannot miss the opportu- nity to explore the landscaped gardens. Supplied with one of the walking maps at reception, we ventured out to em- brace the countryside by taking a saunter. As we strolled through the surrounding woodlands looking for wildlife, a muntjac with short, unbranched antlers scurried along the understorey. Leafing through, we stopped to admire the first appearance of spring daffodils. Our pre-departure walk marked by the red route took us about one and a half hours. I can reassure you there was nothing strenuous about it! At the end of our walk, we indulged in a strategic game on a giant chess set. Taking in the few last moments of the tranquillity of this place, we looked back, with our lungs full of healthy air, towards the grand building behind us as we were leaving with a heavy heart. We are sure to be back in the summer for the summer feasting with one of the hampers Down Hall can prepare for outdoor picnics. If you are looking for a family-friendly hotel, an outdoor play area will keep the little ones entertained, giving you peace of mind. Tennis anyone? Hard-surface courts are bound to challenge all tennis enthusiasts on sunny days. Not only luxurious, Down Hall also offers ‘It's a Dog's Life’ package for those seeking getaways with their four-legged friends. The dog-friendly rooms along with a map of dog walks, a doggie bed, water bowl and Scooby snacks will surely make your pet truly pampered. Any other quirks? I hear that the enormous hotel’s grounds will be transformed into a concert space for Live at Down Hall that will be giving a few lucky guests an opportunity to appreciate Jools Holland on 15th June and James Morrison on 16th June in a unique setting. A num- ber of options are available for this special event ranging from general admissions to the Ultimate VIP package. Down Hall Hotel Matching Road Hatfield Heath Essex CM22 7AS Eden Spa is open Monday to Sunday from 10am – 8pm www.downhall.co.uk