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Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate has been named AA Hotel of the Year, England at this year’s AA Hospitality Awards. The award is the highest accolade for hotels at the annual event, with the AA inspectors commending Down Hall Hotel for its “impeccable guest experience and seamless service”.
The Grade II Italianate mansion in Essex features 98 bedrooms, dedicated meeting and event spaces, three distinctive dining outlets, a spa, padel and tennis courts, as well as formal gardens, and 110-acres of woodlands and parkland.
Over the last 24 months, the hotel has invested in a £1.5m renovation across its Estate Patio bedrooms, Grand Hall, The Potting Shed dining room, formal gardens, Terrace Restaurant and Fox Cocktail Bar.
In addition, a two-acre on-site Kitchen Garden has also been built, along with a beehive, providing locally sourced produce to the hotel’s restaurant, as well as its sister property Flemings Mayfair.
The team has grown from 80 to 180, whilst the hotel’s services and amenities have also been further developed. A full calendar of social events has been introduced, including the popular ‘Live from the Lawn’ weekend music sessions, outdoor cinema screenings, dog festivals and horse hacking events, plus an enhanced wellness programme featuring regular yoga retreats, meditation workshops and outdoor gong bathing.
Linden Beattie, general manager at Down Hall, said: “We are honoured and proud to be recognised by the AA with this award, the highest accolade that Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate has achieved to date. It holds immense significance for us, reflecting not only the substantial investment made by our dedicated owners but also the vision we set out for the estate two years ago.
“This achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment and tireless efforts of our exceptional team. Every day, they go above and beyond to provide an outstanding guest experience, bringing people together and creating lasting memories. This recognition inspires us to continue in our pursuit of excellence and reinforces our commitment to delivering unparalleled hospitality.”
