Ye Olde Bell Hotel and Spa review: northern hospitality at its finest
A little slice of rural spa heaven that I’d rather keep a secret
Between London and Edinburgh on the Great North Road is Ye Olde Bell Hotel and Spa, a 17th century lodge in the Nottinghamshire village of Barnby Moor. Once frequented by tired stagecoach travellers, it has since been restored as a four-star hotel and luxury spa.
The hotel corridors are jammed packed with antiques and art, and the rooms are equally lavish. Each room is unique, and mine was both characterful and comfortable, although I would have appreciated a spruce-up and a few more mod cons for the four-star rating.
The food, however, is exceptional: breakfast and dinner were all of an incredibly high standard. The hotel has a formal dining area as well as a more relaxed restaurant with a menu that spans everything from pub classics to fine dining.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The crab bisque with a claw and caviar tortellini was completely delicious and the local Lincolnshire poacher soufflé, accompanied by a sweet pea smoked pancetta, was comfort food at its finest.
Frankly, my only mistake was asking for seconds of the rosemary and pesto bread rolls and subsequently struggling to make a dent in my steak and ale pie.
Every member of staff is charming, from the receptionists to the masseurs at the spa. In the restaurant you could hear laughter from every table whenever the waiters and waitresses arrived and it really felt like a place that hotel visitors, locals and anyone passing through would leave with a smile on their face.
The real jewel in the hotel’s crown, however, is the spa. The facilities are top notch; there are ten different thermal experiences available including the Stonebath, Snow Storm Walk, and Salt Inhalation Room - each of them offering high-end luxury.
The Turkish Ritual Massage was unusual - in a good way: after a ‘feather ritual’ there is a full-body massage and then silk fabric is used to stretch the body out to give you an unusual form of massage.
And here I go again about how wonderful the food is: the spa offers three different menus from healthy, healthy-ish to completely indulgent (not the official names). I opted for an indulgent main and two healthy-ish courses on each side. The scallop starter was delicate and the duck main was cooked perfectly.
‘Spa butlers’ were on hand throughout the day and truly offered service with a smile.
The Ye Olde Bell really is a hidden treasure, so much so that I felt conflicted writing this and telling anyone else about it. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and couldn’t recommend it more highly.
Ye Olde Bell, Barnby Moor, Retford DN22 8QS; yeoldebell-hotel.co.uk, 01777 705121
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What the chancellor's pension megafund plans mean for your money
Rachel Reeves wants pension schemes to merge and back UK infrastructure – but is it putting your money at risk?
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Why Māori are protesting in New Zealand
A controversial bill has ignited a 'flashpoint in race relations' as opponents claim it will undermine the rights of Indigenous people
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 21, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Langdale Chase Hotel: a cosy nook in the Lake District
The Week Recommends This Victorian villa has breathtaking views and expansive gardens
By Natasha Langan Published
-
Ramdane Touhami's Hotel Drei Berge
The Blend A passion project in the Swiss mountains sees creative visionary Ramdane Touhami achieving new heights
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Timeless hotels for old-school elegance
The Blend From Jamaica to Rome, we check into incredibly atmospheric landmarks
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Hoteliers who host
The Blend Sublime design gets personal at these luxury properties with personality
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Engel Ayurpura: a boutique Ayurveda retreat in the Dolomites
The Week Recommends The tranquil Italian hideaway offers an array of specially tailored wellness programmes
By Ann Lee Published