The best luxury hotels in County Durham
An expert guide to the best luxury hotels in County Durham – from country house hotels to medieval castles – including the top places to stay for spas, opulent interiors, four-poster beds, tennis courts, swimming pools, beautiful gardens and romantic rooms, in locations including Seaham, Durham, Headlam, Hurworth-on-Tees and Blanchland.
Seaham Hall
Seaham, County Durham, England
8Telegraph expert rating
Inside this Hollywood-white, Georgian country house, the handsome proportions form the backdrop to a bold, modern look that stays just the right side of bling. Dark-wood floors, oversized velvet sofas, mirrored walls and dramatic lampshades all run through with an exotic thread – a nod to the Asian-inspired spa – in vast storm lanterns and quirky sculptures. The luxurious spa is accessed by an underground boardwalk over soothing water and pebbles, and has 17 treatment rooms, a pool, and assorted hot and cold areas. With a pillow menu, concierge to move your car, bedside tablet to order up room service or book a spa treatment – even someone to draw your bath – staying here is a most enjoyable, indulgent affair. Read expert review From £205per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in County Durham
Lumley Castle
Durham, County Durham, England
8Telegraph expert rating
Inside this 14th-century castle, medieval décor is rich, warm and dark with heraldic-patterned wall coverings, flag-stone floors, lavish drapes, staff in medieval costume, and lots of red velvet. Castle rooms have the most atmosphere with thumping great walls, deep-set windows and are awash with swags and pelmets; the most expensive offer bathrooms behind secret doors and heavily draped four-poster beds. The dining-room is a treat, all stone pillars, vaulted ceiling and soft candles; perfectly pitched for both romance and fun. The hotel has a full programme of events, such as Elizabethan banquets and murder mystery dinners. Afternoon tea is served in the library bar. Read expert review From £61per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Headlam Hall
Headlam, County Durham, England
8Telegraph expert rating
This creeper-covered country house hotel offers a ‘weekend in the country’ kind of atmosphere. Inside there’s a panelled hall with Chesterfields and newspapers; a pretty drawing room overlooking a terrace; and a library bar filled with genuine books. Tartan carpets and worn rugs cover stone-flagged or wood floors, while walls are hung with hunting prints, old photographs and Victorian watercolours. This is a place to relax in rather than explore, but those who feel a little active can enjoy the nine-hole golf course, tennis court, walking routes from the door and free bikes. Otherwise, there’s a spa, whirlpool tub and swimming pool. Afternoon tea is served on the terrace, with views to the pleasant gardens and ornamental canal. Read expert review From £95per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Rockcliffe Hall
Hurworth-on-Tees, Durham, England
8Telegraph expert rating
There is an immediate feeling of friendliness and relaxation at this spectacular hidden gem in Hurworth-on-Tees, mainly because of the warmth and enthusiasm of the staff and the peaceful setting. The hotel is well located for visiting both the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors and coast. It’s easily accessed by train and guests can be collected in the hotel’s Mercedes. The decoration of both the bedrooms and public rooms has a timeless, classic feel with a modern edge. Think contemporary chandeliers, showy silver mirrors and oversized vases juxtaposed with traditional gilt-framed portraits and original stained-glass windows. The original features of the Old Hall, with morning room, drawing room, bar and central staircase, and a pianist each evening, has great character. Don't miss an indulgent stint at the luxury spa. Read expert review From £210per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Town House
Durham, County Durham, England
8Telegraph expert rating
The Townhouse in Durham is fun and sexy with a great sense of style. It sits on one of the city's older streets, lined with a handsome mix of 18th and 19th-century houses. But only the glossy black-and-gold railings give a clue that something a little-less-ordinary might lie behind the smart, Georgian, brick exterior. Dark and rich in golds, amethysts and reds, and thick with velvet, glittering chandeliers and gilt-framed mirrors, it cries out ‘French boudoir’. Oil paintings and marble figures line the tartan-carpeted creaky staircase. The small restaurant, heavy with tasseled velvet chairs, leopard-print carpet and faux-plasterwork and frescoed ceiling, serves a hearty, modern British menu. A terrace overlooking the small rear garden makes a quiet place for coffee and reading the papers. Read expert review From £89per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Lord Crewe Arms
Blanchland, Northumberland, England
9Telegraph expert rating
This is a lord-of-the-manor building, in a pin-neat estate village, that oozes atmosphere at every stone-flagged turn. The original fabric of the building – the Abbot’s lodging of a 12th-century priory – has been blended with a 21st-century country-manor look, with flagged floors, exposed stone and vast fireplaces mix with pale-painted floorboards, tartan cushions and modern ironwork candelabras. Outdoor-lovers are well catered for, with free bicycles, maps and compasses, wellingtons, walking and cycling routes plus a drying room. There's a gun-room and fishing equipment available. The hotel owns a stretch of nearby River Derwent and offers free lessons if you've never cast a fly. In summer, there's croquet on the back lawn plus picnic hampers for lazy days. Read expert review From £155per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Ramside Hall Hotel
County Durham, England
8Telegraph expert rating
This long-established, privately-owned hotel has several restaurants, a sumptuous spa and a pool. Bedrooms are spacious and most are handsomely decorated with tartan carpets, fresh country colours and splashes of bling in silver-framed mirrors. Splurge for a top-level suite, with flashes of gold, fancy sound systems and perhaps a copper freestanding bath. The smart Espa spa is a winner here. Offerings include a relaxation area with sleep-pods and a private suite with outdoor infinity pool. The rest of the vast leisure area includes a swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms, hydrotherapy pool and outdoor vitality pool. Further to this, there's a driving range, two championship golf courses and a concierge service and, if you fancy travelling around in style, a Bentley to hire. Read expert review From £79per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
