Hardwick Hall Hotel in County Durham

Lovely location and spacious rooms with pretty views across the lake but overall I would say this is more like a 3 star hotel. The rooms, although nicely decorated were not particularly clean..there was hair on the bathroom floors, the carpet was all frayed around the edges and grouting missing from the bathroom floor. Little touches that could easily be maintained. The breakfast was sub par. Cereals had expired, the pastries were hard and the fruit most probably came out of a tin. The staff were all very friendly, as most northers are but the service was slow and not very attentive. I think most wanted to go home. Overall the hotel looked dated but it has potential. Hard mattresses too & no extra quilts for feeling a chill at night…again..it’s the small touches that count. We won’t stay here again…would rather a small boutique B&B.

Trust the other one star reviews here. The hotel is very tired and run down. Our first room had peeling wallpaper, broken knobs in the shower, a shower that didn’t drain, and burnt out bulbs. We were moved to another room which was slightly better. Though again things like light bulbs were burnt out. The room hadn’t been vacuumed from last guest(s). No attention to detail, our new room had not been restocked with amenities. It sounds a bit knit picky but all the little things add up to give a dismal feel to the place. And the creepy paper-maché butler with hand out for a tip in the lobby, eessshh. The staff overall were not friendly, perfunctory at best. We never felt welcome. Except for housekeeping, they were friendly. This place is a faded relic, unless they update it and motivate staff to care about the customers I would avoid it and find another. Sorry. I really was hoping for a great 3 night stay.

Lovely hotel, staff very helpful and food was lovely.

Dated now, needs an update. Younger staff need training on smiling

I was at a wedding venue as a friend of mine was getting married. The staff were brilliant and polite, the venue was clean. You are next door to Hardwick Park which is stunning with lovely walks around the park.

We had lunch here today, first time of visiting this hotel. We will not be back! The service was poor at best, we had to ask for a bread roll for the soup start and a drink. Our bill was brought to us and placed on the table without having asked for it (before finishing our meal), and without so much as a word spoken to us. Then catching a staff member bitching about us as we came to the bar to pay. I won't out their name here, but yes dear, we heard you! Disapointing from start to finish! As for the building itself, it is a lovely place with very nice grounds. The service and some of the staff do let it down badly. The prices are fair and the food is ok for the price

Really enjoyed our meal here. Staff, atmosphere etc were all spot on. Highly recommend.

Really enjoyed staying the night. Next to a park so a great place to get a bit of exercise

My favourite place to stay usually. Ended up having to move rooms. Had a lovely lunch, but then a disappointmenting dinner, lamb was sadly raw and cold in the middle

What an incredible place to have as a hotel and restaurant. I hear it's being renovated and that will be wonderful as it needs some TLC. However, once renovated I hope the housekeeping and maintenance teams take more care and give the rooms and whole hotel their care and attention as in the 2 rooms I stayed in varied from pretty grubby to non functional. Although at first glance look great. The grounds are just stunning, the hotel really needs to reflect its surroundings. Huge potential if more care given.

Wonderful cosy feel ..beautiful decor and setting .Staff very friendly

The hotel is quietly located in a beautiful landscape, but only accessible by car. The staff is friendly and always keen to attend to any requests. The rooms, on the other hand, are quite dated, and in many places, they need a little extra TLC. These are often just small things, but they add up. Thick layers of dust behind and on the cupboards (they haven't been there since yesterday). The shower head is loose, there's no shelf for shower gel, and some of the tiles are loose. The towels are changed daily (even if you don't put them on the floor), but the teacup hasn't been changed all week.

I’ve had the pleasure of photographing weddings at Hardwick Hall, a few times now and it’s always a great experience! The team is very friendly, ensuring the day runs smoothly for couples and suppliers alike. Whether it’s capturing fun, relaxed moments or those timeless portraits, Hardwick Hall has so many great spots to work with. And with the park on your door step lots of opportunities for photos

We attended an event here. All Staff couldn't do enough for us. Polite, happy to find out answers to questions and know service very well. The food was buffet but different with a stew, curry and fantastic spread, tasted delicious. The large room is stunning and has a real wow factor with the chandeliers. Only 1 gripe when staying, the mattress is rock solid and double bed small, decor a little tired. The price didn't feel like it reflected the experience, however we could have asked them to see if they could make a difference, and I'd expect they'd have tried. Our second bed in a premiere inn was very comfortable and bigger in comparison, but that may be due to preference.

Had afternoon tea hear with family and friends, It was a lovely place and staff where great. I will be back.

Beautiful location despite it being hard to get to without driving and excellent service and venue. The only issue is the middling to bad food. If you were to book this venue try to get your own chefs

I use Hardwick Hall Hotel regularly and am never disappointed

Went for a family Christmas lunch. Food, service, location and atmosphere all outstanding. 5*+

Visited for a Christmas Party Night on the 12th of December and just wanted to say how superb it was from start to finish 😀 The meal was delicious a definitely well oiled machine Music perfect All in all wonderful Evening

Didn't stay at hotel attended a works Christmas party. Food was beautiful and the disco was great. Hall is beautiful. Only niggle was there wasn't a starter.

One of the best paces to stay in the North East. Hotel is fantastic, staff are great, food in the Rib Room is lovely. Best of all is the location it's self, the lake and walks are outstanding. I had the pleasure of getting married here in August 24.

Nice place for a quick stay. Could use a little more flexibility in the restaurant bookings. Well be back. Thank you 👍

Not been for 20 years plus, took a very special lady for mothers day lunch and was not disappointed. A little bit dated but that adds to it caricature, staff very helpful and tentative even though very busy. Food was excellent and plenty, not over priced. Well worth a visit.

Fabulous Christmas experience. Many thanks Hardwick Hotel.

Lovely hotel and grounds, the bedroom and en-suite were enormous, very comfortable and immaculately clean.

I visited as had a gift of afternoon tea. Went for a walk around lake .its beautiful . There was also a craft fair in the Marquee. It's was excellent and very busy . The afternoon tea was delicious and so many beautifully decorated cakes . A very generous tea and so boxes were available to take things home. The only down side was we had our tea served in the bar which was a bit deflating .

Room is tight to many tables squeezed together

It's a nice place, but like others they abuse pricing of just about everything, after all this is not London! Rooms are just OK but I've experienced better more importantly cheaper. Location is good though

This is an ok hotel set in a gorgeous location. Developed from an old manor house, the development bod in keeping with the original building but inside it's a rabbit warren that goes round corners. The room was hideously hot and seemed impossible to cool. But otherwise ok, if poorly appointed viewing a courtyard used for back door deliveries and staff on fag break ( or no doubt escaping the internal sauna conditions). The actual location was fabulous - about 5min drive from the A1, just before entering the pleasant town (village? - not in Scotland it would not be) of Sedgefield. Set in really glorious, rather cultured parklands, with huge ornamental pools and mature woodlands. To be enjoyed in their own right. So worthy of look. Lots of parking both in the parklands ( charged) or at the hotel ( free).

Every aspect of Hardwick Hall is outstanding. The staff clearly enjoy their work and made all the difference to our visit

Stunning setting lovely hotel and staff

We had a late night check in and the lady on reception couldn't have been more helpful. The room was lovely and we had a wonderful view over the nearby park and lake . Eggs benedict breakfast was delicious and more than enough fruit and pastries and the usual continental breakfast fare. Staff were friendly, helpful and efficient. The shower in our room was great and our granddaughter enjoyed her bath. Highly recommended. We'll definitely be back when we can.

Another great short stay at Hardwick Hotel. Nice big comfy room and bathroom with a great corner location having great views of the lake. Excellent full English breakfast. Nice quiet mid week break.

The room was fabulous, very large, and spacious with lovely decor. The bathroom and toilet were huge with a his and her sink unit, with an enormous bath and a good sized walk in shower. However, when it came to the restaurant and food, we booked a table for 8pm, the menu was limited and the first two things that we asked for weren't available so we really had to settle for something as a third choice. The breakfast was very disappointing although a good choice some items didn't appear to have been cooked fresh. The staff were very professional, efficient, and friendly.

Slightly out of town, but the hotel provides a shuttle car, which is an excellent plus, lovely hotel in beautiful surroundings

Much improved decor great location

Attended for 80th birthday celebration in the Floral Suite. Excellent food, the beef and lamb just melted in the mouth. The room was amazing and the staff were so friendly and helpful. They turned the music down automatically when there was a speech. Really excellent evening. Thank you.

Went here for mother's day dinner and was not disappointed fabulous location room was lovely and grounds look nice too will definitely be going back for a stay

Stayed overnight, super room, great meal on the evening. Full English Breakfast wasn't up too much, items over cooked. Reception staff friendly & helpful as were the bar staff & staff in the restaurant. The soup was so tasty compliments to the chef. Stayed again this time had Sunday lunch, super room.

Good service. Slightly dated hotel. Rooms are a good size however. Clean.