Looking for a luxury hotel that ticks all the spa, foodie and swanky room boxes? This glamourous break near historic Chester certainly ticks all the right boxes for an upmarket minimoon or an impressive wedding says Wersha Bharadwa
Head to the north-west of England, and you’ll find The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa sitting impressively in the pretty residential village of Pulford, Cheshire – just off the A483 and close to the M56 and a 15-minute drive from the medieval city of Chester and its romantic, Roman-influenced streets and boutique shops. While the lush green Cheshire countryside is right on the hotel’s doorstep, it’s easy to combine a wedding weekend or honeymoon getaway with a trip to the seaside too since you’re on the edge of the Welsh border and North Wales’ famed dramatic coastlines and beaches. Conwy Castle is a 25-minute drive away and the Victorian resort town of Llandudno offers some retro pier and candyfloss filled fun just an hour away. Nature loving couples will love the proximity to Chester Zoo too.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Boasting impressive Grade II-listed red brick Victorian exteriors and built in the late 19th century, this family-run property (once owned by the Duke of Westminster between 1814 -1919) is the perfect retreat for a minimoon getaway and makes an exceptionally grown-up and gorgeous setting for exchanging vows. Inside, it’s a thoroughly modern and contemporary affair, having been lovingly renovated over the past 20 years by the Nelson family who run a plethora of award-winning hotels, inns and restaurants across Cheshire. You’re instantly hit by those huge sparkling chandeliers, mirrored walls, marble-topped tables, and gold accents the moment you enter the glitzy lobby and where the front desk team run a smooth and friendly operation, with a fast and seamless check-in.
SUITE DREAMS
All the 75 tastefully decorated 75 rooms are located in the main building with direct indoor access back to reception and to Spa By Kasia. The best entry level bedrooms have attractive views of the hotel’s stunning Japanese landscaped gardens found outside the spa.
Our suite is a duplex number with an attention seeking spiral staircase that leads up to a master bedroom decorated in a sober palette of soft greys and earthy taupes to kick start you into relaxation mode.
You’ll also find some of the building’s original features and wooden beams on ceilings but otherwise it’s all brilliantly updated to a modern couple’s needs with thick carpets, Samsung Smart TVs with Freeview in both bedrooms and living rooms, fluffy robes and slippers (which you’ll use to saunter down to the spa in), Nespresso machines and USB sockets in all the right places. But the biggest luxury of all? That super king-size bed. With cloud-like pillows and soothing cotton sheets you’re guaranteed the most peaceful night’s sleep ever. Bathrooms are brand spanking new with Villeroy & Boch large oversized or twin white porcelain sinks. Some suites come with deep, almost stone-like Romanesque standalone feature bath tubs – perfect for wallowing in after those heavy weeks of wedding planning and busy days pounding Chester’s pretty town centre streets. Jazzy blue and neon uplighting around mirrors adds to the ambience at bath time and there’s a roomy walk-in monsoon overhead power shower.
EAT
The hotel’s newly refurbished and upscale garden restaurant, Palm Court, is an airy all-day brasserie serving up delightful British and European cuisine. It’s a buzzy go-to for special occasions with its luxurious crystal chandeliers, antique mirrors and bronze fretwork and seats upto 180 diners. Kentia Palm trees and green foliage along with bubbling fountains give the joint a Mediterranean-style ambience.
You’ll be tempted to order the twice baked Collier’s cheese soufflé starter (absolutely divine) or the organic Salmon textures – a delicate dish served with citrusy cream cheese and dill. Steak and seafood offerings are outstanding with highlights including a curried Monkfish bursting with aromatic flavours. The knickerbocker glory and sticky toffee pudding served with clotted cream are heavenly and presented beautifully. Our server, Grace is as courteous and friendly as you’d expect here too and offers us the best seat in the house – a quiet table at the back with banquette seating facing a grand piano where on weekends you’ll find a live pianist and singer belting out tunes on request. As befitting a place such as this, the wine list is extensive and well thought out and there’s a dedicated Laurent-Perrier wine cave where over 100 varieties of wines and Champagnes are stored. It’s a great spot for private dining and intimate wedding breakfasts too. When you’re hankering after a more relaxed dining experience, there’s Nelson’s Bar which is the hotel’s nautical-themed gastro pub offering tasty pub-nosh alongside local craft ales, beers, wines and cocktails. Breakfast is served as a full spread buffet with a delicious array of tasty hot and cold options and eggs made to order.
SPA
The jewel in the crown here is Grosvenor Pulford Hotel’s shimmering and excellent Far East-styled Spa by Kasia with statues dedicated to Buddha and which is the perfect hangout for when you’re ready to decompress. A gorgeous Roman inspired pool is surrounded by large comfortable day loungers and you’ll slide into the bath like waters of the hot tub – set to a comfortable 38 degrees – sloth-like before heading to the sauna and steam rooms. Spa manager Kate runs a rejuvenating operation and ensures you’ll have the perfect weekend of wellness during your stay. Opt for the Unwind Bridal package which combines a Poultice-powered muscle release massage with an Elemis Pro Glow Smooth facial and a restoring hand treatment, and which guarantees to leave frazzled brides and grooms and honeymooners even feeling rebalanced. Assistant manager Sunita offers the most wonderfully reinvigorating freestyle deep tissue massages. Outside, a beautifully landscaped and sensory Japanese garden is another tranquil spot for relaxing with day love beds for two and a Japanese out house which offers shade from the sun in the summer and is heated in the winter.
CAN YOU GET MARRIED HERE?
Yes! Civil ceremonies and receptions can be hosted anywhere from the wine cave for smaller weddings to larger event spaces like Grosvenor Suite, which accommodates up to 200 guests with in-house wedding planners there to organise everything from catering and flowers to photography with local suppliers. The Japanese gardens are a perfect backdrop for outdoor weddings and the in-house chefs can accommodate anything from full on formal seated wedding breakfasts to tapas-style cocktail receptions.
How To Book
Visit Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa Wrexham Road, Pulford, Chester, Cheshire, CH4 9DG.
Prices from £120 for standard executives per night per room. To book, visit https://www.grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk or email reservations@grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk or call +441244570560.
