Joanna's Blog

Sunday 31st Jan, and I had a treat in store, a hotel stay at Crathorne Hall, and £99 to spend on food and drink,  oh and breakfast the next morning.  All of this however, cost just £99.       How?  Just one of the amazing offers available with the Happening Pass and you can get yours from http://www.visitteesvalley.co.uk/site/whats-hot/happening-pass. 

So I arrived at 4pm in the 15 acres of land on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors on a Sunny snowy day, (check in is available from 3pm).  After a swift check in I was shown up to my room with my bags carried by the delightful concierge man, who has worked here over 20 years – a good sign if ever i needed one that this is a great hotel!   Room spacious, elegantly decorated, plasma TV, tea and coffee making facilities, and a very high standard bathroom.  Since my friend wasn’t arriving for a couple of hours I sat on the bed, and began to read the complimentary Sunday paper – absolute heaven as a hard working Mother ,who is always busy and never stops, this was just the tonic I needed.  After an hour i met my younger sister and my son Ramsay in reception (I’d accidentally taken her keys earlier in the day!) and decided they might as well stay for a warm drink and bite to eat in the drawing room, after all I had £99 to spend! We sat by the log fire and had hot chocolates and cakes, and a hearty sarnie for Ramsay.  A little while later after a great time, they left and my best mate Katie arrived.  She was in need of some relaxation time too and so I thought she was a great choice to acompany me! We got ready for dinner in the restaurant and we opted for the Table De Hoe menu at £35 per head.  Once seated we had canapes and a class of champers, we ordered some red wine from the extensive choice then indulged in the food menu.  My choice was smoked salmon to start, with creme fraiche, caviar and cucumber jelly, Sea Bream with crushed black pepper potatoes for main, and Yorkshire tart with plum sorbet for desert.  Katie chose the soup, then Seam Bream also, then Chocolate Fondue for desert.  Each and every single course was perfectly timed, perfectly cooked, super fresh and perfectly enjoyed!  Coffee and pettie foirs followed in the games room.  This really was top class food, heaven on a plate, in a n amazing, grand stately room, and one thoroughly enjoyable evening.  Even on an ordinary evening at £35 per head it was a steal, and I will most certainly return.  Retired to the room we chatted for hours after facials and milkshakes – it was like a sleepover when we were kids – except we were in a huge manor surrounded in luxury!   We sunk in to our perspective beds for a pure relaxing sleep!

In the morning Katie had work – so they delivered her breakfast early to the room.  I got up an hour later and had Ramsay dropped off as Hubby was at work, it was ok though because he joined me for a delicious breakfast!  With it being such a beautiful morning we went for a long walk around the grounds.  After returning to the room I packed my bag whilst Ramsay watched TV between gazing out of the window to the beautiful surroundings, then we checked out – which I was really sad to do so!  Thank you Crathorne for an amazing stay – I will be back very shortly

If you would like to book a meal or stay at Crathorne Hall please see http://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/hotels/crathorne-hall/, and for many more fantastic days out in the Tees Valley please see www.visitteesvalley.co.uk (and don’t forget to sign up for the happening pass for a few cheeky discounts!)