Weekend Away - Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa
Hayley Murray enjoyed a little R&R at Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa in the market town of Retford
Location
The hotel in Retford is situated at the midway point between London and Edinburgh on the Great North Road, Ye Olde Bell boasts individually designed rooms, with rich fabrics, opulent furnishings and indulgent bathrooms.
The Spa
The spa is set in the most beautiful surroundings. On arrival, you can see the historic original hotel building and behind it is the spa, with the lodges opposite.
The spa has a modern but rustic feel with pristine interiors. The detail is incredibly beautiful. High ceilings and a wonderful timber reception desk greet you on arrival. Further into the spa is a bar area where you wait to be seated and in front of the bar is an open floating fire which makes the space very cosy during the colder months. The spa area has such a relaxed atmosphere from the second you walk through the door.
With a glass of fizz in hand, we were given our schedule for the day along with a lunch menu. The menu had lots to offer, very colourful with fish options, duck, pork, beef brisket as well as vegan and vegetarian options.
When it was time for our treatments, we were collected from the bar area and taken upstairs to the treatment rooms. The smell and the ambience were idyllic. My massage was exceptionally firm yet relaxing. The oils moisturised my skin and the calm music created the perfect atmosphere. I needed to fully relax and allow my mind and body to get some real TLC and this really helped to achieve that. The heated cosy treatment beds were so comfortable I wanted to stay forever. After my massage, I was shown to the relaxation rooms and enjoyed a drink of tea. In the room, I lay on a bed and enjoyed a moment of total bliss.
We were then guided to the dining area for lunch. To start I had the breaded ham hock, minted pea purée, caramelized onion loaf and pea salsa. The starter was tasty along with a crisp bottle of sauvignon blanc. For my main it was a tricky choice; everything was appealing; Pan roasted maple duck breast, French beans, sweet potato purée, garlic and sage fondants with red wine jus. The duck was cooked to perfection and very tasty. The dessert was light and sweet just as I wanted; Lemon mousse, shortbread crumb, lemon textures with raspberry sorbet and meringue.
After lunch, we enjoyed more downtime in the relaxation area and on the outdoor beds. We then went up to the Sabbia Med room, which replicates sunrise to sunset in a 30 minute cycle. Low levels of UV are emitted to release Vitamin D whilst specialised lamps are used to alleviate SAD. The soundtrack of sea waves gives the feeling of being laid on a beach. It was such a deeply relaxing experience and one I will look to return to every winter.
The Lodge
Feeling relaxed and refreshed we left the spa and were shown to our lodge - The Grove. We entered through a solid timber door and noticed the decor was again rustic and rich with tartan furnishing and a grand timber spiral staircase and balcony. The upstairs bedroom had a slipper bath and a dressing table and wardrobe just perfect for a short stay. I instantly felt at home in the lodge.
Dining
Both the AA Rosette Restaurant and Bistro serve inspired cuisine; fresh and seasonal dishes prepared by their creative team of chefs, with tempting menus available throughout the day. On a Sunday, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of a traditional Sunday lunch. Known locally as one of the best Sunday lunches in the area, Ye Olde Bell incorporate the best of seasonal, local produce from Nottinghamshire and neighbouring counties, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
With a dinner reservation at 7pm in the main hotel, we had a drink outside in the courtyard before going into the main restaurant. The food again was divine with a varied menu. I opted for steak and red wine for dinner. The hotel itself is full of character with traditional antique touches. Glamorous bathrooms with giant impressive mirrors. After dinner, it was time to retire to the cosy lodge and relax.
My Experience
Ye Olde Bell Spa & Hotel was the perfect choice for a weekend break to come home refreshed and relaxed. After a relaxing night’s sleep, we woke the next morning and enjoyed a stroll around the grounds and found a tree swing and a giant heart which would be ideal for a wedding venue with all white and white seating. It was a very pretty and intimate setting for a special day.
See you again soon Ye Olde Bell!
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