In the days leading up to Christmas, I had the pleasure of being invited to stay at the magical Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort. Located just outside of Norwich, Norfolk, the impressive 18th-century building and surrounding 150 acres of grounds encompass multiple restaurants, a spa and a golf course. My husband, David, and I were excited to explore the area and see what made this hotel such a popular gem. A PLACE TO REST YOUR HEAD Approaching the hotel via its winding driveway, you are taken through what feels like a forest, quickly separating you from the hustle and bustle of the outside world and immersing you in your own little piece of paradise. A quick check-in later, we were escorted to our room. Greeted by a four-post bed, our luxuriously spacious room had everything you could possibly require for your stay, with the room itself being topped off by fantastic views of the surrounding grounds. Beautifully decorated, the space was complete with a mini-fridge, TV, vanity mirror and a bathroom complete with his and her sinks – perfect for couples. FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD Having read lots of positive feedback about Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort’s restaurant, we just about managed to drag ourselves away from our room in time for dinner. The contemporary restaurant is beautifully decorated with an impressive menu that had so many mouth-watering options that it felt impossible to choose. We decided to order the crispy fried salt and pepper squid to start. These were delicious and I happily could have eaten more. For the main course, I opted for the Sri Lankan chicken curry, while my hubby went for the pork schnitzel. Both were wonderful, as expected, and we saw several other diners digging into their meals, looking equally pleased. To finish, we shared the warm chocolate and hazelnut mini doughnuts and a cup of tea (a must-have). As we waddled back to our room, it’s safe to say we were pleasantly full and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. JUST KEEP SWIMMING I love a spa trip (who doesn’t?), so when the wonderful team organised for us to have a massage each, I couldn’t wait. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had multiple massages over the years, but the experience was a first for my husband, which gave me the opportunity to look at the massage through a fresh set of eyes. Our masseuses were very skilled; their friendly demeanours and the overall ambience of the rooms instantly made you feel relaxed, all worries evaporating into the oils, incense and calming music. An hour passed by in the space of minutes and we left the spa feeling like we’d been born again. I cannot recommend the spa enough; it’s truly a must for all visitors. A short walk down the hallway from the massage rooms, past the indoor gym and we’d made it to the swimming pool. Generously sized and surrounded by a sauna, steam room and a Jacuzzi, we knew we were in a special place. A few laps, a soak and steam later and we were ready to start our day feeling rejuvenated. A FOND FAREWELL After a relaxing dip in the pool, we made our way to the main restaurant for breakfast. Enjoying a full English breakfast and pastries, we had several cups of tea, trying to delay leaving after such a wonderful stay. Our visit to Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort was perfect, and we’re planning on visiting again soon. A VIEW A room with Melissa Cullen visits Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort To find out more, visit www.dunstonhallhotel.co.uk The QHotels Collection 77 REVIEW
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