A beatiful hotel in a nice setting (Lumley Castle Hotel (Durham))

Member Name: Ljg1006

Product:	Lumley Castle Hotel (Durham)
Date:	26/08/09 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good location for touring area, clean, friendly

Disadvantages: Expensive drinks

I attend a wedding at Lumley Castle a week last Thursday (as photographer). Whilst we didn't stay over we did get to see the 'Bridal Suite' known as the King James Suite.

Location - set on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street the hotel is on top of a small hill surround by trees it does give you the impression you're in the middle of nowhere, despite being 5 minutes from the A1. It's a great location for exploring the area, visiting Beamish, 15-20 minutes drive to the Coast or Newcastle/Metro Centre or 10 minutes to the historic town of Durham. It's also within walking distance (approx 10mins) of Durham County Cricket Club.

There is a sweeping driveway up to the front of the hotel and ample parking there or to the side where there is an 'overflow' parking area. To enter the hotel you have to go round the side in to a court yard area and in to the far left corner, I felt this could have been better signposted, I got asked twice if I knew where reception was.

The hotel - From the outside the hotel is beautiful, a lovely place for a wedding (and for pictures). The reception area is very dark - it is a castle after all and this is the ambience they clearly want to portray. The reception staff were very friendly but the directions they gave us to the bridal suite were a little confusing and it was only my sense of direction that got us there!

In the centre of the hotel is a small grassed area with wrought Iron tables and chairs laid out for guests or those wanting to dine outside. This was reserved for the wedding party as they had chosen to have their drinks and photos out there.

All areas we saw of the hotel (including those behind the scene areas we saw) were immaculately kept. But I did find clear signposting lacking in all areas.

Room - The King James Suite is probably the poshest hotel room I've ever been in! You walk in to a 'reception room' which has 3 or 4 single high back chairs, and is very 'Olde Worlde' full of furniture from way back when (which I'm assuming not to be originals but later reproduction but wouldn't know for sure). There's also a TV and a desk. This room is probably bigger than my own front room. Off to the left is a small wash area and a separate bath area with a Jacuzzi bath in. Walking through in to the bedroom there is the biggest four poster bed I have EVER seen, I is floor to ceiling (about 20ft high!). The bed itself is quite a way off the floor, they provide some portable steps to climb on it! There is another television in this room, wardrobe, drawers and a dresser, together with a tiny room with a toilet in. The room was very dark (which I only noticed as I was trying to take pictures of the Bride getting ready and we had to bring our own lights in). I can't comment on whether it offered value for money as I don't know how much this room cost but it was certainly spectacular looking!

Wedding - the wedding was held in a room along from the King James' Suite. It was a very bright room with plenty of windows and was laid out lovely by the hotel staff. Although it was very hot in there which is probably my only negative comment. Once the ceremony was over everyone moved downstairs to the Courtyard. The Hotel provided balloons for everyone to let off at the front of the hotel for a photo which I thought was a nice touch and didn't look as tacky as I thought it would.

After the photos everyone went in to the bar area which is or probably was at some point the cellar. Drinks were very expensive, I only had a cordial with tap water and that set me back £1.40! I think a pint was about £4. From here we walked through the dance area up to the Baron's Hall. Again very nicely set out by staff and a lovely large room with an airy feel to it - I think because of the high ceilings. Whilst everyone had their meals, we went downstairs to the Library Bar for Afternoon Tea.

The Afternoon Tea, whilst we didn't pay for it, I believe costs £10 per person.....we got 4 finger sandwiches each, a fruit scone and a pot of tea, it was ok, but if I'd have paid for it I'd have been a bit miffed I think as it was nothing special. The Library Room was very busy (especially for a Thursday afternoon) and the waitress was rushed off her feet, culminating in a backlog of tables waiting to be cleared and dirty pots on the counter top. Apart from this it did feel very decadent sipping tea in the room.

Overall impression - A lovely place to get married, they'd put in a lot of effort for the wedding and it showed. The place was very clean and the staff were friendly. I would definitely consider staying here for a special occasion/treat and would recommend it on the basis of what I saw to a friend if they were looking for a base for sightseeing in the North East.

Oh one small minor point - the uniforms the staff have to wear, I know they're supposed to be in-keeping with the castle but they looked hot, uncomfy and very unflattering!

Summary: Would recommend to a friend just go elsewhere for a drink!