Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate in Essex, has been awarded the prestigious AA Red Star status, receiving four Red Stars, at this year’s AA Hospitality Awards, held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London. The Red Star is the AA’s highest accolade for hotels, reserved only for the very best establishments across the British Isles, marking Down Hall as one of the UK’s leading country house hotels.
AA inspectors praised the property for its exceptional and consistent standards across service, accommodation, dining and guest experience. Red Star status places Down Hall among an elite group of hotels that not only meet but exceed expectations, demonstrating true excellence in hospitality.
Set within 110 acres of gardens and parkland, the Grade II listed Italianate mansion is home to 98 individually designed bedrooms, award-winning dining at the two AA Rosette restaurant, The Garden Room restaurant, a spa and extensive leisure facilities, as well as a year-round programme of unique wellness retreats and events.
The accolade comes at a milestone moment for Down Hall, as the hotel recently embarked on a new £1 million phase of investment to further enhance its luxury offering. This introduces three standout developments: The Woodland Table, an immersive alfresco fire dining concept; The Barn Spa, a holistic wellness destination and The Charles Gardens, a half-acre landscaped venue for weddings and events, set to open in 2026.
These additions build on recent major renovations across the estate, including a £1.5 million refurbishment of bedrooms, dining spaces and leisure facilities, as well as the creation of a two-acre kitchen garden and on-site beehives supplying produce to the hotel and its sister property, Flemings Mayfair.
Linden Beattie, General Manager at Down Hall, comments: “We are deeply honoured to have been awarded four AA Red Stars. This accolade reflects the extraordinary work of our team and comes at an exciting time as we continue to invest in new facilities and experiences that blend Down Hall’s historic character with modern innovation to guests a truly special stay.”
The AA Red Star joins a growing list of accolades for Down Hall, which include AA Hotel of the Year – England 2025, Large Hotel of the Year at the East of England Tourism Awards, and LUXlifestyle’s Best Luxury Country House Hotel & Spa of the Year.
