One of England’s most established country house hotels, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate in Essex, has been named AA Hotel of the Year, England at this year’s AA Hospitality Awards. The prestigious annual event, held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, on Monday 23rd September, celebrates hotels, restaurants and chefs offering the highest hospitality standards across the country.
This award is the highest accolade for hotels, with the AA inspectors commending Down Hall Hotel for its impeccable guest experience and seamless service – a testament to its dedicated and hardworking team, who continue to strive and provide a first-class offering for all visitors.
The Grade II Italianate mansion offers 98 elegantly appointed bedrooms, dedicated meeting and event spaces, three distinctive dining outlets, a luxurious spa, padel and tennis courts, as well as formal gardens, and 110-acres of woodlands and parkland.
Over the last 24 months, the hotel has undergone a significant transformation, investing in a £1.5 million renovation across its Estate Patio bedrooms, Grand Hall, The Potting Shed dining room, formal gardens, Terrace Restaurant andFox Cocktail Bar. In addition, a two-acre on-site Kitchen Garden has also been built, along with a beehive, providinglocally sourced produce to the hotel’s restaurant, as well as its sister property Flemings Mayfair. The work is part of a continued project of redevelopment to further enhance the guest experience whilst maintaining the property’s historic charm.
The team has grown from 80 to 180, whilst the hotel’s services and amenities have also been further developed. A full calendar of engaging social events has been introduced, including the popular ‘Live from the Lawn’ weekend music sessions, outdoor cinema screenings, Pop + Bark dog festivals and even horse hacking events, plus an enhanced wellness programme, featuring regular yoga retreats, meditation workshops and outdoor gong bathing.
Linden Beattie, General Manager at Down Hall, comments: “We are honoured and proud to be recognised by the AA with this award, the highest accolade that Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate has achieved to date. It holds immense significance for us, reflecting not only the substantial investment made by our dedicated owners but also the vision we set out for the estate two years ago. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment and tireless efforts of our exceptional team. Every day, they go above and beyond to provide an outstanding guest experience, bringing people together and creating lasting memories. This recognition inspires us to continue in our pursuit of excellence and reinforces our commitment to delivering unparalleled hospitality.”
Other awards for Down Hall include LUXlifestyle Best Luxury Country House Hotel & Spa of the Year 2024 – South East England; Large Hotel of the Year, East of England Tourism Awards 2023; and two AA Rosettes for the Garden Room restaurant.
Picture shows from left to right: Linden Beattie, General Manager, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate; Simon Numphud, Managing Director, AA Media and Henrik Muehle, Managing Director, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate and Fleming’s Mayfair.
