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Summary of reviewsBlackwell Grange Hotel is celebrated for its serene location in the countryside, offering both tranquility and practicality with its proximity to Darlington’s town center. The hotel’s picturesque and historic grounds add elegance and heritage to the guest experience, while its strategic positioning provides easy access to local attractions like Darlington Golf Club and Croft Motor Circuit, making it ideal for various visitors, from event attendees to family vacationers.
Guests frequently commend the breakfast service, describing it as superb, varied and well-presented. The buffet offers a range of hot and cold options, providing good value and a pleasant start to the day. The dinner service also receives positive feedback for its friendly staff and delicious, reasonably priced meals, contributing to an enjoyable dining atmosphere, though some suggest the menu could use more variety.
The rooms at Blackwell Grange Hotel are often highlighted for their cleanliness, comfort and spaciousness. Modern refurbishments and amenities like tea and coffee add to the appeal with superior rooms and suites receiving particular praise for their luxurious decor. However, some guests noted that certain rooms seem outdated and could benefit from renovation.
Cleanliness remains a strong aspect with consistent praise for well-maintained rooms and communal areas. The staff are frequently described as friendly and accommodating, significantly enhancing the guest experience with their excellent customer service.
While the WiFi service has received mixed reviews with some guests experiencing connectivity issues, the overall sentiment suggests room for improvement in this area. The gym and pool facilities also receive a combination of feedback with general appreciation for their availability but some pointing out the need for modernization and refurbishment.
Families find the hotel particularly welcoming, thanks to spacious rooms, kid-friendly amenities like the indoor pool and extensive grounds perfect for leisurely walks. The comfortable and well-maintained beds further contribute to a restful stay.
In summary, Blackwell Grange Hotel meets many expectations of a four-star establishment with its attractive location, excellent staff and clean, comfortable accommodations. While there are areas suggested for improvement, the overall experience remains highly favorable, making it a commendable choice for various types of travelers. Show more
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Categories
Family Friendly Hotel
This hotel features lush gardens and spacious rooms, making it suitable for families. It provides a blend of vintage charm with contemporary rooms and offers a heated swimming pool and jacuzzi for relaxation.
Business Hotel
This hotel is a preferred choice for professionals, offering meeting rooms and the capacity to host up to 250 delegates. The dedicated event team tailors facilities to suit corporate needs, including audio-visual equipment and bespoke catering services. Its location offers a balance of focused business activities and relaxation.
4-Star Hotel
This 4-star hotel is set in a 17th-century mansion with an idyllic and historic escape. It is nestled amidst lush parkland and offers a tranquil haven with spa facilities including a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, and outdoor woodland sauna.
Hotel near Golf Courses
Historic Hotel
Hotel for Honeymoon
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Heated Pool Indoor Pool Pool Lap Lanes
Hotel with Gym
Hotel with Pool Lap Lanes
Hotel with Indoor Pool
Hotel with Heated Pool
Room Types
Executive RoomLocated in the main building and the cottage complex, this room has a large bathroom and a flat-screen TV.
Double or Twin RoomThis heated room features a TV, telephone and private bathroom with hairdryer.
Please note that during booking process you can specify to making up as a double or a twin bedded room.
Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Superior Double or Twin RoomThe spacious twin/double room provides a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower, a hairdryer, and free toiletries. This twin/double room features a carpeted floor, heating, and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
Family RoomOffering free toiletries, this family room includes a private bathroom with a shower, a bathtub, and a hairdryer. The family room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating, and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Deluxe Double RoomThe double room provides a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower, a hairdryer, and free toiletries. The unit offers 1 bed. Linens are provided for this unit.
SuiteLocated on the third floor, this suite offers a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a hairdryer, and free toiletries. The suite offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating, and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed. This room is only accessible by stairs.
Superior King Room
Located in the Carriage House, Blackwell's former stables dating back to the late 1700's. Only a 30 second walk from the main hotel. The double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower, a hairdryer, and free toiletries. The unit offers 1 bed.
SuiteLocated in the Carriage House, Blackwell's former stables dating back to the late 1700's. Only a 30 second walk from the main hotel. The suite has a seating area, 1 bedroom, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bathtub, and free toiletries. The suite features a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating, and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Deluxe Double or Twin RoomLocated in the Carriage House, Blackwell's former stables dating back to the late 1700's. Only a 30 second walk from the main hotel. Offering free toiletries, this twin/double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The twin/double room offers a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, parquet floors, heating, and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed. Linens are provided for this unit.
Guest Reviews
8.2
Very Good
Location
Nestled in the serene countryside, Blackwell Grange Hotel offers a peaceful and relaxing retreat just a stone's throw from Darlington's bustling town center. Guests highlighted the convenience of walking into town, making the hotel's location both tranquil and practical.
The surroundings charm visitors with beautiful, grand and historic grounds, adding a touch of elegance and heritage to the stay. The property itself combines the allure of a lovely old building with modern amenities, ensuring comfort and class.
Strategically located, the hotel provides easy access to venues like Darlington Golf Club and Croft Motor Circuit, making it an excellent choice for event-goers. The close proximity to the A1 ensures the hotel is easy to reach and offers ample parking.
Whether exploring the Yorkshire moors and dales, attending functions or visiting relatives, guests repeatedly praise the hotel for its superb positioning. The convenient location also allows for quick trips to local bars, restaurants and arena events, often facilitated by short taxi rides.
From the picturesque gardens to the quiet, out-of-town atmosphere, Blackwell Grange Hotel's setting plays a significant role in its appeal. The combination of a great location, welcoming staff and well-appointed rooms makes this hotel a favored choice for various needs, ensuring a delightful stay.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Blackwell Grange Hotel has received a spectrum of feedback from guests with a strong predominance of positive remarks. Numerous guests praised the breakfast as very good with many describing it as excellent, superb, fantastic and delicious. The buffet style received commendations for its variety and the abundance of hot and cold options, allowing diners to enjoy both continental and full English breakfasts. Particular mentions were made of the food being kept hot and the appealing presentation.
The breakfast was deemed to offer good value for money, especially considering the quality and range of choices available. Some guests were particularly pleased with the addition of amenities such as tea and coffee served at the table. The service at breakfast was also highlighted positively with staff being attentive and the setup contributing to an enjoyable meal.
However, there were critical notes as well. Some guests found certain items to be cold or stale and others pointed out that during busy times the breakfast service could become chaotic, leading to items running out or food turning cold due to unheated plates. There were also a few mentions of processed or pre-packaged items, which did not meet the expectations of some diners. Despite these issues, the general consensus leans towards a hearty and enjoyable breakfast experience with a wide array of choices to suit different preferences.
Dinner
Visitors to the Blackwell Grange Hotel have diverse opinions on the dining experience, but several themes emerge from the reviews. Many guests praised the restaurant for its friendly staff and well-prepared, tasty food with descriptions like lovely, delicious and amazing frequently used. Specific commendations noted the restaurant's high-quality meals, reasonable pricing and great atmosphere, contributing to a pleasant dining experience. Special mentions include the superb vegan lentil burger and the late-night delicious pizzas available at the bar.
However, not all feedback was positive. A portion of guests expressed dissatisfaction with the dinner options, citing limited menu variety, occasional overcooked dishes and inconsistent food quality. Some also found the restaurant to be somewhat impersonal and noted a few service issues, such as early closing times and unfriendly staff encounters.
Overall, while the restaurant at Blackwell Grange Hotel garners significant praise for its food, service and ambiance, there are areas for improvement, particularly concerning menu variety and consistency of meal quality.
Rooms
The guest reviews for Blackwell Grange Hotel highlight a number of positive aspects about the rooms. Across numerous accounts, rooms are frequently described as clean, comfortable and spacious. Many guests appreciated the modern and well-appointed refurbishments in some areas, particularly noting the clean and comfortable bedding. The rooms often featured convenient amenities like tea, coffee, milk and biscuits.
The superior king rooms and suites received high praise for being beautifully decorated, spacious and luxurious. Additionally, the bathroom facilities were commended for being lovely and well-maintained. The cleanliness across the rooms is a recurrent theme with several guests noting spotless conditions and comfortable environments, making them ideal for longer stays. The hotel's quiet rooms and comfortable beds significantly contributed to a pleasant stay.
However, some reviews did mention areas for improvement. A number of rooms were described as outdated with dated decor and furniture needing an upgrade. Issues such as broken fixtures, small room sizes and occasional poor maintenance were highlighted. Despite these criticisms, many guests felt that the positives, including the hotel's beautiful grounds, convenient location and helpful staff, significantly enhanced the overall experience.
In summary, while there are areas that could benefit from modernization, the Blackwell Grange Hotel’s rooms generally offer a clean, comfortable and enjoyable stay with a touch of elegance and excellent amenities.
Beds
When it comes to the beds at Blackwell Grange Hotel, the majority of guests found them incredibly comfortable with many describing them as big, high and even luxurious. Most reviews highlight the beds as being clean and well-maintained, often providing a great night's sleep. There are mentions of the beds being relatively firm, which may appeal to some guests but not others. A few guests noted that the pillows were flatter or harder than they'd prefer with suggestions for new, softer pillows. Overall, the beds received significant praise for comfort and the rooms themselves were often described as clean, modern and comfortable, enhancing the stay experience. However, a few outliers did mention discomfort due to hard mattresses, creaky or tiny beds and issues with bed sizes. Taking these into account, it seems advisable to inquire about bed size and type when booking to ensure it meets personal preferences.
Cleanliness
Blackwell Grange Hotel offers a mixed bag of experiences when it comes to cleanliness. The majority of guest feedback highlights the hotel's strong points in maintaining a clean environment. Many visitors have found their rooms to be consistently clean, well-equipped and comfortable with housekeeping often praised for doing an excellent job. Positive remarks also extend to communal areas, which are described as lovely and the overall appearance of the building, which is frequently noted as being very clean.
However, some guests have encountered less satisfactory situations. Issues such as hair in showers and on bed sheets, dirty mugs and dusty carpets have been reported. Public areas sometimes require deeper cleaning and some facilities appear a bit dated and in need of attention.
Despite these inconsistencies, the prevailing sentiment appreciates the hotel's cleanliness, beautiful decor and friendly staff, contributing to an overall pleasant stay for most guests.
Staff
The reviews for Blackwell Grange Hotel highlight a particularly positive experience with the hotel staff. The consensus is that the staff are exceptionally friendly, accommodating and helpful with several mentions of their excellent customer service skills. Guests frequently describe the team as polite, attentive and engaging, often going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
The bar staff receive specific praise for their brilliance and both the reception and housekeeping teams are noted for their professionalism and courtesy. Reception staff, in particular, are frequently described as very good, friendly and efficient, contributing to an overall welcoming atmosphere at the hotel.
A few less favorable comments mention instances of unhelpful or rude behavior, but these are outweighed by the numerous reviews emphasizing the staff's kindness, efficiency and willingness to assist with any guest needs. Overall, the Blackwell Grange Hotel's staff appear to be a significant positive aspect of the guest experience, making stays memorable with their excellent service and friendly demeanor.
Wi-Fi
Blackwell Grange Hotel offers various amenities, but guests have shared mixed feedback about the WiFi. A significant number of visitors noted the WiFi did not work well in their rooms with some being unable to connect to the internet at all. The WiFi was mentioned as slow and unreliable by several guests and issues were noted particularly with connecting the TV to WiFi, leaving guests reliant on terrestrial channels. Despite these issues, there were positive remarks stating that when the WiFi did work, it was decent and worked great in every corner of the room. However, the overall sentiment suggests that the hotel's WiFi service could use some improvement to meet guests' expectations.
Gym
The gym at Blackwell Grange Hotel presents a mix of feedback with a clear need for updates and improvements but also some positive aspects. While some reviews highlight that the gym is well-equipped, clean and includes both weights and cardio rooms, others describe it as old, outdated and in great need of refurbishment. On the brighter side, guests have mentioned the fitness facilities are good-sized and offer a decent workout experience. However, the consistent theme across the reviews is that the gym facilities could benefit from modernization to enhance the overall guest experience.
Pool
Nestled within the Blackwell Grange Hotel, the swimming pool offers a mixed, yet generally positive experience for guests. The pool is often described as small with some visitors finding it tiny and a bit run down, suggesting a need for refurbishment. Despite its size, many guests appreciate the pool as a welcome break, particularly after a long drive or for families with small children.
The pool itself is noted for being clean and enjoyable with some describing it as lovely and a pleasant treat alongside the jacuzzi. Those who had the opportunity to use the spa facilities found them extending their relaxation, although there were mentions of the changing rooms being less than ideal in terms of cleanliness. The temperature of the pool drew mixed reviews with some finding it too cold.
While the pool's compact nature may be seen as a drawback for a hotel of this size, it remains a valued amenity, especially when paired with the gym facilities. For many, the swimming pool adds a welcoming touch and an enjoyable aspect to their stay at the Blackwell Grange Hotel, despite its limitations.
Family
Nestled in the picturesque locale of Darlington, Blackwell Grange Hotel has garnered positive feedback from guests, particularly for its family-friendly atmosphere. This charming hotel is not just a destination for wedding parties and gatherings; it also serves as an ideal retreat for families. The spacious family rooms are a frequent highlight, providing ample space for comfort and relaxation.
Parents have praised the hotel's well-maintained facilities, noting that the environment is welcoming for children. A particular favorite is the indoor pool, which has been a delightful spot for kids to splash around and expend their energy. Many families have expressed their joy in seeing their children enjoy the pool and other kid-friendly amenities.
Apart from the accommodations, the hotel’s extensive grounds offer excellent opportunities for leisurely walks, making it a pet-friendly option as well. These factors contribute to a stay that balances family needs with relaxation and enjoyment. Despite an occasional disturbance from large events such as weddings, the overall experience of families at the hotel remains positive, making Blackwell Grange Hotel a commendable choice for a family getaway.
4 Star
Blackwell Grange Hotel presents itself as a 4-star establishment and it generally meets this expectation with clean facilities and good amenities. Many guests commend the hotel's classic contemporary design, describing the furnishings as maintaining a refined aesthetic. The staff consistently receive high praise for their exceptional service. However, there are mixed feelings regarding its four-star status; some guests believe it genuinely deserves the rating, while others feel it falls short and needs an upgrade to match the 4-star claim. Certain policies, such as paying a supplement for early departure, were noted as drawbacks. Despite a few reservations, the overall experience at Blackwell Grange Hotel aligns with that of a genuine four-star hotel.
Business
Blackwell Grange Hotel offers an array of amenities tailored for business travelers. The hotel rooms are thoughtfully designed, featuring dressing tables with mirrors and USB-equipped bathrooms, making it convenient to stay connected. The property boasts well-regarded conference rooms and business and conference facilities that are deemed ideal for meetings and events. The location proves highly advantageous for work purposes, providing a central and efficiently accessible spot for business engagements. The reception area is noted for its handiness and efficiency, ensuring smooth check-ins and outs. While there might be occasional noise due to parties or weddings, these events do not significantly detract from the overall suitability of Blackwell Grange Hotel for business stays. The hotel's business-friendly kits and facilities further enhance its reputation as a great venue for work and business meetings.
Indoor Pool
The indoor pool at Blackwell Grange Hotel receives mixed reviews but features several positive remarks. Guests appreciate the cleanliness and the calming atmosphere of the pool, noting that it provides a pleasant environment for relaxation. Many find the pool itself great and lovely, although it is small and described by some as tiny. Despite its size, the swimming pool and jacuzzi are highlighted as enjoyable amenities. Clean changing rooms add to the overall positive experience. The leisure center, while functional, could use some updating as it appears somewhat worn. Overall, the indoor pool is a notable feature of the hotel, though some guests wish it were larger.
Historic
Nestled amid picturesque landscapes, Blackwell Grange Hotel captivates visitors with its historical significance and timeless beauty. This period property radiates charm and offers a stunning backdrop that transports guests through time. Once a stately home, the hotel boasts a grand and beautiful structure adorned with gorgeous features that highlight its storied past. The traditional reception area complements the overall ambiance, presenting a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the moment of arrival.
Guests are often struck by the enchanting old-world decor that enhances the sense of stepping back into history. The main building's staircase stands out as a particularly beautiful feature, reminiscent of a bygone era. Walking through the corridors evokes an experience akin to wandering through the halls of historical stately homes, imbued with typical British charm.
The hotel's combination of old and new elements creates a harmonious blend, showcasing well-preserved historic features alongside modern comforts. Its period rooms are especially noted for their charm, full of character and meticulously decorated to maintain their historical importance. Surrounded by captivating grounds, Blackwell Grange Hotel is lauded not just for its beautiful historic architecture but also for its excellent traditional decor and furnishings.
Yes, Blackwell Grange Hotel has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Heated Pool, Indoor Pool, Pool Lap Lanes.
No, a spa isn't available at Blackwell Grange Hotel.
No, Blackwell Grange Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Blackwell Grange Hotel.