What a fantastic place to stay! I went to this fantastic hotel for a work trip. I was totally…read moremesmerized to stay in a really old British 'castle like' place. Shortly after I arrived, my coworker told me that the place used to be a mental institution/hospital. I'm not sure how you'd react to that, but I kind of loved it and spent my free working minutes on the web, trying to learn about potentially haunted rooms and ghosts of ol' crazy people. Unfortunately, no paranormal activities at this facility. So instead, I spent my evening in the gym facility, took a spin course, and sweat my butt off. The next day I tried the swimming pool and sauna as well. I was also really pleasantly surprised that the locker rooms were equipped with fantastic hair dryers ... AND ... GHD hair straighteners. Those babies cost a couple hundred euros a piece! The lunch menu on the first day included meat and chilli beans, as well as salmon.. and then of course, some salad and lots of desert. I tried the salmon with chili beans and overdosed on proteins. So so so good. The salmon was really fresh. I ended up ordering salmon for dinner as well. The quality of the food there was really fantastic. So the reason I am giving it 4 stars, instead of 5 is because it was just cold and chilly in there. The front door was kept frequently open and I think the windows aren't properly isolated, so when the temperature drops outside, you feel it right away inside. Other than that - definitely recommended. About 35 minutes from the Manchester Airpoint (36 Pound trip by cab). Give it a try!

Stayed her recently for a one day training conference with work…read more Top tip. It's only 30 mins drive from Manchester airport but ring the hotel direct and they will give you the number for a local hackney firm they use. £40 vrs £70. More beer money for me! P.S. Hackney firm are excellent and picked us up in a brand new Toyota Avensis estate. I digress. Arrived at the hotel which is situated on its own 20 acres grounds and it is a Grade II listed building. Very nice setting. It was a Monday afternoon and the reception staff were all older ladies. Unusual but you knew they knew their stuff. Being Irish we asked when did the bar close? (We have been stung before with venues like this and the bar closing early) and to our great surprise she tells us and I quote "The bar closes when you stop drinking". Hallelujah, did she realise the trouble that was going to be in store.... Now now, we did behave ourselves I promise. P.S. This used to be a mental asylum you know! Decor very tasteful and well appointed. A small bit of a labyrinth but you get to were you are going to in nice surroundings. Room has all the 4 star mod cons, room key is a funny plastic card with holes in that you leave in the lock to open. Requested an Iron and board and had them within 5 mins. Bar nice and spacious. Best thing ever was the free american pool table but had UK sized balls, better than that was the garden sized connect 4 set!! Hours of fun for all the guys at the conference. We had teams from the UK, Ireland and Holland. A great night. Bar food really nice and prices not bad either. I'd recommend the burger with bacon and cheese served with great fries and coleslaw all on a wooden chopping board (they must have broken all the plates, ha ha ). Bar staff during the next day were hard to find and slow but that's because I'm used to Irish bar/pubs speeds. If your slow in Ireland you go out of business fast! Great conference facilities and little touches like bowls of sweets (Drumsticks, Fruit Salad and Love Hearts) during the intervals make all the difference. Breakfast & Lunch in the main restaurant was really good with a large choice. All buffet style but it just meant you got more of what you liked. Nice touch is the area between the bar and main restaurant with a free coffee/tea station and bowls of more sweets, apples, bags of crisps etc. These guys know how to look after a business conference. Will be pushing for more training and conferences here.

This was my second visit to The Woodpecker, as I come to eat here with my friend, when I am in…read moreNorthwich. The food is excellent and great value for money. Overall service is brilliant, especially from Alyson and Debbie, but what sticks in my mind, for the wrong reasons, is the appalling attitude and total lack of customer service attitude of the Deputy General Manager, who really ought to know better. Due to an accidental overcharge, the member of staff went to get him to process it for me. He had about as much interest and interaction as a brick wall. Aside from telling me to stick my credit card in the machine, he never spoke, apologised or said anything other than make the odd grunt. His behaviour is in stark contrast from the excellent service received from the rest of the team, and he really needs to be removed from sight and retrained. That aside, my time here was a good one. The food is great, excellent value for money and the overall ambience is good. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone, and I will return. However, if you see a guy with the face of a smacked backside, then you have been warned!

The Brewers Fayre chain of pubs is sort of an English equivalent of Applebee's in America. The food…read moreis predictable, main stream, and printed on colourful glossy menus. While there's something I suit every taste, it's just mediocre big chain food. Normally I'd give just 3 stars to a place like this. It's consistent and passable. For me the 4th star is earned by the people. I've stayed here twice at the attached premier inn. So I've eaten a fair number of breakfasts and dinners here. The staff are always friendly, quick to smile and be pleasant, and they're not easily flustered even at peak times. The food doesn't disappoint and it doesn't cost a lot. You could definitely do worse.

Mixed feelings on this place. Positives are the decent rotation of guest beers, pretty cool…read moreambiance in the main bar, nice vibe overall. Not so positive is the general customer service, most staff are nice and all but there does not seem to be a clear push to delight their customers. I tried to order food right on the cutoff, a great place would say ok but not here. Some of the staff are just plain introverts and the toilets are pretty stinky. Overall I do enjoy this place but only because there is nothing better closer.

Came in here half way through a winter walk, cosy enough, with friendly staff and interesting…read morewallpaper. We were only here for drinks, and they had an adequate choice at the bar. Was quite dark in some corners though- in an atmosphere kind of way rather than a dingy one, but still.