Overview

Beautiful. Interesting. Historical. Lovely grounds, delightful willing staff, what more could you want. As we feel this is such a delightful estate, we are giving you three reviews, so please read all parts to really appreciate this lovely Hotel. HISTORY Originally this was a small brick built Georgian style mansion, then known as “The Rookery, Worleston” and built in 1816 for William Hilton Cooke, of Chester, who at that time was a Jamaican sugar plantation owner of Chester Castle. During 1867 the estate was bought by Baron William Henry Von Schroeder, a merchant banker, and he extensively altered and extended the hall into a neo-Elizabethian style home. It is just a two floor building of yellow sandstone Ashlar, with a slate roof, and on the corner stands a tower that looks a little like a Loire chateau, with pale green Westmorland slates. More or less in the centre we see a protruding entrance with its half round porch in a Corinthian style, with a first floor balcony. Round the rear of the hotel it also has some outstanding features, but now three levels, protruding areas and classic pillers, offering lovely views over the estate and terrace lawn settings, with plenty of seating areas for those warm sunny days. It stands in 38 acres of parkland, with gardens, woodland, a small lake (some dare to call it a pond) and a fountain. Going indoors now, you will see wood panelling in the main reception areas, while the dining room has walnut panelling and a beautiful ceiling which is vaulted, where you will see coronets and shields, and include the coat of arms of the Von Schroeder family. (See photo on our next review, part three) The saloon has a decorated deep cornice with foliage decorations, and it’s fireplace is marble, dating back to 1880’s. The sitting room has a Jacobean fireplace. The Baron was a justice of the peace, Lieutenant of the county of Cheshire, and High Sheriff. He Died in 1912 when 71, and is buried in Worleston churchyard. Von Schroeders son now sold the estate in 1947. The house continued as private housing until purchased in 1979 by Harry and Jean Norton. Now more additional building work was completed, and it became a hotel and restaurant, with 12 en suite rooms and acclaimed restaurant. When they retired the hotel was bought in 1984 by the Marks family and its reputation continued, and transformed into a very elegant country house. in 1990 a new wing was created, with a further 21 bedrooms being added. Since 2001 the “Handpicked hotel group” has owned the estate, adding more expansions with a conference centre and banqueting centred , with 39 executive bedrooms on offer, so the hotel now has 70 bedrooms available for use. Just a bit of interest for you, is that in 1998 David Beckham and his future wife Victoria got engaged here. IN OUR PART TWO AND PART THREE REVIEWS OF ITS HISTORY we will offer more interesting details for you. OUR REVIEW It is a very delightful interesting driveway that takes you up towards the old historical Hall (photo 1) and that sets your mind at rest because you now know you are going to enjoy this day. Right outside the entrance is a dedicated disabled parking area (photo 2) and the protruding doorway invites you to come inside and see us (photo 3) but sadly there is a step to get up, however, opposite to your left is the main entrance to reception, clearly signed for us (photo 4) and this is on the level with automatic sliding doors (photo 5) which takes you into the reception desk area, where you will be warmly welcomed by friendly helpful staff (photo 6). After being welcomed, you will be escorted to whatever you fancy doing today, either booking in for your overnight stay, or as we chose to do, taken to the bar lounge (photo 7). This is a very comfortable room with space for your chair to be placed out of the way, (photo 8) or to allow you to remain in it while settling down (photo 9) to enjoy a drink or two (photo 10). Next to this is the sitting room (photos 11 and 12) again very comfortable and airy room, lots of space for wheelchairs. This leads to a most delightful little restaurant with garden views (photos 13 and 14) but there are so many beautiful dining areas all delightfully inviting (15 to 18) and corridors that encourage exploration (19) leading to wonderful rich panelled staircases (photo 20). Your mid morning tour of this beautiful hotel will be a treat for you, and as it’s all on the level, your chair will allow to see all the rooms on the ground floor, including disabled bedrooms, and lifts are available to help you get around. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS FOR PART ONE This is a hotel that is wheelchair friendly throughout, it’s all on the level, spacious that allows a chair to move about. We thought the approach as you drove down was very appealing, and our first view of the Hall is that it looks a lovely place and inviting and we could not wait to get in. Once inside we were not disappointed, every room was elegant but comfortable, warm and homely, with beautiful deco throughout, and we were taken to the sitting room which looked a comfortable place to relax but my husband suggested we try the bar lounge, and my reaction was oh! But what a pleasant surprise, not at all like a typical bar lounge, it was a beautiful room, and we enjoyed our mid day drink. We would certainly recommend this hotel, at the moment this is one of our favourites, it did not feel like a hotel because it was so homily.

Transport & Parking

It is a lovely drive to reach the estate, and driving along the drive you will see how beautiful the grounds are, and right outside the main entrance you will find a section dedicated for disabled parking.

Access

When you have parked, your immediate thought is how nice it will be to enter the hotel through its old protruding entrance, but sadly, there is a small step to get up. If you cannot manage this, then right opposite is the more modern reception entrance, which is all on the level, with automatic doors.

Toilets

Reviewed with photos on our part three review.

Staff

We cannot say more than all the staff we met were very professional, extremely friendly and so willing to help us make sure we really enjoyed our visit, and that we noticed is how they treated everyone who entered their home. At this point may we say a special thank you to Helen Gregory of Guest Services, who made sure not only ourselves, but all those she helped who came to the hotel to really benefit by her knowledge of the house and her natural friendly disposition. But every member of staff need to be complemented as they give you the very best attention.

Photos