Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa

The Cloisters 2AA rosette restaurant with its unique dining in elegant surroundings with neo-gothic style features and arched ceilings, mullioned windows offering wonderful views of the Surrey countryside, offered us a really nice top class dining experience, and we would suggest that it will be your delight also to experience this very nice Cloisters restaurant of which we certainly recommend to you. OUR REVIEW After the disappointing review we gave on part one of Nutfield Priory hotel itself, it is nice to now offer 5 stars for our evening and a delightful dinner together. We had an early evening booking so the sun was still shining as we passed through the great hall (photo 1) and along the side corridor that led towards an entry into restaurant (photo 2) and the room looked inviting, although a step noticed to get down into restaurant itself (3) but very quickly a ramp was put into place for us (4) and we were kindly escorted to our seats (5) in the Cloisters restaurant (6) and our seats were facing over the wonderful scenery of the hills of Surrey (7) Following our Tio Pepe sherry aperitif, our first course arrived, my husband had a delightful “Shell variation” with a selection of scallops, prawns and mussels, and I had a very tasteful “Curried red Lentil and coconut veloute” with crispy puy lentils and coriander (photo 8) By now, dusk was just setting over the Priory (9) before our main course arrived, beautifully presented and just enough for two old seniors (10). My husbands “maple glazed Duck breast” was wonderful he said, a Duck leg, gnocchi, squash and spiced pineapple. I chose the interesting “Seed roast wrapped in Savoy cabbage” with haricot blanch, spinach and celeriac stem ginger, and I really enjoyed the chefs wonderful meal. To finish our dinner my husband could not resist the “Black Forest gateau” a chocolate sponge and chantilly whipped cream, while I enjoyed a lighter “Custard tart” with sour plum yogurt grapefruit sorbet, which put that finishing touch to a truly delightful dinner. By now, fully satisfied we left the restaurant to pass the bar (11) and it was almost time for the lovely Cloisters restaurant to close (photo 12) and we made our way past the original 1874 built organ in the great room, (13) overlooked by a wonderful balcony under subdued lighting (14) and past through a small passage (15) and finally into what we believe was the library (16) but whatever, it was a comfortable place to rest (although very cold) as no heating on, so we quickly left on our way, (17) thankfully with no need to use the lovely staircase (18) passing reception and into lift area (19) and up to our room (20). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS We would certainly recommend this delightful dining experience in the beautiful Cloisters restaurant. A highly and well presented meal. We were pleased to be able to thank the chef personally, after a wonderful breakfast the next morning.

With clear blue skies and the sun in its glory, a look around the grounds seemed the thing to do, but first of all a hearty breakfast would set us up for the day. Early morning and only ourselves up to see the dawn, the ramp was put down for us to enter the Cloisters restaurant (photo 1) and a cup of tea would be so welcomed (photo 2). A healthy start was served up by friendy staff (3) while we enjoyed the feel of the restaurant (4) and a well earned full English was brought to us (5). Nutfield looked majestic this morning (photo 6) and the impressive stone carved facing impressed us, reminding us of how skilful the stonemasons had been (7). Now the disappointment of not being able to see and enjoy the terrace gardens that lay below the steep old steps (8) that led down to the terrace itself (9) which would be such a delight to sit at later on in the season (10) overlooking the Surrey countryside with its fresh greenery preparing to come to its full springlike glory (11). Looking over the vale bought back memories of how long ago it seems now, that a walk across those fields would have been so enjoyable (12) but we had to be content with the solid safe stronghold that stood beyond us (13) while below, the sun trapped terrace of another section of the estate gave wishful thoughts that a cool drink on a warm sunny day would have been delightful, but not for us, as sadly, more steps prevented any future thought of that happening. (14). Beyond Nutfield, at the rear carpark (15) a seperate building had been provided for its Spa and health club, with a good sized car park (16) and two disabled bays each side of the entrance has been provided (17) but look at those steps, but at least a lift is available when needed (18) but not for us, it was just not worth the effort of pressing the bell, waiting for staff to come out and across and up the steps to help us prepare the lift to get us to the Spa, so something else we would have to forfeit today. So we made our way back across to the main building (19) and loading our suitcases into the car, (20) and we prepared ourselves for the long homeward journey. You will by now have gathered that Nutfield is not really wheelchair friendly in many areas, and although imposing, we feel that the old place is best left for those who can manage, while knowing they may enjoy the priory to its full. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS. Breakfast was lovely, you may order what you like, it was beautifully cooked, and we were able to call over the chef and thank him for his efforts on our behalf. We liked the way staff willing provided the ramp for us to be able to enjoy the lovely Cloister restaurant and served us with many friendly words. But Nutfield is not a hotel we can really recommend for disabled, there where to many problems to face that prevented us from enjoying the gardens to the full, so although dining is a delightful experience and one we will recommend you trying if you live in the area, overall, we were satisfied with what we had accomplished.

We have already reviewed four hotels for you that belong to the Handpicked group of hotels, and they really are delightful hotels, 5 stars the norm, so we were really looking forward to our overnight stay at Nutfield Priory. What a disappointment ! It started off well, the driveway towards the hotel looked great, (photo 1) spring flowers opening up, well cut and maintained grounds, and the old building looked historical and grand (photo 2) the tower of the entrance guarding the hall, old chimney pots looked magnificent, we were ready (3). We parked opposite the entrance in one of the two disabled bays (4) and headed for the hotels entrance, and found a step waiting for us. (5) No ramp in sight, so my husband had to get up out of his wheelchair, and stagger up the step. Inside we were greeted by two very friendly receptionist ,and who turned out during our stay to be very kind and helpful, and the reception area looked old but pleasing enough (photo 6) Booking in was soon done and we would be escorted up to ,our room on the second floor, and we were pleased to be told that a lift was available, which was situated behind the reception desk, through a very narrow doorway and small tight square passage (photo 7 shows the entrance behind the lamp) with a turn to get wheelchair into the small lift, where my husband continually seemed to catch his hands against the lifts edges, causing him to scrape his hands, and wipe the blood off his knuckles. A corridor led to our bedroom (8) number 25, and pleased to see we could leave wheelchair by front door (9) and the room looked very nice (10) with nice big bed for us, ( BUT THE ROOM WAS FREEZING) the cast iron radiator was not working, so we tried to sort the heating out by putting setting to high on wall panel and hoped this would warm the room up. There was plenty of room to move around (11) and in walk-in bathroom we had soft white towels and pleased to see pull cord connected to call button (12) while the walk in shower was plenty big enough for us (13) Right, time to investigate Nutfield Priory. We took chair into the large delightful drawing room (photo 14) with lovely glass framed windows offering plenty of light, and saw the 1874 restored organ which suited its place in the historical hotel (15), (BUT AGAIN IT WAS FREEZING IN THERE) the fire, set in the original fireplace was ( not lit until the next day ) (photo 16). The side doorway would lead into the bar lounge with its small but nicely wooden bar (17) which took us to see the delightful restaurant (18) which was nicely laid ready for dining tonight. The old wooden panelled library was interesting and looked authentic (20) and would be a pleasant quiet place to enjoy reading one of the many books and catch up with the history of Nutfield Priory. HISTORY It was difficult to find the early history of the Priory, but we believe it was once a home built for Monks, so our history continues from records of 1849, when this original mansion was rebuilt by Thomas Fowlerwood. From 1855 a banker, Henry Edward Gurney added much improvements to enhance this mansion, until he was declared bankrupt, so the property was sold to Joshua Fielden who was once an MP in Lancashire, and he basically rebuilt the property, to include the Tower. He had 11 children with his wife Ellen, and he was known as a caring man who sought the interest and welfare of others. When Joshua died in 1887 Nutfield was held in trust for his wife Ellen, until 1920 when she sold the property. It was then sold to a Mr Ferris, who lived here until 1930, then under the care of Mr O Picton Davies he turned the property into what we start to see today, a very expensive hotel, and he included nine hole golf course by the lake. Over the next few years a number of changes were made in how the mansion was being used, until its opening as a boarding school for deaf children, but this closed in 1987, and a year later it opened up as a hotel again. It is now under the care of Handpicked hotels. To continue with our details of hotel for you, and why we were so disappointed with our visit. It seemed to us that Handpicked Hotels have allowed Nutfield Priory to have that look of neglect, and has been allowed to go downhill for some years now. Paint has stripped off woodwork, the stained panels and doors need work to be done on them, carpets have threadbare areas and joints are separating and look tired. The general appearance is not up to the standard of other Handpicked Hotels we have visited and reviewed for Euans guide in which we gave top marks for, so having paid so much money and so looking forward to staying here, it was quite a shock to see the place so neglected. And worse of all, the whole building was SO COLD, there was no heat on anywhere, and we froze in our room. We were of course given the usual rubbish, our maintenance manager checked the heat this morning and it was working,) just how many times have we heard that, and other guest were also deeply concerned that we all had to feel so cold. It’s not cheap to stay at Handpicked Hotels, so all in all, a big disappointment for us personally. Out next visit for the groups hotels will be to Rookery Hall, and we do so hope that will bring back our confidence in handpicked Hotels. Mind you, may we say thank you to the young receptionist on duty that evening, she tried so hard for us to get warmth, she took the time and trouble to spend an hour hunting around the hotel to find heaters for us, and kindly brought up two heaters to our room, so that on waking the next morning we had a warm room, so thanks goes to her for her effort on our behalf. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS About our part one review of Nutfield Priory hotel. Leaving our disappointment behind, this could again become an interesting and historical hotel, it’s got a lot going for it, and if you read part two and our part three, you will see that we have offered far more favourable remarks on our visit here, but it’s just at the moment, until management get the hotel back up To a standard we expect from Handpicked hotels, then we shall not be recommending you visiting or staying here.