Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa

The fabulous restaurant at Rookery Hall is a wonderful setting for dinner, and your special event. Having received Two AA Rosettes for its menus, created by Chef who tries to use the regions best produce with whatever is in season. There is a very good menu which varies during the year, and it all makes this the perfect choice for dinner, especially for those special occasions. The room itself has that charm and elegance required when something worth while comes around, (photo 1) and here you sit surrounded by rich wood panels and decorative latticework (photo 2) and the large bay windows offer lovely views across the grounds and far off countryside (photo 3) as you gaze up at the wonderful ceiling, which shows the coat of Arms of the family who built this lovely Country house. (Photo 4). Just along the corridor, stood the disabled toilet, (photo 5) nicely but plainly decorated in pale grey tiled walls, not a lot of room, so wheelchair was left folded up along the corridor, out of the way. The toilet had grab rails and pull cord, very clean, as expected (photo 6). We headed back now to the bar, and was shown into the small delightful restaurant that had caught our eyes earlier on, (photo 7) thinking what a lovely table that would be to have lunch as we gazed across the lawn (photo 8) and low and behold, that’s where our guest services lady Helen had prepared for us, knowing we would be having fish and chips the handpicked way. (photo 9) We warned her there was competition between the fish and chips at Stanbrook Abbey our favourite fish and chips to date, (Handpicked Hotel group) and those to come from Rookery Hall, same group, and my, there was little between them, I know it’s hard to describe fish and chips as delicious, but both these hotels produced just that, and we really enjoyed our lunch here. My husband then found room for a blue berry cheesecake, laid out lovingly for him as he dreamt on about another slice (photo 10) This has become my favourite Hotel so far, it truly lived up to expectations, but it just added to the disappointment we had last year, when for November 2021 we had booked a suite here to celebrate our 59th wedding anniversary, but due to my husbands poor health, we had to cancel our stay, and how we would have enjoyed that occasion with them, so disappointed, but never mind, we can but dream on. However, the receptionist invited us to view the disabled room they have available, so we accepted her invitation and saw that a lift was available (photo 11) to get youup to first and second floor (photo 12) but had no need to use it, as this room is situated on the ground floor (photo 13) and what a room ! It was large, beautifully furnished, Queen size bed (photo 14) with plain white wardrobe and light wood cupboards, it looked a treat (photo 15) and the bathroom was outstanding (16) with a really large walk-in shower available (photo 17) oh, if we could only have afforded it, we would have booked there and then, and really would enjoy ending our visit here at Rookery Hall hotel on a high (photo 18. REVIEWS We have now offered you three reviews for this Hotel, and we ask you to read them all so as to get a feel on why we so readily recommend you visiting this Hotel, it’s only half an hour from wonderful Chester itself, not much further to Liverpool, so is an ideal tourist destination. If you get a chance, do visit, you will not be disappointed.

As you enter the driveway, Well laid out grounds offer delightful views around the estate. (Photo 1) There are trees and shrubs that line the view towards the Hall (photo 2) and a path right next to disabled bays welcome you forward to view behind the hall (photo 3) which takes you to the delightful terrace area (photos 4 & 5) A small fountain stands in centre of well maintained lawns highlighting the shrubs and trees beyond (6). There are extensive grasslands with lovely views (7) and a small lake with weeping foliage draping over the well maintained lake (photo 8). Beyond the hotel lies the converted barns that now house the Modern Spa (photo 9) with its level sliding doors for the entrance into the Spa and health club (10) where you will be greeted by the receptionist (11) and taken into the indoor pool (12) which is a very nicely furnished and tiled pleasant area. Natural light fills the 17m glass roofed swimming pool (photo 13) overlooked by the 12 stations of the hydrotherapy pool (photo 14) and across the tiled floor area to a steam room (15) and for those who wish, a sauna is available. A large changing room acts as the disabled toilet with modern facilities that include grab rails and pull cord, which has space for the largest of chairs to be taken inside (photo 16) A handy accessible lift stands by (photo 17) big enough for your chair and a carer, who will hold down the button to enable lift to take you to the gym and exercise areas, which has all the latest modern aquipment you need (18) and if you are that keen, weights of all descriptions (19) and the large training room holds classes for various activities during the day (photo 20).

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.