Down Hall Hotel, Spa, Estate - Bishop's Stortford

collette223

We had a patio room overlooking the fountains and gardens. Large room with big comfortable bed, seats in room and TV. Good sized bathroom with shower over bath. Toiletries provided were nice. Room very quiet. Every area of hotel spotless, every member of staff helpful and friendly. Breakfast mainly buffet , cooked items, yogurts, fresh fruit, salmon, pastries and toast available. You could also order freshly cooked items I had fresh poached eggs each day included in cost. Eggs benedict £5 supplement. Restaurant food excellent. Although our break (Country House Hotels) included 3 course meal some supplements applied for veg , certain main courses but to be honest the ones we paid a supplement for were excellent. Recommend lamb (indian style) with bombay potatoes, duck and fish dishes. Lovely deserts cheese board £5 supplement but large cheese selection, plenty of biscuits and chutney provided .Gardens are lovely and interior nicely decorated. Highly recommend this hotel.

Angelo B

We recently enjoyed a delightful afternoon tea with family at Down Hall, and it was a wonderful experience from start to finish. The building itself is stunning, with beautiful historic architecture and a grand atmosphere that sets the perfect mood for a special afternoon.||Our experience was truly enhanced by Jane, who looked after us so well. She was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our time together. It’s rare to find such genuine care and attention in service, and Jane truly went above and beyond.||From the delicious treats to the elegant setting, every detail made for a memorable afternoon. We had a fantastic time and highly recommend Down Hall for anyone looking for a charming afternoon tea experience. Thank you, Down Hall, and special thanks to Jane for making it unforgettable!

Chloé Bost

Very disappointing experience. I booked one night getaway stay for my partner's birthday, which I specify in the booking, but they didn’t offer anything special (which is fine, not all hotels do it, but it’s always a nice touch to have a little something. They couldn’t care less there though.)

I went for the most expensive room as it was a special occasion and it was SO disappointing for this price tag (almost £400 for one night, in the middle of the week so not a week end stay). Our view was a kid's football playground and the parking. There weren't any bathrobes, sleepers or soap. The room was dirty, with ball of dirt and fur on the corners, stains on the mugs. Actually, the whole hotel felt quite dirty, hallways don't seem to be vacuumed regularly, there are leaves and dirt on the floor. We went to the lounge for dinner and the carpet was absolutely disgusting, full or stains and some dog fur, there was some old lettuce stuck on the side of the dining table, and lipstick on the champagne glasses they brought us
Booked a spa for my partner, asked them if they could give them a glass of prosseco on their arrival, which they didn’t do. Apparently the massage was nice though
But the worst really was the paper-thin walls. We could hear all of next door conversation, I was even awoken in the middle of the night by their loud soring!
Breakfast food was good, but very few choices. We only tried the food at the bar, it was OK. Staff was mix between rude and super nice
When we gave some feedback the next day they said sorry we will follow up with an email to offer a discount on your next stay – well, I don’t want to come back, and they of course didn’t send anything, you could tell they really didn’t care
So yeah, don’t recommend at all.

zeysahin

We recently had our wedding at Down Hall Hotel and Spa (October 6, 2024), and I cannot express enough how incredible the experience was from start to finish. From our very first viewing to signing the contract, and throughout all the planning stages, Tracy and the entire team truly looked after us every step of the way.||I checked in the day before my wedding, and the staff went above and beyond to make me feel so special and cared for during what can be quite a nerve-wracking time. The attention to detail, warmth, and care from everyone at Down Hall made all the difference.||On the big day, everything was absolutely perfect. The venue was stunning, the team was on hand to ensure everything went smoothly, and we couldn’t have asked for a better day. Down Hall made our wedding day magical, and we are so grateful to Tracy and the team for making it such a seamless and memorable experience.||Thank you Tracy, thank you Down Hall team, for making our dream wedding come true!

Cynthia Ehis

The most breath-taking venue with the most fabulous team.

As a wedding planner/coordinator, I have the pleasure of working in many venues  and Down Hall Hotel is without doubt one of the most stunning, friendly and accommodating venue that there is in my opinion.

The hard work and dedication that each team member put into the wedding is admirable!

Tracy, Ryan and everyone else who works at Down Hall Hotel are true professionals.

We absolutely loved working with the team and can not recommend the venue enough for couples looking for a dry hire wedding venue in the UK.

If you are an engaged couple considering Down Hall Hotel for your special day, do not hesitate to book! You will not regret it.

Cynthia of CyEhis Events

Alecs P

We recently had our dream wedding at Down Hall, and it was everything we had hoped for and more, thanks to the incredible team, especially our amazing wedding coordinator, Tracy. From the very beginning, Tracy was a calming presence, always there to answer our questions and reassure us during any stressful moments. She ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing us to truly enjoy the best day of our lives.||A special mention also goes to our wonderful toastmaster, Keith, who was like a sprinkle of magic throughout the day. His professionalism and charm added something truly special, and we are forever grateful for his part in making our wedding so memorable.||Thank you to the entire Down Hall team for turning our dreams into a reality. What a venue, and what incredible staff! We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Allie H

Oh how I wanted to have a great time and give 5 stars..

The experience at the bar was extremely disappointing. Despite waiting for 30 minutes, every staff member who walked past us ignored us, making us feel unwelcome as we waited for check-in time.

Fortunately, the staff member at the front desk was lovely and helped lift our spirits during check-in. However, things took another turn for the worse when I discovered that the Sunday Roast I had booked weeks in advance — the primary reason we chose this hotel — was not actually available. Despite using the official website, confirming gluten-free options over the phone, checking the time on a second call, and even emailing to confirm our booking in the Potting Shed, the reservation was incorrect.

Despite three separate confirmations, I was somehow able to book a 7:30 PM time slot for a Sunday Roast that was only served at lunch. It’s baffling how such a mix-up could occur, especially after multiple interactions with the hotel staff. To arrive and be told it was wrong, and feel like the blame was on me, was deeply frustrating.

We chose not to dine at the Garden Room due to the overpriced menu that didn’t seem to match the value. After traveling to England, eagerly anticipating a Sunday Roast, being turned away was a massive disappointment and a red flag in terms of service.

On a positive note, the bed was comfortable, the view of the water fountain was pleasant, and breakfast staff were friendly. Check-out was also smooth.

I’d only consider staying here again if there was an exceptional offer, but otherwise, I would avoid this hotel. Double-checking your reservations is essential — though in my case, even that wasn’t enough.

Em Jenkins

We recently held our wedding at this hotel, and it was truly an amazing experience! The location was perfect, and the staff went above and beyond to make our day special.

A special thanks to Tracy, our wedding coordinator, who was fantastic throughout the entire planning process. Her attention to detail and support made everything run smoothly.

Luke from the F&B team was incredibly attentive and ensured that our guests were well taken care of. We also want to give a shout-out to the sommelier, for his advice and special attention.

Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better venue and team to celebrate our special day! Highly recommend!