Countryside comfort and beauty, the perfect pairing at The Barnsdale.

This hotel has to be one of the prettiest I have seen and certainly does not disappoint from exterior into it’s interior. With it’s 45 rooms ranging from standard rooms to family rooms moving up to something a little bit more special with their suites, either way these rooms are spacious bright comfortable and full of character. The Royal Room had everything you could wish for in a room, with the king size bed being the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on but not only that, the room was a very generous size with the most stunning views looking out onto the cattle and green. It was indeed something so lovely to wake up to, a delight for the little ones too.

As you entered the rooms, there was an adorable little pouch on the door which contained some beautifully hand made biscuits by the hotels very talented chefs, but stepping into the room it was an absolute dream. The bathroom was a large bath with a boost power shower, along with some lovely toiletries, and thick, soft bath towels. There were the usuals in our room which were a hair dryer, a kettle a selection of tea and coffees, a smart TV and lots of lights so you could really set the ambience to however you wanted. One thing I love when walking into a hotel room is that it’s warm and cozy and what I really liked was that the radiators where a lovely temperature but where you could also set them to what you wanted. In our wardrobes where some comfy slippers and some lovely bathrobes which if you fancied you could purchase at an extra cost. Our room was connected to another room which was the cozy room this contained a single bed that way you could also have another cot or bed should you have little ones. There was a very homely feel with our bedrooms and a very pleasant atmosphere to them which made it a perfect stay. There are no lifts at the hotel and where the bedrooms are in separate blocks but it’s very easy to navigate round and where you are never too far from the restaurant or reception area. The hotel is perfect for couples, single travellers and families but it’s also a very special and beautiful location if you are wanting to celebrate something special or even get married. They have a brand newly refurbished events barn which is perfect for weddings and functions, catering up to 180 people.

There is also an outdoor pool and spa coming this summer. The grounds of the hotel are extremely large and where they are beautifully landscaped and it’s just a very peaceful location but where you are not far from the local towns and high streets.

The hotel has a lovely breakfast where you can choose from a selection of cereals, pastries, fruits and if you are wanting something a little bit more hearty then do check out the cooked breakfast is where you can have meals such as full English breakfasts, Eggs Benedict and more. Breakfast is served in The Orangery, and where there are plenty of staff on hand to welcome you see you and look after you. The third is of outstanding quality and we’re all ingredients are very much locally sourced and of the highest standards. My favourite breakfast was the eggs benedict and where the portions are certainly of a good size. Dinner is also served in the orangery and where there are separate menus available for lunch supper and pudding.

The staff were on point and by this I mean they welcome you with a smile and where they were ready to recommend dishes and tell you more about any of the items. The hotel is indeed very child-friendly and if you have fur babies rest assured there is plenty of grounds for walking but also where your dogs are very much welcome in the restaurant as well (please check with the hotel for any charges for bringing pets to stay). The hotel is situated not far down the road from Oakham and it’s also only a 10 to 15 minute drive away from the beautiful Stamford. It’s also on the edge of the stunning Rutland water so rest assured there is plenty to do in and around the local areas, and where you are very much in the heart of the stunning British countryside.

The supper menu wasn’t a very large menu but where there were enough dishes of varied ingredients and tastes to choose from. The cauliflower popcorn which was a starter was absolutely delicious with every bite we had the taste was just heavenly each time. It was mixed in a beautiful teriyaki sauce with chillies and spring onions, it wasn’t hugely spicy but it was full of taste and very very moorish. My only wish was that the portion was bigger and certainly not as a negative but more so as it was the tastiest starter in a long while.

A favourite main dish of mine was the steak and chips. This was fillet steak and where it was cooked to perfection (exactly to my liking) and served with some beautifully seasoned and crispy fries, grilled tomato, rocket and a lovely sauce to accompany. The dish came out promptly and was beautifully presented, it also seemed to be very popular among other diners and it certainly did not disappoint in taste.

Another exquisitely tasting main course was the pork chop served with pak choi. This dish was very different and something I hadn’t come across before but where I was very very pleased with everything about this dish. It had a very oriental feel to it but at the same time the flavours complemented each other perfectly. The pork chop was humongous and tender and full of flavour. I would highly recommend trying these dishes if they were available during your stay. If you are into pasta or fancy fish then these are also available along with other main courses.

If you are dining with children please be rest assured there is a children’s menu which is called the cubs menu. This menu is perfect for little ones and again is a very good size in terms of portions and has a lovely variety of main courses and a couple of and a couple of starters and also pudding to finish with.

Overall the stay was certainly one to remember with the staff being very much on hand to assist where they could, the hotel being a very warm and welcoming place to stay and just the overall ambience and facilities could not be faulted in any way. They say every county has its hidden gems and this hotel is certainly one, and one not to be missed out on.

For more on this stunning hotel and all its facilities and to book a memorable stay, do checkout their website at www.barnsdalerutland.com