I was once fortunate enough to find myself abandoned by my children at New Year, which meant I could take off and celebrate in style. Dragging my sister along for company, I booked a three-night break at The Feversham Arms in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. We had such a great time that I have been nervous of revisiting and not because of any misdeamour on my part, but like any fond memory, the reality may not live up to it.
So it was with mixed feelings that I set off on the two-and-a-half hour drive from Manchester to The Feversham Arms, now extended to include a spa and its own (The Liquid Amber) art gallery. The final haul of the journey is through some breathtaking countryside and I took full advantage of the weather to arrive windswept from having the roof down. My attempt at a sophisticated entrance was further marred when I spotted my daughter’s cereal bowl on the back seat, complete with cocopops, milk and spoon left over from the school run that morning. However, the valet didn’t bat an eye.
Teatime in style at Feversham
Whilst my bags were taken to my room, I joined my host, owner Simon Rhatigan for afternoon tea. Simon and his wife Jill bought The Feversham Arms in 2004 and have been upgrading and adding to this former pub ever since.
What strikes you immediately is the friendliness of the staff and the attention to detail, but then that is not surprising given Simon’s background as company general manager to Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and Blanc Restaurants.
Simon is a great host, with an easy charm and real belief in his product and staff. But what of afternoon tea, something that is a staple in many hotels, but often disappoints?
Fortunately, this afternoon tea (£14.95) is what it should be. Great local produce used for the sandwiches, fresh succulent strawberries to accompany the scones and cream and an abundance of freshly made cakes and pastries. But before I had chance to put my feet up for a quick post-tea snooze, I was whisked away to the spa for my facial.
Facial fantastic
The Verbena Spa, voted in Tatler’s top 101 spas of the world, is open to residents and non-residents and has a glass-fronted relaxation area which directly looks out on the pool side terrace. The heated pool is open all year and is surrounded by the hotel buildings which give it a secure feel. The spa has been custom built and it shows.
With large comfy sofas and chairs and enough magazines to rival WH Smiths, the relaxation area is the perfect place to forget about your troubles.
I opted for the Elemis Skin Specific Facial (one hour at £65) and was asked what I wanted to achieve.
“The face of a 30-year-old,” I replied. “Sorry Madam, but I only have hour,” replied my therapist with a smile and with that she did her best.
There are seven treatment rooms, including one double. Products are by Elemis and Anne Semonin. There is a smoothie bar and tapas menu in the spa for those who do not wish to leave their fluffy white robes and dress for lunch.
Refreshed from my facial I made my way to my spa suite to change for dinner. The suites are spacious, with a double doorway from the lounge to the bedroom and the bathrooms could house a rugby team after a match. So with that thought I decided to try out the bath. Now I am normally a shower girl but there is something wonderfully indulgent about having a bath in a hotel, so with the candles around the bath lit and the lavender bath foam duly added, which unfortunately made me resemble a Yeti when I got out, I relaxed (again).
We dined in the private dining room with a choice of dishes, all of which were superb and no wonder, given the credentials of head chef, Simon Kelly, who trained under Michel Roux at his thee Michelin-starred Waterside Inn, at Bray. I had the pan-fried scallops & pork belly, salisfy and caper dressing, matched with a glass of Pinot Blanc (Elk Cove, Wilamette, Oregon), perfectly cooked with well balanced flavours.
This was followed by a luscious fillet of Yorkshire beef, aubergine, baby leek, coriander & red wine jus, matched with a glass of Classic Reserve Merlot (Leyda, Rapel Valley, Chile). For dessert there could only be one choice for me, well several really, as I went for the 18-piece cheese board. This is what a cheese board should be, a wonderful mix of local, national and international cheeses, served at the right temperature, with the Oxford Blue standing out for me.
The restaurant has a choice of three evening menus including the daily changing set price menu (£33pp), a la carte and a six course tasting menu (£45pp).
As this was the longest day of the year and the evening still and balmy, I decided to have a nightcap on my balcony and reflect on the return visit. I sat there for an hour, no traffic or shouting, just peace and a fabulous midnight blue sky reflected in the pool. No wonder this place is popular with couples and small private weddings.
Leaving the next day after enjoying my full Yorkshire breakfast was something of a wrench, but a quick trip around the picturesque village with its eclectic mix of individual shops and galleries soon cheered me up.
The hotel has 33 individually designed rooms, 22 of which are suites. There are six different room types ranging from Petite Doubles (£135 for B&B or £175 for dinner B&B) to Spa Suites (£405 for B&B or £445 for dinner B&B) with no extra charge for breakfast room service. All the Spa Suites have balconies overlooking the pool terrace. This award winning hotel added two new gongs to its trophy cabinet this year: the AA Hotel of the Year for England 2009-2010 and Alistair Sawday’s Britain’s Favourite Hotel 2009-2010.
So were my memories in tact on this return trip? Had Simon and his team managed to improve on them? Well almost, if only they had washed out that cereal bowl in the back of my car.
The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5AG. 01439 770766 www.fevershamarmshotel.com
Keep in touch