At the heart of the Durham countryside lies a gem of a hotel, where business and pleasure go hand in hand.
If any venue could truly be said to be all things to all men – and women – then it is probably Hardwick Hall Hotel.
Surrounded by the stunning Hardwick Country Park, this fourstar rated, award-winning hotel on the outskirts of Sedgefield, within easy access of the A1 and A19, is a venue with a growing reputation for offering the finest of, well, everything.
So, whether you are planning a relaxing overnight stay, attending a glittering ball or party or choosing Hardwick Hall as the backdrop for a business meeting you couldn’t be in safer hands.
In terms of its corporate offering, the hotel runs a number of conference packages and can, of course, create bespoke events if required.
Its function rooms include the magnificent and self-contained, beautifully chandeliered Coleman Suite, which comfortably accommodates up to 380 seated guests.
It has two reception areas and two private bars and acoustic sliding screens change the size and layout of the room to create a genuinely flexible and multi-purpose conference and banqueting suite.
In the heart of the hotel, the Boyne Suite – with an ornate painted ceiling and exquisite decor – is perfect for smaller events for up to 100 seated guests, while the Boardroom is ideally sized for presentations, meetings and interviews for up to 20 delegates.
The Floral Chapel, meanwhile, is a split-level venue with its own private bar, outside courtyard, ceiling-high fireplace adorned with flowers, exposed wooden beams and exquisite crystal chandelier.
And not only does Hardwick Hall Hotel provide free Wi-Fi and ample parking, for business meetings and corporate events, but delegates can unwind when the day’s work is done with dinner in one of County Durham’s most acclaimed restaurants.
Diners travel from far and wide to eat at The Rib Room, where succulent steaks are prepared and cooked from Durham-raised Hereford Beef, matured for 28 to 32 days and hung in the Rib Room Meat Locker – you can ask to see them if you wish.
And, when the deal has been signed and the last glass of afterdinner port has been drained, Hardwick Hall Hotel has a choice of 53 stunning and luxurious bedrooms.
Lavish and individually designed, opulence is evident at every turn – from the exceptionally comfortable beds to the extra-large baths and walk in showers – not only meeting, but exceeding, the expectations of even the most discerning guest.
But, of course, a good hotel is always more than the sum of its parts and, as excellent as they are, the facilities at Hardwick Hall Hotel are only part of the story.
Where this hotel’s team also excels is in delivery and attention to detail, bringing imagination and energy to every event they host.
And at no time is this more evident than at Christmas, when Hardwick Hall pops on its party clothes, shines up its chandeliers and really puts on a show.
This year is, of course, no exception and the hotel is pulling out all the stops with a December calendar jam-packed with 80s and club tropicana party nights, lunches with Santa Claus himself and live music from Oompah bands.
The restaurant’s superb team of chefs will produce turkey with all the trimmings, complemented by a vegan wild mushroom, spinach and black truffle pie, a ham hock and sweet pea terrine starter and a dark chocolate and cherry cheesecake dessert.
And there is even festive bingo, not to mention the dazzling New Year’s Eve ball which brings the old year to a close and heralds 2024.
So, whatever your reason to visit – be it business or pleasure – Hardwick Hall Hotel, looks forward to greeting you.
For details of Christmas events, conference packages and much, much more, visit hardwickhallhotel.co.uk