We arrived on Christmas Eve and as soon…
We arrived on Christmas Eve and as soon as we entered the magnificent building we were made to feel welcome. Check is was easy and straight forward and we were soon in our Standard double room. There was a nice bottle of house red wine and a welcome Christmas card from the management waiting for us on entry. The room was lovely and warm, clean and tidy with an ample supply of instant hot water. Only one little observation about the room, there was only one bedside light so if you both wanted to read it would be awkward.
We went down the magnificent staircase leading to the bar and restaurant. The bar interior was very impressive, very well finished and decorated. The bar was well stocked with a good selection of beers and wines. After getting our drinks we made our way into the elaborate dining room. Very clean, tidy and tastefully decorated. We were seated and made our choices from the three-course menu. My partner is a vegetarian, and she was pleased with the options on offer. The food soon arrived and from the first course it was of amazing quality. My main meal was the chicken in a white sauce with mushrooms which in my view was the best I have ever tasted. After the meal we relaxed in the comfortable bar area.
Christmas morning we went down to breakfast to be greeted by management and staff and offered a bucks fizz. All the staff were pleasant and friendly and were on hand to assist if required. Breakfast consisted of a self-service buffet. There was everything you would expect, and it was all of a high quality.
After breakfast we took a walk up to the White Nancy monument, it wasn’t too far away and well signposted. We were ok but some people could find it challenging walking up the steep path to the top.
Back at the hotel for Christmas dinner. Again we were greeted by friendly staff and offered a glass of wine. Once seated the food was soon served by very attentive staff and management. Again I found it to be of a high quality and quantity. Evening meal consisted of a self-service hot buffet, there was an abundance of various options to keep everyone well nourished. For fun there was a festive quiz which kept everyone entertained.
Boxing Day consisted of the breakfast buffet, followed by a trip out and a long walk in the stunning Peak District before returning for yet another three-course evening meal. The food was again of a high quality, the only observation was the options, it did look very similar to what we had on Christmas Eve, in fact you could have had the same soup option three days running if you so wished.
After another superb breakfast we checked out on the 27th to return home.
This was the first time we had been away from home during the Christmas period, and we were a little anxious about our stay. We couldn’t have been more wrong, the hard working, smiling staff we a pleasure. Often putting in long days to cater for the guests I never once witnessed anything that wasn’t too much trouble for them.
Would I stay here again, definitely. Would I recommend Hollin House to others? I already have, I’ve been singing its praises to family and friends since I got back. What made this stay memorable? The cleanliness of the hotel, friendly staff, great food and easy access to the Peaks.
December 24, 2023
Unprompted review