Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa

Gym more your tonic? The bright and airy Vital Health & Wellbeing Club is a masterclass in motivation, kitted out with top-tier Life Fitness cardio and resistance kit. Whether you’re toning muscles in the free-weights area or joining a high-energy session in the studio, the pumping soundtrack and welcoming atmosphere are designed to take you to a healthier, happier you. 

When you’re ready to trade the treadmill for the fresh Cheshire air, a walk in the hotel’s 27 acres of private grounds awaits. But if you’re craving a hit of adrenaline, you’re perfectly placed for some of the region’s best outdoor adventures. A 20-minute drive will land you in the heart of Delamere Forest, where you can tackle the high-ropes and zip wires at Go Ape or explore miles of rugged hiking and mountain biking trails. 

For those who prefer to be on the water, Wild Shore Delamere offers wakeboarding, paddleboarding and an inflatable aqua park obstacle course just down the road. But if you’d rather keep your feet on solid ground, a stroll along the Wirral Way provides stunning coastal views.

Want some fine dining after all that unwinding? We hear you. De-robe, glam up then head down to the bar and restaurant for a cocktail and a delicious meal in some seriously sumptuous surroundings.

Cocktail Bar & Lounge

Whether it’s a morning coffee or a post-spa G&T, this is the hotel’s social heart. Take your drink out onto the terrace if the weather is kind – soaking up the sun with a refreshing drink is a highlight of any stay. At other times of year, simply pick a cosy nook and relax with a creamy cappuccino or a classic single malt,

Vital Coffee Bar

If you can’t quite bear to part with your fluffy robe, the health club coffee bar is your go-to sanctuary. Perfect for a light lunch with the girls or a healthy post-swim snack, it allows you to refuel without breaking your relaxation concentration.

Craxton Wood Grill

When evening falls, the Craxton Wood Grill brings the drama with its contemporary British menu and woodland views. The secret to its success is the Josper Grill, which uses charcoal at high temperatures to lock in the flavor of their impeccably sourced steaks and seasonal fish. 

The atmosphere here is intimate and warm, but try to snag a table near the large floor-to-ceiling windows. There is nothing quite like watching the evening sun filter through the trees while tucking into a perfectly seared cut of meat. 

Yes it does, and it’s a real centrepiece. Found in the Vital Health & Wellbeing Club, the 18-metre heated indoor swimming pool is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass, allowing natural light to flood the space. There’s a poolside sauna and steam room, along with loungers if you prefer to be a spectator with a book. 

Then, once you’ve finished your swim, you can do a whole circuit of the tranquil thermal suite. There’s an aroma steam room, a high-heat rock sauna, foot spas, heated seats and a bracing ice fountain for those brave enough to try the full hot-cold therapy.

It sure does, so an overnight spa package will always be a temptation. The hotel’s 72 rooms are split between the original, historic manor house and a more modern wing, but all spaces are designed to bring the outside in. Most have peaceful views over the carefully-tended lawns and natural woodland, and they’re decorated with warm red accent colours to reflect the colours of the woodland orchard and rose gardens.

If you’re a fan of period features, Super Deluxe rooms and Suites in the main building have original leaded windows and walnut furniture. But every room type at Macdonald Craxton Wood is a masterclass in comfort, featuring premium bedding with down comforters, en-suite bathrooms stocked with luxury toiletries and flat-screen TVs for late-night movie marathons. 

Don’t forget to bring your Stanley Cup because still and sparkling water taps are dotted throughout the corridors – a great way to stay hydrated after your heat and hydro experiences.

Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa lets you check in at 3pm and check-out by 11am. Spa days generally start at 10am, but your booking confirmation will have all the details.

If you can tear yourself away from the hotel, you’ll find the historic town of Chester just six miles away. It’s a 15-minute drive, or hop on a local bus from the stop just outside. 

With history, culture, and fabulous shopping, Chester’s a popular city break location with something for everyone. You can marvel at the UK’s most complete city walls, see the oldest racecourse in the country at the Chester Roodee, and visit the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain. 

Don’t forget to wander through the Chester Rows. These unique double-level medieval walkways are packed with independent boutiques and high-street favourites, perfect for a bit of retail therapy. 

Travelling with the whole clan in tow? The hotel offers family rooms with enough space for everyone to stretch out. And, while the spa is a haven of tranquility, little ones aren’t left out. The 18-metre heated indoor pool has family swim times everyday between 9am and 11am, and 3pm to 6pm.

The Craxton Wood Grill serves up a children’s menu filled with crowd-pleasers. And outside the bedroom doors, the 27 acres of woodland act as a giant natural playground. But if you want even more woodland magic, BeWILDerwood Cheshire is nearby, offering giant slides and zip wires that are guaranteed to ensure a quiet car ride home.

Yes, very. Accessible rooms have all the same comfort as Standard doubles, just with extra space to allow for easy wheelchair access. They feature wet rooms or lowered baths with handrails, reachable switches and a pull-cord alarm system linked to reception.

The hotel’s main public areas, including reception, the Craxton Wood Grill and the Vital Health & Wellbeing Club, are all accessible too. They’ve even ensured that some parts of the landscaped gardens and terrace are easy to navigate, so you can soak up those woodland views without any hurdles.

Can’t bear the thought of those puppy-dog eyes as you drive away? You’re in luck, because Macdonald Craxton Wood is a canine paradise. For £15 per dog, per night they’ll get to stay with you in dog-friendly rooms, and you’ll have 27 acres of private woodland and gardens literally on the doorstep!

Upon arrival, you’ll find the hotel is well-prepared for its furry visitors, allowing well-behaved dogs to join you in the bar for a relaxing post-walkies drink. While they aren’t allowed in the main Craxton Wood Grill or the Vital Health & Wellbeing Club, pups are more than welcome to lounge by your side on the outdoor terrace while you soak in the garden views. Just remember to keep them on a lead in public areas.

Sorry, there’s no golf course on-site. But if you're staying at Craxton Wood, you're close to some of Cheshire’s best courses. The hotel often acts as a base for golfers heading to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club (less than 15 miles away) or the nearby Chester Golf Club. 

Want something more casual? Several pay-and-play courses are just a short hop away. The nearest is Ellesmere Port Golf Centre – just five minutes down the road and perfect for a quick, affordable round. Alternatively, head 10 minutes toward the city to find Sandfield Golf, which offers a 9-hole challenge and a 21-bay driving range for those who just want to practice their swing.