Blackwell Grange Hotel

Blackwell Grange Hotel descritpion

This historic 17th-century mansion is in 15 acres of woodland, a 20 minute walk from Darlington town center. With free Wi-Fi, it features a leisure center with an indoor swimming pool and a gym.
The modern leisure club also has a hot tub and sauna. For outdoor opportunities, Blackwell Grange Hotel is close to both Blackwell Grange and Stressholme golf courses.
Havelock Restaurant offers a varied menu, and the less formal Captain Cook's Bar has superb views of the grounds and golf course. Continental breakfasts are also available.
The Blackwell Grange Hotel is between the North Yorkshire Moors and the historic city of Durham. The hotel also provides easy access to Highway A1.

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Facilities of Blackwell Grange Hotel

Outdoors ：Terrace

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General ：Newspapers | Safe | Non-smoking Rooms | Elevator | Heating

Reviews for Blackwell Grange Hotel

Review 1：Comfortable room, nice pool and Jacuzzi, lovely building with a nice lounge area, very helpful staff. Fresh milk available to take up to the room - so much nicer than those little plastic pots! There was a problem with the meal I ordered but the staff sorted it out very quickly, and once they had done so the food was very good.

Review 2：Leisure facilities very dated and a lot small than pictures make them look. Corridors very cold, huge gaps between external doors the cause. Stunningly beautiful fireplaces with real fires, none ever lit despite it being January and freezing outside.

Review 3：All staff friendly and helpful, when you could find one to order food or drinks at bar.

Review 4：Room was not really executive standard compared to other hotels we have stayed in. Noisy plumbing and door open leading into some other guests room.

Review 5：Steve the duty manager on New Year's Day. After a bit of mid communication as to the evening menu Steve sorted our menu to accomadate us.

Review 6：Electrical problems beyond the hotels control meant the pool wasnt avaialble to us.

Review 7：As the hotel was quiet we were upgraded to the Bridal Suite, this was a birthday treat so that was great!

Review 8：Everything was perfect, couldn't find fault at all.

Review 9：The welcome received was warm but professional, the hotel was in a good location for our purpose and the quality of accommodation and catering was superb.

Review 10：I thought the evening meal was very poor, with mushy over boiled vegetables and the salmon fillet was again over cooked, with too much hollandaise sauce. Breakfast was late opening and seemed at tad chaotic.

Review 11：Room and ensuite was very good, although the sink mixer tap do not have an arm. It had been unscrewed and "lost".

Review 12：Decor is a bit 'tired', pillows in our room needed replacing as they were flat, mattress protector was for a kingsize bed, but it was a 6ft zip/lock, so didn't cover the whole mattress. All just needs a bit more TLC. No permanent staff on the bar early evening so you'd to ask at reception for someone to serve.

Review 13：Hotel is in a good location - 20 min walk into Darlington and easy access to A1 to head to other places nearby. Staff were friendly and room was clean. Overall we had a lovely time visiting local market towns and Darlington.

Review 14：The Location is very good,but the hotel does need some work.It is looking very tired from how I remember it a few years ago.The Staff and the food however were very good.

Review 15：The view from our room onto loading bay with several trucks and the associated noise. There should be more shelves in the bathroom. Poor bar staff and no crisps etc for 3 days.

Review 16：the sausages were not to my liking im more of a beef and pork person the water urn at breakfast when tea was mad tasted more like coffee was last uswd in it

Review 17：the food was very nice

Review 18：Minor criticism is that though it was a great breakfast the scrambled egg was being dehydrated by the lamps above it that keep it warm so it was not ideal compared to the other components of a wholesome start for the day.

Review 19：Friendly receptionist

Review 20：I didn't like having to pay an extra £10 to have a put up bed in our room so my grandson could sleep with us , or that when I got to my room that I'd paid £75 for that the double bed was intact 2 single beds pushed together and one was clearly higher than the other, and the mattresses were the hardest I've ever slept on , no that's a lie I didn't sleep , I was awake all night in agony as bed was so uncomfortable , I would have thought a hotel of this calibre would have better beds . Drink prices were extortionate ( which I expected them to a bit higher than the pub ) but £1:95 for a fruit shoot!!!! £4:21 for a pint !!! I'm all for any one making a profit but not that much of one

Review 21：my daughter has just been married here, staff just couldn't do enough for her and our party

Review 22：In places it is a little dated, but nothing that would put me off using again.

Review 23：The location is lovely with its own grounds and very easy access from the road network. Nice walk to the station through the park

Review 24：the room smelt damp and I had a slug on my bed. the TV repeatedly had faults wouldn't find channels etc and I had to turn it off.

Review 25：quality of food was good

Review 26：The rooms shown as executive rooms were very much different to the dark, shabby and frankly grim rooms which were on offer. The mattress was possibly the most uncomfortable I have ever slept on with springs protruding and a dip in one side. I would not book this again.

Review 27：Quiet location

Review 28：Well I didn't like the fact that towards the end of our stay that the shower water was cold which was very disappointing.

Review 29：The room was very nice and tidy and a very good size,I liked the open living arrangement.

Review 30：N/A

Review 31：Lovely hotel with lots of character, we were staying overnight as attending a wedding there. Rooms clean and comfortable, staff very friendly and a excellent full English breakfast next morning.

Review 32：The pool could be bigger and the seating area downstairs was limited especially as we had a large party.

Review 33：Very friendly and helpful staff. Rooms were a good size

Review 34：Hairs still in the bath from a previous guest and the teaspoons had dried food on them.

Review 35：lovely grounds and very quiet despite holding a wedding function.

Review 36：Rooms were lovely and clean, quite spacious. The food was good in the restaurant. The spa and pool were just right and the location and grounds were lovely too

Review 37：Steps to the front door difficult to manage particularly for gests with luggage.

Review 38：Finding a hairdresser on site to give me a wash and blow dry before my daughter's wedding!

Review 39：Perfect for a family get together. Lots of room for the children. Helpful and friendly staff. Lovely modern bedroms. Even though there was a wedding party at the time, they were away from the rest of the guests in their own suite.

Review 40：£10 (or £14 if you dont prebook) is ridiculously overpriced for a buffet breakfast of little quality. I would expect cooked to order for this price. Rooms are a little dated but still nicely done.

Review 41：I stayed in an executive room, it was cery cosy, staff were very helpful

Review 42：Beds very uncomfortable Bathroom - rust on the handles Can heard everything from the room Next door

Review 43：Lovely room for the wedding reception, food and drinks lovely.

Review 44：The room was right near an exit so it was great for the dog. The staff i met were all friendly and welcoming. It was a fantastic location for anyone with a dog! South Park just a stroll from the hotel through magnificent open space. So much space actually around the hotel itself. It was heaven for dog owners.

Review 45：Staff could of been a bit more helpful and kind as when we asked about a room service breakfast sheet they did not believe us when we said it wasn't there. Also cleaners left a dirty wet towel in bathroom and didn't refill out free water

Review 46：Room was not connected to main hotel so was quiet for my 2yr old daughter

Review 47：The room had dirty walls, the radiator was hanging off, and two plugs had been smashed and cracked so were unusable. Plus the ladies guest toilets didn't have toilet paper for quite a while.

Review 48：Choice at breakfast was a good range.

Review 49：Great location, 15 minutes to get to the town walking. staff friendly and helpful. felt we got a lot included for our money including pool, sauna and lovely grounds. The little sofa in the room was a bonus to relax with a coffee after shopping.

Review 50：Not enough drawer space for clothes. Shower either hot or cold and not at all powerful.The gym was a very poor excuse for a gym, totally needs refitting out and some money spending on it.

Review 51：Staff friendly and helpful. Rooms are very clean. Food very good. lovely huge bed. Quiet location.

Review 52：The size of the room.For the first time in over 30 years given a small room(I did not know they had any)The small deb,the shower over the bath,the broken TV(they did fix it)

Review 53：the location is very good and it was my favorite place to stay in Darlington.

Review 54：Staff were very helpful, but not friendly and considerate. I had just got married that weekend, which the hotel knew of as I included this detail in my booking details. Several members of the wedding party stayed at the Blackwell grange, contributing around £800 in room costs. Not one member of staff congratulated us. No little note in the room to say good luck or congratulations. Nothing. Not what we expected from what is supposed to be regarded as a great hotel. Other guests were more thoughtful than the staff/management. The subsequent hotel we booked in had given us a complimentary bottle of prosecco in our room and congratulated us when we checked in without us having said a word. THAT is the type of hotel people will remember and return to. Very disappointing Blackwell grange.

Review 55：Beds were very firm, some of us slept better than others.

Review 56：Rooms were clean and versatile; of the three adjacent rooms we booked two were set up as twin and the third as a double with an extra childs bed. There were cute bottles of shampoo and shower gel and decent tea/coffee tray.

Review 57：Bar prices were horrendous. Hotel needs a good refurbishment. We weren't notified that the pool would be unavailable.

Review 58：Nice breakfast in a nice restaurant

Review 59：It was our 10th wedding anniversary & wanted something special Blackwell was recommended, we asked before arrival for a nice room, we got a view of a tree ! Bathroom fixtures broken, all furniture in room shabby,bed very uncomfortable, we won't stay again

Review 60：The staff were very friendly on arrival & departure

Review 61：We stayed in room 311 we were disturbed by noise about midnight. Next morning we noticed a lot of cases at the bottom of the stairs and wondered if the night porter was using the lift. But not to sure where it was coming from so don't want to get anyone into trouble.

Review 62：The food was excellent as were the staff

Review 63：Being woken by the loud banging of room doors every morning, tired decor and an over priced under stocked bar (I had no idea I should no longer expect Pernod to be available-the barmaids reaction could not have been worse if I'd requested Horlicks!)

Review 64：Pool was lovely but would not have been if hotel was busy.

Review 65：Room very warm & noisy in new build was moved to cottage but had to pay for upgrade even though we had recommended 6 people to stay over the 4 days & our third visit to this hotel

Review 66：staff very friendly & helpful

Review 67：The decor in rooms and generally need updating.

Review 68：It's a grand house, lovely grounds. I like the colour scheme. Staff are helpful and friendly. There was a function on, we requested a quiet room on booking and we had a very peaceful night.

Review 69：The room's are in great need for updating. Tatty wall paper and curtains and the bathroom was not up to a decent standard. I also didn't understand why they shut the bar to the residents when they were still interested in socialising.

Review 70：The original part of the hotel, breakfast was very good

Review 71：Our room wasn't clean when we arrived and we had to be moved. When I phoned to ask the reception for a corkscrew they said they didn't have any! We also didn't order breakfast as it seemed quite expensive considering how much we paid for the rooms.

Review 72：Good location and bed was comfy.

Review 73：The hotel was clean, tidy and value for money. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. Set in beautiful surroundings and would definitely recommend to others.

Review 74：Reception staff could have been a bit more welcoming.

Review 75：Restaurant staff exceptionally friendly and helpful. Housekeeping staff always ready with a smile and good day.

Review 76：General up keep of the room & dusty/dirty carpet

Review 77：I attended a family wedding at the hotel which was a great day, staff were very helpful and food was lovely. I feel the venue is dated and in need of some repairs & updating. The room itself was comfy although the furniture was tired and I feel it needed some TLC. £10 per person for breakfast seemed rather steep.

Review 78：Friendly and helpful staff throughout the hotel. Quaint room. Excellent buffet for our vow renewal. This was our second staff and we have no problems recommending this hotel to anyone.

Review 79：Lots of slamming doors! Though obviously this is the other guests/staff as much as the fact that the doors don't have those hinges on that slow their closing and help reduce the noise levels.

Review 80：Pleasant location, nice grounds and handy for town.

Review 81：Nothing .....everything up to scratch.

Review 82：We've been to Blackwell grange several times and just enjoy the whole experience. Staff are top notch . We will be going back.

Review 83：decor was a bit tired and there was a smell of cooking at reception even at 11.30 pm . Outside windows need a lick of paint .

Review 84：very helpful staff and friendly . Lovely location and nice outdoor area to sit and enjoy the gardens

Review 85：The hotel had something on every night we were there. We stayed for three nights and every single sodding night there was a ridiculous amount of noise coming from both below the room and outside. Due to absolutely no aircon we were forced to have the window open which then meant we couldn't sleep for the shouting going on outside. The room was so hot but we did manage to get a fan, which slightly helped. The pool is tiny and very poor, the place could be lovely but is very tiered. All tiles chipped and falling off in leisure area, looks dirty and unkept. Certainly think this place is overpriced and the staff weren't helpful in resolving our issues and we weren't made aware of the party booking they had on.

Review 86：The shower was incredible!

Review 87：We did not like the fact that the dining room closed at 9pm & the food served in bar not the best for example the king prawn thai curry looked more like shrimp & portion sizes v small

Review 88：The staff very friendly & helpful the rooms in cottage very cool & comfortable

Review 89：A long, long walk down gloomy corridors to our room.

Review 90：A fine house in a lovely setting. Excellent dinner served to us and to my nephew and brother-in-law who live nearby.

Review 91：Would like to see biscuits on the tea tray, some areas still require an uplift but this is obviously an on-going process.

Review 92：Good nights sleep with clean facilities in quiet surroundings unlike the town centre hotels. Easy to get away from in the rush hour too with quick access to main roads out of the town. Good spaces for meetings etc.

Review 93：A 21st function spilling out to the back exit until the early hours, right below our window. No air con meant that we needed to keep the window open!! Not fun. We had booked this room months in advance - those rooms should be the last to be handed out. Bar staff on the Saturday were inexperienced, took hours to clear tables and literally didn't know how to use the coffee machine. Sunday staff were great and efficient - it was like 2 different venues. Staff on reception were consistently good.

Review 94：Good food and comfy bed. Nice bathroom. Clean. Good reception staff.

Review 95：Lack of air-conditioning in the room. The hotel generally could do with upgrading. Looking at it this hasn't been done since the eighties.

Review 96：The room was reasonably furnished.

Review 97：We were literally passing through and would liked to have stayed longer. Reception area needs an update and doesn't reflect the same quality as the rest of the hotel. You don't get a second chance at a first impression.

Review 98：The quality of the bathroom! Obviously just renovated...

Review 99：Quite noisy and breakfast was like a zoo as the place is geared up for the wedding trade and we stopped on a Saturday night.

Review 100：Location and easy access to motorway

Review 101：Food was good but after waiting an hour for 15 meals, only 12 of them turned up. We then ordered puddings, a few of which were still frozen.

Review 102：We were a group of 15 cyclists on the last leg of our Coast to Coast journey. Rooms were average. The pool area was enjoyable after 120 miles in the saddle but not the cleanest.

Review 103：The bathroom on room 216 is not good at all. Simple improvements like a shower screen instead of a curtain which clings to you once using the shower. The width of the bath is small which is not easily rectified so maybe just a decent shower cubicle or as suggested, at least a shower screen. Also, simple hooks on the door would add convenience & a decent sized shelf to place toiletries.

Review 104：Friendly & efficient staff. Historic building.

Review 105：Breakfast very poor not worth £10. Sausages not cooked, scrambled egg dried up, toaster on too high a setting toast always burnt. Had cereal both mornings.

Review 106：was in a good location staff friendly and happy to help at any time.

Review 107：When expecting guests for a wedding I would have expected the bar to be staffed as it was a lady was running between bar and tea room.Was also locked in the room the following morning when the door lock failed.They had to break down door to open it.A discount was obtained but only after asking for it.

Review 108：Stayed overnight for a wedding ,so convenient,rooms ready on time

Review 109：The place is stunning on arrival but when in the place it was all very 'tired'. The place is clean but it really needs a refurb.

Review 110：Location. Price when on offer. Free parking. Good happy staff.

Review 111：Had to move rooms 3 times, first time had 3 single beds in, we booked a double, 2nd room someone was already staying in so there clothes etc were in there. 3rd was ok but TV remote was missing!

Review 112：Staff are lovely & the shower was very powerful

Review 113：There was no toilet roll holder in toilet just a roll of paper on top of waste bin and when my wife used hotel hair dryer it blow up in her hand.

Review 114：Lovely hotel in nice gardens but needs a lot of money spending on it.

Review 115：Gym was going back to 70s and pubic hairs in bed not my ideal place to rest my head after a busy day of work and travel

Review 116：Location was good for me, close to city centre but outside and quiet area

Review 117：1 member of the bar staff we found not up to the same standard as we had come to expect.

Review 118：The vast majority of staff were friendly and always did their best to help with any request or questions. The cleanliness, comfort and privacy of our room. We were in the cottage.

Review 119：The cups and teaspoons were dirty, with coffee stains in the cups and yoghurt stains on the teaspoons, the room was unbearably hot at night. Some of the staff had a poor attitude towards customer service. When I requested for the cups & spoons to be changed the member of staff seemed unconcerned. We attended a wedding with a pregnant friend, when wine was served, she was offered no alternative. She sat through 2 courses without a drink until we eventually asked for an alternative drink for her. The drink was eventually served with a look of contempt from the serving staff.

Review 120：The beds were comfortable.

Review 121：The rooms are dated and the bed was solid. waters pipes kept us up all night, there was a constant tapping noise and you can hear other guests quite easily coming and going. I will not be staying again.

Review 122：when i left the hotel.

Review 123：Considering we were travelling from Aberdeen to stay at this hotel, and we booked the executive room. The room was very disappointing. We had to call reception as things weren't in the room. The bathroom people could see you in the shower as the window wasn't frosted and our room was at the front of the hotel. Toilet when flushing sounded like it was going to blow up not toilet roll in the room. Breakfast was very disappointing the breakfast was cold and dry hot water was warm, table weren't cleaned after someone left. The reception were not helpfully at all. We will never stay at this hotel again and will not recommend it to our family or friends.

Review 124：The location of the hotel was good.

Review 125：We stayed here in 1977 and 1997. Quality has definitely declined - considerable updating is required, e.g. we paid for an executive room, which curiously had an adjoining door to the next room with a large gap at the bottom which meant that our neighbours' every word could be heard, and therefore, presumably, ours too.

Review 126：The staff were excellent and the evening bar meal was very enjoyable.

Review 127：Bar staff on the afternoon service had poor attitude. Bed was extremely hard. Spa could do with a make over (loose tiles, vents needed cleaning)

Review 128：The service on the evening was very good, reception staff were curtious and very helpfull. Breakfast was amazing.

Review 129：Been here before and it was excellent. So booked for our Wedding Anniversary! Staff, facilities and overall package we got was amazing. Thanks for everything you did for us!

Review 130：It's a little dated in need of a facelift but for the money it's well worth the cost

Review 131：location, breakfast & on site swimming pool ticked the right boxes for us

Review 132：The whole place needs a lick of paint, the in-room information leaflets are out of date, and there was a wedding party outside my window shouting in the middle of the night.

Review 133：It's fairly convenient for the town centre, and the bed was fairly comfy.

Review 134：No water, no robes, no chocolates as there used to be in executive rooms. Breakfast just acceptable, limited fruits, ran out of croissants twice, coffee machine- yuk! Smell of fish throughout. A bit grubby round the edges. Needs some management attention to detail.

Review 135：Executive rooms are large and have character located at front of hotel.

Review 136：A relaxing hotel in a quiet location within easy reach of Darlington. Breakfast was very good with a good range of continental and traditional cooked food.

Review 137：Breakfast was good for choice but badly cooked. Room decor dated and not to a particularly good standard. Wifi very very slow to the point of just giving up trying with it.

Review 138：Location of hotel

The Fine Print

The hotel may be hosting a function at the time of your stay, until 1 am at the latest.