Stunning North East hotel and spa wins ‘best countryside hotel’ excellence award

Luxury hotel, country estate, spa, and golf destination Matfen Hall has been named ‘Best Countryside Hotel’ by the prestigious Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence across the UK, Europe and the Mediterranean in its 2025 edition. 

Nestled in the rolling hills of Northumberland, Matfen Hall, the region’s first and only five-star hotel fended off impressive competition to come away with the top award, presented at a ceremony on November 4 in London. 

This accolade comes shortly after Matfen Hall won a AA five-star rating earlier, and folow the reopening of the newly-refurbished golf clubhouse and restaurant, The Keepers, which overlooks the hotel’s 27-hole Championship golf course.

(Image: Matfen Hall)

This is Matfen Hall’s second consecutive Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, with the estate being awarded ‘Recently Renovated Hotel’  in 2024 for its reinvention following  a multi-million-pound renovation project. 

A spokesperson for the hotel said: “The estate effortlessly combines a five-star experience with the charm and warmth of a classic country hotel.

“Set across 300 acres of beautiful parkland, the hotel exudes sophistication and quality, promising guests an unforgettable experience with five stunning spaces to dine and drink in and 63 bedrooms, ranging from Classic Rooms to Luxury Suites.”

James O’Donnell, Head of Commercial Development at Matfen Hall commented: “Matfen Hall has made significant strides in the past year, being awarded the first and only five star hotel in Northumberland and reopening our state-of-the-art golf clubhouse and dining destination – The Keepers.

(Image: PR)

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“This recognition by Condé Nast Johansens is reflective of the work and commitment put in by the owners and colleagues. We thank everyone who voted for us and will continue to maintain this momentum to ensure we offer the very best experience for our guests.” 

The Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across hotels, spas and venues and are a trusted mark of quality, recognised by luxury consumers and travel professionals alike.

The winners are selected by combining the online vote, reviews from guests, and evaluations by the guide’s team of experts over the past year.