A luxury spa hotel is welcoming guests back after an extensive refurbishment including the opening a new mezzanine bar.

Matfen Hall in Northumberland was given a refresh earlier this year with its Great Hall restored and areas throughout the hotel overhauled.

A new bar with a mezzanine has been created as part of the refurb, as well as a restaurant and state-of-the-art kitchen.

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Bosses say the refurb focused on adding and replicating the historic beauty of the hotel to unused areas of the building.

The Northern Echo: Matfen HallMatfen Hall (Image: MATFEN HALL)

The project was previously reported at being worth £15m and saw the hotel closed for five months.

James O'Donnell, the hotel’s head of commercial development, said: “It's been no small undertaking. We are delighted to get back to looking after people, giving them a taste of real luxury.”

The Northern Echo: Inside one of the rooms at Matfen.Inside one of the rooms at Matfen. (Image: PR)

Matfen was recently named in the top 10 UK wellness retreats and it’s spa and wellness area boasts five treatment rooms, an eight-bed relaxation room, aromatherapy suite, sauna and pavilion pool.

Nathan White, the hotel's general manager who joined earlier this year, said: “I am thrilled to have joined Matfen Hall at such an exciting time in its history. Following this considerable financial investment in the property we are excited to be giving the North East a luxury resort that will also gain national attention.”

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The hotel, which also has a 27-hole golf course, says its rooms give guests a taste of luxury with roll-top baths, emperor beds, underfloor heating and marble.

The building that houses Matfen Hall was previously owned by the Blackett family since the 1830s, and former owner Sir Hugh, the great-great-great grandson of the man who built the Hall, inherited the property and estate in 1968. In 1999, he spearheaded a project to open a 31-bedroom hotel.

It was later bought by the Walwick Estate Group, which also owns Walwick Hall near Hexham and the Chesters Stables.