A luxury spa hotel’s stunning refurb has been named one of the best in Europe.

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

The refurb, which bosses say focused on adding to and replicating the historic beauty of the hotel and tapping into unused areas of the building, has now been praised at a coveted awards. It also saw a mezzanine bar created and its restaurants upgraded.

The Northern Echo: A new bar with a mezzanine is part of the reopened Matfen Hall hotel following a refurbishment.A new bar with a mezzanine is part of the reopened Matfen Hall hotel following a refurbishment. (Image: Matfen Hall)

Matfen won the ‘best recently renovated hotel’ at the ‘Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence’, which cover the UK, Europe and Mediterranean.

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

James O'Donnell, from Matfen Hall said: “I’m delighted for the team, colleagues and our owners who have invested so much energy into the reinvention of our wonderful historic hotel.

“This 2024 Condé Nast Johansens Awards is a major accolade and a great reflection of what has been achieved, and we thank everyone who voted for us.

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

“If you haven’t experienced our impressive renovation yet for yourself, then we look forward to welcoming you.”

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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. Last month it announced Walwick Hall would close as a hotel and return to being a private residence.