Directors at luxury Northumberland hotel Matfen Hall have revealed work is poised to start on a multimillion-pound spa which aims to put the venue on the 海角视频 map as a leading leisure destination.
The Matfen property was acquired by Walwick Estate Group in 2022 – owned by True Potential founder Sir David Harrison – after being part of the Blackett family since the 1830s. Following the deal the country hotel, spa and golf estate was closed for a number of months to make way for a major refurbishment programme, reopening last summer to reveal the results which included upgraded bedrooms, renewed leisure facilities and the restoration of the Grade II-listed building’s Great Hall.
Now the company is weeks away from starting its latest project – the creation of a new spa which will take total investment to date above £40m. The hotel secured planning permission last year for the creation of the spa, with plans showing how the a new internal courtyard willl be created alongside the new wing, which will accommodate additional treatment rooms, a yoga studio, bar/dining and the pool, bathing and thermal cabins.
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Commercial director James O'Donnell said the new spa, which will take 11 to 12 months to complete, aims to draw guests from across the 海角视频 to Northumberland.
He said: “The ongoing process is the repositioning of the hotel as a luxury destination. Previously it’s fair to say Matfen was more of a wedding venue with accommodation alongside a golf course and spa, and were quite disparate businesses under one umbrella.
“Sir David is aiming to create a luxury destination for the whole country, and in doing so the investment is unmatched in recent times anywhere outside of London, running into several tens of millions. The development of a new spa will start in about three weeks, which will see overall investment go north of £40m.
“We are adding a new wing and once that will complete that will allow us to reconfigure the existing spa, and supplement what’s in the new spa - it allows us to do the work in two phases which means the spa will always be available. There’s a focus on making it a very luxurious spa - it will bring it in line with other work we have done at the hotel, and more in-keeping with the expectation of a luxury traveller.”
News of the spa’s creation comes as accounts for the Walwick Estate Group Ltd, which cover Matfen Hall and the Chesters Stables luxury self-catering development, are published for the year ended March 31 2024, showing a leap in turnover, from £2.6m to £4.6m.
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But operating losses widened from £3m to £5.4m on the back of the hotel’s significant investments, and employee numbers rose from 109 to 126, taking staff costs up from £2.18m to £3.41m.
Mr O'Donnell said: “Any losses that are incurred are part of the continued development. Sir David’s very substantial investment in the property is a commitment by him to both the region and to the industry and to what he believes Matfen should be.”
A report in the accounts signed off by Sir David highlights how the luxury hotel been affected by staff shortages, a trend being seen across the hospitality sector, and that it also expects to be impacted by rising staff costs as a result of last year’s autumn statement announcements.
The report adds: “The board believes that the refurbishment has ensured that Matfen can be regarded as the best luxury hotel in the North East England, which has been recognised by Matfen being awarded a 5 Star rating by the AA and winning the Conde Naste award for Best Hotel Refurbishment 2024. Matfen has also recently won the Conde Naste award for Best Country Hotel 2025.
“The financial outlook for the hotel is strong, particularly now that the refurbishment of the hotel itself has been substantially completed although, along with all other businesses in the hospitality sector, the business has been affected by the shortage of experienced labour, in particular labour with experience in a luxury hotel setting, and will be impacted by the increases in the minimum wage and Employers National Insurance contributions announced in the recent Budget.”
The accounts formerly also covered Walwick Hall Hotel, but the Humshaugh hotel and spa closed its doors last October to be turned back into a family residence.