Fishmore Hall Hotel Review: A Weekend Spa & Dining Retreat in the Shropshire Countryside

It’s been three years since I was last at Fishmore Hall Hotel which has really opened up to me just how times flies. I can recall being at this property like it was just a few months ago and I still have fond memories of staying here back then. The hotel established itself in 2007 after being transformed from a derelict building and has since reinvented itself as one of Ludlow’s best hotels and restaurants.

After a rather longer journey than we’d anticipated stuck in traffic from London, we arrived at the hotel to a lovely familiar face and with my only way to relax – a good glass of wine. A bar sits at the heart of this hotel, as well as a main dining area, lounge and the newest addition pictured above which is perfect for a drink or light bite over lunch.

We were staying in one of the hotels well-appointed executive rooms (I believe) which offered views out over the Shropshire fields and a rather lovely big bath which I spent a little too much time in. Not to mention the Elemis spa products and a cosy double bed. As well as the usual tea & coffee-making facilities.

Once we unpacked our bags we went on to explore the newest edition to this hotel – the gorgeous Spa Shell. This new spa offers guests the highest standard of spa and wellbeing treatments by Elemis and is all about relaxation. Forget the day job, because an afternoon here will leave you not wanting to come back.

Step inside and you’re greeted by more smiles and a lovely team who were on hand to show us around and also prepare us for our pre-booked spa treatment we’d been so looking forward too. We opted for the Elemis Garden of England Rose Restore Massage. For 55 minutes in one of the treatment rooms, your body will be taken on a walk through an English rose garden (so to speak) with a luxurious hydrating massage and micro wrap. The unique trio of Rose, Camelina and Poppy seed oils are used to leave your skin moisturised, supple and scented. I’m such a tense person and so I can really feel when a massage works and it was excellent here.

One of my favourite things in the world is spending time in a hot tub. If it’s warm, bubbly and accompanied by Champagne – nothing else matters. Step out onto the patio of this spa and a huge wooden hot tub awaits and has the most magnificent views. Lush green fields await and snowy topped hills in the background. The Champagne was rather delicious too.

As well as the outdoor cedar wellness hot tub, there’s an oversized hammock on the decking, wooden heated snug room full of blankets and some sun loungers dotted around the patio. An even lovelier space in the Summer I’d imagine.

In terms of space the spa boasts a total of four treatment rooms, which can also combine to create two couples rooms, as well as a steam room and sauna which are housed inside the spa building and look out across the countryside. The steam room was the perfect temperature and the sauna was great fun, offering a different selection of rain experiences, flashings of lights and tranquil sounds of nature. A great way to end an afternoon before preparing for dinner.

That evening we spent dinner in the hotels fine dining restaurant, Forelles. Looking after the kitchen here in the restaurant is its newest head chef Joe Gould and I can tell you now – it’s just got rather exiting here in Ludlow. A stunning selection of canapés, dish after dish of perfection and some plates of food which will most certainly make it into my 2018 favourites. Read all about my full dining experience HERE.

I was so full from dinner the night before we didn’t quite have room for breakfast the following morning, but a coffee later and a pastry and I was ready to start a new day. Along with a few more smiles from the team who are always so lovely at this hotel and who really make this property such a lovely place to enjoy.

To prepare us for our journey home and with the snow still filling the skies, we couldn’t resist one final relax in that outdoor hot tub. The fields were completely covered with snow, the floor a little icy and the views over the countryside were stunning. A really lovely lasting impression which made me remember why I loved Fishmore Hall Hotel so much.

It was so lovely to return to this hotel after many years and to see this property really starting to develop. Exterior wise the hotel could do with a little facelift, but if the new Spa Shell and restaurants culinary direction is anything to go by then Fishmore Hall is otherwise going from strength to strength and with some serious destination dining at its heart.

Read more