WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!
Theoretically I could end this review here, but that would be unfair on the hotel, its staff and on the people who may wish to pay a future visit!
I was taken here for a special birthday celebration (we won't ask how old!!), and I loved every moment from start to finish.
Set within acres of woods and parkland a little over 20 miles from Chester , in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Ruthin Castle is a truly romantic hotel steeped in history. The castle dates back to the legend of King Arthur with notable owners including King Edward I, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
We stayed in one of the Royal Salons (well it was a special occasion). The Salons are expensive but well worth the experience. Our Salon was called the Jennie Salon, apparently styled after Jennie Jerome, better known as Lady Randolph Churchill and mother of Sir Winston Churchill. Jennie was a frequent visitor to the castle and lived here at times following her marriage to George Cornwallis-West. This room is both dramatic and quirky, reflecting that Jennie was a writer by picturing bookcases around all the walls to create a library effect. The king size leather sleigh bed has pillars either side and features a prominent classical bust on a softly illuminated stand behind the bed. The bay window looks out over the castle gardens towards surrounding countryside. The room also features an open-plan, mirror-surrounded, bath area with a double ‘bath-to-share’ shower combination.
When we arrived I was treated to a gorgeous 30 minute "Indian Head" massage. I felt so calm and stress free after this I could have easily gone back to my room for a little snoozette (40 winks); but there was so much to see and do! We followed the massage with a lovely walk around the castle grounds and gardens. This would have been so much better in summer; however, the sights were still amazing in December to. A couple of warnings when walking the grounds would be, (1). There are some long drops off high points of the castle, with some very small walls preventing you from falling. These drops are great if you want to get rid of that old aunt whose inheritance your after, not so good if you have young kids (although why you would want to take young kids to a place like this is anyone’s guess), and (2). Watch out for all the Peacock poo (There is plenty of it on the walls surrounding the peacock garden).
After our little walk we warmed ourselves next to the log fire in the oak panelled library bar, on some very comfortable sofas, with a nice pint and a very tasty light bite of bread and olives.
After pampering ourselves in the room it was time to get ready for our Mediaeval Banquet. For the event we brought our own mediaeval costumes, however you can hire costumes at the hotel. The hotels costumes were excellent and very authentic (although authenticity comes at a price). Apparently Ruthin Castle was the first venue in the UK to start running Mediaeval banquets (over 40 years ago), and this is shown in the impeccable organisation and standard of the event. The meal itself runs from 7.30pm-10.30pm, and in our case, because it was a special yuletide feast was followed by a disco in the adjoining bar.
The evening started in the bar with the age old tradition of partaking in the tasting of bread and salt. A jester bobbed around the tables telling jokes and providing magic tricks to get everybody in the mood for the evenings’ entertainment. We were then called forward personally by name (a very nice touch) and escorted, by our authentically clad Ladies of the Court, into the magnificent dining room, complete with minstrel gallery, small band (Harp and Piano), and raised seating area for the evenings chosen Lord and Lady of the banquet. Not sure how these were chosen; two people probably randomly picked out of a hat. Everyone was seated on long oak dining trestle tables and the entertainment began. Starting with a toast of delicious mead you are served with your first course. You are provided with a knife (Dagger) only and you use this and your fingers to eat all your food (a bib and finger bowl are provided to clean your hands on after each course). The four courses were absolutely outstanding, soup, welsh lamb that falls off the bone, chicken and vegetables and a dessert. All washed down with seemingly as much wine as you could drink, drunk out of lovely authentic pewter goblets. Throughout the evenings the Jester, Court Steward and Ladies of the Court entertain all the guests by telling stories of the castle and singing songs in both English and Welsh. The evening is so well rehearsed and practiced ensuring a very, very memorable night for all those attending.
The following morning we went for breakfast in the restaurant. Breakfast was a continental style breakfast which is included in the cost of your stay. The options available were excellent, including local cheeses, bread cold meats, cereals fruit juices and others, and more than filled you up for the day ahead. The English/Welsh cooked breakfast choice however cost extra. This was my only gripe about the whole stay. When you pay so much for your room (over £250), I think it is a little bit of a cheek to ask you to pay extra for a cooked breakfast. Fortunately though the continental breakfast ticked all the right boxes and more than sufficed.
I would certainly recommend a stay here, and would also recommend anyone wishing to pay the hotel a visit to ring in advance to ensure they stayed on a night when one of their special banquets was being held.
Room Tip: Try and fit your stay around a night when they hold their medieval banquets.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
