NEVER BOTHERED

I intended to book here for a special occasion, (I was looking to book a large number of rooms and a function suite), but found the advise and help I got via my email correspondance so appaling that I booked elsewhere.

To me first impressions are everything, and if a hotel of this supposed standard and cost can't even respond to a couple of email queries properly then I don't waste my time offering them my business!

Too dark for us!

We stayed in this hotel in a courtyard room for two nights which was well appointed but frightingly small and dark. We had some trouble putting away our suitcases because of the lack of space. Furthermore, inside the Castle (corridors, public space) it was also very, very dark (the meeting rooms do not have windows at all!).

Breakfast was good, and most of the staff were friendly and on the outside the castle and the courtyard looked very picturesque. Nevertheless, we will not return there: it's way too dark for us!

Wonderful .......treat yourselves!

We were treated to a night here, with dinner in the black knight resturant, by my mother for my husbands birthday, and it was wonderful. She treated us to the king James Suite which comprised of a living room with Tv, dvd, video and tea/coffee making equipment. there were also a selection of boxed games. A bathroom with wirlpool bath and shower. A sink room complete with tiny narrow arrow shooting windows, seperate toilet off the bed room and a fabulous bedroom with giant 20 foot 4 poster bed and cathedral ceilings. Included in the package she booked, in the living room we had a bottle of champange, flowers and chocolates and a bottle of mead. The hotel also did a turn down servise, and the bins were emptied and used cups/glasses replaced while we were at dinner.

It was fantastic, a beautiful romantic hotel. You have to go and see for yourself!.

Recommeded

I would highly recommend this hotel if you would like to stay in an authentic medieval castle that was renovated by Vanbrough. The service was unfailingly helpful and polite. I felt that the porter really deserved his tip after uncomplainingly carrying our luggage up the twisting medieval staircases! Stay in the Castle itself, rather than the extension in the converted stables if you want the best Castle atmosphere (although I imagine the extension is fine). The decoration, although slightly eccentric (maids in Victorian caps etc) made a change from the frequent blandness of hotel interiors. I particularly liked the old books, and found a fascinating children's History of England by Dickens that I am now trying to find again to buy. And of course the bathrooms are not medieval - we had a large one with a comfortable Victorian style bath. It is not too far from Durham Cathedral if you have a car which is definitely worth a visit.All in all, highly recommended.

Awsome place to stay!

I treated myself to a stay at this wonderfully medieval castle and was not dissappointed! I had one of the castle feature rooms (worth the extra tarriff) - four poster bed all decked in rich burgundy fabrics, inset windows with heavy drapes, oak panelling, claw foot tub and period furniture. Amazing! The service was superb. If your looking for that "castle" experience, stay here!

Amazing place to stay

My partner and I stayed at Lumley Castle in December 2003. In a word: amazing. This really isn't an ordinary place to stay. Sitting imposingly high on a hill near Chester-le-Street, Durham it certainly looks the part and doesn't fail to deliver. The castle is immaculately turned out- all deep reds, velvet, and oak-panelled walls. Once you enter the reception area you immediately realise this is something special- the atmosphere is a wonderful (and possibly unique) combination of medieval yet luxurious surroundings. The hotel is full of dimly-lit corridors and winding staircases which may or may not lead you to the wonderful library-come bar in which friendly and polite staff seem only too happy to assist. If this were not enough, the staff all dress in period costume. Corny? Not at all- it all just seems to fit somehow.

We stayed in a castle double room which was sumptiously furnished, again with deep cosy colours and those wonderful oak-panelled walls. A little on the small side, perhaps, but size isn't everything when you consider where you're staying. The restaurant was first-class, both dinner and breakfast superb, breakfast in particular was outstanding, with everything you could possibly want. Ok, this is NOT a cheap place to stay, but as far as we're concerned it's worth every penny and we plan to go back this year. Overall a place to stay that you'll be talking about for years afterwards.

Wow

Put simply... WOW! Never stayed in a more amazing hotel than this... Ideal for business conferences or romantic weekends away.

Chillingly medieval

An old castle, with all the charm and spookiness you would expect.

There are rooms out in the courtyard which are nice and comfortable, but are not actually in the castle. Get a castle room if possible, they come in all shapes and sizes..with heavy curtains, deep medieval colours and old artifacts in the corridors. Our room was up a narrow spiral stair case. Breakfasts are superb, definately worth the visit.

Very handy if you are coming to durham cricket ground, just over the road.

Period Elegance

Excellent hotel set within beautiful castle and grounds, sympathetically furnished. Steeped in history and good food and wine.

Best hotel in area by far.