Matfen Hall, a hotel and country estate, has been awarded an AA Five-Star rating, marking it as the first and only five-star hotel in Northumberland.
The Grade II-listed Matfen Hall, which has recently undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment, has received the rating after a recent inspection.
The AA inspectors stated: "Matfen Hall is a luxurious and elegant stately home set in 300-acres of beautiful Northumbrian countryside."
The hotel's Cloisters Restaurant and Bar (Image: Matfen Hall)
Extensive renovations and upgrades have been made to its Great Hall, dining areas, bars and bedrooms.
The Great Hall has been carefully restored, and a new bar with a mezzanine has been created.
Bar 1832 at Matfen Hall (Image: Matfen Hall)
Significant investment has also been made in The Cloisters Restaurant and Bar and state-of-the-art kitchens.
The estate boasts a 27-hole Championship golf course, a spa, and fitness suite, with further developments and investments are planned for these amenities over the ensuing months.
Inside the Great Hall (Image: Matfen Hall)
This continuous improvement is spearheaded by its owner, Walwick Estate Group.
AA Five-Star ratings are only bestowed upon hotels offering luxurious accommodation and public areas, along with high standards of food and drink, and multilingual service.
Head of commercial development at Matfen Hall, James O’Donnell, said: "We're delighted to receive such a prestigious accolade which is testament to all of the hard work by the whole team at Matfen Hall.
One of the hotel's luxury suites (Image: Matfen Hall)
"This is also a great acknowledgement of the vision and investment by Walwick Estate Group, and its dedicated focus on achieving the very highest level of quality, setting us apart as a leading luxury venue.
"The AA Five-Star rating is regarded universally as a key benchmark of quality and we look forward to ensuring we exceed expectations as part of a programme of continuous improvement that will see further significant investment, including the golf and spa offer."
Matfen Hall shares its AA Five-Star rating with nearby sister property, Chester Stables, part of the Self Catering Accommodation category, that is also owned by Walwick Estate Group.
Chester Stables, consists of a group of luxurious self-catering stable suites and received a Five-Star rating earlier this year.
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