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A first look at Dawn Ward's Warford Hall spa hotel, where "service will match a super yacht"

Warford Hall, Cheshire, England
Warford Hall, Cheshire, England

There are many strings to Dawn Ward's bow. Most people will recognise her as the fiery matriarch from ITVBe's Real Housewives of Cheshire, but her pursuits extend well beyond the follies of reality television with a business portfolio that has included a high-end property development firm, an interior design company, and a non-surgical clinic (the latter two of which she still runs).

For her latest venture, Ward is to open a luxury spa hotel in her famous home, Warford Hall. The impressive £14.5 million pile in Alderley Edge, designed by W. Roberts and dating back to 1867, is regularly featured on the show. Dawn and her husband, ex-Premier League footballer Ashley Ward, developed the 12-acre property into a family pad 13 years ago after it had previously been used for offices.

The spa hotel plans were approved by Cheshire East Council last week, despite resistance from neigbours who expressed concerns over noise and traffic, and will feature accommodation for 30 people and a spa with heated swimming pool, massage and therapy facilities. In 2017, plans to turn the hall into a wedding venue with facilities for 130 guests were overruled, but a spa retreat was seen as a peaceful alternative.

Warford Hall, Cheshire, England
Warford Hall, Cheshire, England

Plans show a reception area at the main entrance, a library and large day room to the left (upon entering), and a dining room plus spacious bar-lounge to the right. Up a small flight of stairs across from the main entrance is the chef's kitchen, which leads to a private dining room.

To the back of the property, where the spa is, drawings show a decent-sized indoor-outdoor pool, thermal suite with hot beds, a steam room, sauna, 40C "fire bath", 30C "flower bath" and 12C icy plunge pool; plus several treatment rooms including two for couples. Upstairs there's a gym/yoga space plus the majority of the bedrooms, all double en suites.

Warford Hall, Cheshire, England
Warford Hall, Cheshire, England

After several back and forths with the council and a lengthy spell of five years trying to sell the property, which was costing roughly £100,000 in bills a year owing to the age of the building, Ms Ward is delighted about the news. "I am so excited we have been given permission," she told Telegraph Travel.

"I feel like Warford Hall is wasted as a house and we can finally turn it into a luxury spa for other people to enjoy. Being my home, it's personal to me, so I'm very keen to make it the very best spa in the UK."

Ms Ward has recently been featured on Channel 4's Britain's Most Expensive Home, a documentary following billionaire John Caudwell as his £65 million refurbishment – a Mayfair property twice the size of the Royal Albert Hall – neared completion. She spent four years designining the interiors, which she says gave her inspiration for this project.

Taking into consideration the successful competition, her team surveyed some of the top spa hotels in the country, such as included Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in the Lake District, Soho Farmhouse and Dormy House in the Cotswolds, and Lime Wood in Hampshire. "It's not just about high quality furnishings and finishes but about service, quality and personal touches," she said.

Warford Hall, Cheshire, England
Warford Hall, Cheshire, England

The documents state intentions to provide high quality luxury accommodation and spa facilities that will attract nationwide attention and beyond. The ambition is to provide "a super yacht standard of service (above and beyond what is normally encountered in these fine hotels.)"

Dawn Ward follows in the footsteps of other celebrities who own their own hotels, including Olivia Newton John who co-owns Gaia Retreat and Spa in New South Wales, Lionel Messi with MiM in Sitges, Donatella Versace with Palazzo Versace in Dubai, and Robert de Niro who owns Nobu hotels.

So when can spa connoseurs and fans of the show visit? Ms Ward hopes to start work in six months, with completion a year later. Stiff competitiion besides, if her reputation and résumé is anything to go by, Cheshire's new spa hotel will certainly get some attention.

• The best spa hotels in Cheshire