Northumberland's Matfen Hall named UK's best countryside hotel

Matfen Hall has been crowned Best Countryside Hotel in the prestigious Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2025. The awards cover the UK, Europe and the Mediterranean.

Matfen Hall, the county's only five-star hotel, outshone stiff competition to clinch the top award at a ceremony held in London on 4th November, graced by the crème de la crème of the hospitality industry. This honour comes on the heels of the country estate receiving an AA five-star rating earlier this year and the reopening of its newly-refurbished golf clubhouse and restaurant, The Keepers, which offers panoramic views of the hotel's impressive 27-hole Championship golf course.

This marks the second consecutive win for Matfen Hall at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, having previously bagged the 'Recently Renovated Hotel' award in 2024 following a significant multi-million pound renovation project.

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Spread over 300 acres of picturesque parkland, the hotel exudes sophistication and quality, promising guests an unforgettable stay with five exquisite dining and drinking spaces and 63 bedrooms, ranging from Classic Rooms to Luxury Suites.

James O'Donnell, head of commercial development at Matfen Hall, said: "Matfen Hall has made significant strides in the past year, being awarded the first and only five star hotel in Northumberland and reopening our state-of-the-art golf clubhouse and dining destination – The Keepers. This recognition by Condé Nast Johansens is reflective of the work and commitment put in by the owners and colleagues. We thank everyone who voted for us and will continue to maintain this momentum to ensure we offer the very best experience for our guests."

The Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence are a trusted indicator of quality, recognised by discerning travellers and industry professionals alike, with winners chosen through a combination of public votes, guest reviews, and expert evaluations over the preceding year.