OUR VERDICT:
★★★★
Tucked away in the heart of rural Staffordshire, The Tawny Hotel describes itself as a ‘deconstructed’ hotel. This initially struck fear into the heart of me. That word – deconstructed – takes me back to the dessert course at a wedding sometime in the noughties - a poor banoffee pie that had been taken apart and served in three lonely little parts. But in the case of The Tawny, it works.
There are no hotel rooms, as such; instead, a choice of 55 deluxe shepherd huts, luxurious treehouses, romantic boathouses, and extravagant ‘retreats’ await, all dotted around Consall Gardens Estate - 70 truly stunning acres of woodland, beautiful gardens, glistening lakes and secluded dells, all primed for guests to explore.
The hotel’s bar and restaurant are housed in a strikingly modern, architect-designed glass-fronted building, which sits in an elevated position overlooking the grounds. Guests can get around on foot via meandering pathways that weave amongst vast trees and sweeping lakes, or you can hop in one of The Tawny’s fleet of brilliant, chauffer-driven electric buggies, which will take you to wherever your heart desires. Simply call reception 15 minutes before you wish to head off to the swimming pool, bar, or back to your room, and the ever-obliging buggy will come and pick you up...
Jake Eastham
The Tawny Hotel, Tawny, winter, lakes, shepherds huts, lodges
The chic and cosy reception area has maps, books, smart wellies, board games, chocolate buttons, bath salts and more – all that is required for a cosy, wholesome weekend up North. To my delight, dogs are very welcome at The Tawny, so I quickly made several four-legged friends.
We stayed in a Valley Treehouse, and the ‘wow factor’ says it all. Camouflaged amongst swaying silver birch trees, tall ceilings, wooden beams, and vast floor-to-ceiling windows gave the feeling of being as close to nature as humanly possible (I could watch the birds darting around the trees from bed), but sleek, modern interiors and pretty much every creature comfort imaginable provided a sense of playful, unadulterated luxury.
Cosy terracotta tones enveloped the streamlined freestanding bathtub, which sat in prime position in the middle of the room, taking full advantage of that wonderful view. Behind it was a comfortable, king-size bed, a 55’’ TV, coffee machine and more, and it didn’t end there. Outside, a large, private, wraparound deck housed a huge, cube-shaped metal spa bath with bubbles and big enough for four, at least, and totally immersed in the great outdoors.
Jake Eastham
The Tawny Hotel, Tawny, winter, lakes, shepherds huts, lodges
The al fresco bathing theme continued with an outdoor shower, cleverly positioned right next to a door which leads you back inside to an indoor shower (they call it a walk-through shower’) and a spacious, stylish en suite brimming with delicious bathing products. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I discovered the mini-bar, filled with dinky bottles of fizz, a choice of local beers and more - entirely complimentary and restocked every day.
The game at The Tawny Hotel aims to destress and unwind in luxury and comfort whilst taking in the sights and sounds of nature. Private yoga classes are available to book, and if you’re after some spa action, there’s a treatment room tucked away in a sweet little thatched cottage.
If you’d rather stay holed up in the comfort of your fabulous room, go for the in-room Pamper Pack - a bundle of natural GAIA goodies for two (complete with instructions) to enjoy at your leisure. After an evening of face masks, indulgent scrubs, body butter, and several baths (both inside and out), we felt well and truly pampered.
All ‘rooms’ at The Tawny Hotel offer the luxury of an outdoor spa bath, and our treehouse felt completely private. Some of the other accommodations seemed slightly overlooked when exploring the estate, so this is perhaps something to consider when booking if you want to fully strip off….
Jake Eastham
The Tawny Hotel, Tawny, winter, lakes, shepherds huts, lodges
We spent hours walking and exploring the magnificent grounds, discovering original follies and a staggering array of tree and plant species. Garden tours can be arranged, and bikes can be hired, but once I discovered the outdoor swimming pool, I found it hard to leave.
One of the most beautiful I have ever seen, this impressively streamlined and modern construction is enclosed by aged stone walls and original arches on a large, paved terrace with far-reaching views across the estate. It is an incredibly pleasing mix of old and new, surrounded by chic sunbeds, and heated to a balmy 31 degrees all year round.
Even better – a handy poolside phone meant we could order drinks to be delivered from the bar (my rosé was handed to me in the pool…), and when you’ve finished swimming your lengths, you can simply call for a buggy to scoop you up in your robe and return you to your abode…
On the first night, reluctant to leave our fairytale treehouse, we ordered room service, delivered by buggy, naturally. Two piping hot pizzas and a local beer (from the free mini bar) went down a treat. The next night, we meandered through the grounds (on foot this time) to the hotel’s impressive restaurant, The Plumicorn.
Here, an ambitious and creative menu makes the most of the area’s seasonal produce and local ingredients; I enjoyed the mackerel with punchy gooseberry, horseradish, and sour cream. The ‘Chic lobster tail’, served with truffle pomme anna, aged parmesan, bisque croquette, queen kale, fermented black garlic, and lobster mayo, had a lot going on—perhaps too much—but it tasted undeniably decadent and looked beautiful, too.
Pudding was the real star of the show for me - the ‘fallen apple’ was pretty as a picture – a perfect white chocolate apple filled with bright green apple mousse and a tart apple gel, sitting on a bed of crumble. Overall, I preferred the simpler dishes of The Lounge menu – a well-presented local cheeseboard with a jar of house-made pickle, and the halloumi fries with thyme and tomato jam really hit the spot. And you can’t beat buggy-delivered pizza enjoyed in your dressing gown, can you?
The Plumicorn also serves an abundant breakfast or an array of continental treats that can be packed into a wicker hamper and delivered to your room.
After dozens of baths and showers, indoors and out, and plenty of fresh air, we left feeling squeaky clean and totally refreshed. The Tawny Hotel offers a rare and well-balanced mix of unadulterated luxury that meets the great outdoors, cleverly providing the serenity and pleasure that comes with being immersed in nature with all the convenience and comfort of a smart hotel.
There are dozens of clever, thoughtful touches designed with the guest experience in mind. I could have happily sat in the bubbling outdoor spa tub all day and all night, with a glass of fizz in hand, reading the papers, listening to the birds and the rustle of trees, and the odd buggy rumbling past. The Tawny describes itself as a hotel like no other, and it’s true; it’s a unique experience and, unlike that banoffee pie, a really wonderful one.
Rates at The Tawny start at £230 in the Wildwood Huts (Treehouses start at £400) based on two sharing and include a bed and breakfast. The in-room GAIA pamper pack is £80.
The Tawny, Consall Gardens Estate, Consall Lane, Consall, Staffordshire, ST9 0AG thetawny.co.uk
