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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
12:39 PM 26th November 2019
lifestyle

Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall Hotel And Spa

 
I've never paid much attention to those brown tourist information signs you see on direction signs because I usually can find the place I'm looking for, who needs a SatNav when the use of a good map is just as good!

Thankfully the brown tourist signs proved to be essential when finding the Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall hotel, as without them it is not easy to find. Well signposted from the inner ring road around the steel city they lead you to the gateway to the hotel.

Situated in Nether Edge the four star hotel promises that you will feel relaxed as soon as you step through the door. The reception staff didn't seem to have the Yorkshire friendly welcome I had been expecting - I wouldn't have known I was in Sheffield.

It had been a foul, cold autumnal day outside, so it was unusual to find that on entering our classic twin room the radiator had not been turned on. As it was rather a large room it was hard to heat up with one single radiator. The temperature eventually was stuck around 19c - even with the radiator on full. Other guests had beaten me to reception and taken all the spare storage heaters so we were offered an extra duvet each to keep warm.

Thankfully things got better. The Lakeview restaurant was a tad warmer, the service from the restaurant staff was top class, smiles and taking a pleasure in your work can make a huge difference in hospitality.

The menu isn't vast, it doesn't need to be as it has all the essentials. My sister went for a very thick and tasty Vegetable soup whilst my Chicken and Chorizo Skewers were a tantalising mix of tender chicken and chorizio, with more bite than a Yorkshire terrier.

My 8oz British Ribeye Steak was juicy and full of flavour though the Blue Cheese sauce lacked the strong taste it should have had. My sister went for the beef which was tender and beautifully cooked.

The Mango Cheesecake was a delight and the cheeseboard a good selection. Whoever was in the kitchen knew how to cook. The meal and service made up for the cold room and frosty welcome we had experienced so far. If the Chef could have transferred some heat from his kitchen up to our room he would have been on the top of my Christmas present list!

Breakfast too is taken in the Lakeview restaurant - a buffet style mix of hot and cold food. The quality of the hot breakfast, crusty fresh bread, porridge and cereals was just as high as the evening meal. Apparently they have a member of staff at breakfast who is 87 years young but she was not working that morning.

The on site Spa has treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, well equipped gym and a small swimming pool, along with friendly engaging staff. The massage I had was so relaxing that I slept a solid 9 hours each night on the following days.

Laura Ashley Tea Room
Laura Ashley Tea Room
The new Laura Ashley Tea Room is in the old part of the hotel, the actual Hall itself and only opened in June. Overlooking the lawns and if you are lucky, the lake - it is only minutes away from the centre of Sheffield, but you feel like you are miles away from it all.

Traditional Afternoon Tea is £20.00 per person. For this price you dine with a selection of finger sandwiches, plain and raisin buttermilk scones (which were soft, warm and delicious) and an assortment of cakes and pastries, served with a choice of Laura Ashley classic blend loose leaf tea or a coffee. A beautiful room stylishly furnished that matched the elegance of the occasion. Plus it was warm, mind you we were sat by a large radiator.

The grounds are extensive and worth a walk around. I liked the Kenwood - the food, the Laura Ashley Tea Room is a must for anyone special in your life, the spa facilities and the dog friendliness of the place. If they can get the heating sorted out in some of the bedrooms you will not need to pack your winter vest and they will be on to a winner.

Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall and Spa, Kenwood Road, Sheffield S7 1NQ

www.kenwoodhall.co.uk

https://www.kenwoodhall.co.uk/dining/afternoon-tea/