When driving into Helmsley in the Ferrari GTC4Lusso T, I was in awe of this stunning historical village. I was staying at the Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa which is brilliantly located right in the centre of Helmsley.
Helmsley is a market village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England. This cosy village is an amazing place to visit and when it comes to food experiences, it is one of the best bakeries and coffee’s I have experienced in years in the United Kingdom. The local privately owned food markets are a reminder of the luxury lifestyle that happens here in North Yorkshire. The reason there are many tourists that want to visit this area is that there are endless Abbey’s and Castles to visit.
The amazing Rievaulx Abbey is a 10min drive from this hotel and it is worth a visit. It was one of the great abbeys in England until it was seized under Henry VIII of England in 1538 during the dissolution of the monasteries.
Right in the centre opposite the Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa is the gorgeous Helmsley’s parish church, which dates back more than a thousand years.
The sound of the church bells just adds that touch of countryside living and ads a therapeutic way to wake up in the morning.
Verbena Spa
Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa in the Yorkshire Dales is a testament to the vision of a Spa that caters for those looking for a Village retreat. When entering the reception area looking at the outdoor heated swimming pool is a warm welcome of what is to come.
I became aware over the weekend there were plenty of locals staying here to embrace the spa facilities. After long walks around the Spa area, I noticed that this hotel offers an array of relaxation and spa treatments. One of the luxury perks is the outdoor heated pool, it looks relaxing and very warm to get some exercise in too. The most popular attraction is the super hot outdoor jacuzzi which is perfect for aches and pains and a sip of champagne.
The lounge chairs were cosy, comfortable and the overall ambience of the Spa is a relaxing one. There were many returning guests staying at Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa, which is a good sign that this hotel is loved by all.
The saunas and steam rooms were well maintained, very clean and all the spa facilities were in good working order. When showering I noticed four mud body scrubbing creams, this something I have not come across in other hotels. The mud creams left my body feeling in tip-top shape and added to the overall experience.
The treatment area and rooms smelled and looked very welcoming. Please book ahead as it is in high demand with hotel guests. Regarding eating options this hotel offered plenty of different locations in which to do so. I could drink and eat either inside or out.
Suites
There are 33 individually designed bedrooms and suites and the rooms vary in size and views. It was lovely to go to sleep and be woken up with the swimming pool as my view, the hot steam looked very enticing for an early morning swim. The hotel is unusual regarding room choices. Due to the age of the building, these suites are situated all around the hotel with some overlooking the courtyard and pool.
The fabrics used throughout each room help bring a suite to life, creating a personal touch and revealing an ambience of modern contemporary design. Each has its own unique décor, style and character and features Egyptian cotton sheets, soft exquisite duck down duvets and/or cotton blanket. In my suite, I had two Smart TVs and super fast internet access.
Deluxe Suite
I had the Deluxe Suite which is the second largest suite on offer. The fabulous extra large bed was so much fun to sleep and relax on, I drank plenty of Yorkshire tea in it.
The en-suite bathroom had a walk-in shower which was easy to use. The separate large bath was lovely to soak in after driving all day. The hotel supplies its guests with endless luxurious Temple Spa toiletries, which were lovely to use. There were plenty of fluffy large towels on hand too.
Sitting Room
I had a spacious separate sitting room, which was perfect to relax and work in. This coastal style living room had an interesting style of decor. The fabrics helped bring life to the room, creating a personal homely touch. The accessories with references to nature, architecture and geometry gave a contemporary, comfortable ambience to the suite.
Was nice waking up to a swimming pool view!
Fine Dining
Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa is very popular when it comes to food. The food is excellent and unusual with regards to the combinations of British cuisine. What made my eating experience more special were the gentlemen that served me, they were very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is a lively one and all guests seemed very comfortable. There are other parts of the hotel where you can seat and drink if you don’t want to dine at the restaurant. This cosy hotel allows all guests to bring their dogs, dog culture here is a massive talking point and part of the Helmsley lifestyle.
The atmosphere in this restaurant was buzzing and very friendly. Book ahead on weekends to avoid starving.
I love the mornings, and breakfast for me is such an important start of the day. The well-presented breakfast at Feversham Arms was healthy and had plenty of options with regards to hot and cold food. There were great selections of fruit and vegan dishes too. The food is locally sourced and the local farm eggs were yellow and yummy. I was impressed with the variety of nuts on offer and delicious prunes soaked in tea. The food was of a high standard for breakfast, this is not common in many British hotels. Take your time for breakfast, it is a posh treat.
I also had dinner here and the following dishes were served:
Risotto, spinach beetroot beef, a very hearty dish. It tasted great after all the driving that I did that day.
Lovely scallops, refreshing as an entree.
This pasta and fish dish was amazing.
I was sitting on my own in the restaurant and I adore when there is local artwork on display. The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa is surrounded by artwork throughout the hotel, which gave the hotel a very colourful and warm feel.
Conclusion
What makes a stay so special at Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa is the staff who are professional, very friendly and pride themselves in giving the best service possible to their guests. Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa is a busy hotel with plenty of atmospheres and is well sought after by locals, which says it all. Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa is perfectly located giving access to Helmsley, a wonderfully cosy little village.
Helmsley
The hotel’s valet parking, thanks to Ian, gave me peace of mind that my Ferrari GTC4Lusso T was well looked after. Thanks for such a fabulous stay.
This is the road heading to Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa. It was stunning driving around the area.
Details
- Room reviewed: Deluxe Suite
- Website: fevershamarmshotel.com
- Address: 1-5 High St, Helmsley, York YO62 5AG, United Kingdom
- Phone: +44 (0)1439 770766
