Staycation, staycation, staycation. All last year, it seemed like there was just one word when it came to holidays — not least the endless debate over what a staycation truly was. As a devoted international traveller, who managed to escape the UK a fair few times in the pandemic, I had neatly side-stepped that question, until I found myself heading to Norfolk for a night at Congham Hall.
Two hours from King’s Cross to King’s Lynn, it was just a 15-minute cab ride to the hotel, an old country house, set back from the road along a gravel drive and surrounded by its lovely grounds. We were staying not in the main building but in the new Orchard Cabins, five Scandi-style designs sitting away from the hotel and the spa.
The peaceful cabins, which are set amongst the apple trees, are instantly enticing. They’re full of thoughtful touches like electric curtains as well as an excellent modern bathroom and large TV, while the bed itself was large and very comfortable, with a fantastic print hanging above.
The garden location makes them feel rather secluded, while still having huge floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with light: perfect for making the most of the set of binoculars and guide to local birds provided.
Set on a diagonal, the terrace feels entirely private if you want to soak up the views from the freestanding bath — a charming and very welcome addition. Anyone who wants more privacy need not worry as the inside bathroom also included a fantastic rainhead shower.
Orchard cabin interior (Photo: Congham Hall)
Instead of making the most of the outdoor tub, we headed straight to the spa, just a stone’s throw from the orchard. Spas are a notoriously difficult thing to get right, and as a self-proclaimed spa connoisseur, very few facilities meet my rather exacting standards. But Congham’s spa facilities were 90 per cent of the way there, only missing the very slight attention to detail that marks a truly exceptional experience.
The outdoor hot tub was lovely to sit in as the sun set, but could have been a couple of degrees warmer against the chill. Indoors, the choice of two saunas was great, and the steam room perfect for releasing the stress of our two-hour train journey.
Then in the treatment rooms upstairs, our therapist used a personality questionnaire to match us with a scented oil for the 60-minute massage. The relaxing atmosphere meant my hour flew by, to the point where I may have actually dozed off on the treatment bed.
While the accommodation and spa facilities at Congham Hall are both impressive, the Samphire Kitchen restaurant is where the hotel really shows off.
On arrival, we were presented with an iPad of wine options that were selected with the menu in mind. The food itself was all fantastic, from the smoked salmon starter to the triumphant trio of desserts, with several vegetarian and fish options to choose from. The service, if anything, was slightly overattentive, but never more than a moment away. Cocktails were well made and came equally quickly, and the bar staff’s friendliness couldn’t be faulted.
In the morning, breakfast — in the same room — was satisfying although couldn’t hold a candle to the evening offering, with my veggie full English brekkie rather mystifyingly coming without beans.
But if I started my stay unconvinced by the idea of staycations, one of the new Orchard Cabins is the perfect place to begin changing my mind.
Rates
Orchard Cabins cost £475 per night, including dinner and breakfast.
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