Spending the night at a hotel just 15 minutes from home might seem like an odd thing to do on a Thursday evening, not to worry, this Oddfellows On The Park after all.
Recently opened and lavishly fitted out Oddfellows On The Park resides in the grounds of Bruntwood Park, Cheadle. This impressive building has served as private residences and hotels in a few former lives so we’re informed by our waiter, not least of which being a chap who used to ride his horse through it. The dining room is pretty much our first experience as we arrive on a sunny evening with a days work behind us, hungry and with a thirst for G&T. The space is impressive, the restored original ceiling presiding over an achingly stylish modern dining room and the balance between the two is effortless, one compliments the other in a way best described as Cheese and Honey, so far apart in theory, but in practice it just works beautifully.
The above can be said for the fit out of the entire hotel. It appears no expense has been spared, these days that is truly ambitious and with the results speaking for themselves it should be very much applauded.
Our G&T apperitivo with olives & nibbles leads us to 3 course dinner with wine selected by our host. In my original intention to review Oddfellows as a home from home I must admit I hadn’t considered the meal until I arrived and as the courses came I couldn’t help but think this restaurant deserves a review of its own, it was that good. The option is there to dine of an evening you don’t need to be a resident of the hotel and I would certainly recommend it. Watch this space for the restaurant review, any excuse to nip back for a few hours.
As it was a lovely evening we took drinks on the outside terrace overlooking the garden. The bar is extremely well stocked and my appetite for single malt Islay Scotch was easily satisfied.
Retiring to our room and with a quick wardrobe change to lounge wear we were set for the evening with a good film and seriously comfortable surroundings. It’s the apartment I could never afford, who are these people who live in hotels (usually in America) I’d do that here. The room, as with the rest of the house, is finished immaculately. Designer furniture accented with touches of quirk in-keeping with the Oddfellows brand, an enormous contemporary 4 poster bed and a roll top bath in this world of a room is enough to make me feel a million miles from home yet comfortable enough to put my feet up.
Morning and after a seriously good breakfast with any conceivable option on hand and made to order we’ve checked in to The Pigsty… Oddfellows’ spa sanctuary and it’s time for a full body mud treatment. My partner and I in what seems contrary to all we’ve been taught, cleanse and scrub until we’re squeaky clean, then mud up. Heat dries us, steam relaxes us and warm water rinses us until there it, 2 happy healthy glowing pigs in…
Oddfellows On The Park is an experience, it’s somewhere to go for a special evening, a surprise a birthday or just for the love of it. Take your partner, take your best friend, take your mum and if you only live 10 minutes away it doesn’t matter because I guarantee once you’re there it’ll be the furthest away from home 10 minutes has ever got you.
Oddfellows On The Park
Bruntwood Park, Cheadle, Greater Manchester, SK8 1HX
Tel: 0161 697 3066
www.oddfellowsonthepark.com
