Matfen Hall is an upscale hotel housed in a stately country mansion dating back to the early 19th century, with plenty of Old World styling. Rooms are traditionally furnished and some have four-poster beds and garden views. The grounds are particularly expansive, comprising a 27-hole golf course and peaceful gardens, though there's little else within walking distance. Dining options and health facilities impress, and families with children are well catered for. The lackluster modernized sections and rooms are the main letdown. The Langley Castle Hotel -- a 25-minute drive away -- does a slightly better job of blending contemporary add-ons to grand period architecture.