Promising the “ultimate in luxury” Ramside Hall’s A-frame treehouses aren’t only visually impressive from the outside. Two new residences opened last month following a £500k investment; we went along to see if they live up to the hype.
Arriving at Ramside Hall on a bright Tuesday, I was awash with excitement. Despite Ramside being only a stone’s throw from Echo HQ, it had remained just a sign on the side of the road, and I’d not made a visit.
Upon arrival, treehouse guests can choose to park beside your treehouse or be driven there in a lurid gold golf buggy. As I love an understatement, I opted for the latter and hopped into my resplendent carriage.
Read more: See inside as Ramside Hall unveils two stunning new treehouses after £500k investment
My night stay was booked in at the ‘Swan’ Treehouse, the result of a half-million pound investment that took the number of A-frames at Ramside from four to six. Each residence is just a few meters apart but clever staggering and angling means that you aren’t overlooked by neighbours.
Pulling up in the gleaming golf buggy, feeling how I assume the pope does arriving for an engagement in his pope mobile, the treehouses came into sight. Despite their towering triangular form, they blend into their habitat among the trees next to the 18th fairway.
Internally, the A-frames are finished to a high standard with luxurious furnishings throughout.
Downstairs is an open-plan living area with sofas, armchairs and an electric fire, a kitchenette with a breakfast bar, and doors opening onto the private balcony. There’s a shower room and toilet just in the front door and a pull-down double bed which can sleep two.
Scaling the spiral staircase to the mezzanine you find the master bedroom with stunning views over the golf course and the biggest bed (7ft) you’ve ever seen dressed with a mere 12 cushions and six pillows.
The room opens into a bathroom with a roll-top copper bath, glass shower and separate toilet.
I was lucky enough to stay at Nest – another luxe County Durham treehouse – about a month ago. Both have their selling points depending on the type of break you’re after.
Read more: What we thought of a treehouse at Nest - the stunning new County Durham retreat
At Nest you’re right in the sticks and totally at one with nature. If you’re wanting the restaurant and spa facilities over rural tranquillity Ramside takes the biscuit.
Access to the main swimming pool and gym is included in the price. If you want full access to the spa including the outside areas and main jacuzzi room, you’ll have to upgrade.
On the night of my stay this was an extra £125 for two, but allows for early access and includes a 55-minute treatment each plus £25pp to spend on dinner, so is probably a worthy investment if you’re planning on indulging in either of those added extras.
Lounging back around the pool evoked a state of pure relaxation - though with two steam rooms, two saunas, and three pools, you’re hardly strapped for a spot to relax.
We’d booked in at the Fusion restaurant, set right next to the spa with an Asian-inspired menu. To start we chose the Chicken Satay (£8.50) and Soft Shell Crab (£9.00) along with a couple of cocktails, while for mains we chose the Seafood Pad Pong Karee (£25.00) and Belly Pork (£21.50).
The food was all fresh, tasty and we struggled to fault it although we agreed nothing we would necessarily rush to have again, possibly just down to personal taste. You can order from Fusion and have your food delivered straight to your treehouse, which would make for a relaxing evening. With the £25pp discount the bill came to a reasonable £52.40.
Having returned to our treehouse (by foot this time, instead of County Durham’s very own pope mobile), a bottle-or-two of wine was opened and the hot tub switched on.
Each A-frame has its own sauna and hot tub along with a table and chairs and a two-person lounger bed.
Having lost track of time eventually heading in at 1am, prune-fingered, I got in the royal-famly sized bed, and settled in for some telly. The TV in our treehouse didn’t appear to be connected to the WiFi, making streaming difficult, and meaning I had to faff around to cast my phone screen to the wall-mounted plasma.
Turning off the lights the massive bed engulfs you in its thick duvet and pillows, and a luxurious comfy mattress.
Breakfast is included for that extra £125 fee, and is served in the Fusion restaurant. I’d booked in for 9.30 am and found it to be a full-service affair with two courses – no breakfast buffets in sight here.
Having indulged in croissants, granola, and eggs, it was time to hand in the keys and one last stop at the spa.
The real measure of success for a spa break is whether you come away with a clearer mind and feeling fully calmed.
It was a big tick – but you’ll probably want to have reached next level serenity when you’re faced with the bill...
Read next:
- Thug left man with broken cheekbone after drunken attack outside pub
- LISTED: The North East schools forced to close over collapse-risk concrete fears
- North East visitor attraction deemed world class as it scoops prestigious award
Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from as little as only £1.50 a week. Click here.
For a treehouse, you’ll need to fork out £575 for the experience (on the night I stayed – prices can reach £750 on weekends).
It’s steep, very steep in fact, but as a one-off for a very special occasion, I think it can just about be justified.
If you were happy to share with another couple using the fold-down bed and split the price it won’t feel as bad.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel