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Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Chester

4.0 star property

Photo gallery for Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Chester

Couples treatment room(s), sauna, body treatments, aromatherapy
Property video
Exterior
Couples treatment room(s), sauna, body treatments, aromatherapy
Breakfast and dinner served, British cuisine

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View map
Parkgate Road, Ledsham, Nr Chester, Ellesmere Port, England, CH66 9PB
  • Place, Chester Zoo
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Chester City Walls
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Chester Racecourse
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Airport, Manchester (MAN)
    ‪43 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Double Bed (Deluxe King)

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Deluxe Room, 1 Double Bed (Deluxe King)

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(7 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed (Standard King)

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Standard Room, 1 King Bed (Standard King)

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(14 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed (Super Deluxe King)

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed (Super Deluxe King)

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Single Bed (Standard Single)

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Standard Room, 1 Single Bed (Standard Single)

  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Double Bed (Standard Double Family 3)

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed (Standard Double Family 3)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(4 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Single Beds, Accessible (Accessible Twin)

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Room, 2 Single Beds, Accessible (Accessible Twin)

  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Double Bed (Standard Double)

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed (Standard Double)

7.0 out of 10
Good
(6 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Double Bed (Super Deluxe Double)

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Deluxe Room, 1 Double Bed (Super Deluxe Double)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Superior Suite, 1 Double Bed (Super Deluxe Suite)

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Superior Suite, 1 Double Bed (Super Deluxe Suite)

  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Standard King Room

  • Sleeps 2

Standard Double Room

  • Sleeps 2

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed (Standard Double Family)

  • Sleeps 2

Accessible Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2

Super Deluxe Suite

  • Sleeps 2

Deluxe King Room

  • Sleeps 2

Super Deluxe King Room

  • Sleeps 2

Super Deluxe Double Room

  • Sleeps 2

Standard Single

  • Sleeps 1

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About the area

Ellesmere Port

When you stay at Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Chester in Ellesmere Port, you'll be in the historical district, within a 10-minute drive of Chester Zoo and Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. .This spa hotel is 13.2 mi (21.3 km) from Royal Albert Dock and 20.1 mi (32.3 km) from Anfield Stadium.

What's nearby

  • Blue Planet Aquarium - 8 min drive - 10.3 km
  • Chester Zoo - 8 min drive - 10.8 km
  • Chester City Walls - 11 min drive - 11.0 km
  • Chester Cathedral - 12 min drive - 11.4 km
  • Chester Racecourse - 12 min drive - 11.7 km

Getting around

  • Capenhurst Station - 4 min drive
  • Manchester Airport (MAN) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Crafty Tavern Limited - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Sprout Kitchen Garden - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Cheshire Yeoman - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Old Wirral Hundred - ‬6 min drive

About this property

Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Chester

Hotel in Ellesmere Port with a full-service spa and a health club
Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Chester offers 72 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Beds feature down comforters and premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions come with digital channels. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.

This Ellesmere Port hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is offered daily and hypo-allergenic bedding can be requested.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool, a health club, and a sauna.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The onsite spa has 6 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include facials, body wraps, body scrubs, and body treatments. The spa is equipped with a sauna. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy. The spa is open daily.
Stay in one of 72 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Your bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers body treatments and facials. If you're looking for recreational opportunities, you'll find a health club, an indoor pool, and a sauna. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, wedding services, and a television in a common area.
Grab dinner at Craxton Wood Grill, a restaurant that specializes in British cuisine. Dining is also available at the coffee shop/cafe, and room service (during limited hours) is provided. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Full breakfasts are served on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and on weekends from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. Event facilities at this hotel consist of conference space and meeting rooms. Free self parking is available onsite.
Full breakfasts are available for a surcharge on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM and on weekends between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Craxton Wood Grill - This restaurant specializes in British cuisine and serves breakfast and dinner.
The Cocktail Bar & Lounge - Overlooking the garden, this bar serves lunch, dinner, and light fare.
Onsite venue #3 - This coffee shop serves light fare only. Open daily.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Awards and affiliations

Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Green Tourism Program, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Full breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekends; GBP 24 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Craxton Wood Grill
  • The Cocktail Bar & Lounge

Things to do

  • Fitness classes
  • Full-service spa
  • Health club
  • Indoor pool
  • Mini golf
  • Pilates classes
  • Sauna
  • Steam room
  • TV in common areas
  • Yoga classes

Family friendly

  • Indoor pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Mini golf
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • Business centre
  • Conference space
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • 6 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Sauna
  • Spa open daily

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1999
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Down comforter
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Limited room service

More

  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of GBP 15 per pet, per day
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Pets cannot be left unattended
Specific rooms only; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately GBP 24 per person
  • Pet fee: GBP 15 per pet, per day
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Children are allowed in the pool 9-11 AM and 3-6 PM.

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Craxton
Craxton Wood
Macdonald Craxton
Macdonald Craxton Wood
Macdonald Craxton Wood Ellesmere Port
Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel
Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel Ellesmere Port
Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel Spa
Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Chester Hotel
Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Chester Ellesmere Port

Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Chester Reviews

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 295 out of 905 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 320 out of 905 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 164 out of 905 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 89 out of 905 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 37 out of 905 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Hotel stay after spa day

Had a lovely day at the Spa with lovely with treatment and afternoon tea. We booked to stay at the hotel overnight. The staff were helpful and professional behind the reception and in the restaurant. We had afternoon tea which was okay, went again for tea, very overpriced and the food wasnt great for the value. Breakfast was excellent lots of choice to chose from and cooked breakfast was good. Hotel room was very dated. Had booked room with king size bed, but was two single beds pushed together. The beds were okay but didnt find the mattresses the comfiest. The area was quiet which was good, no noise compaints. The room only had one working UK plug socket, one did not work and the rest were EU plugs so not able to use. Decent shower and bathroom. Overall excellent spa day and breakfast at the hotel, Tea time food overpriced and the rooms are very dated.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vicki

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Andrew

Disliked: Cleanliness
Only half way through stay but arrived and found a very dirty toilet with matter dripping from underneath of toilet seat. Rest of room cleaned perfectly fine so just an unfortunate oversight but Went to reception to ask someone to come help and an hour later no one arrived. We went out for dinner (couldn’t get a table in hotel) and when came back someone had been on and put some bleach down but underneath of seat still dirty !
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Keith

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities
It was very quiet and in very nice grounds. There was black mold on the silicone sea to the bath and wash basin.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service

Generally good but needs updating

Staff friendly and excellent. Food generally good but breakfast on Tuesday not up to Monday’s standard. Hotel clean but in need of refurbishment.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Nadine

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Robert

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

No great in anyway

On arrival I was allocated my room tv would not work and room had not been cleaned, the manager came and within seconds agreed to move me . My next room was clean but had a big fan in it and I was told the room gets very warm. Out of all the windows only one opened about two inches. The fan was needed but the main issue was the fan in the toilet was noisy and never went off and at 10.50 that night my door was banged heavily and by another guest shouting for me to turn off the fan . I had no option but to take my card out which in turn turned all the room power off , it was a very uncomfortable unpleasant night . Following day the cleaner had said the issue with the fan only started yesterday and she had reported the issue . On top of all of this I ordered a meal of steak chips and salad , the salad was an embarrassment even the employee serving said he was embarrassed . Worst of all the managers never seemed to do much to rectify I was still expected to pay for both days stays and my meal .
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

ghaith

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Business traveller
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

DEAN

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Nice comfy beds. Hotel in need of facelift and at £24 for breakfast it looks like this is how they plant to fund it !!. Mouldy ceiling in bathroom ☹️
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice tranquil modern hotel

Lovely hotel in the middle of the countryside, very tranquil, nice modern clean room, quiet at night. Enjoyed the leisure centre, good facilities apart from lack of hot tub.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lydia

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The domestic staff are wonderfu, very helpful, lovely people and so very kind. All the staff we were in contact with could not of been nicer. My wife had her 21st some 51 years ago at this hotel! We were both originally from Heswall. Our trip was one to help my brother in law who lives in New Brighton who has had a nasty fall booth breaks in his ankle. Thank you for your help.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Richard

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard, Godalming

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Very pleasant stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Joanna

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great location with beautiful peaceful grounds to enjoy. Room comfortable and clean but really outdated and needing some retouches. Staff friendly. Dining experience average.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Gillian

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Peaceful setting. Staff friendly and helpful.

Staff very friendly and helpful. We had one meal, fish and chips, but they didn't have steak or lasagne? We were both disappointed with our meal! The chips were dry and white! mushy peas looked a little crusty on top, and the sauce looked like it had been left uncovered for a while. The pillows do not have a safety case on!! Also, they do not allow cash or debit payments! Not good if you don't carry a credit card! The positives its a lovely peaceful setting and energy. The pool and steam room fab. The dry room was out of order.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

David

Business traveller
Liked: Room comfort
Nice
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Emma

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness

Tired room - mediocre hotel overall

We have stayed here quite a few times as a family but have to confess we were a bit disappointed this time: the decor is getting shabby (dirty furnishings, holes in carpets, out-dated fixtures etc.), the staff (though polite) in both the spa and in the hotel didn’t seem to be too bothered and, when my husband went to check us in whilst we headed to the pool, they charged us for a room we’d already paid for! This was all cleared up on check-out but the whole experience (which was supposed to be a bit of a treat) felt a bit flat tbh! The location is ideal for exploring the area (Chester Zoo, Blue Planet, Cheshire Oaks, Chester Races etc etc) but I’m not sure we’ll choose to stay here again as I think we could probably get better value for money elsewhere. We chose not to pay for the breakfast as it would have cost almost £100 extra so we headed off early and ate elsewhere.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Talfan

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great hotel. Couple of teething problems during ou

Really good multigym (for a hotel). Loads of machines and free weight. However the swimming pool was a bit cold and the sauna out of action while we were there. The room was lovely, really nice. Unfortunately they had a problem with the hot water while we were there which was off two mornings in a row at precisely the time I needed to shower and shave before work. When it was on it was scalding and difficult to balance the temperature whilst showering. However I’m sure that was just a temporary hiccup while we were staying.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Jacob

Very dated hotel, pictures online look a lot nicer. The queen bed was 2 single beds pushed together. No outlets anywhere near the bed to charge your phone. On the plus side the pool and gym were nice.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Anita

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It was ok. I think the hotel needs updating and shower facilities needs checking as it is difficult to control temperatures.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025