A LUXURY country house hotel set amid beautiful countryside has welcomed back guests after a major refurbishment.

The Boutique 12-bedroom hotel Farlam Hall, near Brampton, opened its doors on Friday after its owners made a significant investment before and during the Covid-19 lockdown to ensure its high standard of relaxation and comfort for their guests continued.

To achieve the desired quality appearance and elegant atmosphere they brought in Cumbria-based furnishings and design experts Ghyll House Upholstery and Design to carry out key elements of the refurbishment.

Farlam Hall general manager Bb Hall, who runs the hotel with husband Peter, said: “The owners wanted to put back all the aspects which make Farlam Hall such a wonderful country house hotel and such a lovely place to relax.

“We wanted some furniture reupholstering because sometimes you can’t find the same quality with new furniture.

“We were looking at what furnishings we needed and what colours and designs we wanted and came across Ghyll House Upholstery and Design. They have done a fabulous job, been so helpful and gone above and beyond. Nothing has been too much trouble for them.”

"They have done sofas, dining chairs, the curtains and are also supplying the new beds. We are delighted with what they have achieved."

Ghyll House’s involvement with Farlam Hall’s refurbishment is the latest chapter in the hotel’s enchanting back story.

The 19th century hotel with three on-site cottages is all set within six-acres of tranquil but accessible grounds.

When American couple Joseph Walter and Kathy Mares stayed at Farlam Hall almost 30 years ago they fell head over heels in love with it and vowed if they were ever in a position to buy it then they would.

That day came in April last year when the Seattle-based couple purchased the hotel from the Quinion family who had owned it for the previous 44 years and put Bb and Peter in day-to-day charge.

Ahead of lockdown they were working to refresh the rooms and return them to their period splendour with all the additional comforts guests would expect from a boutique hotel in 2020. The family-run hotel, with two AA Rosettes, is ideally situated for guests to explore the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall, and Scotland.

Bb added that working with Ghyll House, as well as Cumbrian Kitchens for its brand new kitchen, was in line with the hotel’s policy of trying to support as many quality local businesses as possible. She said: “Joseph and Kathy wanted the hotel to be put back to how it would have been and I have really enjoyed working with Kathy to make the changes.”

It’s also important to the Farlam Hall team that guests experience the same level of get-away-from-it-all luxury they would always have expected - with or without the lockdown.

They have installed a full range of safety measures in a sensitive way to not impinge on guests’ enjoyment of the retreat.

“We have done our full risk assessment and been awarded the AA Covid Confident Accreditation to ensure we are complying with all regulations," said Bb.