What’s Karma Salford Hall like?
This luxurious hotel, nestled in the Vale of Evesham, dates back to the medieval times. It was previously owned by King Henry VIII so if you stay here, you’ll be in good company. In 2020, the building – which has been a hotel since the 1980s – was acquired by the Karma Group, which is working hard to sympathetically modernise the building.
How dog-friendly is Karma Salford Hall?
Excellent. Very Important Pets will find beds, blankets, bowls and treats waiting for them in their room. Nowhere is off limits to dogs in the hotel either, meaning they can dine beside their owners in the Sir Phillip Hobbie restaurant or relax in the bar, conservatory or snug. There is a lovely garden to explore and a poo bin on site, which is handy. Plans are also afoot to introduce a doggy menu. There is an additional charge of £15 per night per pet.
Tell me more about Karma Salford Hall
There are 32 rooms at the hotel, spread between the main building and the Tudor Court, just over the way. All of them are named after people associated with the building, from royals to former owners. We got to enjoy two rooms after our original one, Ruding (No.5), sprang a leak due to torrential rain – one of the perils of a medieval building! But really, it meant we got the best of both worlds because we ended up seeing what the rooms in the main house looked like, as well as those in the Tudor Court!
We ended up sleeping in the Anne Boleyn room (No.23) which had a lovely four-poster bed and antique furniture. It had a bit of an unconventional layout, with a mini staircase up to the modern bathroom, but it had great views of Karma Salford Hall from the window and was lovely and quiet. There was a book detailing the fascinating history of the building, as well as tea and coffee-making facilities, own-brand toiletries, notepads and pens and a handy mini fridge.
The rest of the facilities at the hotel were also great. You could relax and unwind in the Regency Room, which comes complete with a full-size snooker table, and there was also a book-filled snug with retro jukebox. Guests could also book in for spa treatments and at the time of our visit, in July 2021, planning permission had been granted to improve the tennis courts and build an indoor swimming pool.
What’s the food like at Karma Salford Hall?
Really lovely. The wood-panelled Sir Phillip Hobbie restaurant has something for everyone, from sea bass to beef sirloin. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for, too. My risotto verde, pictured above, was delicious and the sweet potato curry – created by one of Karma’s chefs in Kerala – sounded amazing. The formal restaurant is packed full of character but is in no way stuffy. If you’d like a more relaxed experience though, you can choose to dine in the recently-refurbished conservatory or traditional bar.
Breakfast is well worth getting out of bed for, too. I ordered the continental option and there was so much food – from croissants to fruit, granola and cheese – it pretty much filled the entire table! Room service is always an option though if you’re struggling to tear yourself away from your room.
Are there resident dogs at Karma Salford Hall?
No, but you may well meet other dogs who are visiting the hotel. If not, your dog will have all the fuss from staff to themselves!
Where are the best dog walks near Karma Salford Hall?
The hotel is located among the rolling hills of the Cotswolds so there are plenty of amazing walks nearby. Two that take in the area surrounding Karma Salford Hall are detailed in the welcome pack in the room. One takes in Dunnington and Cock Bevington and the other tours Rushford and Abbot’s Salford. Both walks take around two hours.
Dogs and their owners will also enjoy a trip to historic Evesham, around a 10-minute drive from the hotel. There are some lovely riverside walks to be had here and Abbey Park is a delight. Stratford-upon-Avon – the former stomping ground of playwright William Shakespeare – is also a short drive from the hotel and has some fantastic riverside walks. The Regency town of Leamington Spa is also well worth a visit. For more information about dog-friendly things to see and do in the area, check out our Ruff Guide to the Cotswolds.
What Ernie and Stan loved about Karma Salford Hall
The Very Important Pet welcome pack, the sausages for breakfast, the fuss from staff
What I loved about Karma Salford Hall
The delicious food, the blend of old and new, the friendly staff
How to book Karma Salford Hall
Overnight stays start from £180, including breakfast. For more information or to book, call 01386 871300 or visit the Karma Salford Hall website.