Much like Chester, Oddfellows hotel is charming and stylish. The historic Georgian, Grade II-listed building has the perfect spot in the city; it’s just a short stroll from the cobbled shopping lanes and stunning Dee River.
It’s a quirky, boutique hotel and this becomes apparent from the moment you walk in – there’s a White Rabbit-esque tea room, kitted out with gingham and kitsch clocks. The wooden walls in the bar are adorned with huge animal photos which clash with the tan leather booths and chandeliers. Put it this way, it’s a workout for your eyes.
My Mother and I booked a last minute trip there in March and, because of this, our bedroom – Caldecott Cottage – wasn’t their finest, but, even so, it was still plush and suited us perfectly.
Much like the rest of the hotel, the quirky details continued in our room: the lamps were embellished with illustrations inspired by 19th century children books – very niche but also very cute. My favourite feature was the free-standing bathtub which made for a relaxing, indulgent start to the day. Having said that, the bed was also outrageously comfy.
If you stay in the hotel, I highly recommend having dinner in the restaurant as we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. The kitchen is headed up by Elliot Hill who champions local suppliers and makes a mean roast dinner. We dined there on a Sunday and definitely plan on returning for more generous servings of lamb and trimmings!
Roasts aside, we also loved the cured salmon starter served with crème fraiche and iced dill – it was a sophisticated plate which (no offence to the hotel) we weren’t expecting. From the interior, it’s clear this hotel doesn’t take itself too seriously, but the kitchen is clearly another matter!
Just like the appetising food menu, the bar also boasts an eclectic mix of gins and wines. After polishing off two refreshing gin and tonics, we shared a carafe of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which was bursting with pungent fruity aromas.
On the night we stayed at Oddfellows the weather was pretty chilly, but had it been a summer evening, you would have found us in their beer garden. In fact, beer garden doesn’t do it justice, it’s closer to being a cocktail garden.
The funky (and I mean funky) outdoor space is decked out with a mixture of intimate booths, jazzy wallpapers and oversized lamps, making it an Instagrammers paradise!
We stayed at Oddfellows for one night, which felt short, but most definitely sweet and it’s safe to say we’d be delighted to return.
Address: 20 Lower Bridge St, Chester CH1 1RS
Phone: 01244 345454
Website: oddfellowschester.com
