I’ll be honest, when thinking about escaping away for a scenic weekend luxury spa mini-break, Burnley was not the place that initially sprung to mind.

But as it turns out, a quick trip down the M66 was all it took to experience a glittering multi-award-winning spa experience, which is attracting the attention of visitors from across the country and beyond.

On Thursday (October 31) the hotel invited a host of high-profile guests to celebrate the local area, challenge preconceptions and promote the borough as a go-to luxury getaway destination.

Names on the guestlist included former Coronation Street actress Victoria Ekanoye who was joined by Corrie stars past and present, Bhavna Limbachia and Tony Maudsley, television personality and influencer Claudia Fogarty and her professional footballer partner, Ollie Cranshaw.

Nestled in the fields of Burnley, the Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort is quickly becoming one of the best hotels in Lancashire since opening its doors in 2019 and it’s not hard to see why.

As far as luxury hotels with spas in Lancashire go, this one is the pinnacle.

(Image: Leah Collins) Sprawling across 40 acres of private parkland, the 76-room Crow Wood hotel provides visitors with breathtaking views of Pendle Hill and the surrounding countryside, a beautiful ornamental lake and fabulous gardens.

But it’s not just the stunning views, made even more dazzling when viewed from the spa’s generous heated rooftop infinity pool, that made Crow Wood feel so special.

It was the kindness, warmth and generosity of the staff members, each of whom really made me feel as though I was part of something special.

We were shown around by hotel concierge, Rudolf, who has worked at Crow Wood for five years and “couldn’t imagine working anywhere else”.

(Image: Leah Collins)

The magic of Crow Wood comes from that warmth, notes Burnley-born managing director, Andrew Brown: “The hotel has been here since 2019 and was initially bought in the year 2000, when it was a struggling dairy farm.

“The 100-acre plot began as just a modest spa, a family restaurant and an equestrian centre. It has since undergone massive refurbishment to make sure that it is perfect for our visitors. The spa alone has undergone renovations and extensions worth millions.

(Image: Leah Collins) “But we’re not interested in being the largest spa in the UK, we want to be the best.”

The decision to keep the hotel as local as possible was entirely deliberate, notes Justine Cooke, marketer at Crow Wood Leisure: "We really wanted to bring it back to the north create a welcoming atmosphere and remain accessible for visitors without being pretentious.

(Image: ANDY FORD_PHOTOGRAPHER)

“We wanted to change people’s perceptions and raise aspirations of Burnley. Most people who visit can’t believe there’s something like this here but keeping it as local as possible is what makes us so special.”

(Image: Leah Collins)

The Woodland Spa lived up to all expectations in providing a relaxed atmosphere for guests and offering a range of amenities from the hydrotherapy pool (perfect for relaxation – powerful jets massage the whole body), multiple sauna and steam rooms, roman foot baths, the UK’s longest infinity edge spa pool and outdoor terrace as well as my personal favourite, the world-leading, multi-sensory ice lounge for thrill-seekers who dare to get chilly!

(Image: Leah Collins)

What sets the spa apart is the attention to minor details – all oozing in quality and style - right down to the ergonomic heated loungers, which provided a prime nap spot to warm up after my exhilarating ice experience. There’s something here for everyone.

Resort Marketing Manager, Justine Cooke said: “We didn’t have a target market in mind when the hotel was built, anyone and everyone is welcome. We didn’t want it to feel pretentious.

“We always use the saying – it’s your spa, so spa your way”.

Another jewel in Crow Wood’s crown are its three eateries, two of which boast AA Rosette awards and all offering an exemplary “home away from home” dining experience.

(Image: Leah Collins) Elegant yet comfortable, Bertram’s restaurant offers a curated menu of elevated dishes. With a versatile range of seasonal sides, guests can explore unique combinations and personalise the dish to suit their specific tastes, whether it’s trying an old favourite or exploring tantalizing new cuisine.

As a cheese lover, I opted for the goat’s cheese pearls for starter – and these did not disappoint, I also sampled the tempura Korean BBQ prawns, which were the perfect amount of sizzling chilli flavour.

(Image: Leah Collins) For the main course, I sampled the fillet steak which I asked to be done medium-rare with sides of onion rings, chunky chips and dauphinoise potato. Normally I’m fussy about steak, but this was delectable; juicy and melt-on-the-mouth.

(Image: Leah Collins) At the recommendation of the charismatic restaurant manager, Dinnoo, I sampled the chocolate and clementine baked Alaska as well as a Bailey’s and coffee honeycomb chocolate brownie for dessert.

(Image: Leah Collins) Both desserts were excellent. The chocolate brownie is the perfect combination for all avid chocolate lovers like myself, whilst the baked Alaska looked as good as it tasted, providing dinner with a show as we watched staff light the Cointreau.

(Image: Leah Collins)The staff couldn’t be more helpful and welcoming, it’s clear that the hotel is a hit with both guests and employees alike.

(Image: Leah Collins) Director at Creative Talent Management Limited & Burnley Film Studios, Kevin Furber, who was working the event as a photographer said:

“The hotel and spa have 425 employees in total, it’s done so much for the local area. People are proud of it; they can’t believe that it’s local when they come and visit.

“It’s great to showcase Burnley in a positive light, we get lots of tourists coming through – from as par as the USA. We want it to be the sort of place that people remember and want to come back to.

(Image: Leah Collins)

“The function room can accommodate 420 people, if people are coming up to Burnley for a meeting, we want to be the first port of call.

“We’ve had everyone – from Premier League football teams to people who want to get away for a couple of days, it really is what you make of it. The hotel is loved by everyone who stays here, it did struggle during the pandemic, but it survived – that’s what’s important.

“People look at Burnley in a different way once they’ve been here.”

I couldn’t agree more.