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 13.4 mi (21.5 km) from Royal Albert Dock and 18.8 mi (30.3 km) from Anfield Stadium.
What's nearby
Burton Mere Wetlands - 2 min drive - 1.3 miles
Chester Zoo - 9 min drive - 7.1 miles
Chester City Walls - 12 min drive - 7.5 miles
Chester Cathedral - 13 min drive - 7.7 miles
Chester Racecourse - 14 min drive - 7.9 miles
Getting around
Little Sutton Station - 5 min drive
Manchester Airport (MAN) - 45 min drive
Restaurants
The Crafty Tavern Limited - 5 min drive
Starbucks - 4 min drive
Purple Olive - 5 min drive
The Cheshire Yeoman - 3 min drive
Old Wirral Hundred - 6 min drive
About this property
Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa, Chester
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.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
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 center
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
Smoking not allowed
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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
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
Property 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
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 310 out of 944 reviews
10 - Excellent
310
Rating 8 - Good. 330 out of 944 reviews
8 - Good
330
Rating 6 - Okay. 172 out of 944 reviews
6 - Okay
172
Rating 4 - Poor. 93 out of 944 reviews
4 - Poor
93
Rating 2 - Terrible. 39 out of 944 reviews
2 - Terrible
39
8.0/10
Cleanliness
8.2/10
Staff & service
8.0/10
Amenities
7.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
8/10 Good
Barry
Nov 19, 2025
room change due to bleach and mould remover left in room
We couldn't even stay. The leather headboard was ripped and dirty, the radiators were off but the room was about 40 degrees because the large cast iron pipes ran through the room. They had put a fan in the room so knew. You couldn't have stayed in the room due to the intense heat. It felt dirty and run down. Avoid.
The breakfast menu was fresh however my breakfast was overcooked to which they apologised and made again. However when paying a supplement for certain items when breakfast was shown as included is a little disapointing.
Daniel
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
8/10 Good
Alison
Traveled with partner, Traveled with pets
Nov 2, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
This good, dog-friendly hotel is in need of tightening its maintenance and operations schedules …
We spent 2 nights here. We were very comfortable in clean and well-designed room, and ate in the bar both nights. Food very good on Friday but by Saturday evening various beers and menu options had run out, so weren’t available. Bar staff were friendly but acted as if this was quite predictable. Room was comfortable but we didn’t spot the kettle, cups and teabags (which were in wardrobe!) until we were leaving. Fizzy water station in hallway is a great idea but wasn’t working. And a water leak in shower seal has obviously been a problem for a while, as bath panel is now really damaged. Apparently no option to take an early breakfast by prior arrangement (as is common in m as by other countries). Dog poo bin in garden was overflowing with beer cans. All are small problems but collectively they project a “don’t care” attitude.
I would give the hotel a higher rating if these kind of minor issues were addressed. Beautiful woodland garden …
Alison
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Carol
Traveled with family
Nov 1, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Our room was lovely and spacious with a comfortable bed and clean bathroom. The hotel was clean throughout and sat in pleasant grounds. We found the staff were welcoming on arrival and polite friendly and professional throughout our stay. We enjoyed using the pool, and restaurant.
Carol
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Simon
Nov 1, 2025
Simon
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
8/10 Good
Amy
Traveled with family and small children
Oct 31, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Clean and tidy, fresh towels every day, staff were friendly...most of the time
There was a mistake with the room twice, they upgraded us but the room needed an upgrade. I did pass this on departure. This hasn’t happened before at this hotel but I will never pay for an upgraded room.
Andrea
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
6/10 Okay
mark
Traveled with partner
Oct 26, 2025
Disliked: Amenities
hotel look tired and car park requires attention
mark
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
8/10 Good
COLIN
Business traveler
Oct 23, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
couple of Problems with the room that could be improved
very few plug sockets and in poor locations
sink very slow to drain - probably beginning to block up
Elizabeth at breakfast stood out as an excellent example of customer service and a bright lovely welcome in the mornings, she should be rewarded for such good service levels
Friendly, clean and peaceful. The breakfast was a bit disappointing as very weak coffee and cheap sliced bread, spoiled an otherwise excellent breakfast. The black pudding was exceptional.
Ruth
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
6/10 Okay
John
Sep 25, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Getting a bit dated
We had a nice stay, hotel was clean and we had good service. Hotel rooms are a bit dated now. Cooked breakfast food was overdone. Spa was nice, wife had a good massage, we were disappointed there was no jacuzzi. Overall needs a little TLC.
John
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
8/10 Good
Stephen
Sep 21, 2025
Stephen
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Gareth
Business traveler
Sep 18, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Great hotel booked at short notice !
Lovely location, nice and quiet and good food / breakfast, all the staff were really friendly and couldn’t do enough for me! The hotel itself could do with an upgrade as it doesn’t do the location and staff justice! That said don’t let my comment put you off I will definitely stay here again when working in the area
Beautiful grounds.
Swimming pool
Water jug and glasses in room.
Nice breakfast
Nice pillows, bed a little firm for my liking but you will never please everyone with beds
Anne
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
6/10 Okay
Karen
Sep 1, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Property is dated. But the bedrooms were large and bed was comfortable. The deco throughout is old fashioned and dark. Corridors are dark and dingy. I can not comment about the communal areas as i didnt really use them. The staff were pleasant polite and very helpful.
Karen
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kirti
Traveled with group, Business traveler, Traveled with family
The family room was large and comfortable (if a bit tired), however lack of air conditioning was a bit of an issue as it was 30 degrees. However a fan was provided on request.
Breakfast was great with a lot of choice and there were good options for other meals.
It was great for kids due to the large grassy area just outside the restaurant, meaning they could go and play while we finished our food and drinks.
The pool is a good size and is sectioned off for adults and families/ children. There was also a decent amount of time allocated for children to swim.
Location was good for us, being handy for Chester zoo, Chester itself and not too far from the coast.
All in all, we had an enjoyable and comfortable stay and would definitely come back.