First thing..this is an AMAZING place, as close to a 'real' castle that you can get to stay in. The location is equally amazing, perched on top of a hill with spectacualr views across the Cheshire plain and of Beeston Castle on the neighboring hill.
BUT..... it should also be said that this is very much a Wedding Venue (and a great venue for a wedding at that). But if you come here and aren't involved in a wedding then you will feel like you are somehow crashing an event, rather than having a romantic getaway. That said, even with the music in the Great Hall at full volume, our room was so far away and up so many steps and behind so many thick walls, we honestly couldn't hear a thing.
This is NOT a place for people with mobility issues (although there were guests in wheelchairs, so I guess there are accessible rooms). Our room was in the Keep and was a VERY strenuous walk away up endless flights of steps.
We ate in the brasserie, and this was good, if not spectacular. Good bistro style food.
We also drank in the Wine Cellar bar. A very atmospheric cellar room with a massive vaulted ceiling. But this is not cheap! £25 for a beer and a G&T!
Breakfast was good, but again not fabulous. This possibly illustrated the small issues I had with this hotel. Our room was over £200. For that, I would expect a decent breakfast. But, while you could get basic things, most others attracted a surcharge.
Staff were mostly fine, but Reception were frosty - again not what I expect