The Hallmark Hotel Carlisle

What’s our favourite biscuit? Custard Creams.

Thankfully, Carlisle produces over six million of them a day. Thanks, Carlisle.

The city has lots more to offer than old-school biscuits though. From Hadrian’s Wall to the Lake District National Park, it is a great base for exploring the winter wonderlands of Cumbria.

Today’s Big Deal is an overnight stay, dinner for two and a bottle of wine at the historic Hallmark Hotel.

Welcome bottle of wine in room

The Hallmark Hotel Carlisle is a comfortable Victorian escape that is the perfect base for exploring Cumbria or simply cosying up with a loved one over winter.

Valid until the end of April 2018, this Big Deal has two options. Both include a buffet breakfast; bottle of house wine in room on arrival; late check-out till noon and a two course dinner for two from the set menu in the hotel brasserie.

The 70 bedroom Hallmark Hotel Carlisle is in a prime location in the centre of the city, next to Carlisle’s historic Court Square and close to the railway station.

The hotel was originally built in 1853 for the arrival of Queen Victoria on the way to Balmoral, so it is safe to say that it has the royal seal of approval.

These days it combines Victorian grandeur with all the modern comforts and conveniences expected of a 21st century hotel.

Option one is for two people to stay one night, Sunday to Friday, in a Classic Double or Twin room.

Option two is for two people to enjoy a Saturday night stay in a Classic Double or Twin room.

Classic Double and Twin bedrooms offer a comfy bed with crisp linen and plump pillows; free, superfast WiFi; flat screen TV with Freeview; hospitality tray, working desk and chair plus hairdryer, iron and ironing board.

The hotel’s Victorian origins mean high ceilings and a wash of natural daylight through the large windows. Recent refurbishment means they also boast more contemporary interiors from elegant wallpaper and harmonious artworks to dark wood furniture and bold splashes of colour.

The hotel has on-site parking at £10 a night, payable direct to hotel.

Guests at the hotel also have special access to the DW Sports Fitness Club, just ten minutes’ walk away.

The club has luxury facilities including a 20-metre swimming pool, a large air-conditioned gymnasium, steam-room, spa baths and exercise studio. All available to guests for a charge of £10 per person.

Brasserie and wine bar

The richly coloured brasserie offers an acclaimed mix of British and European modern classics, light bites and the hotel’s legendary afternoon tea.

Menus change regularly and your two course set dinner might feature starters such as the honey mustard chicken skewers, Caprese salad or chicken liver pâté.

For your main, you’ll have a great choice of vegetarian, meat and fish dishes such as leek and blue cheese tart with pear, pine nuts and balsamic; sea bass with Moroccan spiced couscous and tomato salsa, or Kansas-style BBQ spare ribs with fries.

Happy guests

The Hallmark Hotel Carlisle has attracted plenty of positive feedback on TripAdvisor. These are recent reviews from guests, edited for length:

‘Enjoyed thoroughly. Nice small cozy room, bed was fantastic. Shower was great and breakfast was better. Location wise was bang in the centre of Carlisle and literally next door to the train station, excellent hotel with friendly staff will return.’

‘Great hotel, great staff, great price! The staff were wonderful and couldn’t do enough to help. Room was huge, lovely comfy bed. Bar area open with reasonable priced drinks. The staff made it for me, they were excellent. I will definitely be back.’

‘Fantastic hotel. I highly recommend this place. From reception staff to bar staff and restaurant staff they are all very welcoming and friendly…we ate in the restaurant for dinner, the food was amazing and very well presented…very spacious and comfortable…if it wasn’t for the breakfast we could have lay in for hours. Checkout at 11am later than most hotels meant we didn’t have to rush around too much after getting up. Breakfast was buffet style with a wide variety… I really can’t fault this place at all, stayed more than once now and will definitely be staying over again…thank you to all staff…’

Cosy escape to Carlisle

Valid until the end of April 2018, this Big Deal from the Hallmark Hotel Carlisle would make a very special getaway. With a bottle of wine, breakfast and brasserie meal included, it has all the essentials for a snug winter break.