HIGHFIELD

HIGHFIELD, a Michelin Key Selected property in Driffield, United Kingdom, consistently receives high praise for its luxurious offerings, unique design, and exceptional hospitality. This grand, historically interesting country house, originally built in 1864, has been meticulously restored and reopened in 2022 by a husband-and-wife duo, blending antique flamboyance with modern comfort.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

HIGHFIELD boasts a "Superb" rating, with an average score of 9.2 out of 10 based on numerous reviews. Guests frequently describe their stays as "amazing," "magical," "perfect escape," and "top-class." The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting a unique and luxurious experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently love several aspects of HIGHFIELD:

• Service & Staff: The staff are frequently described as "super friendly," "attentive," "welcoming," and "helpful." Their genuine hospitality contributes significantly to the positive guest experience.
• Design & Atmosphere: The hotel's design is a major draw, with guests appreciating the blend of historical character and modern idiom. The restoration has created a "unique place, historical and quirky with a modern twist." Many find the decor "fantastic," "quirky and classy," and the overall atmosphere "magical."
• Grounds & Amenities: The "lively grounds" and "splendid gardens" are frequently mentioned, providing a perfect escape. Amenities such as a charming chandelier-lit Library Bar, an open-air terrace, and a "cute little sweet station" are also appreciated. The property also offers free parking and free WiFi.
• Dog-Friendly: Several reviews highlight HIGHFIELD as being "super dog friendly."

3. Room Quality

The rooms at HIGHFIELD are a standout feature, with guests consistently praising their comfort and unique design. There are just eight to twelve suites, each "individually styled by international designer duo Andy and Lindsey" and "uniquely decorated."

• Comfort: Rooms are described as "very comfortable" and feature "bespoke mattresses," "premium bedding," and "pillowtop mattresses." Egyptian cotton sheets add to the luxurious feel.
• Design: Each suite tells a story, taking inspiration from the home's history. Examples include a room inspired by an antique train carriage, a pale pink boudoir, an attic-like room with woodland fairy artwork and mounted deer heads, and a whimsical suite with Batman logos in the wallpaper. Guests appreciate the "sumptuous touches," "high-quality appointments," and "lovely touches" like proper coffee, bath salts, crisps, and popcorn in the complimentary "maxi bars."
• Bathrooms: Many rooms feature "beautiful bathrooms" with "freestanding vintage tubs" and "deep soaking tubs" along with rainfall showers.

4. Dining Experience

HIGHFIELD offers a notable dining experience, particularly for dinner, though breakfast receives mixed feedback.

• Dinner: The "delicious dinner" served in the elegant 1864 Restaurant is frequently praised as "superb" and a "highlight." The restaurant focuses on foraging and sourcing ingredients locally, offering British cuisine with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.
• Breakfast: Guests can enjoy a "highly-rated breakfast" (guest review score: 8.6), with options including Full English/Irish, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, À la carte, and Breakfast to go. However, some guests have reported issues with breakfast service, describing it as "a disaster" with one staff member "struggling to cope," a lack of buffet items like loose sugar for cereals, half-empty orange juice, and toast served without butter, jam, or honey. The cooked breakfast itself is generally considered excellent. There's also a comment about the vegan breakfast portion size being small.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at HIGHFIELD are consistently highlighted as a major strength. Guests describe them as "super friendly," "attentive," "welcoming," "friendly and helpful." Many reviews emphasize the positive interactions with staff, making guests feel "warmly welcomed" and contributing to a "delightful stay."

6. Location & Accessibility

HIGHFIELD is "nestled out of the way in lively grounds" on the edge of the charming market town of Driffield, in the scenic Yorkshire Wolds.

• Neighborhood & Attractions: It offers a tranquil retreat within easy reach of East Yorkshire's wild coast and hidden countryside. Nearby attractions include Skipsea Castle Hill (18 km) and York Minster (47 km). Millennium Garden and Burton Agnes Hall are also located nearby, with Driffield Station an 18-minute walk away.
• Transport: The hotel is located 61 km from Humberside Airport and offers a free airport shuttle on request. Free on-site private parking and bicycle parking are available.

7. Value & Pricing

HIGHFIELD is generally considered to offer good value for money, with a rating of 9.1 for value for money. Guests have described their stay as "gorgeous stay, amazing value for money." While specific price ranges were not universally available, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults in early 2026 started from approximately £189 to $212.31, excluding taxes and fees. Breakfast may incur an additional surcharge of GBP 17 for adults and GBP 10 for children.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted:

• Breakfast Service: As mentioned above, some guests experienced issues with disorganized breakfast service, a lack of certain buffet items, and small vegan portion sizes.
• Hot Water Issues: One guest reported the hot water turning off halfway through a shower and not having hot running water from 10:30 pm onwards, preventing them from using the bath.
• Restaurant/Bar Availability: On occasion, the restaurant and bar have not been open on the day of a guest's stay, which was a disappointment for some.
• Room Temperature: One review mentioned a room being "freezing."
• Food Pricing: One guest felt the food was "very overpriced" and "not good quality," with breakfast described as "horrible." This contrasts with other positive dining reviews, suggesting inconsistency or differing expectations.
• Bathrooms in Rooms: The presence of baths within the main bedroom, rather than in separate en-suite facilities, was not to everyone's taste.
• Lighting Systems: One guest mentioned that the "several lighting systems took a while to master."

Sources

1. booking.com
2. ratedtrips.com
3. michelin.com
4. thehighfield.uk
5. hitched.co.uk
6. booking.com
7. hotels.com
8. expedia.com
9. expedia.co.uk