A Brief History of Mollington Hotel & Spa Chester

The name "Mollington Banastre" is unusual. Mollington is the name of the the village situated 2 mile from Chester, bound by the parishes of Trinity, St Oswalds and Backford.

A Manor House which originally stood on this site since the conquest in 1066 was part of the barony of Robert de Rodelent, (the Norman Lord of the township). After his death the title was given to Robert Banastre of Lancashire by Edward I, who granted Robert de Banastre "Molyton Banastre" in the 12th Century.

The manor house was then owned by the Houghtons of the Houghton Tower, when Clementine Banastre (daughter of Robert) married Richard de Houghton. The Manor House was then passed down to other families such as the Stanley family of Hooston, the Dod family and the Stapleton Humberston family.

Later in 1853, the Manor House was replaced by a handsome mansion, most of which can still be seen today.

Under the ownership of the McFarlands, the Manor House was converted into a Country Club with 14 bedrooms, 15 more bedrooms were added in 1962.

In 1964 the Mollington Banastre was bought by John Mawdsley and the Walker brothers, it was then that the building was converted into a hotel. Under the Mawdsley's management the hotel building was refurbished and extended.

In 1970, there was the first extension of 21 bedrooms, which was encouraged by the Tourism Act and availability of grants by the English Tourist Board.

Five years later, the original stables were converted into an outside pub, known as the "Good Intent", and in 1983 the building of the leisure complex started. It was during this period that the Mollington Banastre was upgraded from a three to a four star hotel.

In 1993 the Good Intent was converted into two conference rooms: The Boardroom and The Library.  

In 1997 this area was converted back into a Bistro called "The Place Apart", which although popular diverted business away from the main hotel restaurant.  It was therefore changed back into conference rooms in 2001.

In 1995, Arcadian Hotels bought the Mollington and in 1999 Hand Picked Hotels purchase the hotel from Arcadian Hotels.

In 2006 after a programme of refurbishment it was decided to rename the hotel MOLLINGTON HOTEL & SPA CHESTER