Romantic Dreaming
Alison and Jonathan splashed out on a pampering short break at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey with indulgent treatments from ‘down under’ in the award-winning spa.
We wanted to chill out at a country house hotel with a good quality spa and decided to visit Pennyhill Park. It ticked all the boxes; not too far from home, rooms with oodles of character, open log fires, 120 acres of parkland, a 9-hole golf course and most importantly, an excellent spa.
Winding our way up the impressive tree-lined drive, we had a sense that we were leaving everyday hassles behind and entering a calmer, more relaxed world. It was drizzling rain, so we appreciated the enclosed walkway linking the car park to the main entrance. Once inside, we warmed to the smiling staff and the blazing log fire. In no time at all we were checked in and being shown to our room, along corridors with creaking floorboards and walls displaying oil paintings and strategically placed antiques.
Our ‘room’ turned out to be a spacious junior suite, ornately furnished with a huge four-poster bed and large windows overlooking the outdoor pools and the spa. The marble bathroom had a splendid roll top bath and a plentiful supply of fluffy towels on the heated towel rails. Sadly that ultimate bathroom luxury – under floor heating – failed to work properly during our stay.
We were just taking in the space and luxury of it all, when a butler knocked on the door and presented us with an array of fruits and chocolates and a welcoming note. He alerted us to the room’s cuddly toy soldier, to be put ‘on guard’ outside our door when we didn’t want to be disturbed and a ‘pillow menu’ with a choice of six different types of pillows.
We couldn’t wait to try the spa, and as robes and slippers were provided in the room, quickly changed and set-off. Surprisingly there was no direct passageway linking the main hotel building with the spa. To our discomfort, we found ourselves mingling with smartly dressed guests as we crossed the reception area in our robes and slippers.
Our niggles were soon forgotten when we entered The Spa (as it is called) and saw the ‘wow factor’ design for ourselves. The sophisticated facilities are spread over two floors in a new building that opened in 2003. The 21 exclusive treatment rooms are on the first floor, while the pools and thermal circuit with an aromatic laconium, tepidarium, ice cave and a cold plunge pool are downstairs. Even the changing rooms are oversized and beautifully appointed with large individual experience showers and complimentary toiletries.
We spent ages in the thermal suite and enjoyed exercising in the main indoor swimming pool, which has relaxing underwater music and in and outdoor Jacuzzis with air jets. There are separate spaciously designed steam rooms – Aromatic Grotto for women, Osmanian Steam Room for men and the mixed Schnapps Room. Unfortunately, the signage for the women’s steam room resembled a first aid cross, causing a few men to venture into the steam room by mistake. After using the facilities for a couple of hours, we were feeling noticeably calmer and more relaxed.
The Spa was the first in the UK to offer Australian Li’Tya treatments and products – spa care from the Australian Dreamtime. The treatments all have Aboriginal names and combine ancient Aboriginal philosophies and healing techniques with indigenous plants, fruits, salts, muds and herbs to cleanse, enrich and pamper.
Alison’s energising one-hour Li’Tya Kodo treatment was an unusual rhythmic body massage combining spiralling movements with pressure point massage, aimed at restoring body balance and improving energy flow. After smelling three essential oils, Alison selected one for her treatment, which was carried out to the sound of relaxing Aboriginal music. We shared a ‘Li’Tya Sensual Serail’, a spa ritual for two in a private mud chamber. A therapist explained the benefits of three different clays and then left us to gently massage these onto each other’s bodies while the chamber filled with aromatic steam. Sitting in the humid warmth for about 20 minutes, we could feel the cleansing and warming effects. Finally a series of warm showers washed away the mud and we emerged from the chamber with skin newly smoothed and enriched.
During our stay at Pennyhill Park, we played two rounds on the 9-hole golf course, which is made up of testing par 3 and 4 holes and set amongst beautiful wood and parkland scenery. We had the entire golf course to ourselves for the most part. There’s no additional cost for playing on the golf course unless you hire clubs and no need to book a tee time.
We had dinner and breakfast in the Brasserie Restaurant and also ate in the Ascot Bar and The Spa’s own Café Themis. While the food quality was always good, the ambience was notably lacklustre in the Brasserie Restaurant at dinner. Since our visit, the Brasserie has been refurbished and the menus made more affordable with two and three course options.
We rounded off our stay sharing a pina colada in the pleasant surroundings of the Ascot Bar. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our short break at Pennyhill Park and hope to return for another romantic break in the future.
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Pennyhill Park Hotel and The Spa
London Road, Bagshot, Surrey GU19 5EU Tel: +44 (0) 1276 471 774 www.pennyhillpark.co.uk Special offers include Sunday Spa Treats from £395 (for two) includes overnight stay in de-luxe room, three-course table d’hote supper, breakfast, use of the spa and two treatments. |
