 |
 |
No chill out for Karen and her mother at Tortworth Court
As a dedicated spa junkie, I decided to treat my Mother (and myself) to a Mother and Daughter Spa day at Langtry's Spa Retreat at the Four Pillars Tortworth Hotel in South Gloucestershire. After numerous phone calls (always appeared to be on answer machine ) I managed to book our day for Thursday 15th April. The Mother and Daughter day consists of use of the spa facilities, light lunch with refreshment, a taster facial, back and shoulder massage and a file and polish for £70 each.
First Impressions
The day arrived and we excitedly drove along the sweeping drive to the beautifully restored hotel. The house was virtually destroyed in 1991 by fire and the restoration project has cost in excess of £20 Million, it is a truly beautiful place.
Welcome
We made our way to the spa and were greeted, asked to take a seat and choose our lunch. Disappointment 1: In this premier 4 star hotel with a reputation for superb food, the offering was a bar menu of sandwiches, baguettes and jacket potatoes with very basic fillings. I choose a cheese and ham toastie and Mum had a cheese jacket. Where were the healthy options? something light but tasty? - I can get a sarnie or jacket any day of the week. Oh well it's only lunch...
What happened next?
Our Therapist took us on a tour, starting at Brunel's bar, this is where lunch would be served and we could get drinks if we wanted them (one free soft drink free with lunch the rest self funded). Disappointment 2: As this is a public area you must be fully dressed. Relaxing in a robe, for me, is very much part of the spa experience. We were signed in to Peels Leisure club and shown the facilities. The ladies changing room is upstairs, if you have mobility issues this would pose a problem and the stairs can get slippery. I believe that there is disabled changing room downstairs. You go past the steam room and sauna before entering the very clean and fresh smelling changing rooms (needed the usual £1 for the locker).
We got changed and went down to the pool. Again this was spotlessly clean, a reasonable size and all one depth. If you are a serious swimmer then this probably isn't the pool for you but it was perfect for us, after a gentle swim and some aquafit practice, noodles and floats were on poolside, we moved to the Jacuzzi for a relax. The Pool was quite busy with families so a little noisy, but the children were well behaved and just having fun - to be expected in the school holidays. On to the steam room, again spotlessly clean and I enjoyed the icy shower inside to cool down. We didn't get to go in the Sauna as it was constantly full.
Time to get dressed and have lunch. Brunel's bar is very elegant and the staff attentive. Lunch was served and after we went for a walk around the grounds before Mum headed off for her treatments. As there was only one Therapist on duty, Mum's treatments were at 1pm and mine at 2.30pm. Disappointment 3: There is no relaxation area so instead I read the paper in the bar and went for a walk to kill time.
What treatments did you have?
Back and Shoulder Massage, Taster Facial and File and polish.
What were the treatments like?
Treatment rooms were clean and relaxing. The back and Shoulder massage was very good, the therapist was well trained and managed to get all of the knots out of my very tense shoulders and neck. Elemis facial was also very good including an arm and hand massage. File and polish was ok - basic shape and paint.
How did you feel afterwards?
Very relaxed and comfortable until I left the treatment room as there is nowhere to go and chill out. I feel that it ruins all the good work that the therapist has done.
Was it worth it?
£75 off peak and £93 peak worth of treatments, lunch worth approx £10 + use of Leisure club for £70. The treatments were good value but I don't feel that you can call this a spa package/spa day.
What else could you have?
There is a full list of treatments and alternative therapies like Indian head massage and Hopi ear candles.
What do I wish that I'd known before I went?
No relaxation areas and lunch in a public bar. I wouldn't like to come here on my own for the day, I think that I would feel uncomfortable in the bar. I have been to many other spa's on my own with no problem. The website says - "Make time for yourself and indulge in the ultimate Gloucestershire country house spa experience with one of Tortworth Court Hotel’s spa packages. We have a number of luxury spa packages to choose from, all of which promise to leave you looking and feeling your best." I feel that this is not a true reflection of what is available.
I appreciate that this is a Grade II* listed Victorian Mansion so will not have the facilities of a purpose built spa, but if they could find somewhere near the beauty rooms as chill out/relaxation room and maybe somewhere to less public to eat your lunch it greatly improve the day. If I wanted some pool time and some treatments - I would go to my local health club. This is not what I expect from a day at a spa.
Spa Rating
Treatments score 5 bubbles - Brilliant, well trained therapist. Leisure facilities score 4 bubbles - very clean and helpful leisure assistants. But the Overall score is a harsh 2 bubbles - As stated above I don't feel that you can call this a spa.
Would you go again?
For a spa day - no. For meal in the restaurant, a stay in a nice hotel, a good treatment and a swim in the pool - a definite yes. It is a stunning building with beautiful grounds.
This reader review was submitted in April 2010
Please note: The Reader Reviews and other comments posted on The Good Spa Guide are the opinions of the visitors who submitted them and are not the opinion of The Good Spa Guide.
See also:
|
|
|