Review of Bishopstrow House Country Hotel and Spa, Warminster

Bishopstrow Country House and Spa, Warminster - 4 bubbles

Bishopstrow House is a quintessential English country house and the Halcyon Spa is a contemporary spa that offers a superb range of Elemis treatments. The hotel and spa facilities are fabulous and the heated outdoor pool the icing on the cake.

First impressions?

How did they welcome you?

What happens next?

Which treatments did you have?

What were the treatments like?

How did you feel afterwards?

What happens afterwards?

Long-term effects

Was it worth it?

What else could you have?

What do you wish you'd known before you went?

Any special features?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

Bishopstrow House Country Hotel is in Wiltshire, just off the A36. It was a beautiful sunny day when I visited, and I hadn't wanted to spend hours cooped up in a car! However, both the journey and the loss of bearings faded as we turned into the tree-lined drive. At the end of the driveway stood the majestic ivy covered Georgian country mansion. The hotel is a Grade II listed building, which sits in acres of some of the country's most beautiful countryside. As I walked up to the entrance and looked back, I noticed a couple having afternoon tea on the lawn. I knew then that I was leaving the rest of the world far behind, and I felt delighted to have been invited.

How did they welcome you?

Having been lost for some time before arrival, I had made more than a couple of phone calls to ask for directions, so the staff were waiting anxiously at the entrance and warmly greeted us. As we arrived at reception, I explained that I had a treatment booked in the spa and that I was going to be late. The staff seemed to go into overdrive. We were swiftly checked in, and our bags were deposited in our room As soon as the door to the bedroom opened, I was impressed. The room was stylish, contemporary and spacious. The walls were covered in stunning, pale lilac designer wallpaper. The curtains were heavy floor-to-ceiling amethyst and there was an elegant lilac velvet sofa. All the accompanying finishing touches were co-ordinated and the bed was gargantuan. There was more of the wow factor in the bathroom. The roll-top bath was in the middle of the room and had a shower-head the size of a dinner plate. There was also a smaller version of the bedroom sofa in the same luscious lilac velvet. The views from both the bedroom and the bathroom were delightful. The finishing touches included plenty of Culpeper products in the bathroom, fresh flowers and fruit in the bedroom, and both sparkling and still bottled water. As I was running late, I was whisked off to the spa. Every member of staff was friendly, helpful and professional.

What happens next?

The Halcyon Spa is in a newly refurbished part of the hotel. The spa reception was a mixture of soft textures, bright modern designer wallpaper and stylish wooden furniture. There were a number of strategically placed candles burning around the room. A cheerful receptionist greeted me and gave me a consultation form to fill in. My therapist, Diane, took me through to one of four beautiful treatment rooms. It was beautifully decorated and contained a roomy shower, tidy wooden surfaces, and a large, very comfy therapy bed. Around the edges of the room were floor spotlights.

Which treatments did you have?

I was actually booked in for the Elemis Skin Specific Facial but, to help relax me, Diane offered to give me a back, neck and shoulder massage before starting the facial. She explained that the back, neck and shoulders are specifically targeted because that is the area where we hold the majority of our tension.

Diane discussed my consultation form with me and asked me questions about my skin and my usual cleansing practices.

What were the treatments like?

Diane expertly massaged fragrant essential oils into my back, neck and shoulders. From the first few strokes, I felt an immediate sense of calm sweep over my whole body. I think my massage lasted about half an hour but can't be certain. By the time Diane asked me to roll over onto my back, I was completely relaxed and free of all tension and stress. My Elemis Skin Specific Facial began with a double cleanse, followed by a ginseng toner. I love the smells and textures of Elemis products. I particularly liked the feel of the exfoliation, using Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel. The particles are fine, not huge, gritty and harsh, and the smell was gorgeously fruity, yummy enough to eat. Diane applied a luxurious cream mask, the Elemis Pro Collagen Quartz Mask, after the exfoliation. The texture was rich and, as soon as I felt it on my skin, I just loved it. In conjunction with the mask, I also had a cooling eye mask. While these products were doing their work, Diane treated me to a fantastic scalp massage.

How did you feel afterwards?

I loved the way I felt immediately. The back, neck and shoulder massage had completely relaxed my tense tired muscles. My lower back no longer felt rigid. The dull ache between my shoulder blades had completely vanished. The facial had left my face feeling wide-awake, full of freshness, invigorated and re-energised. I really did feel a radiance glowing from under my skin.

What happens afterwards?

I went through to the relaxation room. This room was also beautifully decorated, calming and highly stylish. The loungers were covered in lush deep-purple silk covering. Each had its own individual set of headphones with a side table and lamp. I loved this room. Bishopstrow's two major spa features are the newly renovated heated indoor and outdoor pools. Because the weather was so pleasant for the time of year, we started with the outdoor heated swimming pool. I had forgotten how wonderful it was to swim in an outdoor pool in England. The water is kept at 30 degrees and the surrounding gardens were perfectly manicured. My swim was refreshing and full of nostalgia. The indoor pool was also absolutely perfect, a good size for swimming lengths at a spot-on temperature. and the sizeable Jacuzzi was a dream. I also tried out the steam room and sauna and finished with the experience showers. This is a double shower for two with three separate settings: warm tropical rainforest, Caribbean storm and cold Atlantic sea mist. The experience comes complete with added light and sound effects for a complete sensory experience. In the evening, we went down for dinner. In the classic sitting room, we sipped on champagne and ate our delicious pre-dinner canapés. We then went through to the 2AA Rosette Mulberry Restaurant -- a beautiful golden-yellow room overlooking the gardens. I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted because I wanted to try it all. The modern English menu was full of all the dishes you would expect to find but the Mulberry managed to add something extra to each dish. I started with game pate accompanied by home-made chutney. My main event was duck, which was full of subtle flavours and delicate seasoning. To finish, we had the cheese board with a tasty selection of farmhouse cheeses; the goat's cheese was particularly delightful. The food was sensational and the sommelier assisted in the choice of one of the best tasting wines I have ever had the pleasure to taste. That night, I was asleep the second my head touched the pillow. When we woke, I realised breakfast was next. Not remotely hungry, greed took over. I just couldn't pass the opportunity to try breakfast. And it lived up to my expectations. I had the most fantastic poached eggs!

Long-term effects

After my visit to Bishopstrow, I had a wonderful feeling of calm and peace. The pampering experience had benefited more than just my skin; my whole being felt uplifted and generally radiant. My skin felt rejuvenated, velvety soft to the touch and glowing. The dark circles under my eyes were gone and the puffy bags had been smoothed away. I saw noticeable results!

Was it worth it?

At £60 for 60 minutes, and considering the long-term effects, the Elemis Skin Specific Facia is good value for money and deserves to be tried. This is a truly heavenly facial.

What else could you have?

The Halcyon Spa treatment menu is varied with over 40 treatments to choose from. These include Elemis facials, massages, wraps and scrubs. You can also have Reiki and reflexology. There are treatments for mothers to be and specially designed treatments for men. There is a whole menu of finishing touches, grooming for hands and feet as well as eyebrow shaping and tinting and waxing. The spa also has a dedicated Rasul mud therapy room that can accommodate two. Lastly, The Halcyon Spa has its very own hair studio.

What do you wish you'd known before you went?

Just how much there is to do. In addition to all the spa facilities, there are also indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a fully equipped gym and, of course, croquet. Not forgetting that Bishopstrow has its very own river to stroll along.

Also remember: Children are welcome in the Halcyon Spa between 8am and 10am, and 3.30pm and 6pm -- so time your swim according to your needs

Any special features?

The newly renovated heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools are both very special features. You should definitely sample the monsoon shower room, and cream tea on the lawn is an opportunity not to be missed.

Who do you think would like it?

Bishopstrow is a perfect romantic spa hideaway. It seems as though the hotel has been designed with romance in mind. The dual treatment room is particularly delightful.

I think you would love this spa if you came just for the day, but the hotel is a wonderful place to stay.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave the Halcyon Spa at Bishopstrow House 4 bubbles. Everything about the spa is near perfect except that the changing rooms are too small. I suspect that the management are aware of this and so created another area next-door with hair driers and mirrors, and so on. This area could work very well except it is a passageway from the spa to the changing facilities. Also, I would like to see a few more signs. I found myself wandering around a couple of times trying to get to the relaxation room from the changing rooms. The spa staff were friendly, polite, and very helpful. Diane was experienced, professional and very knowledgeable, and gave me one of the best massages I've had. The hotel staff were all attentive, welcoming and conscientious, too.

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