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Solent Hotel and Spa (Shire Hotels), Fareham - 4 bubbles
A good spa guide reviewer was invited to visit the Solent Hotel spa for an Espa Back, Face and Neck Treatment. She left feeling relaxed and energised, and was ready to face her long drive and busy weekend.
Was it easy to book?
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?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
Was it easy to book?
The Good Spa Guide was invited to review the spa at the Solent Hotel, so booking arrangements were made by phone and all efficiently handled.
First impressions?
This modern hotel is just off the motorway, so it's easy to find, but it's cleverly screened by trees and meadows so you don't see and you hardly hear the road. It's a better than average modern building with some attractive detailed brickwork in places and nice use of a wooden section on the front.
How did they welcome you?
The reception is a cross between a village pub and the grand hall at a manor house - double height with a huge staircase in the middle, plenty of wood, and comfortable seating areas. We registered at reception and were taken up to our room. Some rooms have a separate work area, which is great if you are travelling on business. Internet access is included in these rooms.
What happens next?
We had a quick tour of the spa, which has pale colours, wide corridors, subdued lighting and modern seating. The double treatment room has its own private terrace and hot tub - ideal for a romantic assignation with your significant other, or a gossipy session with a friend. The spa changing area is separate to the main health club changing area and more luxurious, with six lockers and a large shower plus mirrors and seating. It's nicely done and comfortable, but you wouldn't want six people in there at once. They stagger the treatment times, however, so it's unlikely to happen.
The robes are those synthetic ones, which are wonderfully soft but they do cling to the body in all the places you would rather they didn't cling to!
In the relaxation area, we filled in our health consultation forms. My therapist paid attention to what I had written and went off to check which products contained lavender and which didn't.
Which treatments did you have?
I had an Espa Back, Face and Neck treatment. This is a lovely combination because there is a bit of pampering and a bit of prettifying all in one. You choose the oils for your treatment by smell. My therapist insisted that my body would tell me what oils were needed, but also asked what I was looking for from the treatment. I said I wanted to feel energised by it as I had a long drive and a busy weekend ahead of me. My therapist asked me to smell two oils three times in a row and say which I preferred in each case. I was worried that I would not like any of the choices but, in fact, I definitely preferred one of the two each time. Interestingly, I chose the uplifting and energising oils each time, which just goes to show that listening to what your body tells you does work.
What were the treatments like?
My therapist carried out the treatment on heated pads, which is a great idea. It keeps you warm and helps hold your body in a good posture. Very useful for long treatments when your lower back can feel stiff. I found that my shoulders and neck area relaxed wonderfully while my therapist carried out the facial because of the warmth and the support.
The treatment uses both hot and cold stones: hot on the back, cold ones during the facial. The combination of massage, hot stones and the warm pad meant I relaxed very deeply and my therapist could focus on getting those knots out of my neck and shoulders. She was brilliant at finding the right places and working on them just until I felt I could bear it no longer, and then she moved onto another area.
The facial was thorough and careful; it included exfoliation, massage and a face pack with cold stones placed on my eyes. It felt a bit strange but my therapist warned me in advance and told me to say if it was uncomfortable. In fact, after a while, it felt fine. The cold seeping into my skin was actually quite comforting. It was just the thought that it was oddly like coins being put on the eyes of the dead that was a bit disturbing!
How did you feel afterwards?
Lovely. Stretched and relaxed but also ready to get up and go. And since I was facing that long drive, that was great.
What happens afterwards?
There's a comfortable relaxation area with doors onto a small terrace area, overlooking a meadow. It has seating for ten people with some outside seats as well, so plenty of space and stacks of up-to-date glossy magazines to get lost in. I was offered drinks and snacks; water juices, coffee, fruit and pastries are all available all day.
There's a pool, with a steam room and sauna, a monsoon shower and a hot tub, plus a well-equipped gym and studio with some classes.
I just wish I had longer to linger in the relaxation area and really unwind.
Long-term effects
A relaxing break with time for a swim and a walk always improves the prospect of a long drive. The Espa back, face and neck treatment was just right for a day when I couldn't completely crash out. Often a really "heavy" treatment leaves you ready for sleep.
Was it worth it?
Yes. Look out for their weekend offers which include spa specials and are very good value for money, especially if you can stay on a Sunday night and have your treatments Sunday afternoon or Monday.
What else could you have?
The Solent Spa offers a range of Espa body treatments and facials, St Tropez for tanning, Jessica for nails, and IB Bare for makeup. There are specialist treatments for men and for pregnant women. They also offer the usual waxing treatments. Express treatments which last 25 minutes are very useful if you are there on business and can't spare much time. For those who can really take the time to unwind, the spa also offers Espa "journeys" - combinations of treatments that make up a full day at the spa.
Who do you think would like it?
Couples - the double treatment room with its own terrace and hot tub would make a great high spot for a romantic weekend away. Friends who want to meet up for a day of gossiping and relaxing. Anyone travelling on business who wants to take a few hours out.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
I gave the Solent Spa 4 bubbles. The spa area itself is modern, well designed, and has spacious treatment rooms and relaxation areas.
The pool area is a bit dark, and the pool is not very large (seven or eight breaststrokes for a length) and is looking rather dated. The monsoon shower and colour sauna are rather basic versions compared to what is available in other spas.
I was tempted by 5 bubbles as the spa area is so good but, at The Good Spa Guide, we think about the whole experience. Spa-goers are going to want to use the pool area as well as the spa, and it was that part of the experience that meant 4 bubbles rather than 5.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes. The hotel is nicely done with comfortable rooms, decent beds and pleasant public areas. We ate outside in the canopied area of the restaurant. Even though it was May, the canopy kept the area warm. The heaters are placed carefully under the canvas to keep people warm without wasting heat. The big gas barbecues are well used to produce fresh foods, though the food is on the pricey side. The wine list is carefully selected and they had good wines by the glass - not many places bother with that.
The Solent is part of a small group of seven Shire hotels, all with similar spas. As I travel around the country a fair amount, I will look out for these and choose to book there. I think they understand that people travelling on business also want to be able to unwind and relax and have tailored their spa offering to suit.
We visited the Solent Hotel in May 2007
See also:
* Contact Details for Solent Hotel and Spa
* Good Spa Guide Favourite Treatments
* I spend all day on my computer. My neck is permanently stiff. Will a massage help?
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