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Calcot Spa, Tetbury - 5 bubbles
Sybaritic Spy felt she was missing out on the "luxury or sensuous pleasure" that her nickname demands, so we sent her off to the rural Cotswold retreat of Calcot Manor. The well designed and well run spa with outdoor hot tub and fireplace restored her energy levels and reminded her how important sensuous pleasure actually is. She also discovered an anti-ageing facial that actually worked!
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?
A delightful farmhouse built of mellow Cotswold stone and dating back, in parts, to the fourteenth century. The drive sweeps round past the house, giving tempting views across lawns. There are several other buildings, designed to look like original outbuildings, though some are new. All have been carefully designed and built to look in harmony with the main building; very clever and very effective.
How did they welcome you?
In a discreet but friendly manner (no pun intended). A porter appeared from nowhere a few seconds after we reached the reception to whisk us and our bags to our room. We were staying in the Tetbury Suite - actually more like a cottage - in one of the smartly converted outbuildings, complete with its own gated front garden.
What happens next?
We quickly unpacked and admired the quintessentially English views across the lawns from our room. We then headed for the spa, which you reach through the Gumstool Inn, one of the hotel's two dining rooms. Everyone seems happy with this arrangement so who were we to quibble?
The Gumstool feels like a village inn with wooden tables and flagstone floors. The Conservatory is where "fine dining" is on the menu.
Out the other side of The Gumstool Inn, the spa was just across the car park. The spa building itself was built relatively recently, but has been well designed to blend in with the older stone buildings. My husband had to be dragged into the spa as he was busy admiring the roof made from local stone tiles, complete with lead soakers underneath. Top quality building, I was assured.
The "top quality building" continued inside. There is a large reception and café area, spacious, modern and well-equipped changing rooms, a 16-metre pool, and a fetching courtyard garden with hot tub. Upstairs, there is a treatment area, sauna and steam room, a peaceful relaxation area, and seven treatment rooms.
The swimming pool, gym and hot tub are open from 7am to 9pm, but children are only allowed to use the pool at designated times (3.45pm to 5.15pm on weekdays; 8.15am to 10.15am at weekends and holidays). This means that, with a bit of careful planning, you can have peaceful spa day, but the kids can also enjoy the pool.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Aromatherapy Associates Renew Rose anti-age facial (£80 for 85 minutes.) The facial is described as "specially designed for mature, dry and devitalised skin". The fact that I signed up for this speaks volumes about how my skin was looking and how I was feeling.
What were the treatments like?
Rasa, my lovely Lithuanian therapist, examined my skin, then said in impeccable English, "You have very lovely skin!" So that alone took ten years off me.
Rasa then proceeded to use cleansers, gels and masks containing rose and frankincense to plump out the fine lines and make my skin glow. In-between each anointment, I was treated to first a neck and shoulder massage, then a scalp massage and, finally, a hand-and-arm massage. This Aromatherapy Associates facial was a very gentle, relaxing treatment, ideal for wimps or anyone who, like me, is feeling so stressed that lying down still for a hour and 15 minutes seems to be a major challenge.
Within minutes, I could feel my knotted neck muscles unravelling and I began to sink into the (nicely warm) bed. Rasa even carried out the neck massage very gently but with great attention to detail, so it felt effective without my having to wince through any tough bits.
How did you feel afterwards?
I was amazed at the effect. I have had many a facial but none have had quite such a dramatic effect on the fine feathery lines I have developed on my top lip. They had gone! The effect lasted for a good 48 hours. My eye area was much improved, as well, and even my neck looked brighter and smoother. I think the Aromatherapy Associates Renew Rose anti-age facial may have to become a regular part of my routine.
At £80 for 85 minutes, the treatment is about par for the course for spa delights. (The Good Spa Guide rule of thumb is about £1 a minute.) While £80 is not something many of us would splash out every week, for anyone looking in the mirror at rapidly developing lines, this facial can be quite cheering.
What happens afterwards?
We headed to the outdoor hot tub, which sits in the middle of a picturesque sheltered courtyard, and had a log fire burning near it. The hot tub is quite the most remarkable aspect of Calcot and was just lovely. We threw a log or two on the fire and hopped into the tub and the warm bubbles. At which point it began to rain, steadily and heavily.
Although we were warm in the water, after a while, we opted to go into the lounge area and have a glass of Pimms. The lounge has small tables and chairs as well as comfortable sofas, and overlooks the courtyard through tall floor-to-ceiling windows.
We checked out the pool which was full of small children having fun. There was a lane roped off for swimming, but we retired to the lounge for a little longer as it was nearly the end of children's swim time. In many hotel spas, the kids' time gets stretched and you can't be sure of getting a peaceful swim, but at Calcot the timing for children is very strict. The pool emptied out and we went for a swim.
The pool, at 16 metres, is long enough to stretch out and enjoy a few lengths. It was very noisy, though, even when there were only a few people in it. The very high ceiling and hard surfaces cause a lot of echo.
Long-term effects
Our session in the spa was very enjoyable. There is plenty to do and you can order drinks and snacks in the lounge area, so it is easy to spend the day there. The upstairs relaxation area has a steam room with twinkly lights in the ceiling and a sauna. The sauna was so hot I needed to keep my slippers on and sit on a towel as both the floor and the wooden seats were hot to touch. The sauna has a window overlooking the pool and more pretty coloured lights in the ceiling.
It was pleasant to while away a few hours as there were reclining chairs, plenty of up-to-date magazines and that day's newspapers, a water machine and jugs of water with orange and lemon slices. A water sculpture in the middle of the room gave a gentle sound of running water. By the end of the day, we were both feeling very relaxed; the stresses of everyday life had receded and we took that feeling away with us.
A meal in the conservatory rounded off the day. The food was delightful (the Dover sole exceptionally good), and while this is "fine dining", the experience was neither stuffy nor overly fussy.
Was it worth it?
Calcot is a pricey hotel and spa, but you get good value for money. Everything is well delivered and top quality. Spa breaks start from £312 per person for a two-night stay (based on two sharing) which includes £30-worth of spa treatment per night and also dinner.
What else could you have?
A range of massages from aromatherapy to Swedish to aromaflex (which includes reflexology). Polishes and wraps. We like the invigorating sound of the Citrus reviver, although the Thalgo Aromaceane wrap is supposed to help with slimming and detoxification. There is a range of Guinot and Aromatherapy Associates facials so there is sure to be one that suits every skin, and Calcot offers CACI non surgical face lift facials as well.
There are specialist teen treatments and treatments for men including a men's facial and a back treatment.
Day spa packages start from £130 which includes two treatments and a two-course lunch, while the Twilight Spa costs from £70, which includes a 25-minute treatment and supper.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
How delightful the hotel is. I would have stayed longer and tried the trim trail (jogging route that has naturally constructed exercise stations along its length for the more energetic -- think tree-trunk shoulder press), taken the bikes out for a spin, had a game on the tennis court, or just walked in the grounds.
It's also worth booking the Gumstool in advance if you're looking for less formal dining as this restaurant is popular with locals as well as residents.
Any special features?
The outdoor fireplace and hot tub are unusual and enjoyable.
Who do you think would like it?
Families. There were plenty of families meeting up with grandparents, parents and children, and it's a very civilised way to do that. There is even an Ofsted-approved creche in one of the outbuildings, and a small outdoor pool (safely fenced and locked when not in use). But Calcot also works for couples as there is plenty of space and you can just chill out in the spa area.
Calcot is one of the very few hotels we have come across where they mix families and a spa well. The separate spa building feels calm and relaxing, apart from during the kids' swimming time, which is strictly controlled. The changing room was busy when all the children got out of the pool, but was quickly cleared up and made presentable again by the staff.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Calcot Spa deserves 5 bubbles. The spa is well designed, spacious and the outdoor hot tub and fireplace are unique and fun. The treatments are well delivered and the staff are warm and welcoming and know their stuff.
Parts of the changing area are looking a bit jaded; the doors to the changing rooms could do with a lick of paint and a couple of the lockers were broken, but everywhere else was fine and the spa was sparkling clean. The management tell us that the spa is due to be decorated later this year.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
You mean I have to leave?
We visited Calcot Spa in July 2009
See also:
* Contact Details for Calcot Spa
* Our Spa Spies review Aromatherapy Associates products
* Facials
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