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Sensuous Spy was invited to Fredrick's Hotel Spa in Maidenhead, where she discovered that fine dining is taken just as seriously as pampering. For starters, there was their beautiful private floatation room. Add a relaxing facial, good food, and pinch of excellent customer service and you have the recipe for a perfect 5-bubble spa day.
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?
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?
Was it easy to book?
Yes. The staff at both the hotel reception and spa reception were keen, helpful and efficient.
First impressions?
A modern, redbrick suburban hotel - it could almost be mistaken for a large house. It's in the same road as Maidenhead station and Maidenhead golf club. You know that you've arrived at Fredrick's when you reach their black and gold gates. There's no winding gravel driveway - in fact, there's no driveway at all - you turn straight into the car park in front of the unassuming hotel reception. This is where the mediocrity ends.
How did they welcome you?
Staff checked me in in a professional, friendly manner, then offered me a glass of champagne. This was a first. So was the water feature that cascades down from the granite desk, illuminated by the large Perspex chandelier. I was given the welcome task of carrying my glass while a porter carried my bag to my room. The room (The Royal Ascot Suite) was smart with "conservative business style" décor and a terrace balcony. The bathroom was also very smart, with an impressive double power shower and dual basins. Again, the style was distinctive, with black and gold granite floor, gold fittings and "f" monogrammed towels and robe.
The bedroom itself was a good size with two display cabinets housing china plates and figurines on each side of the bed. It was spacious and comfortable, but a far cry from the minimalist designer rooms crammed with gadgets and gizmos that you find at many spa hotels today. With a definite nod to the eighties, it's not to everyone's taste, but there's something refreshing about Fredrick's individuality and confidence. The terrace balcony was large enough for a table and chairs and overlooked the garden. Beyond that, a golf course gave the feeling of being much more remote than a few kilometres from Heathrow.
What happens next?
I donned my monogrammed robe and made my way downstairs to the spa.
Which treatments did you have?
The Dead Sea float (or Samadi) and the Thalgo Cold Marine facial.
What were the treatments like?
Dead Sea Float: The basic idea behind the Dead Sea float is that you experience weightlessness and a deep sense of relaxation by being suspended in saline mineral water. The flotarium itself is beautiful - a private room with large mosaic flotation bath, power shower seating/changing area and toilet. My therapist collected me from the Sanctuary Lounge (relaxation room) and we entered the candlelit suite where my saline bath awaited. The bath area was tiled in midnight blue and gold with a dark ceiling with twinkling lights. The therapist talked me through the float ("Just get in and try to completely relax"). She also informed me that I could turn off the lights in the room and also bring down an automatic dark screen if I wanted. She said that after 40 minutes she would turn the lights on and off to signal that it was time to get out and shower. She reassured me that I wouldn't sink - a relief to me, having failed to shed my extra post-holiday baggage - and left me to it.
Thalgo Cold Marine Facial: I really enjoyed this facial as it had good massage elements (face, scalp and hands) and was much more interesting than some as the products actually felt quite different from one another. Also, there was always something going on, and at no point was I abandoned while a product got absorbed or dried.
My therapist was confident and experienced, and relatively mature by beauticians' standards. She talked about the facial in quite general terms before starting, but kept quiet throughout the treatment and didn't give me any commentary on what products were being applied or claimed associated benefits. I didn't mind this approach but facial aficionados might want a little more information for their money.
The treatment started with a very pleasant face and scalp massage. My therapist then gently removed any remnants of make-up and applied toner. Next, she applied a "peeling cream" to my face with what felt like some kind of brush. This gave an interesting sensation, and helped to keep me awake. She removed this with cleanser, then instructed me to take a deep breath and exhale as she sprayed a pleasantly scented and refreshing "marine mist". She then applied a serum and massaged my face before applying a thick, cold cream. My therapist returned to my scalp for a "drainage" massage before applying the important cold marine clay mask. This did what it said on the tin, with the frigidity ensuring that I didn't take having my eyes closed as a signal to drift off to sleep. While the mask was working its marine magic, my therapist gave me a good 10-minute hand massage. The treatment came to a happy end with my therapist smoothing on eye cream and moisturiser.
How did you feel afterwards?
Facial: Pleasantly relaxed and, untypically, not at all bored. I really enjoyed the facial massage and fresh sensation of the marine products. My skin felt really good after the treatment. It felt like a crime to jump into the pool soon after the treatment.
Float: Slightly inadequate at having failed to relax for the full 40 minutes but happy to have experienced the float - especially in such luxurious surroundings.
What happens afterwards?
After each treatment, I was invited to relax in the wooden Sanctuary relaxation lounge - and it really is a lounge, a high-ceilinged wooden-panelled room with just four cream leather reclining chairs and large glass double doors that open onto a patio area. Again, the place has an executive, up-market feel about it. There's a selection of magazines by each recliner and as soon as I'd sat down, I was presented with a plate of prepared fresh fruit and an iced herbal tea. A nice touch.
Once I'd had my second post-treatment pick-me-up - a boule of fruit sorbet this time - I went to try out the pool and other spa facilities.
The pool area consists of an inside-outside pool with novelty automatic doors, plus a sauna, steam room and attraction showers.
I was pleasantly surprised by the pool as it seemed bigger in real life than it had on Fredrick's website. It's a smart but comfortable, neutrally toned space with several hydrotherapy stations within the pool, and the novelty feature of being able to access the outside pool by swimming through glass doors suspended just above water level. The temperature of the water in the outdoor pool actually seemed warmer than that of the water inside - and warmer than any other outdoor pool I've been in recently. It's not huge, but large enough to be able to swim lengths. Loungers are limited to four inside, but there are plenty outside, positioned around the pool where you can sunbathe, obviously weather permitting, and spot the occasional modern sculpture in the surrounding garden. The spa was very quiet when I visited and Fredrick's limit spa guest numbers to eight, so the facilities never felt overcrowded.
Back inside, along from the pool, is the heat experience area with sauna, steam room, ornate foot baths and experience showers including a kniepp shower. There are instructions on the wall for those wanting to make a routine out of their visit, but I just plumped for the sauna and resisted the temptation to assault my body with alternating extremes of temperature. With a juice bar just across from the pool, the spa area is good place to spend a couple of relaxing hours.
Dining: Eating is taken as seriously as pampering at Fredrick's. It's a formal restaurant serving classic cuisine with a contemporary twist. After a selection of amuse-bouches, I enjoyed the light and almost fluffy cream of broccoli soup, followed by a succulent sea-bass fillet with seafood ravioli and a passion fruit soufflé to die for. Breakfast was taken equally seriously and well worth sacrificing a lie-in for.
Long-term effects
I'm not sure whether I can honestly attribute any long-term effects to the facial or the float, but the lovely décor of the floatation suite did give me inspiration for a bathroom refurb.
Was it worth it?
Yes - for the overall experience including the surroundings and the novelty, but I get the feeling that floating is something that comes with practice (60 minutes for £75). The facial wasn't cheap but seemed like relatively good value as it included a great facial massage (£75 for 1 hour).
What else could you have?
A Rasul or mud wrap, dry floatation hydro massage bath treatment. Aromatherapy Associates treatments, including facials, massage and pregnancy treatments. Hot stone massage, a variety of Thalgo facial treatments. There are also treatments specifically for men, including facials, wraps and treatments for hands and feet.
Spa days include a Detox, Samas or nurturing day including a Rasul, float or dream bath respectively. Prices are from £180 for a one-day package including 90 minutes of treatments.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
How inviting the indoor/outdoor pool is and that it had several hydrotherapy features; we'd have made the effort to arrive earlier. The pictures on Fredrick's website don't do the pool area justice.
Any special features?
The indoor/outdoor pool - heated to a cosy 38 degrees. I visited in late summer but it must be great to experience in winter.
The private floatation suite is special, with its dark mosaic and feeling of peace, seclusion and luxury.
Who do you think would like it?
People who value good customer service and being treated like an individual, not a number. Anyone who's looking for a hotel that's not decked out in neutrals. Spa-goers who like to combine good food with pampering. Anyone looking for a pre- or post-flight spa stop.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Fredrick's 5 bubbles for its good facilities, treatments and dedication to customer service. You really get the feeling that you're being treated as an individual and that every individual is valued.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Definitely. I'd love to try out the toasty outdoor pool in winter - but I'd check that hot passion fruit soufflé was on the menu first.
We visited Fredrick's in October 2007
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a great spa offer at Fredrick's with our partners lastminute.com
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