Review of Ufford Park Hotel, Woodbridge

Ufford Park Hotel, Woodbridge - 4 bubbles

Sedate Spy was invited to Ufford Park, just 10 miles from Ipswich in the picturesque Suffolk countryside. She found that the health club and spa offer a variety of relaxing facilities and a wide range of treatments which, when combined, deliver a complete pamper experience.

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?

Ufford Park is near the delightful market town of Woodbridge. When approached from the car park at the front, the large complex looks like a typical Best Western hotel. On the other side of the building, the views are quite stunning. The hotel looks onto 120 acres of gorgeous green parkland in the Deben valley. There is an 18-hole championship golf course and 2-tier 32-bay floodlit driving range. At the centre is a stunning pond complete with water fountain.

How did they welcome you?

The health club and spa have their own entrance. I was staying overnight, so I went to the hotel reception first. The receptionist was very friendly and checked me in swiftly.

What happens next?

One of the reception staffI took me to my room. This was a bit of a hike through long, thin corridors. The hotel offers a choice between Standard, Superior or Premier rooms. I had a Premier room on the first floor. It was clean and comfortable with a balcony with a panoramic view of the golf course. The en-suite bathroom was small, but it was clean and had large dispensers of bathroom products.

After unpacking, I set off to find the spa reception. Again, this turned into a bit of an adventure meandering around corridors. When I eventually arrived, a very friendly spa receptionist greeted me. She took the time to give us a tour of the spa complex and explained the entry system to the various facilities.

Back at reception, a member of staff gave me a swipe card for entry into the thermal suite, plus a robe and slippers. The receptionist then took me to the changing rooms. These are also used by health club members, so are pretty basic. I went down to the indoor deck-level, 12-metre swimming pool. This is a bright space with French doors that open onto a patio area. The pool can get quite busy so there is an "adults only" hour between 12:30 and 1:30 every weekday.

To the right-hand side of pool are a Nordic sauna, a steam room and a Jacuzzi. These are part of the health-club facilities. Entry to the separate thermal suite starts at £29 for half a day, including a light lunch. Use of the thermal suite is included in day-spa packages. Once you enter the thermal suite, you leave the health-club feel behind. The thermal suite is a bright area with a glass roof which lets natural sunlight flood in. At the centre is a large hydrotherapy pool with five strategically placed water jets. The jets are set at varying heights to target every muscle group. I particularly enjoyed the air-bubble loungers which massage the whole body.

For over an hour, I was the only person using the thermal suite. All facilities are beautifully tiled and spotlessly clean. The mineral grotto features a large amethyst crystal and heated, tiled seats. The sanarium combines the traditional timber sauna with the steam room. The temperature is lower than a sauna and less humid than a steam room, allowing you to spend longer in a less oppressive atmosphere. The aroma steam room has heated seats, twinkling ceiling lights and a fresh herbal scent.

Between the heat experiences, I braved the experience showers. These invigorate the body with warm "tropical rain" and a chilly "waterfall" shower. I also sheepishly tried the ice fountain. I finished with the footbath, which was the only disappointing area. I had expected vigorous bubbling water, but the water was just warm and still.

I still had a while to wait before my lunch and my treatment. I went into the relaxation room to chill out with a magazine and a glass of water, followed by a cup of herbal tea. Again, I had the room to myself. I lay back on one of the many recliners and enjoyed the star chart of ceiling lights.

I had my lunch in a dining area reserved for spa guests. I got comfortable and read one of the magazines on offer. I was hungry by the time lunch arrived and thoroughly enjoyed my delicious salmon fishcakes.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the All About You facial (60 minutes, £60). This is the spa's signature Babor facial. The treatment is designed to thoroughly cleanse and detoxify the skin. The therapist selects the products to suit each specific skin type.

What were the treatments like?

My therapist, Alexandra, greeted me at the collection point and took me through to the treatment room. These are converted hotel rooms and each still has its own en-suite bathroom, minus the bath. The rooms are spacious with dark wood flooring and delicate lighting. Soft music was playing in the background. Aleksandra checked my consultation form and explained the treatment and product range in great detail.

Alexandra started the facial with a deep-pore cleanse and a sweep of rose toner. She followed this with a thorough exfoliation. The exfoliator had a gentle peel effect. Alexandra painted on the mask and explained that it contained pure collagen extracts. Collagen helps to plump up the skin and relax the expression lines. The mask also contained fruit extracts to nourish and revitalise the skin. To finish, Alexandra applied eye serum and an ultra-hydrating moisturising cream.

How did you feel afterwards?

After bringing me a glass of very cold water, Alexandra took me back to the relaxation room. I felt completely relaxed. I had walked into the spa with a tired and stressed body. Half a day later, I had energy again. My skin was noticeably revived and looked radiant. The dry patches on my cheeks and the puffiness under my eyes were no longer visible.

What happens afterwards?

I sat in the relaxation room for an hour or so reading my book and drifting off. When it was nearly time for dinner, I went back to my room and showered and dressed.

Ufford Park has a variety of dining options. There is a formal dining room which offers a Table d’Hote menu. There is the Vista Restaurant with panoramic views over the golf course. More informal dining is available in the Meeting Place Bistro. I had booked dinner in Restaurant 19, which offers traditional favourites. I ordered steak and salad with dry white wine. The meal was of a fair standard but the service could have included a smile.

I had a good night's sleep in a comfortable bed and woke feeling fresh. I decided to go down to the 33-station high-tech gym before breakfast. The gym is air conditioned but has a low ceiling so feels smaller than it really is. Breakfast was a buffet affair in Restaurant 19.

Long-term effects

The combination of relaxation in the thermal suite and a blissful facial restored my energy levels and left me looking fresh and healthy.

Was it worth it?

Though the hotel and spa would definitely be described as "no frills", spa packages at Ufford Park are very good value.

What else could you have?

The Ufford Park Spa offers uniquely designed spa packages. You simply book the amount of time you want to spend there, then you divide it into treatment and thermal suite time. You can book in slots of 2, 4 or 8 hours. You choose your treatments when you arrive. Perfect if you want to see how you feel on the day.

The 2-hour Discovery Experience includes 90 minutes of thermal suite time and a 30-minute treatment and costs just £39. The Full Day Luxury Experience includes 360 minutes in the thermal suite and 120 minutes of treatments at just £129.

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

That there is The Hairways Cutting Salon on the premises. I was going to a wedding imminently, and would have appreciated some professional help.

That if you come out of the thermal suite to use the pool, the door locks behind you. Unless you have your swipe key, you will need an attendant to help.

Finally, a tip: The health club can get very busy during the day. I started the day in the gymnasium before 8am and managed to avoid congestion in both the gym and the pool.

Any special features?

The thermal suite is the big attraction. And if you need to arrive in style there is a helipad available on request.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone married to a keen golfer. Why not have a treatment or two while your partner plays on the course?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

The last time we reviewed Ufford Park, we gave the spa 3 bubbles. The spa experience is a bit disjointed. The changing rooms, swimming pool, thermal suite, the treatment rooms, the dining area and the treatments rooms are all scattered. But there have been improvements since we last visited. Bare walls have been decorated to make the spa seem less masculine. The area designated for spa lunches has expanded and is better screened from the health-club areas.

The thermal suite is highly recommended. It is clean and relaxing and there is enough to keep you busy for hours. The treatment rooms are of a high standard and create a perfect environment for peace and tranquillity. The spa staff are friendly and professional and the therapists highly skilled. So, Ufford Park is now a 4-bubble spa.

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