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Rookery Hall is not just a spa. It's 5 bubbles of space, light, soothing treatments and good food. It encourages relaxation, rejuvenation and regeneration. Sybaritic Spy can't wait to go back. (They had trouble getting her to leave.)
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?
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?
Rookery Hall is an attractive country house in plenty of grounds with a stud farm next door. How much more county set can you get? But it has a relaxed sort of country-house feel: there are wellies in the hall for country walks and slippers by the fire in the lounge.
The spa is in a separate building that used to be the stables. The large pool has been built in what was the central courtyard with the treatment rooms around the edges. The end result is a light, airy, delightfully spacious spa. The pool has a glass roof so it's nice and light. There are lots of etched glass screens and doors to help keep everywhere light and airy but also private. There's also a gym and hydrotherapy pools, sauna and crystal steam room.
How did they welcome you?
Efficiently. They took me over to my room, which was large and spacious with a flat-screen TV in the bedroom and a smaller one in the bathroom, no less. I settled in, enjoyed the shower, which had side jets as well as overhead jets, and then went over for dinner. The drawing room is mahogany-lined and very lovely. It's small enough to feel friendly. As a woman travelling and eating alone, I felt comfortable. The food is good: two AA Rosettes and local produce.
What happens next?
As the spa is in what was the stable block, you do have to walk across the courtyard to the spa. In the afternoon, when I had my massage and manicure, it was no problem. However, when I set out at 6.30am to swim, I needed a hat, coat and gloves to brave the dark and frosty air. It was worth it, though, as when I come out an hour later, the sun had risen and the trees were outlined against a pale watercolour sky. But do go prepared.
There's also a hydrotherapy pool, crystal steam room, sauna, and gym.
The treatments take place in good-size treatment rooms with wide firm tables that don't creak when you get on them. Each room has a heated towel rail so you can put your thick and fluffy robe on it during your treatment and it's nice and warm when you put it back on. Sweet touch! The beds have warming blankets, too.
Which treatments did you have?
An ESPA back massage and facial, plus a manicure.
What were the treatments like?
To paraphrase a famous ad:
This is not just a massage. This is a long, careful back massage. It starts with stretching, and goes on to careful and firm massage along the back and across the shoulders.
This is not just a facial. It starts with cleansing, followed by firming and lifting massage movements, then a mask. Finally, a deep moisturising cream. While the mask did its magic, my therapist gave me a head and scalp massage. This loosened the tightness in my neck and at the back of my head. I need this treatment whenever I feel a migraine hatching.
The manicure with mittens turned my ragged, neglected hands into smoother hands with lovely bright pink nails - chosen to match my favourite cardigan!
How did you feel afterwards?
My skin felt soft and smooth. My muscles were relaxed for the first time in days and I felt taller and able to walk straight.
What happens afterwards?
While the nail varnish dried, I went to lie down in the relaxation room. This has soft, subdued lighting, eight comfy beds and a water wall -- a sheet of water runs down a wall, lit from the top. The soothing sound of running water lulled me into a deep daydream. (I must persuade the chief Spa Spy to install one of these in the Good Spa Guide office). There are fruit and herb teas, cold drinks and water on offer, too.
Was it worth it?
Yes. Serene is the word here. There are plenty of other people here but you hardly notice them. There's always space in the lounge and in the relaxation room. The emphasis is on individual attention.
What else could you have?
There's a good range of ESPA and Clarins facials, massages and wraps, a Rasul mud treatment, an interesting Hopi Ear Candle and Express Facial combination, Essie manicures and pedicures - and several ESPA and Clarins treatments for men. Choose from Spa Experiences for mothers and daughters, mothers to be, brides and grooms or the blissful sounding three and a half hours Hand Picked package - foot ritual, full body exfoliation, hot stone massage and facial.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Just how lovely both the hotel and the spa are. I would have booked in for two days instead of one! Also, how good the food is. I would have gone on a long country walk before dinner to work up an appetite (and there are 38 acres of parkland to walk in). And that Nantwich and Manchester are so close. I would have factored in some shopping time, as well.
Any special features?
The good size swimming pool and the huge hydrotherapy pool stand out, as does the water wall in the relaxation room. They also have a Spa Hostess who greets you, checks out your health forms, makes sure you have everything you need, knows where you need to go next, and brings you drinks. This is a nice touch and great for anyone who is a little nervous about this whole spa idea.
Who do you think would like it?
Me and my husband and my best friend and my daughter and me again. I want everyone I like to try this spa. Anyone who wants to switch off for a few hours or days should head to Rookery Hall. The spa is great for couples and for friends meeting up for a weekend. Day-spa packages are popular, but also time for two; it's a romantic destination offering comfortable rooms and very good food.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Rookery Hall gets a good 5 bubbles. It's a joined-up spa with plenty of care and thought put into the design. Someone has spent time working out how people move round the spa and what they are likely to want to do while they are there.
They also have nice touches: the steps into the pool are embedded with pebbles to make them non-slip and the edge of each step has a line of dark pebbles so you can see them clearly. As anyone who wears glasses knows, trying to see your way round a pool is not easy if you are short-sighted and have just taken your glasses off.
My niggles were minor. There is no seat in the changing room, so you have to stand up to use the one hairdryer, and there was nowhere in the spa changing area to dry my swimming costume, and no bag supplied to take it back to my room, so I had to drip all the way across the courtyard.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes, please. Now?
We visited Rookery Hall in November 2007
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a special spa offer at Rookery Hall with our partners lastminute.comSee Also:
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