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Holyrood Hotel (MacDonald Hotel), Edinburgh - 3 bubbles
The Good Spa Guide was invited to the Holyrood Hotel in central Edinburgh and discovered a pleasant and affordable but not luxurious Scottish spa experience.
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
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?
The Holyrood Hotel is right next to the Scottish Parliament in central Edinburgh. It's a 15- to 20-minute (uphill) walk to the castle at the top of the town, but it is a central and accessible place to stay.
How did they welcome you?
The hotel staff welcomed us in a very friendly fashion. In fact, throughout our time at the Holyrood Hotel, every member of staff we met was unfailingly polite and helpful.
What happens next?
We checked out our well-appointed room, which had a view over to the huge rocky crag known as Arthur's Seat. It was a great reminder that Edinburgh is a city like no other in terms of the drama the city skyline can provide. Everything was clean and in order, with a robe for each of us in the room, and plenty of soap and towels in the bathroom. There was fresh fruit waiting for us and mineral water, too. Always a plus. The young man who brought up our bags pointed out that the milk supplied for tea and coffee making was the rather inferior mini-UHT-carton variety (his opinion), but that we were welcome to call down for fresh. Then he added to our education by informing us that Arthur's Seat was an extinct volcano. So we pondered this while we had a cup of UHT-enhanced tea, then went to explore the spa.
The Vital Health Fitness and Beauty Club is in the basement. It is more of a health club, really, than a spa. The area has a pool, sauna, steam room and gym, plus some treatment rooms in a separate area along the corridor. At Reception, you sign in and pick up a towel.
The changing rooms: These are a bit basic. There are three showers which felt a bit municipal swimming pool, and they had all seen better days. There was a spindryer for damp cossies, some bags to take said items home in, and hairdryers. No conditioner or moisturiser -- this is normal for a health club, but not the norm for a spa.
The gym: The gym offers plenty of machines for those who like to start their spa experience with a workout. That's me, usually, but I had limited time so didn't get a chance to do more than glance in and see that yes, there were several machines in there. And people.
The pool: Because there is no natural light, the pool area is a bit gloomy. The pool is not huge but long enough at 14 metres to get a cardio-vascular sort of swim in, and there were several people swimming enthusiastically while I was there. The temperature was comfortable, and there were white plastic loungers around the edges where you could collapse should exhaustion overcome you.
The sauna and steam room: These are both next to the pool and were both of a good, hot temperature. Beware the little step formed by the steam-room door-frame -- I tripped on it, and so did the next person who came in. There is a bucket of cold water available should you wish to complete your thermal experience in the traditional drenching manner.
The treatment rooms: These are along the corridor in their own separate area. My therapist, Mel, met me at the main Reception and took me along. The treatment rooms are nicely separate from the health club but not lavish. There's a small changing area containing a few lockers, each with a robe and some (lovely and soft) slippers, and there's a relaxation room as well as the four treatment rooms.
Which treatments did you have?
I had a Decleor Aromaplasty Classic Aromatic Facial. It's described as a "deep cleansing relaxing treatment to suit all skin types".
What were the treatments like?
Very good! Decleor call themselves "the specialist in Aroma-Skincare", so all the products smelled nicely of flowers and therefore spa. There was the usual gentle and soothing cleansing and exfoliating, and mel had a nice touch. She then applied a peel-off mask which she left to do its magic. By this time, I was so dreamy that I must have fallen asleep (put eye pads over my eyes and drop a hat). I only know I was asleep as I woke with a start to find that I was alone. This was a little unnerving -- I wasn't sure if there was anyone there and had to remove my eye pads and peer round. I think the sleep was the "relaxing" part of the treatment, maybe? Eventually, Mel resurfaced, and peeled off the mask in its entirety. She then stared solemnly into its depths, informing me that it was a diagnostic tool for areas where my skin needed extra attention. There were some fine lines around my eye area, and she told me that this was a sign my skin needed extra hydration.
One of the things Mel had been doing in her absence was filling in my product and skin-care recommendation sheet ("Iris Aromessence: 3 drops under moisturiser, morning"). However, there was no hard sell of the products, which was appreciated.
What happens afterwards?
Mel brought me some water and took me through to the "relaxation suite" which was a dim room with some loungers to lounge about on. There was also iced water and some teas available. I was on my own, though, and it all felt a bit lonely -- Mel had gone back to the main spa reception area, I guess -- so I wasn't encouraged to linger or lounge. Good if you're there with a friend, though. But never mind, I could go up to my room and push the boat out with some fresh milk.
Later, I had dinner in the hotel's Opus 504 restaurant with my teenage daughter, which we both enjoyed. The restaurant has 1 AA Rosette and specialises in local and organic produce. As teenagers have a squirm factor that prevents them sitting still for more than five minutes, after we had eaten our mains, I asked for my cheese course to be sent up to my room so I could eat it at my leisure while said teenager caught up with EastEnders. It was whisked up there in a jiffy, and beautifully presented, too. We also enjoyed breakfast the next morning; they do excellent porridge (you know you're in Scotland when they ask you how you would like your porridge served, rather than it arriving with a dollop of jam). I can also recommend the equally excellent poached Loch Fyne haddock.
Was it worth it?
Yes. The Holyrood Hotel offers competitive prices for spa treatments; you'd expect to pay around £45 for a 60-minute facial or a body massage -- slightly more at the weekends -- and this makes their treatment menu good value. Their spa days include an economic £69 mid-week day, and for that you get a facial, a massage, and lunch, as well as use of all the facilities. There's also the fun-sounding Blushing Bride and Happy Hens two-night package, which is possibly the only spa package I know of that includes an outing to a nightclub.
They also have an ongoing offer to join their "beauty club". For a membership fee of £50 per month, you can have up to three treatments each month to the value of £65, plus other enticements. Worth a consider if you're a treatment regular.
What else could you have?
As well as Decleor facials and massages, you can have treatments using the Organic Elements range, as well as Jessica manicures and pedicures, tanning treatments, specific treatments for men, and some complementary therapies such as reflexology and Hopi ear candles. You can have waxing, make-up, and lash and brow tints, too. I'd also be interested to try their hydrotherapy spa bath -- underwater massage with essential oils, how cool is that? -- though confusingly this is only listed on their "for men" menu.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
It's not something I particularly needed to know, as I was there just to focus on the spa, but it's something you may like to know: the people at the concierge desk are very helpful. From pointing us in the right direction for a quick trip to Princes Street, to storing our bags after we had checked out, to sorting a taxi to the airport, they were a value-added touch to our Edinburgh stay. If you're looking for outings or orientation, they can help.
Any special features?
The price, to be honest. The spa makes treatments affordable in central Edinburgh, so if your priority is a treatment, rather than lounging around all day on a bed of swansdown, you'll get what you need here.
Who do you think would like it?
It's very handy, of course, for Members of the Scottish Parliament. Friends looking for an affordable spa day or treatment. Businesspeople who like to eat well but also have a workout and a swim before a meeting. And those hens who like to combine nightclubs and saunas, obviously.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Holyrood Vital Spa 3 bubbles because it offers a very basic "health club" rather than luxury spa package. It feels like a health club (which it is) rather than shouting spa. The pool area is a bit gloomy and the changing rooms basic. But everywhere was clean, the staff were friendly and professional, and Mel carried out the treatment very well.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes. Holyrood offers a good place to stay, and if my spa focus was on fitness (gym and a swim) rather than pampering, this is an affordable option in central Edinburgh.
We visited the Holyrood Hotel in March 2008.
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
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See also
* Contact Details for Holyrood Hotel
* Can I drink alcohol at a spa?
* Gyms
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