Review of Danesfield House, Marlow-on-Thames

Danesfield House, Marlow-on-Thames - 4 bubbles

Sybaritic Spy found nigh-on miraculous treatments using the ESPA Super Active range at Danesfield House. She also found an inviting pool, a well thought-through spa, and excellent food. Oh, and a magical setting. We were impressed.

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?

Was it worth it?

What else could you have?

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

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

A glorious country house in 65 acres, Danesfield House is built of white stone and has courtyards, twisty brick chimneys, leaded windows and a wide terrace at the back overlooking the Thames.

How did they welcome you?

We parked and walked across the courtyard towards the entrance with our bags, and a uniformed porter rushed across the gravel to help us. We were expected and checked in quickly and efficiently.

What happens next?

We were taken to our room, which has a glorious view of the river. Here, the Thames is a small, gentle river winding through lush countryside. The hotel is built on a rise, so you can gaze down at the fields, the water, and passing boats and swans. You almost expect Three Men in a Boat to sail past.

We wandered off to find the spa. The spa is joined to the main house by a glass corridor reached from the first floor. The spa building, which is about seven years old, has been cleverly positioned on the sloping site so that sits low on the building profile and it fits in with the older, traditional buildings. We could have done with better signs. We hesitated in front of a door that said fire escape and then realised it must be the way to the spa. I confess to holding my breath as I opened it, in case an alarm went off and everyone had to evacuate the swimming pool!

Downstairs is the main spa entrance, which also a bar area with tables and chairs as well as the spa reception. The 20-metre ozone pool has deep blue tiles which make the pool look cool and refreshing. Windows all around keep the area light. Beside the pool is a Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and showers. There is plenty of room for wooden recliners next to the pool and a terrace outside for warm days.

The changing rooms are the best I have seen: spacious, light and airy with large lockers and seating areas all finished in pale wood and light-blue glass. There are three showers, three loos and two changing cubicles. Everywhere was spotlessly clean. Seats, mirrors and hairdryers mean you can tidy up before leaving, and there is a full-length mirror and a set of scales. Top marks for generosity: there are spare robes (good sized and soft and fluffy) as well as spare towels available, so you can help yourself to a dry robe. There are also plenty of Molton Brown soaps and lotions scattered around the changing area.

It was so nice I was tempted to linger in the changing rooms, but my therapist had said she would collect me from the relaxation area so I headed there. There are separate relaxation rooms for men and women. Each has a small sauna and steam room. The relaxation room has dark wooden floors, dim lights with candles burning, soft music and five wooden recliner chairs each with V-shaped pillows for extra comfort. My husband reported that the men's area was very similar. There was juice, water and fruit on offer and plenty of magazines to browse through. This very well equipped and well thought through relaxation area makes this spa an excellent day-spa venue. You could relax here between treatments and feel well looked after and pampered.

As well as the gym, there is a fitness studio and a range of exercise classes including Hatha yoga, Pilates, Fitball and Cardio-tone. Classes are mostly geared to the health club members, though hotel guests can join a class for a fee of £8.50.

Which treatments did you have?

A ZenSpa pedicure (£48, 55 minutes) and an ESPA Super Active facial (£120, 90 minutes).

What were the treatments like?

The ZenSpa pedicure took place in the light and spacious manicure/pedicure area, just off the spa reception. It was not quite the Zen-like experience I had imagined. (I had visions of darkened rooms and much meditation over my toes.) It was a good and thorough pedicure, nevertheless, with massage, exfoliation, moisturising, a nail shape, and colour. My therapist sensibly asked if I was ticklish. When I said yes, she went out of her way to warn me when she was about to treat the soles of my feet. The massage included some reflexology and the cleansing products made the skin on my feet and calves noticeably brighter. Once my therapist had painted my nails a bright and breezy "Berry Bordeaux", my feet looked ten years younger. The colour lasted over two weeks without chipping.

My ESPA facial used the Super Active range. Super Actives are, according to Espa "marine bio-active, bio enzymatic and cellular active ingredients". As well as the usual cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising, there was a considerable amount of massaging, alternating of hot and cold cloths, and the use of rose crystals to cool and smooth the skin. Much of the massage was for "lymphatic drainage" which involved lots of careful massage and pressure on key points on face, neck, head and ears. The only other time I have had my ears properly massaged was in India when I had an ayurvedic massage high up in the Himalayas. It felt like exactly the same points that were being pressed and massaged, so I reckon it was pretty authentic. I was warned I might find I needed to swallow more... and indeed I did.

How did you feel afterwards?

There was an amazing improvement in the skin around my eyes. The dark circles had almost gone and the puffiness, which had me fantasising about cosmetic surgery, had disappeared. I was tempted to buy the firming eye-contour cream as recommended by my therapist, but the £65 price tag put me off. Still, it's cheaper than surgery, so I may just invest.

Was it worth it?

I would certainly book the ESPA Facial again, especially if I had an event to go to or for when I look in the mirror and feel I have noticeably aged (which is most days now!)

What else could you have?

ESPA and Molton Brown facials and massages. ESPA body treatments include the perennial favourites Holistic Body Care with Hot Stone Therapy and the Stimulating Hip and Thigh treatment. Men can choose from an ESPA facial or massage, or an "Executive" mani or pedi. There's a nod to the holistic therapies with reflexology and Reiki on offer, along with all the beauty treatments you'd expect to find at a good spa.

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

That the setting is so magical. We sat outside on the terrace looking down across the grounds to the Thames on a warm summer's evening, sipping champagne and watched as a couple of bright blue hot-air balloons took off across the fields.

That the food is so good. Sadly The Oak Room, which has 3 AA rosettes, was closed on the day were we there, but we had dinner in The Orangery which offers seasonal food, perfectly cooked.

That the new ESPA range is so effective. I would have timed the visit just before a big event where I wanted to look especially good.

Who do you think would like it?

Romantics. Foodies. Anyone keen to walk in the grounds. Anyone who feels that tiredness and stress is showing in their skin and needs a day or two to rejuvenate.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Danesfield House 4 bubbles. The hotel is in a lovely setting, the standards of service are high and the food is excellent: fresh, local, and brilliantly cooked. The spa treatment rooms, relaxation areas and changing areas are all spacious and well maintained and the treatments are well delivered.

The spa is generous with robes and towels and other items, such as lotions and shower caps. Danesfield House does have quite a large health-club membership, so will have busy times of the day, especially morning and evening. This means that it is hard to create a really restful spa atmosphere. The area for food is more "bar" than "spa"; as it's in the reception area and next to the health-club entrance, it's quite busy. So Danesfield House earns a high 4 bubbles.

See more on how we rate the spas