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Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa, Wirral - 4 bubbles
Cheshire's Thornton Hall is a 4-star hotel with a sociable spa and health club, nestled in the Wirral countryside. The main health club and spa offer an extensive treatment menu and good facilities. The Lodge Clinical Spa, a separate spa building in Thornton Hall's grounds, provides a more discreet spa experience. Offering a range of non-surgical treatments, The Lodge is a small haven to rest and rejuvenate in private.
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?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
Arriving in the village of Thornton is a refreshing change from the neighbouring cities, with Tudor-style houses nestling round a village green. If you're a spa refugee from Liverpool or Manchester, you feel you've really arrived for a day in the country, without having to drive too far. It makes a psychological cut-off difference.
My taxi pulled in to a rather large car park and right before me was Thornton Hall's unprepossessing, modern building. The hotel reception is in the main house in the middle. The health club is to the right, with its own separate entrance, and there is a wing of bedrooms curving around to the left. The Lodge Clinical Spa is further round, with its own car park.
How did they welcome you?
The hotel receptionist cordially invited me to check in before heading to the spa, and informed me my room was on the first floor, accessed by the staircase in the hallway.
What happens next?
My room was smartly decorated in dark colours and had a view across lush gardens. I had a huge bed, a wardrobe, desk, flat-screen TV, and tea-making facilities. A robe and slippers were waiting for me on my bed. The large bathroom, in pleasing contrast to the bedroom, was light, bright and decked out with a large shower, a bath and two sinks.
I headed to the hotel reception armed with my swim bag and asked for directions to the spa. The receptionist sent me out of the main entrance and told me to head left through the car park to find the health club. Once through the health club's main doors, I peered through a door to my left, to find mature ladies participating in an aerobics class. I passed an alluring display of Bare Escentuals make up and Jessica nail varnish, and headed to the reception desk straight ahead. The spa team were expecting me and greeted me warmly. I signed in stating the time, and my room number. Lynne, the receptionist, gave me a weighty gown, towel, slippers and a card key for my locker.
From the health club reception you can reach the treatment rooms upstairs, or the slightly dated Times Bistro, where you can munch upon light bites. The sizable gym to right of the reception is kitted out with a good range of equipment and is flooded with natural daylight. There are various classes highlighted on a notice board opposite the gym doors. Along this corridor there are doors leading to the male and female changing rooms, as well as the hair spa. There are signs everywhere within this spa: where children can and cannot go; what to do where.
The changing rooms: Inside the changing rooms over 100 lockers line the walls and there is a central station with big mirrors and eight hairdryer stations. There are two toilets just inside the door. Out of the eight showers, one was out of order, and they seemed a little tired. The changing area was well stocked with moisturiser, plentiful cotton wool balls and buds, and shower caps. There were two different types of weighing scales, too. Swimmers will be pleased to know there's a swimming costume dryer as well as a plastic bag dispenser for your damp cossie.
When I had changed, I was vexed to see that my gown had a hole in it. I only had one part of the belt attached to the gown, but I managed to wrap it around myself creatively.
The wet facilities: Thornton Hall houses a good-sized pool, perfect for swimming lengths. Around the pool are various different sets of steps leading into the water. Loungers were placed by the window at the far end around the warm Jacuzzi, along with a pile of newspapers. A door near the Jacuzzi led outside to two hot tubs. The smallest of the tubs could seat one or two people. The larger hot tub, set underneath a leafy pagoda, could perhaps seat up to eight. It was truly lovely to bathe outside, watching dancing butterflies and grass-chewing cows in the meadow beyond.
The sauna was a baking 100 degrees, which I loved. The steam room was also toasty and hot. There is a shower beside the heat rooms so that you can cool off between experiences.
The Lodge: As my treatment was taking place in the main health club, Fiona, the receptionist, gave me a tour around The Lodge's coloured treatment-rooms (there was a pink room, blue room, orange room etc.) all with tasteful décor. There was a room for colonic hydrotherapy, and another for medi-spa treatments including Botox, and IPL.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the ESPA Super Active facial (£85, 90 minutes).
What were the treatments like?
I waited in the main health-club reception for my therapist, Sophie, to collect me. We then went upstairs to the small, smart spa reception where there were a couple of seats and a desk. From here I was just a stone's throw from the three treatment rooms and the brand-new relaxation room.
My candle-lit treatment room had a bed in the centre and a display of ESPA products and a rainbow of Jessica nail varnishes. While I perched on a chair, Sophie explained about the facial that I'd be having. Sophie advised that Thornton Hall is one of about 12 spas in the whole country to offer this particular ESPA treatment. Sophie began the treatment by offering me two treatment oils to smell, to see which one I was drawn to most. I chose the sandalwood and orange oil.
My treatment bed was in a semi-upright position. Sophie ensured that I was comfortable, covered me with a fluffy towel, then placed two hot stones over my stomach and solar-plexus chakras. Sophie increased my awareness of them by pressing down slightly. They were warm but not hot.
I was happy to have oil in my hair, so Sophie expertly picked up my head and gently pulled my hair upwards, so that it was no longer falling around my shoulders. Sophie lifted my head again and carefully manoeuvred it from side to side, checking the mobility of my neck. Sophie then massaged each side of my stiff shoulders and neck. Sophie then cleansed my face three times, with more pressure applied to my face each time, for a deeper cleanse. Sophie followed the cleanses with an exfoliator that she removed with hot towels. Sophie then applied a mask.
I loved the lymphatic drainage techniques that Sophie used to massage my face, neck, décolleté and head. The massage was to firm and tone, and so Sophie also involved a lot of deep tissue massage. Sophie used the delicious rejuvenating facial oil. This was left to soak in whilst Sophie massaged the stubborn knots of my shoulders once more. Sophie applied conditioning pink mud (a mixture of pink and white clays) to my hair and scalp. Whilst I was lying on my back, Sophie cleverly managed to massage my shoulders and back, and either side of my spine. There was not one moment when I felt uncomfortable or insecure.
How did you feel afterwards?
Indulged. Dreamy.
What happens afterwards?
Sophie recommended that if I were to use just one ESPA product, then the skin brightening complex would be best. Sophie left the treatment room giving me time to gather myself. Sophie then met me back in the spa reception.
Sophie led me into Thornton Hall's new relaxation room, completed only one month prior to my visit. This minimalistic room contained five wooden loungers with thick, comfy mattresses and small side-tables. There was a dark wooden table with two Buddha figures atop, an ESPA advertisement and a jug of water (at room temperature) with glasses. Two walls were "light therapy walls": floor-to-ceiling light panels that slowly changed colour. I lay in a state of calm mesmerisation whilst light music played. I was a bit disappointed to discover that the only reading material on offer was a couple of ESPA product pamphlets.
Two ladies joined the room having "absolutely loved" their facials. When their other two friends joined them, the room became a hive of high-speed chatter about the daughter's forthcoming wedding. Sadly, my hazy reverie was broken.
That evening I dined in The Lawns restaurant. Sparkling chandeliers hung from a heavy, wooden carved ceiling. The windows looked out onto the lawns (aptly named, then). All diners were sent a Pimms amuse-bouche, compliments of the chef. This consisted of lime jelly with strawberry and apple pieces, topped with a Pimms foam and shredded mint. For starters I ate sweetcorn pannacotta with flaked crab and avocado espume. My main consisted of perfectly tender Goosnargh free-range duck with wilted pak choi, beetroot purée, parsnip, and black pudding. Resignedly lacking in will-power, I also ate a delicious pudding: orange sorbet, white chocolate mousse topped with popping candy, orange jelly and a sliver of dark chocolate.
Long-term effects
The Super Active facial can apparently take a few days to show its full effects, but my skin looked positively glowing immediately. My eye area looked hydrated and my skin was soft. What a facial!
Was it worth it?
This has to be in my top two facials. Worth every penny.
When I visited, Thornton Hall had some great value spa breaks on offer from just £80.
What else could you have?
A huge range of facials and body treatments from various top spa-product houses. Holistic treatments such as colonic hydrotherapy, teen and celebration packages, men's treatments and beauty treatments. Non-surgical treatments include semi-permanent make-up, CACI and IPL. Minor cosmetic treatments include Botox, dermal fillers, mesotherapy and teeth whitening.
Any special features?
Sophie, my therapist, was nominated for the Beauty Therapist of the Year in the British Beauty & Spa Awards 2010.
Who do you think would like it?
Locals who want great health facilities on their doorstep.
Thornton Hall is a perfect place for small groups of ladies, WAGS, or if you are a bride-to-be, there's a good range of bridal spa packages.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Thornton Hall a fabulous 4 bubbles for all-round friendly service and top-notch treatments. All areas were clean and well stocked. Natural light permeated the spacious spa through the many windows.
The sauna and steam area could do with a water cooler. I'd like to see a variety of magazines and other soft touches in the relaxation room, and a sign on the door highlighting it as a designated quiet zone. The light-therapy walls were a good addition to the room, though.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
If I were in the area, I'd visit with my mother, or a couple of friends. I would even consider a treatment at the medi-spa, because it's so private.
We visited Thornton Hall in September 2010
See also:
* Contact Details for Thornton Hall
* Facials
* Our Spa Spies review ESPA products
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