Review of Peterstone Court Hotel Spa, Brecon

Peterstone Court Hotel Spa, Brecon - 3 bubbles

Single Spy was invited to the Brecon Beacons on a wild wet day. Didn't stop her trying the outdoor pool, though, savouring the delightful food, enjoying her treatments and admiring the Buddha in the garden. The spa needs a little investment before it can match the elegance and style of the house, however.

Was it easy to book?

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?

Was it easy to book?

Peterstone Court is a Georgian country house just off the A40 south of Brecon, surrounded by dramatic green hills and some less dramatic sheep. I parked in one of the parking spaces outside the imposing front door, took in my bag, and waited at the front desk. As there was no-one there, I took a quick tour of the ground floor. There is a library, all comfort, wood panelling and books, where you can sit and read the papers; a bar that leads through into a bright conservatory, a terrace overlooking the garden, and a door at the back of the hotel to the gardens themselves. It all looked well cared for and welcoming.

How did they welcome you?

The staff throughout the hotel were all very friendly; someone soon spotted me lurking, checked me in, and carried my bags up to my room. This was just like a country-house bedroom should be, with a four-poster bed, heavy curtains, and wooden furniture. From my window, I could see the sheep again.

The bathroom was white and sparkling, with lavish sweet-smelling products to use. There was also the softest robe I have ever had the pleasure to touch. I might not have left, if I didn't have an appointment in the spa.

When I went down to the spa for my treatments, I found an equally friendly and polite approach.

What happens next?

The spa is down a flight of stairs, and through the doorway you first meet the reception desk. The area has been converted from what were the cellars of the house, and the original cellar bricks and curved archways are still in evidence in the two treatment rooms and relaxation room, to the left. To the right are the changing rooms, a room with a Jacuzzi, a room with a gym, and an infra-red sauna. The place feels quite boxy, and there is no holistic spa feel from the outset.

The gym: There are a couple of running machines, cross trainers, bikes, and some resistance machines packed in to quite a small room. My bike squeaked. There was another spa-goer on a running machine; luckily, this didn't squeak.

There were two screens towards the front of the room but neither was on, and there was no remote control visible. Rhythmic music was pumping through but I have no idea where this was coming from. There is also a small room for free weights. You can have an adequate workout here, but the room feels tired and out of date. There was a working water machine but the paper-towel dispenser -- should you wish to obey the instructions and wipe your machine down after use -- was empty.

The door to the outdoor pool is to one side of the gym, so you are likely to see people wandering through as you cycle.

The outdoor pool: This is heated so, even on the cold dark day I was there, was a real pleasure to swim in. It's free form, so no good for getting your laps in, but there is something very joyous about swimming in the open air, even when it's raining. And getting out of a pool and being able to put your feet on green grass is just lovely.

The changing rooms: These are a bit of a disappointment. There are two plastic-bottomed shower stalls with white plastic curtains, damp towels placed over a slatted wooden step in front, one loo and no lockers, just a series of hooks on the wall. The spa manager, when I came down to use the gym, was kind enough to ask whether I'd like a robe, towel, and slippers put in the changing room so I could enjoy the sauna and Jacuzzi afterwards, too. I did, so she did, but that didn't stop someone dumping their used damp towels on top of them while I was cycling.

The infra-red sauna was nicely hot but packing two of us in was a squeeze, especially considering the man from the gym and I had never met before. You could get a couple more people in the Jacuzzi, but despite some attempt to make the room that houses it look a little tropical, this area felt dark and unloved.

This area is in need a of refurb: it looks very 1960s, and the brown tiles on the floor don't help dispel the dingy air, although it does look as if someone popped in around 1983 to put up some stencils.

Which treatments did you have?

Peterstone Court Spa favours an holistic approach to well-being, and uses two product houses in its treatments. Ytsara (which means "freedom" in Thai) uses organic and exotic products, such as lotus flower hibiscus; Circaroma, a British brand, uses certified organic plant ingredients, including geranium and chamomile.

In the interests of fairness, I tried the Circaroma facial (£34 for 45 minutes) and the Ytsara Nuat Nammam body oil ceremony (£65 for 90 minutes).

What were the treatments like?

My first treatment was the Circaroma facial. My therapist led me through into the smaller of the two treatment rooms. The door has to open outwards as there wouldn't be room for it to open inwards. White netting has been looped about the walls to try to soften the cellar-like atmosphere, but this was looking a little grey.

The facial was very soothing and gentle. There was much cleansing, exfoliation with warmed flannels, and toning, then the therapist applied a mask and put a lavender eye pillow over my eyes. She did some heavenly scalp massage, then announced that she would be leaving the room for five to seven minutes. What on earth could she be doing that would require her to leave for such an uncertain length of time? Quite often therapists abandon you because they use the time to write out your list of recommended products, though that turned out not to be the case here.

I hate being left. I was on a narrow treatment bed, with a pillow over my eyes, and was bored. If there had been an extra five to seven minutes of scalp massage, it would have been a different story.

When my therapist returned to remove the mask, she used the same flannels as before, which had been sitting in a little hand-sink of water, so they were quite cold.

I found the facial mist she used at the end of the treatment quite astringent -- to my therapist's surprise. It smelled gorgeous -- passion flower and neroli -- but felt quite tart.

The Nuat Nammam body oil ceremonywas great. Katie, my therapist, had a gentle manner and ushered me through to the larger of the treatment rooms.

There was a freshly laundered brown robe on the bed. I know it was freshly laundered as it was still a little damp. The bed was just a wooden table, not heated or electrically offering you assistance to rise up or down. I climbed on, face up as instructed, and waited for Katie to return.

The massage was very rhythmic and gentle. Katie pressed my limbs through the covering towel first, then unwrapped each one in turn, coated it in oil, and made me relax with soothing strokes. I have no idea which oils Katie used as I didn't ask and she didn't volunteer the information. It wasn't a deep or strong massage, but no less enjoyable for that. Katie was careful to ask whether I wanted my abdomen done -- why not?

At the end, Katie announced that the main part of the massage was concluded but that she would finish with a "back ritual". I hoisted myself into a sitting position on the edge of the bed, and Katie massaged my back and shoulders one final time, then thanked me. How nice! I thanked her, also.

Katie told me that the ritual would conclude with some tea in the relaxation room, left me to get dressed, then escorted me thence.

How did you feel afterwards?

Soft and smooth and shiny.

What happens afterwards?

I went through to the relaxation room, which was a cave of darkness. Rather darker than intended as, while I was relaxing, someone came in and replaced all the tea-lights. Not that it made much difference to the light levels, you would have to huddle round a candle to read your copy of Eve.

The room has a couple of loungers, a couple of chairs, lots of rugs and cushions and, of course, candles. It's meant to be Moroccan, but I wasn't sure how that fitted with the Thai treatments.

I drank a special Ytsara tea (rejuvenating Roselle Herbal Tea, to be precise), which tasted quite woody, but was enjoyable. The bricks of the cellar have surprisingly few soundproofing qualities. While I was enjoying my tea and cookies, someone else went in for their treatment, and I could hear a merry conversation from the other side of the wall.

Was it worth it?

Individual treatment prices at Peterstone Court are extremely attractive; the massages and facials are very good value. Their spa days are a fraction of the price you can pay elsewhere. For example, their Circaroma Harmony day is £50 Monday to Friday; in this package, you get just one 45-minute treatment, but also robes, towel and slippers, two-course lunch on the terrace, complimentary teas and water in the relaxation room, as well as use of the facilities. (You just have to remember that the facilities are limited.) However, if you come on a sunny day and can sit in the gardens, swim outside, and just generally lounge around on the lawns, this represents value so good that, if I resided in Brecon, I'd practically be living at Peterstone Court.

What else could you have?

The unusual and different range of treatments is carefully chosen, but offers enough to interest all types of taste. There are facials, wraps, and treatments for hands and feet, including nail extensions. Massages include traditional Swedish as well as aromatherapy and hot Thai. You can have waxing, eye treatments, and St Tropez tanning. There are treatments specifically for men, too.

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

That the food in the hotel was so good. I was on my own so didn't fancy eating in the formal dining room, but a member of staff said I could happily eat dinner on my own in the conservatory, which I did.

I had ham hock terrine and piccalilli, followed by a sweet potato and courgette lasagne. Both were excellent. Most of the meat and poultry on the menu come from the family farm seven miles down the road, and all the ingredients are fresh and seasonal. Breakfast was equally enjoyable. If I'd known such gastronomic heaven awaited at Peterstone Court, I'd have forced my Spouse to join me so we could enjoy it in the grander surroundings and by candlelight.

Any special features?

The view from the gardens is special. You'll find wooden decking and terraces at the back of the hotel, where you can sit and enjoy the views over the valley to the hills and the ceaseless movement of the trees.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone who is looking for a good value spa day or treatment.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Peterstone Court 3 bubbles. It is a gracious and elegant hotel, with friendly and attentive staff, set in a beautiful position and with wonderful food. With just 12 bedrooms, the hotel is small enough to feel (almost) like your own country house.

The spa itself, however, feels like an afterthought. It needs a lick of paint and some TLC. There is a small Buddha in the relaxation area (and another one in the gardens) but you don't get a sense of this being a little bit of the East in the Brecon Beacons throughout the spa.

The staff were thoughtful and work well with the facilities they have, and my treatments were enjoyable. However, I wouldn't travel any distance to visit the spa itself. The hotel overall, I would travel a long distance for. A bit of investment could bring the spa up to the same standard.

On a sunny day, I am sure the spa at Peterstone Court would provide an absolutely delightful spa treat: you could lounge about outside, eat lunch on the terrace in your robe, pop in for treatments, and enjoy the hills all around. But if it's a drizzly day, which, let's face it, is not unknown in Wales, you'd be confined to the basement, and this provides limited opportunities for lounging.

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