 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Lodore Falls Hotel, Keswick - 3 bubbles
There aren't many places where you can sit in a hot tub and watch a waterfall cascade down a mountain, but you can at Lodore Falls. The hot tub is a distinctive addition to what is a leisure centre and a beauty salon joined together, rather than a true spa. You can glimpse a bit of spa magic, though, as the mist rises through the trees, and the treatments are professional and good value. Walkers will love the TLC for their feet.
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?
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 Lodore Falls Hotel is a three-star country-house hotel in a dramatic Lake District setting; it's a grey stone building overlooking Derwentwater and is traditional in look and feel throughout. You can drive into the small grounds to unload your luggage, but the actual car park is across the road. I took my case up the two steps and into reception, a wood-panelled area over to the right.
How did they welcome you?
In a friendly fashion, enquiring about my journey, newspaper preferences and dinner reservation. A young man politely carried my case up in the small lift to the third floor, to the Borrowdale Suite, which was rather grand: a sitting room, two bedrooms and a bathroom, all (except the last) with dramatic views of the lake and the fells of Skiddaw and Catbells. In November, the landscape was a beautiful mix of brown and gold trees. The room was clean, comfortable, and the bed beautifully sweet to sleep in.
What happens next?
I left my case in my room and went down to join my friend, who lives locally, in the spa. Except it's not really a spa. What Lodore Falls has is a rather fetching beauty salon on the ground floor and then, through some further doors, a leisure centre.
We started in the leisure centre, where a charming young man gave us our white towelling robes and a towel. We went upstairs to the women's changing room to don our swimsuits, and had to brave a blast of cold air (from the small gym where the air-con was on) en route. This was a disappointingly chilly start.
There were 23 lockers (for which you need a pound coin), but the space the size of a postage stamp to change in. There is one loo and two showers, both of which were showing signs of black mould around the white plastic shell. There is some cheerful tiling on the walls which is standing up better to the rigours of time.
We went back downstairs to the pool. This was pleasantly warm and, although small, we were both able to have a splash about before our treatments. The windows at the side of the pool make the space light and bright, although the aggressively modern girders in the roof are rather startling. There were few other swimmers during our visit but you may find yourself sharing with families at weekends and in school holidays, so manage your hushed solitude expectations.
The sauna at the side of the pool was nicely hot -- we needed our towels to sit on. The helpful Rob brought us a cooling glass of water while we were in there, which was a nice touch. There are a few loungers around the pool but, in winter, it wasn't a place to linger; it is probably far more inviting in the summer months.
We went outside to sample the new hot tub. The hot tub isn't for you if you have mobility problems as it requires a rather large step up and in. The controls are round the edges and fairly easy to fathom. The temperature was satisfyingly hot; there's something rather special about sitting in a hot tub in the rain and feeling so cosy. The experience is enhanced by the fact that a brook runs next to the hot tub, so you can sit, listen to the brook babbling and watch the trees all around, and feel truly relaxed. The hot tub is very popular; book a slot to use it as soon as you arrive!
When it was time for our treatments, we changed out of our wet swimwear, put on our robes, and went through to the beauty salon. We filled in our health consultation forms in the small seating area, which was bright and nicely kept.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Elemis Exotic Moisture Dew facial (60 minutes for £42) and my friend had the Elemis Fruit Active Glow facial (60 minutes for £42).
What were the treatments like?
Fine. I liked the cotton sheet on the bed; it was comfortable and made a change from white towelling. The light was a bit bright at first, but I soon relaxed and enjoyed the treatment. There was lots of patting and massage that concentrated on the dark circles under my eyes.
The cleansing properties of the Elemis products have always suited my skin, and I loved the scents and textures of the various cleansers, toners, exfoliators and masks. I also loved the back and scalp massage elements of the treatment. The fact that my feet were encased in hot bootees while this was going on was a huge hit. You can't really relax if your feet are cold and mine certainly weren't!
The bed wasn't one of those that rises up and down automatically, which made it awkward to sit up and drink some water when the treatment was over -- a small gripe -- which I soon got over as I gazed at my newly softened feet.
My friend later reported on her Elemis Fruit Active Glow treatment, which includes gentle rose exfoliator and the fruit active rejuvenating mask with strawberry and kiwi extracts. She really enjoyed the fruitiness of this, although her neck massage was just a little too firm.
The bonus, she said, as I had found, was that her feet were in warm cosy bootees while all the active glow was brought back to her face. She had twisted her ankle a few days earlier and she's sure this unexpected treatment aided her recovery.
How did you feel afterwards?
Fine; relaxed but not sleepy. We went back to the small seating area, had a glass of water and tried some Elemis products. This waiting area and the small café part of the leisure centre are the only places to sit and relax; there is no separate post-treatment relaxation room.
When we were ready to go back to the real world, we dressed and went into the bar, in search of some afternoon tea. As it was just past 5.30pm, we were told tea was no longer available, so had to settle for gin, instead.
Was it worth it?
Yes. The beauty salon offers affordable, professional treatments. Despite the lack of a real "spa" experience, Lodore Falls offers very good value for money when it comes to treatments.
What else could you have?
Lodore Falls Hotel Spa offers a range of Elemis treatments, from wraps to facials and massages. You can also have tanning, waxing, manicures, pedicures, sunbed and bridal treatments. They've just introduced traditional wet shaves for men, too, as well as reflexology.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That I would want to walk up the hill to the waterfall; after all, not every hotel boasts one in its garden. I managed it, but should have brought more suitable shoes.
Any special features?
The new hot tub is an interesting addition to the menu. It had only been open two weeks when we visited, but was already proving popular. There is something very magical about sitting in a hot tub on a winter evening watching the leaves fall around you and the water babbling down the hill in the brook. The only downside is being peered at by walkers. But hey, fell walking isn't the only way to enjoy yourself! Sitting in warm bubbly water with a glass of champagne in your hand has to give exercise a run for its money.
I was sorry not to be able to sample the Signature Treatment, a Waterfall Treatment Day (from £169); as it is season-dependent, but it's a pretty special imaginative twist.
Who do you think would like it?
Locals will love the pamper days. Hotel guests will welcome the range of facilities on offer with the pool and hot tub. Walkers will appreciate the sole delight foot treatment.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the spa at Lodore Falls Hotel 3 bubbles, although our treatments were definitely worth a good 4 bubbles.
However, the leisure club facilities are a bit basic and tattered at the edges. The showers need some attention and the cold blast of air next to the female changing rooms was a huge burst of a spa bubble.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Yes, I would. The staff were all friendly, the room comfortable with great views, the food was excellent both at dinner and at breakfast, and the hot tub is definitely worth a visit. The hotel is warm and cosy, with a library to relax in, with a welcoming fire burning when we were there.
If I were staying in the hotel, I would definitely call in for a massage or a little reflexology. I was sorry not to be able to sample the outdoor swimming pool or the spa's Signature Treatment, a waterfall therapy (from £169); you go and stand under the actual waterfall to rinse off your algae wrap. Making the most of nature or what?!
We visited the spa at Lodore Falls Hotel in November 2008
See also:
* Contact Details for Lodore Falls Hotel
* Elemis products -- our Spa Spy reviews
|
|
|