Review of Belton Woods (De Vere Hotel), Grantham

Belton Woods (De Vere Hotel), Grantham - 3 bubbles

Sybaritic Spy and Spouse were invited to Belton Woods in Lincolnshire to sample the spa delights. But they saw no spa. They saw a large pool, six treatment rooms and a sauna. They also enjoyed their distinctive treatments very distinctly. And serious golfers will love the golf. But where were the robes? And the joined-up thinking?

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?

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?

Belton Woods is a large modern building set in grounds mostly used as a golf course. You drive past the golf buggies and a collection of quad bikes on the way to the car park. There were lots of golfers in the hotel when we visited, despite the fact that there were inches of snow on the roads when we set off, and even on the golf course there were flurries of snow. Belton Woods is obviously a hotel for serious golfers. It is also possible to buy weeks of accommodation in the "villas" in the grounds and there is a sales room for this within the hotel.

How did they welcome you?

Our room wasn't quite ready when we arrived (we were early), so we went to the lounge for a sandwich while we waited. And an excellent sandwich it was. After about 40 minutes, I went back to reception to ask about the room and they gave me the key and directions.

The room had recently been refurbished with an almost four-poster bed - a "four pillar" bed, maybe, with modern soft furnishings.

What happens next?

We couldn't find any robes in our room, so we went down to the spa clutching our swimming costumes. The spa is tucked away beyond the large and well equipped gym. You go round the corner past the two glass-backed squash courts, past the changing rooms, past the café, past the leisure reception, round another corner, past the separate golf changing rooms and finally -- the spa.

But it's not really a spa. It's a set of six treatment rooms and a hairdresser. If you want to swim before your treatment, you have to go back to the leisure changing rooms, have your swim, then get dressed, then come back to the spa. There are no robes and, even if there were, it would be a very public walk in a robe to get from the changing rooms to the treatment rooms as golfers come and go in this area.

We abandoned any attempts to swim, especially as it was a Sunday afternoon and the pool was full of families with children. Instead, we went for a walk and returned to try the pool the next morning.

The pool is large, light and very clean. There is a good-sized sauna and steam room with a shower in-between, and also a large Jacuzzi on the edge of the pool.

Which treatments did you have?

I had a Decleor and Carita Treatment of Distinction(105 minutes for £:70). My husband had a Decleor Relax back treatment including head massage (55 minutes for £47) and a Jessica pedicure (45 minutes for £20).

What were the treatments like?

My Treatment of Distinction included an arm, leg, back, hand, and foot massage, hand and foot masks and bootees, a facial, and a scalp massage. In short, just about all of me was either massaged or moisturised, or both!

My therapist was calm and collected even when she saw on my form that I was allergic to lavender (therapists have been known to run screaming from the room at this point). She simply checked through all the Decleor and Carita products and mixed and matched to find the right combination to use. Top marks.

After a back massage, I turned over and my therapist offered a pillow for under my knees to take the pressure off my lower back. I usually have to ask, so, again, top marks. The massage on my arms and hands, legs and feet was a very gentle soothing massage, and was followed by the application of a mask and then heated bootees and mitts.

While the bootees and mitts did their work, my therapist applied the exfoliant. It smelled fairly pungent and was quite coarse in texture. I spent ages trying to work out just what it was and finally realised that it was cloves and reminded me of Christmas!

Once the exfoliant was removed, my therapist applied the face mask, and I got a very good head massage. Head massages are often too fierce and involve too much hair pulling for my liking, but this one was good. My feet began to overheat and I asked for the bootees to be turned off.

My treatment was delivered with tact and skill. Since the treatment deals with back, neck, shoulders, hands and feet, as well as scalp and face, it really is a head-to-toe treatment. But, at the end, I had to get dressed, so ended up wiping off the oil with towels so that it didn't stain my clothes.

My husband, who enjoys a pedicure, was amazed to be offered hot bootees. The therapist was firm and decisive and tidied his nails and exfoliated his feet before moisturising and wrapping them and then putting them in the bootees. He reports that the back, neck and shoulder massage could have been firmer but was very relaxing.

How did you feel afterwards?

My Treatment of Distinction lasted almost two hours. I usually get bored after an hour of doing nothing but I drifted off and almost fell asleep. It was delightful. My skin felt great, and I felt relaxed enough to want to go to bed. My husband confessed to being ready to fall asleep as well, so both treatments did what they set out to do.

What happens afterwards?

I returned to the relaxation room; this has comfortable black leather chairs and foot stalls, subdued lighting and soft music. It also has two nail bars -- thankfully not in use. Oddly enough, one of the six treatment rooms appeared to be in use as an interview room; while we sat and drank some water, several people were escorted through the relaxation room and back again. Later, we had supper in the main restaurant. It was busy and the staff were rushed, but our food and wine were good.

Long-term effects

My skin looked great. It looked noticeably brighter and the areas around my eyes and lips had been plumped up by the moisturisers.

My husband's feet looked respectable!

Was it worth it?

Belton Woods offered a very pleasant afternoon.

What else could you have?

There are a good range of treatments available in The Serenity Spa including facials, relaxing body massages, Hopi Ear Candles, as well as beauty salon treatments.

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

That Belton Woods is not really a spa. We had planned to have a swim and spend some time in the steam and sauna and then relax for a while before our treatments. But you can't do that here.

Any special features?

The golf course, or rather courses, since there are three within the grounds. There is also a golf school and a practice range. There are quad bikes for hire for anyone who fancies a quick roar around the grounds.

The hotel is right opposite Belton Hall, a National Trust property. Anyone with small girls from about 5 to 12 will know that it's where the children's novel The Moondial is set. A family walk across the road to explore the setting of the novel and enjoy the very good play area amongst the trees would make a good highlight to a weekend here.

Who do you think would like it?

Golfers and their significant others. Anyone who wants a makeover that includes a hairdo. Anyone in the area on business who needs a relaxing massage.

Families who want a good-value weekend break. The pool in the hotel has two children's play areas and there are highchairs in the restaurant so this is a good family destination.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Belton Woods 3 bubbles. It is a good set of treatment rooms, and the treatments were well delivered, but you expect more from a "spa" in a hotel.

There are plenty of facilities at Belton Woods but they are not joined up. I don't want to go through the faff of getting dressed between my swim and my treatment. I don't want to get dressed if I want to go to the café for lunch, or for a drink between treatments. And I don't want to have to wipe the oils off my skin so that I can get dressed to walk back to my room. Some joined-up thinking would transform what is on offer at Belton Woods.

See more on how we rate the spas