Review of Moddershall Oaks, Stone

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Moddershall Oaks, Stone - 5 bubbles

Single Spy's verdict on Moddershall Oaks? More, more, more! She loved the woodland walk, the setting and the staff. It's a luxurious countryside spa that offers personalised peace, friendly fun, and great value.

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?

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?

Moddershall Oaks is best located via latitude and longitude, as identified in their literature. The postcode in my satnav deposited me by a babbling brook in the nearest village. The spa is actually perfectly accessible, pointed out by a brown sign just off the B5066.

You go down a long driveway over fields to reach the spa. En route, a horse stared at me over a gate, which gives you an idea of the rurality of the location.

How did they welcome you?

On arrival, I was a little confused as to where to go. The driveway ends up in a sloping hillside car park in several sections, with a long, low brick and glass building running along its length. The car park at 4pm on a Saturday was very busy, but I found a space not far away from a sign for Reception and decided to give that a go. I was right.

The reception staff welcomed me kindly and courteously (asking me if I had found them okay -- which I obviously had, but made me wonder whether people didn't) and located my booking straightaway.

What happens next?

Kayleigh, a very helpful member of staff, took me through to my room. We reached this via the gym, past the hair salon, and through a door. The door opens out into a long windowed corridor, along which are the ten bedrooms. You need a key to open the door to the corridor, which means that the residential area is reserved for staying guests only. There is also an "honesty bar" in the form of a fridge in this bedroom corridor. Take what you want in the way of alcohol and soft drinks, fill in the form, and pay on departure. My room was very stylish and comfortable, nicely designed in beiges and browns. There was a large bed with lots of pillows and cushions, a soft seating area -- separated from the bed with a gold gauze curtain -- a large TV and a workdesk. The chrome and shiny bathroom was clean and efficient, with Elemis products in brackets on the tiled walls, and plenty of white fluffy flannels and towels. I managed to make the towel rail warm up, which was a treat, but the underfloor heating defeated me. Glass doors led out onto a compact wooden patio. My room was right next to the outdoor hot tub, which is also reserved for the use of guests staying at Moddershall Oaks. There was a view out onto fields and I felt suitably cut off from Real Life and its attendant cares. Although not so cut off that I didn't check out the email situation. You can access your emails, but you have to let the staff at Reception know you want to do so, and there is a charge for this. Best just do what I did and leave it all to wait for another 24 hours, right?

For my treatment, I had booked Elemis Time which allowed me a consultation with my therapist and then a set of treatments designed to suit my needs. After I had checked in, Kayleigh came to my room and, while I sipped my complimentary mint tea with honey, asked me what I'd like to get out of my treatments. I explained that the most luxurious treatments I could think of focused on my head and my feet. Kayleigh gave me a consultation form to fill in, on which I was pleased to announce that I was free from any allergies or conditions.

Once I had explored my room, I went for a walk. In the woods. There is a woodland trail, with a clearly marked path for those nervous of straying into uncharted countryside. The walk was fabulous. Pieces of sculpture provide focal points along the way, and I was particularly taken with the deer. I also wandered past the tennis court, around the gardens and back to the main building. The restaurant has a patio area, which comes into its own in sunny weather and has views over to the lake. I refreshed myself with a cup of tea while watching fish bubble the surface of the lake waters.

After my walk, I went for a swim. The changing rooms are a good size, clean, and equipped with Elemis products, including moisturiser.

It was by now quite late in the day, so I practically had the free-form pool to myself. The pool is not large enough to get your laps in, if you're a dedicated swimmer, but it was pleasantly warm, had graduated steps down into it, and offered enough space to exercise and splash about. Swan pipes give your shoulders a massage, too.

By the pool entrance, you'll find the sauna and steam room. Both are reasonably sized and nicely hot. I spent a happy time swimming, steaming, cooling off in the experience shower (I have learnt from experience that all my experience showers somehow involve Arctic mist or Atlantic storms, no matter what button I press) and chilling in the Jacuzzi. The Jacuzzi has a good view of the gardens and is a bubbly place to unwind. There are some ceramic and some adjustable loungers around the pool, too, for further unwinding.

While I was swimming, a member of staff came through and enquired whose discarded towel was whose. There was only me and two other people there. We all denied knowledge of any towels (none of us had realised we were supposed to pick one up from Reception) but she cheerfully brought us all a fresh and fluffy one. Great customer service!

That evening, I had dinner in the restaurant. There was a good atmosphere, with several girly groups, some friends there together, a couple of couples, and everybody dressed quite smartish. My risotto tasted delicious and the service was friendly and swift.

When I went back to my room, I found that someone had popped in and left a little phial of Elemis cooling mint mist on my pillow. If only that happened at home.

The next morning, I had a cup of tea from the tray in my room, then went to the gym. It was quite busy! Nevertheless, I was able to snag the cross-trainer I wanted. There are cardio-vascular machines with screens, resistance machines, free weights, Swiss balls and a water machine. Another helpful member of staff came over and provided me with a key to start the equipment. I had a good workout: the only niggle is, that people wanting to get through to the bedrooms have to use the gym as a corridor.

Which treatments did you have?

Because I had booked two hours of Elemis Time and discussed my needs the day before, my treatments were practically arranged for me. I went upstairs to the small waiting area and was thinking about getting some tea out of the machine when my therapist, Emma, arrived.

Emma took me through to the treatment room and explained that I would have a massage and float, followed by a pedicure. Sounded ideal.

What were the treatments like?

The treatment room was quite large and tasteful, with a large bed in the middle: this was the sort where the bottom of the bed falls away so that you are floating on water - but without getting wet.

My treatment started off quite uncomfortably, as the bed that would later turn into the float was quite unforgiving. The surface was relatively hard, unlike a softer massage couch. This also meant there was no face-holder, so I had to turn my head completely to the side (or suffocate) which, with my tense shoulders, I found hard to do. So I wriggled a lot and got very uncomfortable, which Emma realised. So I can't really do justice to her massage techniques, which I am sure are excellent.

When the float began, things became more relaxing. Emma left the room so I was on my own for a while. Perhaps if I'd been able to unwind during the massage, I might have drifted off, wrapped in soft blankets, but I didn't.

One slightly annoying thing about having a treatment on the float bed is that the room with the bed in it directly adjoins the treatment waiting area. This means that the atmosphere can be quite noisy in successive waves, as people arrive and leave for their treatments.

For my pedicure, Emma took me through to a pedicure station next to the treatment waiting area. I chose a deep aubergine colour, and Emma filed, smoothed and painted my toes to perfection.

How did you feel afterwards?

Twinkly-toed, but not as relaxed as I could have been.

What happens afterwards?

You could chill out in the relaxation room (or "the sleep room", as one member of staff calls it), where there are loungers and magazines. There is another small conservatory area with soft sofas adjoining the gardens complete with plaster parrots, or you could just relax in the restaurant or out on the patio.

Was it worth it?

Definitely. Moddershall Oaks offers Spa Days (with no treatments included) from £59, and a Taster Spa Day with a facial or massage included from £79. Spa Breaks start at £175. Individual treatment prices are about what you would expect to pay elsewhere, but as Moddershall Oaks has such a fine array of facilities on offer, you will get good value from your day or stay.

What else could you have?

A range of treatments designed to help you relax, detox or recharge. You can choose from a variety of facials, wraps and massages, with specific treatments for men and for mums-to-be. You can also try complementary therapies such as reflexology and Indian head massage, and Ayurvedic treatments. All the finishing touches are available, too, including manis, pedis, tinting and waxing. Don't forget that you can book in for hair treatments, as well, at the on-site salon, and go home looking gorgeous from top to toe, inside and out.

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

To allow time for some outdoor walks and hot-tubbing.

Any special features?

The outdoor tennis court and woodland trail are pretty special.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone! Moddershall Oaks would particularly appeal to friends or groups, as there is a lot of sociable stuff to do, and the atmosphere is "fun" rather than "hush".

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Moddershall Oaks our highest rating of 5 bubbles. We loved the location, the facilities on offer, and the friendliness of the staff. While the treatment we tried wasn't perfect, there is such a good range on offer, you are bound to find something you'd like.

See more on how we rate the spas

Would you go again?

Just try to keep me away! We visited Moddershall Oaks in April 2009

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