Review of Brandshatch Place Health Club & Spa, Fawkham

Dual Treatment Room at Brandshatch Place

Brandshatch Place Health Club & Spa, Fawkham - 4 bubbles

Brandshatch Place offers a satisfying spa mix of gym, swimming pool and heat rooms, effective and professional treatments, excellent food and comfortable chill-out areas. A perfect recipe for a relaxing spa day or stay. Tell us the recipe for the cauliflower soup and we'll be in heaven. Sedate Spy was.

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?

Brandshatch Place is an elegant, red-brick Georgian mansion, built in 1806 by the Duke of Norfolk. The Hotel stands in twelve acres of lush countryside in the Garden of England (Kent). You reach the hotel down a picturesque tree-lined driveway. The hotel had recently completed a multi-million pound refurbishment at the time of my visit, which had resulted in it being upgraded to 4 stars.

Before going into reception, I turned and took in the beauty of the landscape. It was a sunny day and the grounds looked absolutely stunning with perfectly manicured lawns.

How did they welcome you?

Once I was through the doors, a receptionist greeted me very warmly by offering me a cold drink. The drink was brought to me before I had even finished checking in. I then waited while the receptionist called for someone to show me to my room. Within a few minutes, there he was and I was promptly taken to my room.

What happens next?

My room was a large and contained all the modern amenities you expect to find in a four-star hotel: plasma television, DVD and CD player, and free broadband access, as well as fine starched cotton sheets and HandPicked toiletries by Gilchrist & Soames in the bathroom. Although it had a classic feel about it, the room was filled with modern and elegant fabrics.

After freshening up, I went down to the bar before dinner. I had a long gin and tonic, which I took onto the verandah. I sat looking out on the peaceful countryside and was transported to days gone by.

I had my evening meal in the hotel's award-winning 2 AA-Rosette Hatchwood Restaurant. The menu contains a range of traditional English dishes and a fine collection of wine. I thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful and the wine was good enough to have a glass too many. The quality of the food was excellent and the service was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive.

After dinner, I took myself for a short walk round the hotel, then, off to bed. The bed was so comfortable I fell fast asleep before I really had the chance to wallow in its luxury. The next morning, despite a truly relaxing, deep sleep, I still found it hard to leave that bed! I finally got myself up and out and found the health club.

The gym, although not huge, does have a full complement of modern fitness equipment and is fully air-conditioned.

After a full workout, I went into the changing rooms which, again, were not huge. However, my locker was large enough and contained a robe, towel and slippers, all of which were soft, white and very fresh-smelling.

The indoor swimming pool was empty, so I managed to get a few lengths in. There was also a small paddling pool to one side. But I can imagine that when there is more than a handful of people, the pool area would become quite noisy and a little too cramped for swimming lengths.

After all my hard work, I was ready to relax and unwind. I tried the hydrotherapy pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and crystal steam room. After whiling away my time in dry heat, wet humid heat and being gently massaged by warm jets, my tired old body felt truly detoxified and relaxed. I was ready for my treatments!

I introduced myself at the spa reception and was greeted by a very friendly receptionist, who took me to the Amber Lounge. The Amber Lounge is a bright modern room with comfy sofas and armchairs. There are hot and cold drinks on offer and a full fruit basket. I sat drinking my green tea while filling in the consultation form.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the spa's signature treatment: the Neom Complete Organic Bliss.

What were the treatments like?

My therapist came in and we discussed my consultation form briefly. Before taking me to the treatment room, she showed me the Relaxation Lounge, which I looked forward to experiencing later in the day. Once in the treatment room, I instantly relaxed. The room was softly lit and had a comforting glow. Spa music was playing in the background and the dark wood surfaces were free of all clutter.

My therapist explained that the Neom Complete Body Restore is a full-body treatment designed to balance and restore both mind and body. She explained that she would be using a variety of Neom's organic products and a combination of holistic therapies such as reflexology, Thai and Swedish massage, aromatherapy, crystal therapy and relaxation techniques. Wow.

The treatment began with a foot ritual. I always love these. Although short, this little interval prepares both mind and body for things to come and helps transport you into a calm, relaxed state. There was a wonderful aroma from the Neom candles, which further enhanced my state of peace.

After leading me through a specially devised set of questions, my therapist made some choices from a selection of healing crystals and asked me to hold these in my palms for the duration of the therapy.

Once I had made myself comfortable on the slightly heated treatment bed, cocooned under heavy towels, the treatment continued with a full-body massage.

All Neom products use pure organic ingredients combined with essential oils, full of vitamins and extracts which deeply nourish the skin. The aroma was heavenly. The massage combines Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy, Thai and Reflexology techniques, all tailored to suit the individual.

I had asked for particular attention to my back, neck and shoulders. My therapist also expertly worked the back of my legs, my scalp and my face. The treatment is designed as a full two hours but actually appeared to go on for ever. By the time my therapist had finished, I felt as though I had been in a deep sleep, although I was totally aware and awake throughout.

My therapist told me to take my time before attempting to sit up. I spent quite a while trying to awaken properly before I could sit up and slowly come to my senses.

How did you feel afterwards?

I felt deeply relaxed and refreshed from head to toe. My mind had been de-cluttered and now felt incredibly soothed and calm. My skin felt smooth and polished, silky to the touch. All in all, I felt utterly spoilt!

What happens afterwards?

Once I had put on my robe and drunk two glasses of water, my therapist led me to the relaxation room to relax for while. She advised me to drink plenty of fluids and not to rush off before I was completely awake.

I slowly came round and started feeling a warm cosy glow. I could actually feel myself smiling inside!

Rested and full of energy, I was now ready for lunch. I was escorted back to the Amber Lounge, where I ate while reading a spa magazine. The menu offered a tempting variety of starters, main courses and desserts. For my starter, I chose something I had never come across before. Cauliflower soup. This is now my favourite-ever soup, rich and creamy. I have asked for it in every restaurant I have been to since. I could quite easily have had another bowl of soup instead of my main course, but I had the salmon. It was very good, but I still hadn't got over the soup.

Long-term effects

After my fantastic lunch, I started out my long journey home. Although slow, with a number of train changes involved, the journey flashed past without a hint of irritation. This was definitely due to my calm and relaxed temperament. This fantastically energised yet tranquil state lasted for a whole three days. My silky smooth skin lasted for nearly five days. The most unexpected result of the treatment was my glossy, sleek hair.

Was it worth it?

The Spa at Brandshatch Place had a special offer on the Neom Complete Organic Bliss when I went; I think that this is definitely the best 100 pounds you could ever spend in any spa.

What else could you have?

The spa offers a wide range of treatments: wraps, facials, an array of massages, aroma therapy treatments, holistic therapies, hot-stone therapies, complementary therapies, manicures and pedicures, treatments for men, and treatments for pregnant women. Their newest addition is natural massage using lava shells.

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

How fantastic the cauliflower soup was. I could have eaten it with my evening meal the night before.

Any special features?

The Neom Complete Body Restore treatment is a very special feature. I can understand why it is the spa's signature treatment.

You can also arrange driving tuition at the Brands Hatch race-track nearby, which would make rather an interesting addition to a spa day.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone looking for a fabulous spa day would enjoy Brandshatch Place. I would love to have gone with my daughter or a group of friends. I could even have taken my fussy partner, who would also have loved it.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Brandshatch Place 4 Bubbles.

I loved everything about my day at Brandshatch. The spa was spotless and well organised. The hotel staff, and all the staff at the spa, were extremely friendly and helpful. My therapist was one of the best I have had. She explained everything clearly, she was knowledgeable, and her technique was firm but not painful. Also, let's not forget the soup!

The only reason we didn't award 5 bubbles was because of the pool. It was very small and would definitely feel noisy with more than a few people in there. There were only a few loungers around the pool because of the lack of space, and this cut back on the spa relaxation feel of the place.

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