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Lido, Bristol - 4 bubbles
Sassy Spy was invited to this regenerated Victorian outdoor pool to see its transformation into the tranquil Lido and Lido Spa. She found herself blissed out by the unusual, holistic treatments and tasty, locally-sourced food.
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?
I arrived at The Lido at 9am on the dot, after staying at the Hotel du Vin, as part of my overnight spa package. The complimentary taxi took some turns just out of the main hub of the city centre, and drove down a street past some lovely Georgian houses until we stopped just short of The Lido. It was a fairly large understated white building that hinted at nothing of what was within, apart from a small sign.
The fire alarm was being tested on my arrival, which was a bit of an early morning stand-to-attention (I'm not the chirpiest of a morn), but fortunately the alarm didn't last long. From the front door, I could see straight through the small reception area to some glass doors, and the shimmering glint of the outdoor infinity pool, which sparkled in the morning sun.
How did they welcome you?
I was warmly welcomed by spa manager Mark and some of the reception staff. They put my weekend bag into one of the large, shared lockers in the reception area, and Mark took me outside and introduced me to the delightful solar-powered infinity pool. There were just two people gliding through its crystal waters. Lining the length of the pool on the left-hand side were cubicles with retro-stripey curtains and wooden barrel showers. I felt like I'd stepped back in time and should be in a nautical tunic-style dress, complete with knickers, hat and belt.
To my right was the glass-walled poolside bar and the restaurant above. I sat outside, next to the poolside bar and swimming pool, and ate a scrummy breakfast of home-made granola, natural yoghurt and fresh fruit.
What happens next?
Breakfast consumed, cuppa tea drunk, I headed to reception. They gave me a new pair of Lido-logo'd flip-flops, and a coat-hangered zipped suit-protector to put my clothes in. I had expected my own locker, but The Lido doesn't have the space to accommodate many. I changed into my swimsuit and robe and took my clothes in the bag provided back to reception to be hung up. This seems a good way to utilise the space they have.
Staff also gave me a wrist band to wear, to show that I was on a spa-day package.
At The Lido, they want to keep the pool as chlorine-free as possible, so encourage everyone to shower before getting in. I hate chlorine, so welcomed this. I dutifully showered, then looked for hooks to hang up my robe and towel but couldn't find any. I spotted some shelving near the doorway to the sauna and steam rooms, and dumped my stuff there.
The pool was crystal clear and crisply cool, but my body adjusted after a length or two and my swim was very pleasant.
I then headed inwards to try out the sauna and steam rooms, both of which had windows overlooking the pool. I'd never been in heat facilities with windows before, and enjoyed having the visual distraction of people swimming whilst I sweated away! I would have liked a water machine somewhere near the sauna and steam room, so that I could have quenched my thirst easily, without having to head to the restaurant or upstairs to the spa.
Also in this area was an icy bucket-shower and some individual changing rooms which were all spotlessly clean and tidy.
The lunch menu was very tempting with fresh locally sourced produce on offer. My waitress was happy to answer any questions I had about the food. The menu changes every day, and the staff have a meeting every morning to sample the food and find out what's in it, so that they can give customers an honest account of what's what. The passion about the food shines through. There is a window between restaurant and kitchen, so you can see the chefs at work in their playground. There are also huge floor-to-ceiling windows lining the pool side of the room, which can be opened up for fresh air on sunny days, just like the day I went. I feasted on delicious soup with warm, fresh sour dough bread (highly recommended) followed by wood-smoked mackerel, done to perfection in the wood-fired oven.
I took my paper and a coffee out on to the decking, where there are tables and chairs. None of your usual spa poolside loungers here - there just isn't the room. Members of the public are allowed in to The Lido for drinks and food, and a number of guests out on the decking were just there for a coffee. I was a bit anxious that mobile phones might ring or people start to having a raucous old chin wag, but the place seems to have a watery, hypnotising effect on everyone. Being the only one at that point outside in a robe, I must say I did feel a little out of place.
I did speak to a few people; they all turned out to be members of The Lido, and had nothing but praise for the spa. I asked if children were ever a problem for their heavenly spa day, but the response was unanimously no. Also the members all seemed to know Mark and Arne (who owns The Lido), and they all spoke like they knew him and like I must know him. I felt like I was part of a little secret spa community, safe, welcoming, calm; a place which cares about its staff and customers.
I headed to the Spa Relaxation room, which also had windows looking out to the pool, and grabbed a glass of cucumber water and had a peek at a magazine. Rose, my therapist, arrived and took me to my treatment room. This room was airy and spacious with wooden floors, a bed in the middle, and a large cabinet against the back wall, housing colourful ila boxes. Two skylights allowed in much natural daylight, and were covered by thin blinds to shade the glaring sun. I wondered if the brightness of the room might be a problem?
Which treatments did you have?
The Lido Lomi Lomi Hawaiian full-body massage (£75 for 90 minutes). This massage is said to heal the body of ills and the mind of bad thoughts. The oil used in the massage contains kukui nut, ylang ylang, ginger and rose geranium. More yummy fragrances to inhale. Rose advised that this massage is normally performed on a person not wearing clothes, but gave me a pair of paper knickers to wear if I wanted.
I also had a Rainforest Rejuvenation facial (£50 for 60 minutes). This facial used plants from the Amazonian Rainforest, which aim to stimulate lymphatic drainage, as well as heated poultices of Himalayan salts and marigold flowers.
Both treatments used ila products. A big fan of the ila brand, I was looking forward to them.
What were the treatments like?
The massage began with Rose cleansing and lightly scrubbing my feet with a delicious-smelling exfoliator in a lukewarm bowl of water. At the same time, Rose explained the treatments and what they would entail. This was really informative, and Rose was genuinely passionate about the lomi lomi massage. A lot of thought had gone in to making the experience one to remember. There was traditional Hawaiian music playing, a palm-tree printed sarong on the bed in the middle of the room, and Rose wore flowers in her hair.
With me on my front, Rose explained that this massage is usually carried out on the beach, with the sea lapping at the shore and the sun shining down. This set my mental scene perfectly. The massage was deep, with flowing, rhythmical movements. I like strong pressure and Rose responded perceptively. It felt like she was dancing with my body in a mesmerising way. My shoulders were tense and knotty and Rose did a lot of needed work on them. Afterwards she suggested doing push-ups or pull-ups to help my "computer shoulders". Eek. How about just more of these massages?
I then turned over so that Rose could massage the front of my body. Rose asked whether I wanted my stomach massaged, as some people do not like this. Yes, please! I love it. If you've never tried it, give it a go, it's so relaxing.
I drifted in and out and before I knew it, the massage was all over. How had time flown so quickly? It was quite warm in the room, as it was such a sunny day, and I'm sure the warmth made me even more sleepy. I drank some water, then it was time for my facial.
Rose began the rainforest facial by changing the music to Indian chanting, setting the scene for my next treatment. Rose told me what to expect, and explained that the facial would involve lymphatic drainage and various ila products. Rose applied a cleanser and toner made with damascena rose oil, followed by a rosehip-seed scrub with honey and rose water. Next came various serums, all containing the "Amazonian elixir", ingredients from the rainforest, a mud mask, then poultices of Himalayan rock salt. I continued to drift in and out of my heavenly state. The facial finished with a head and neck massage.
The brightness of the room did not, in the end, affect my treatment. In fact, I barely opened my eyes the whole time.
How did you feel afterwards?
I had reached Nirvana! Seriously. I don't think I could have felt more relaxed and content. I felt like my body had been rearranged into its proper shape, and I stroked my soft face all the way home.
What happens afterwards?
Rose told me to just relax, get ready in my own time and head to the private relaxation room. With robe back on, I floated out of the door and into the relaxation room. There was a good selection of magazines and no-one else around. I chose the seat which looked directly out through open double doors to the swimming pool below. The large windows that lined the wall allowed in plenty of natural light, which was really pleasing.
There were six different types of herbal loose-leaf tea available. I tried the lemon verbena. I also accepted a glass of cucumber-infused water from Rose.
I relaxed, allowed the gorgeous smelling oils to soak in, and skimmed a Grazia. Another lady joined the room and peacefully sat and read. We both left at the same time when we realised time had flown. She had also just had the lomi-lomi massage. We both couldn't rave about it enough.
I showered, dressed and headed to the boudoir, which had men and women occupying the room. There were four different marble-topped dressing tables, with tri-fold mirrors, a hair dryer on each one, and there were also hair straighteners. In the corner was a fresh water dispenser with sliced lemon garnish within.
It would have been nice if there were some cotton buds, pads or some moisturiser, too. Again, with natural light as a running theme, the windows all looked out over the pool below.
I liked the deep sea-green large tiled toilet/shower rooms, complete with floor squeegee and automatic lights that activate on entry to the room.
Long-term effects
A new-found desire to go to Hawaii. A new-found desire to have the lomi-lomi massage again.
My shoulders felt great for days afterwards. In fact, my whole being did.
Was it worth it?
Most definitely. I'd go back to The Lido like a shot.
If you're not a member, it will cost you £15 for the afternoon (1 - 4pm) to use the facilities. This may sound a lot for a swim in an outdoor pool, but you get to spend a whole afternoon in this lovely haven. You can glide between all the different experiences, with the option of eating delicious locally sourced fresh food in a relaxing environment. (However, it was £3 for an apple juice, so the cost can add up!)
If you're there for a spa day, you get the many extras of breakfast and lunch, towels, robe, flip-flops, use of the private relaxation room, a treatment and complimentary soft drinks. Great value.
I would totally recommend their Hotel du Vin package with a spa day. It's fabulous value and really makes the experience super special. I went to the Hotel du Vin before my spa day but you could go after, if you chose this package. (I really enjoyed my time at this stylish boutique hotel; Bristol's gloriously restored Sugar House. No room to write about it here, but check the blog.)
What else could you have?
A range of holistic and temptingly named ila treaments including facials, massages, scrubs and wraps.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
You need to bring your own towel and flip-flops if you're just coming for a regular swimming session.
The overlooked outdoor pool area might not be ideal for the very shy among us.
There are certain times when children are allowed in (9 - 11am and 2 - 4pm). The spa operates a strict one-child-per-adult policy. Only one child entered the spa when I was there. I think that if lots of parents start bringing their kids, it will change the atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, I love the little ones, but not in pamper-mode.
Also, The Lido is more popular when the weather is worse. Members told me that they swim year round, come wind, rain or even snow!
Any special features?
The outdoor infinity pool.
They've kept and used much original and reclaimed wood from The Lido in the renovations, including the beams in the poolside bar and the barrel showers which line the pool.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone looking for a day of peace and quiet, either on their own or with a friend or partner. The members I met couldn't praise The Lido enough.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave The Lido 4 bubbles. The spa was an oasis of calm and tranquillity, with great attention to detail and top-class treatments, and divine food. I'd love to see some soft touches and more water freely available.
Everyone I spoke to advised that the spa never gets really crowded, but I think that it would be a much less peaceful experience if it did.
Read more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Just try to stop me. I'm just sad that I live so far away and can't go regularly.
We visited The Lido in June 2009
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See also:
* Contact details for Lido
* Our Spa Spies review ila products
* See all spa reviews
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