Review of Grayshott Spa Studio at Fawsley Hall, Daventry

Grayshott Studio Spa and Gym at Fawsley Hall, Daventry - 5 bubbles

Sybaritic Spy is our resident history buff, so we sent her off to try the Grayshott Studio Spa and Gym at Fawsley Hall. She found a fascinating Tudor Great Hall, with a small and intimate spa, and had a very interesting culinary experience thrown in.

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?

A very imposing English country house. You drive down lanes through countryside crafted by Capability Brown: rolling hillsides, carefully positioned lakes, imposing trees, and through the gates into the hotel. The Great Hall is Tudor, built in 1537 and added to over the years: a Georgian north wing here, a Victorian south-east wing there. The house was restored from a ruin, which took over 20 years.

This labour of love was worthwhile. Fawsley Hall is a delightful hotel with fascinating historical detail in each and every room. The newly opened Grayshott spa is in the old Coach House.

How did they welcome you?

Warmly, offering to park our car. As it was raining heavily, I gratefully accepted the offer. We were then led through the hotel, and out to the spa building. Thankfully, there are stands with umbrellas at every doorway.

Our bright and airy bedroom was above the spa: ideal for serious spa-goers who want to trip from room to spa in their robes. The Coach House has six en-suite spa bedrooms.

The spa has six treatment rooms, an indoor pool just right for a few lengths, a sauna and steam room, poolside shower, an outdoor hot tub, a seating area, a nail-bar area and a relaxation room hidden away up a spiral staircase. There's also a gym with Nautilus equipment. The colours everywhere are light and bright, with limed wooden furniture, slate floors, and huge framed posters of the covers of Vogue magazine dating back to early in the last century.

What happens next?

We had a cup of tea in the Great Hall. Comfy sofas and chairs, huge wooden stands with candles, a vast fireplace with the coats of arms of the Knightley family who built the first hall, those of Richard the First, and those of the 26 knights who accompanied him on his first crusade. Yes, it is a very big fireplace!

Which treatments did you have?

I had Aromatherapy Associates hot stone therapy (massage with heated volcanic basalt stones): £65 for 55 minutes).

What were the treatments like?

The massage was very relaxing and gentle. This therapy is ideal for anyone who finds massage a bit too masochistic or for the very stressed who need help to relax. That's me, then! Julia, my therapist, moved very quietly and gently but managed to use the hot stones to release some of the tension I hold in my neck and shoulders. She worked on a couple of stubborn areas, but not to the point where it felt painful. Mostly, she concentrated on long sweeping strokes that helped to stretch and relax my muscles.

How did you feel afterwards?

Relaxed but not too light-headed.

What happens afterwards?

I went up to the relaxation area and snuggled under a duvet while I read a magazine and drank some water. The spa's small cafe serves a range of healthy salads and light snacks, so I could have ordered some lunch. However, having eaten six courses the night before, decided I could do with a day on fluids only.

Was it worth it?

Yes. I usually like my massage firm and deep and I'm prepared to put up with a bit of pain if necessary. But this was a great way to unwind. Combining this treatment with a leisurely day in the pool, and using the steam and sauna, would make for great relaxation.

What else could you have?

Fawsley Hall offers the Guinot and Aromatherapy Associates range, and Jessica for nails. They also have some complementary treatments, such as reflexology, which is £55 for 50 minutes. The Rejuvenating Rose Cocoon Body Wrap at £55 for 55 minutes sounds like heaven. For anyone worried about wrinkles, there are Guinot Hydradermie facials which use a galvanic current to carry the plant-based ingredients deep into the skin.

Spa days start from £85 including a massage and a facial, one-night stays (with two treatments) from £220, and two-night stays (with three treatments) from £400. Both include breakfast and dinner.

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

That the food would be so good. Straightforward food is served in Bess's Brasserie. For grander food, book at Equilibrium. This is fine dining with a strong hint of the outlandishness of Heston Blumenthal. If you are a foodie who likes to experiment, you will love the experience even if some of the dishes are challenging. Anyone for chamomile tea, mint and vodka dipped in liquid nitrogen and served as a palate cleanser? If you prefer no-nonsense food, you may hate it.

Don't attempt Equilibrium after a day in the spa -- you may fall asleep before the end. Eat there the day before you go to the spa; you can then spend the day remembering the unusual and interesting flavour combinations, and won't need to eat! Book early, too, as it takes about three hours for the six courses.

Any special features?

The huge soft beds in the spa rooms. They are so white and fluffy, I found it hard to leave the bed and go down to the spa for my treatment.

Who do you think would like it?

Friends who want to spa gently together. Couples who want a country-house hotel weekend and time to spa. Dedicated spa goers who want to spend a day or two in their robes drifting from pool to treatment. Anyone who wants a small, more intimate spa. Groups, who can take over the whole spa for the day.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

The spa at Fawsley Hall earns 5 bubbles. The spa is well designed, spotlessly clean and offers good treatments and facilities. The décor is light and bright, the spa bedrooms huge and well equipped (though they lack views: ours was of other roofs). The changing rooms have large showers, good-sized lockers and plenty of mirrors and hairdryers.

See more on how we rate the spas.

Would you go again?

Yes, I would. I would allow time to fit in a long walk down to the church in the valley and back before dinner, and I would plan to spend the whole of the next day in the spa.

We visited Fawsley Hall in July 2009

Like the sound of this? You're in luck.

Follow this link to book a special spa offer at Fawsley Hall with our partners lastminute.com