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Bowood Hotel - 4 bubbles
We loved the stately grounds, the treatments, and the pool with a view in the brand new Bowood Hotel, but were surprised not to find a relaxation room or any dedicated treatment rooms in this purpose-built spa.
Was it easy to book?
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?
Was it easy to book?
Yes. I booked via telephone. The spa reception staff were eager, and deciding on what to have was helped by the fact that the spa focuses on just a handful of key Elemis treatments. The receptionist was keen to point out that, while there was a new large pool, Jacuzzi and sauna, Bowood Hotel doesn’t have any dedicated treatment rooms within the spa building. Members of the health club and hotel residents can have Elemis treatments in one of the deluxe bedrooms on the first floor. I was intrigued.
First impressions?
The entrance to the hotel and spa is through large and imposing iron gates, which also serve as the entrance to the main Bowood Estate, giving a real sense of grandeur. The beech-lined driveway leads past the lush fairways and greens of Bowood golf course to a second entrance: to the newly built Bowood Hotel. The hotel is pristine and combines traditional style with modern comfort.
The stone spa building, also brand new, is adjacent to the hotel. You can reach the spa via one of the main hotel corridors, or via the spa's own entrance to the right of the hotel.
How did they welcome you?
As soon as our car approached the hotel entrance, the doors were flung open by an enthusiastic, well dressed porter, who almost wrestled us for our bags. An equally eager and friendly receptionist greeted us, checked us in, and asked the porter to take us, and our luggage, up to our rooms.
We had two good sized interconnecting bedrooms for us and our two young children. Along the way, the porter showed us where the communal areas were, describing them with a sense of pride.
What happens next?
Having checked out the comfortable and spacious bedrooms, I had a quick tour of the hotel before making my way to the spa. I particularly liked the look of the nouveau modern bar/lounge area overlooking the golf course: the perfect setting for afternoon tea or G&T. But my Elemis Deep Tissue massage was calling...
I made my way to the spa via the corridor on the ground floor, and arrived at the spa reception. Jenna, my therapist, greeted me, then led me back a short distance to one of the hotel lifts to make the two-storey trip up to the treatment room. The treatment room had obviously been adapted from a hotel bedroom. The room was decorated with rich but not chintzy fabrics, and, like all the bedrooms, was fully carpeted. In place of a bed, the room had two massage couches, draped in Indian fabric, and was filled with tea-lights and ambient "spa" music.
Jenna offered me a seat at a table in the window and asked me to fill in a short consultation form. She also asked whether I would prefer a relaxing or uplifting massage, and whether I had any particular problem areas. I explained that I had a lot of tension in my lower back and shoulders and we agreed that a relaxing massage should hit the spot.
Jenna instructed me to strip down to my pants -- which I could either do in the room, while Jenna was preparing the oils and other treatment bits and bobs and simultaneously protecting my modesty, or in the bathroom, if I preferred. Not feeling particularly shy, I chose the former, then hopped onto the couch as instructed.
Which treatments did you have?
I had an Elemis deep tissue massage (£50 for 60 minutes).
What were the treatments like?
As I had chosen the "relaxing" massage, Jenna advised me that she would use the Elemis Muscle Ease massage oil. This sounded like just the thing to address my tender lower back.
Jenna started the massage with my feet, immediately making them feel fresher, and the relaxation benefit started to kick in. Next, she brushed my skin quite firmly and quickly with a body brush to help get my circulation going (and, apparently, test how ticklish I was!). I managed to suppress any urge to giggle for most of the process, with only a couple of involuntary outbursts when my sides were brushed.
Jenna delivered a firm massage, spending a lot of time addressing apparent knots in my shoulders, and using her forearms in places to exert extra pressure. Jenna regularly checked that the pressure was fine for me, which it was; it was firm enough to feel like the massage was doing something without being painful in any way. Jenna took care to spend time on my lower back, too, as requested, and I could feel the massage doing some good almost immediately. Having completed my back, Jenna asked me to turn over while she held up the cover, then began to give my front the same tension-releasing treatment, massaging my arms, legs, shoulders and upper chest.
After 55 minutes of brushing and firm muscle soothing, Jenna advised me in a soft voice that the treatment had come to its end. I was to take my time to sit up and get dressed while she left the room.
How did you feel afterwards?
I felt a little dopey after the massage -- the treatment seemed to have worked on my mind as well as my body -- and the stiffness in my back had blissfully disappeared.
What happens afterwards?
As there is no dedicated treatment relaxation area at Bowood, and the sun had finally made an appearance, I got dressed and made my way back to the spa terrace to soak up a few rays. It seemed a bit of a shame not to have a comfy relaxation area to retire to get extra mileage out of the treatment. However, the spa receptionist had been keen to manage my expectations and I’d known not to expect such a room at Bowood Hotel Spa.
The spa does have its own bar/cafe area, which offers healthy snacks and light refreshments. There is also a shiny new gym, again with a stunning view for all you gym bunnies out there.
After a few minutes in the peaceful and fresh Wiltshire air, I made my way back to the changing room. Jenna had instructed me to try to avoid having a shower in order to let the oil sink in to give the full relaxing effect. I obliged, but did check the showers out the following day after a swim, and found them impressively powerful, and well stocked with Mugler products. The changing area was immaculately clean with plenty of lockers, a communal changing area and private cubicle.
Long-term effects
The Elemis deep tissue massage at Bowood Hotel delivered an immediate sense of relaxation and wellbeing and, impressively, freed up my lower back for several days after the treatment.
Was it worth it?
At £50 for a 60-minute massage, the Espa massage at Bowood Hotel offers good value for money. My therapist’s skills and manner did a great job in helping me to relax and de-stress.
What else could you have?
Bowood Hotel offers four Elemis body treatments and four Elemis facials. You can treat your face to a 30-minute taster facial, the (Spa Spy favourite) Tri-enzyme resurfacing facial, a Visible Brilliance Facial or the Elemis Pro-collagen Quartz Lift Facial.
You can also indulge your body with a 30- or 60-minute deep tissue massage, a Face and Body Sensation (a massage combined with a facial) or the Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap/float, which involves being wrapped in foil.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That children are permitted in the pool for one and a half hours each day. Whether you're looking to frolic with the family, or avoid the shrieks, this information is good to know and schedule for.
It's also worth knowing that you'll need a £1 coin for your locker (though the spa staff were very trusting and happily lent me one).
Any special features?
The 15-metre blue mosaiced pool has huge floor-to-ceiling picture windows on three sides that overlook the 18-hole championship golf course and Wiltshire countryside, creating a relaxing sense of space and light. The pool has a poolside Jacuzzi which shares the vista and there’s also a colour-change rock sauna and a crystal steam room.
There are two dining options at Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort: the main hotel restaurant, The Shelbourne, which serves traditional, seasonal cuisine and uses estate-grown and local produce wherever possible, or the less formal Brasserie at the golf clubhouse which is the only dining option for juniors. Choose from Caesar salad or spaghetti carbonara or the favourite "steak stone steak", cooked at your table.
Who do you think would like it?
People who are looking to combine a rural break in a luxury hotel with a tempting pool and a relaxing treatment.
Families wanting to combine a relaxing retreat with a tasteful and traditional adventure playground – you get free entry and golf-buggy-ride to a fab playground on Bowood's grounds if you’re a hotel resident.
Couples looking for a golf and spa retreat.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Bowood Hotel 4 bubbles. The spa/pool area is inviting, with its modern take on traditional country style. My treatment was just what I wanted. The staff were friendly, with just the right level of attentive.
The trip to the first-floor treatment room / bedroom broke up the flow of my spa journey somewhat. I felt it a little strange that the plans for the new spa at Bowood Hotel had not included dedicated treatment rooms within the spa, nor a comfy, softly lit relaxation room.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes. I visited Bowood Hotel when everything was brand new. It would be good to come back to see how the hotel and spa have bedded in: maybe one autumn to admire the view from the spa in a different colour scheme.
We visited Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in July 2009
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