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Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Cornwall - 4 bubbles
Ocean Spa is a modern addition to this much-loved Cornish family hotel. The treatments are intriguing, and perfect for any parent who needs to build a little me-time into a family break. Make sure you try all the pools, too, and perhaps a surf lesson.
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?
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
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. The Ocean Spa team are friendly, efficient, and keen to ensure that clients book the treatment that best suits their needs. But, to be on the safe side, book quite a way in advance. I met a couple of disappointed guests who'd hoped to book treatments on arrival and were disappointed to find there weren't any slots left.
First impressions?
Ocean Spa is a modern addition to the white, square 1960s architecture of the main Bedruthan Steps hotel. The spa is well-designed, taking full advantage of the hotel's privileged position above Mawgan Porth Bay. Fortunately, the hotel is more aesthetically pleasing on the inside than it is on the out, with colourful, modern interiors.
As you approach the spa from the main hotel, you meet a large port-hole window, offering a lively vista of crashing waves on the sandy beach below. The design of the spa tastefully incorporates these natural elements, with pebble walls, stone floors, and modern wallpaper. Neutral tones are combined with bright colours, including Ocean Spa's signature deep purple.
How did they welcome you?
In a slick and friendly manner. The hotel receptionist gave us the low down on everything from mealtimes to how the room's alarm system worked. She managed to make this introduction quite humorous, too. The spa receptionist was equally friendly; in fact, all the staff I encountered during my stay went out of their way to be helpful.
What happens next?
The spa receptionist offered me a seat in the funky, if compact, spa reception area. She gave me a short consultation form to complete, then handed me over to her therapist colleague, Sarah, who whisked me into one of the four treatment rooms.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Ocean Spa Maharlika massage (£60, 70 minutes).
What were the treatments like?
The Maharlika massage was developed by one of Bedruthan's in-house therapists, the charismatic Victor, who has come to Bedruthan Steps via Chiva Som and Babington House. The treatment, apparently designed for royalty in The Philippines, incorporates elements of shiatsu and Thai massage to provide an indulgent and targeted treatment.
The massage began with my therapist, Sarah, applying a refreshing hot towel to my face. She followed this with intricate, almost choreographed, finger movements on my face and into my scalp, which felt great. She then soothed and stretched my limbs, combining firm strokes with gentle stretching movements.
Sarah then asked me to turn over, preserving my dignity with a towel, and moved on to massaging my back. She managed to hunt down knots and tension that I didn't even know I had. She massaged my arms and legs individually and in a very precise way while keeping the rest of me cosily wrapped in soft towels. The massage movements felt firm and very precise, with a few additional stretches that were more akin to gentle physio than a standard massage.
How did you feel afterwards?
Like I'd had a good massage combined with a gentle workout; relaxed in mind, invigorated in body and pampered in spirit.
What happens afterwards?
After my massage, I committed the spa crime of not heeding my therapist's instructions to "relax and leave the oils to sink in". I met up with my husband and two pre-school children to check out the large indoor pool. We then went to try the tasteful wooden outdoor play area complete with two-storey play hut and brightly covered ice-cream van. All very "Boden", and hugely popular with our children.
As if this wasn't enough excitement for them, we then went in for children's tea in the children's dining room. The little ones enjoyed up-market fish, chips and vegetables, followed by fruit and fairy cakes. What the experience lacked in peace, was made up for ten times over by the convenience and fun. Bedruthan Steps also has an early dining session where older children can join in the evening meal in the main restaurant.
Was it worth it?
My Maharlika massage was intriguing, relaxing and unlike any treatment I'd had before. At £60 for 70 minutes, I felt I was getting a top-class treatment for a standard-class price. Result!
What else could you have?
You can have REN and Voya facials, massages, scrubs and wraps. Voya is an organic seaweed-rich brand from Ireland. The Voya Seaweed Oil massage claims to recondition the skin and improve elasticity. You can also have Thai massage, and a delicious-sounding REN Guerande salt scrub and massage using rose oil.
There's a good range of Mama Mio pregnancy and post-natal treatments. Manicures and pedicures use Zoya nail polish, which is free from "key chemical nasties", they say.
Bedruthan offer a range of fitness classes and personal training. Don't miss a surf lesson with the hotel's own qualified instructor.
Any special features?
Many.
The stunning sea view location: Make sure you try out all three pools. In addition to the indoor pool, there are two outdoor pools, making for a good choice of watery options. There is a heated outdoor pool with a separate toddler area, and a larger outdoor pool with a hot tub on the side. One of the guests told me that she had spent three days at Bedruthan Steps on her previous visit, and not realised that the large outdoor pool existed until she looked at the brochure when she got back home. Don't make the same mistake!
The beautiful stone hammam: Any hammam treatments have to be booked in advance.
The facilities for families: The outdoor play area is great and the indoor Jungle Tumble play area comes into its own on wet days. There's a baby listening service and door alarms are linked to reception. Babysitters can also be arranged. Treat yourself to a sea view "villa" with a separate room with cot/bunk beds to maximise the R&R potential of your family stay. Ofsted-registered kids clubs offer fun for five age groups. There is evening entertainment for children -- and later for adults -- where children can do everything from taking part in a magic trick to holding a live tarantula.
Who do you think would like it?
Ocean Spa is perfect for busy parents looking to re-introduce some me-time into their lives. The hotel management have put a lot of thought into providing facilities and services to make family holidays as easy and stress-free as possible. You can book your tinies into one of the kids' clubs, while you enjoy some spa time with your other half.
The spa facilities, with the exception of the swimming pool, are adult-only areas, so Ocean Spa is perfect for child-free spa-goers, too. Although as Bedruthan Steps hotel is so geared to young children, the spa may not be your first choice for a peaceful retreat.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Ocean Spa 4 bubbles. Ocean Spa is a well-designed, modern spa in a stunning location, offering really good treatments. The spa combines functionality with form and friendly, capable therapists. There is no separate relaxation room, though. There are a few loungers by the sea-view infinity spa pool, and a square formation of corner sofas, but nowhere dedicated to reclined relaxation.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Bedruthan Steps is not the most economical holiday destination ever. A week in the school holidays for a family of four works out at over £3,000. But the level of thought that has gone into tailoring facilities for families -- come rain or shine -- will make it hard for us to stay away for long. That's without even mentioning the indulgent spa treatments...
We visited Ocean Spa, Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, in June 2008
See also:
* Contact Details for Bedruthan Steps Hotel
* Our Spa Spies review REN products
* Our Spa Spies review Mama Mio products
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