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The Scarlet Spa - 5 bubbles
We were invited to go "soul hunting" in The Scarlet, a luxury eco hotel on a stunning cliff-top location in Cornwall. Their adult-only holistic spa has a freshwater outdoor pool filtered by reeds and heated cliff-top baths that look out across the bay. Whether you're on your own or in a small group, this stylish spa is perfect for those who need balance in their life, care about the environment, and want something a bit different.
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?
The seaside town of Mawgan Porth is just 10 minutes' rugged-country-drive away from Newquay airport. I immediately spotted The Scarlet up on the hillside. The brand new eco hotel stood out from a distance, but it was not a stand-alone building as I'd imagined, as it was bordered by houses. My friend and I followed a little residential road until it dipped into the car park and the comparatively bland rear of the hotel. We walked through a set of sliding doors and into the large, open-plan lobby. The lobby was a visual feast of mismatched, colourful funky seats and furniture. I was struck by the floor-to-ceiling windows, showing only sea and sky.
How did they welcome you?
On a large sideboard to my right was a handwritten sign. This stated: "Please take a seat and someone will be with you shortly." Soon enough, a girl, in Thai fishermen's trousers, appeared, and asked if we had a booking. She was baffled about our visit but fetched another team member who led us downstairs to the spa. Steph, the spa manager warmly greeted us, took our bags and put them behind the spa reception desk.
What happens next?
Steph took us on a tour to get us fully acquainted with the Scarlet spa. There are three tiered levels to the hotel and spa, and all of the windows and outdoor areas face seawards. Outdoors, the ground level has a selection of furniture for sitting, lightly rocking or reclining. The level above contains the restaurant’s terrace. Part of the top level is a residents-only rooftop relaxation area with yet more stylish seats looking out to the cliffs and the sea. So much choice! My disappointment at being surrounded by other buildings diminished when I found that none of them infringed on my view. The place felt very secluded and calming.
There are two luxuriously tented treatment rooms and one spacious suite for couples with two beds, a bath, and a hanging pod. Steph said that this room layout was still being planned. There is a wet treatment room, a hammam and a rasul, too.
I was very impressed by all that I saw. All I could hear from my inquisitive friend was: Wow, look at that! Oh wow, have you seen this?" Pleasingly, we noticed plentiful jugs of fresh water with accompanying glasses dotted about the spa.
Tour complete, we went upstairs, through the restaurant and out to the terrace with a pot of Earl Grey, made with proper tea-leaves. The autumn sun was beaming and the panoramic view of Mawgan Porth bay was breathtaking.
Tea drunk, we headed to the unisex changing-room area. There are six changing rooms, each complete with monsoon shower, dressing area with full-length mirror and inbuilt bench. Ayurvedic tri-dosha products are wall mounted in each one: shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion. In the centre of the main room were large wooden shelves housing zipped canvas boxes for storing clothes. You can store your valuables in PIN-code lockers. I changed into my bikini and the chunky, soft, organic-cotton robe provided.
The electric-blue tiled indoor pool area was filled with natural light from the full height, dual aspect windows. Heated to a pleasant temperature, the 13-metre pool was empty when I went for a dip. Scarlet Spa uses carefully monitored levels of bromine, which is less harmful than chlorine, to clean the pool. I was pleased to suffer no dryness of skin or stinging of eyes after my swim.
At the rear end of the room was a hanging relaxation pod, reminiscent of a teepee, filled with pillows. The internal wall had doors leading to showers, a deliciously hot eucalyptus-infused steam room, and a light relaxation room. The relaxation room was large, wooden floored, with soft suede recliners looking out to sea. In the middle of the room was a sunken area filled with huge pyramid-shaped beanbags.
I went outside to meet my dozing spa-friend on a lounger perched at the edge of the outdoor freshwater pool, filtered by reeds, glistening pure and clear in the sunlight. Settling in nicely then! A therapist brought us peppermint tea and made sure we were fine. We were very fine.
Time for my treatment. I filled out forms to determine my ayurvedic type and a consultation form. I chose three of the numerous options to determine what I wanted to get out of my "spa journey". I wanted to worry less (relax), connect with my spiritual self (soul hunting) and be energised.
Which treatments did you have?
I had a Bespoke Journey, which was based around the listed "Energising Journey" (4 hours, £175). This involved a 30-minute consultation with my therapist, Tamarin, a 45-minute seaweed bath, a guided chakra meditation, and a 90-minute energising hot oil massage with poultices.
What were the treatments like?
My consultation was very interesting. It was quite an informal but revealing chat, about what I wanted to get from my "journey". My therapist, Tamarin, was bubbly and put me much at ease. I found that I am not dosha-specific, but am equal amounts of Kapha, Pitta and Vata, which is quite rare. Ha! I like being rare. But I did worry that I maybe I had filled out my form wrongly! Tamarin told me not to worry and that it was good for her to have a challenge.
Another therapist took me to the couples' treatment suite where I had a seaweed bath. Seaweed is known for its healing properties with its high mineral and vitamin content. I had anxious visions of being a child playing in the sea and getting kelp tangled around my legs. Fortunately, a large bundle of seaweed, held together by netting, simply nestled at one end of the bath. Phew. Candles adorned the edges of the bath, mellow tunes played on an iPod, and my therapist advised me to play with the lighting control buttons and volume of music until I had it just right. She said she'd knock on the door in 45 minutes, and to just relax and enjoy. The bath was too hot for me, so I added some cold before getting in and zoning out.
For the guided chakra meditation, I lay on my back under a sarong. Tamarin put a lavender pillow over my eyes. She asked me if I was ready to begin and started slowly but precisely talking to me, guiding me through becoming aware of different parts of my body, "rooting" me to the floor. Tamarin asked me to think of wheels of coloured light spinning at different speeds over each chakra. Visualising the light was calming, although trying to make the wheels spin in a clockwise direction proved to be difficult, as my rebellious mind would sometimes spin them the other way! I'd never tried this before and it was an engrossing experience.
The meditation led straight into an ayurvedic massage, using hot Vata-specific body oil. Tamarin expertly massaged my whole body, working particularly on my rock-hard shoulders. Tamarin used hot poultices to give a firm massage, often patting the poultices against my body (to energise). Tamarin made sure that I was warm at all times, and comfortable with what she was doing. Ayurvedic massage is traditionally done whilst you are completely naked, although I used the optional paper knickers provided.
How did you feel afterwards?
I felt very calm, awake and chilled. In fact, I felt happy, too.
What happens afterwards?
Tamarin took me to the silent relaxation room filled with hanging pods, dimly lit only by small bulbs hidden by quirky shades. I continued relaxing in the light relaxation room and watched the sun set in a state of content bliss.
I then headed to my huge, luxurious bedroom, which had stunning views out to sea. My room came equipped with a huge bed, flat-screen TV, a funky L-shaped sofa, oval-shaped bath, and separate shower and toilet. The Scarlet use grey water harvesting, which means they use the water from baths and showers to flush the toilets.
Every time I thought I'd found a niggle, I would uncannily stand corrected almost immediately! For example, there were no tea- or coffee-making facilities in the bedroom. Then I read the info booklet where I learned that they believe tea and coffee should always be freshly made from tea-leaves / fresh coffee beans. The staff will bring a cuppa to your room, 24 hours a day. That made me very happy!
The dining room looked different in the dark and really came in to its own. The dining room was decked out in richly coloured, luxurious fabrics and comfier seating than I had anticipated. As well as a fairly regular restaurant layout, there were also booths, and a private VIP area on a mezzanine. The restaurant was full of couples and small groups dining.
Ben Tunnicliffe is the Scarlet's Michelin-starred chef, and his food was fresh, tender and tasty. I had lemon sole and seared scallops to start, followed by monkfish, mussels, bacon and avocado. I could also have had Bouillabaisse fish stew, confit of rabbit, or breast of Cornish duck with shallot puree. Vegetarian options are available, and you can eat to indulge or to be healthy.
After dinner, you have the option of going to the library, complete with pool table, or the groovy bar.
Long-term effects
I felt really energised the day after my treatment. I felt noticeably content for over a week afterwards so I'd say the stay and the treatment at The Scarlet did me some good. I felt like I'd had a longer break than I did. Perfect.
Was it worth it?
Without a shadow of a doubt. Treatments at The Scarlet are expensive, but I advise saving your spa pennies to come here, it's worth every one of them.
What else could you have?
The Scarlet's ethos is that an hour's treatment is not enough to experience restoration. There are seven "journeys" which last three to four hours and are designed around you. These consist of: restoring, rebalancing, detoxifying, energising, unlocking, uplifting, reconnecting, rediscovering. Each includes: a consultation, a bathing ritual, meditation and relaxation time, an ayurvedic therapy and deep relaxation.
There are also some treatments known as "beyond journeys" which support the spa journeys, including facials, hammam, and rasul treatments.
There are a small number of in-room treatments, too, if you wish.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That I would want to stay for at least two nights.
Mobile phones do not work at The Scarlet so you are forced not to use them!
Any special features?
The rugged Cornish setting. The outdoor heated hot tubs. The hanging relaxation pods. The commitment to being eco in every way throughout the hotel and spa without compromising on luxury.
Throughout the spa and hotel are objects of art made by local artists and sculptors, which added to the eclecticism of the place. A nice touch is that you can take the hotel dog out for walks, too!
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone who is interested in eco tourism, contemporary design, light and space; foodies; people with money; those looking for something different. The spa and restaurant are open to non-residents, too.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We thought that The Scarlet deserved a fantastical 5 bubbles!
The Scarlet is a genuinely happy place. The staff are jovial, the treatments are superb, and the food was delicious. A superior amount of attention to detail has gone in to the spa. The colours, the shapes and lines of the architecture and the interior design is contemporary and appealing.
There are a few tiny details that still need to be addressed; the floor in the reception needed some finishing off in one area and a bit of wood was hanging down from the ceiling above one of the relaxation pods, too, but these were small details which did not tarnish my experience.
I would like to come back to The Scarlet in a year or so to see how the spa has matured. An outdoor sauna is planned for 2010 as well as a yoga room. I also wonder how they will tackle the pods scuffing the paint on the walls…
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Like a shot!
We visited The Scarlet in October 2009
See also:
* Contact Details for Scarlet Spa
* All Spa Reviews
* Read more about Ayurvedic massage
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