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The Spa at Luton Hoo - 5 bubbles
If you want to get away from it all, this luxurious hotel and spa in Bedfordshire is the place to do it. The spa and leisure facilities are first-class luxury. While away the hours, relax and rebalance, and leave with an overwhelming sense of wellness. Whatever the occasion, whatever the remit, Luton Hoo will satisfy.
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
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?
We were delighted to be invited to Luton Hoo, an historic Grade-I listed property set in over 1,000 acres of parkland and gardens. The hotel is easily accessible, just a few miles from junction 10 of the M1, five miles from Luton Parkway station and two miles from Luton International airport. The 5-star hotel was formally opened in October 2007 after several years of restoration and refurbishment.
As we turned into the tree-lined drive, we saw rabbits and pheasant milling around. We drove for several minutes before the beautiful mansion appeared through the trees. The hotel entrance is grand and leads into a panelled wall reception.
How did they welcome you?
The reception staff were friendly and charming, and efficiently checked us in. Our bags mysteriously disappeared and reappeared later in our room. We had a reservation for dinner in the Wernher Restaurant, and staff advised us that we required formal dress. My significant other immediately realised that he had left his suit hanging in the hallway, at home! The receptionist urged us not to worry and assured us that she would find a way for Cinderella to go to the ball.
What happens next?
We walked through the oval inner hall and up a grand staircase that swept round curved marble-lined walls. Our suite was on the first floor, and was where newly wedded Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip spent part of their honeymoon. The room was beautifully furnished, with antique French furniture, marble fireplace and ornate ceiling. The windows looked out over breathtaking views of the grounds. The bathroom had a roll-top bath, separate shower, double sink, and was fully stocked with Molton Brown products.
We showered, dressed and went down for drinks in the Pillared Hall, one of many elegant lounges in the hotel. French doors onto the terrace looked out onto the landscaped gardens. A pianist played softly in the background. As our drinks arrived, so did a member of staff, carrying a dark navy suit and white shirt!
Properly dressed, we went through for dinner in the 2 AA-Rosette Wernher Restaurant. Originally a State Dining Room, the walls are panelled with marble and covered with enormous tapestries. The menu was a very clever mixture of traditional English with a modern twist. I had the lamb and my partner the fillet steak. Both meals were perfectly cooked and accompanied by genuinely tasty vegetables. Add the fine wine and faultless service, and it added up to an unforgettable dining experience.
Next day, we woke to a sunny September morning. We decided to try the pool before breakfast. The doorman offered to drive us round to the old stable building, in one of the many golf buggies parked outside, but we decided on the walk.
The Adams stable buildings are Grade-II listed and house the golf house, the Luton Hoo Spa and leisure facilities, additional rooms and suites designated for golfers and spa users, and the Adam's Brasserie. The brasserie, once a cinema, is bright and contemporary, with walls adorned with stills from many of the feature films and television shows which have been filmed at Luton Hoo.
The stables buildings surround a central courtyard. The spa reception is spacious, bright and welcoming. The fitness studio and gymnasium are well equipped and include a full Techno gym. You fill in a detailed assessment of your health, fitness and dietary factors, and the results are stored on an electronic fob, so your progress can be monitored and adjusted.
The changing rooms are clean and modern. The shower area is well designed and felt spacious; even though there were already a few people changing. The showers contain a complete range of shampoo and conditioner, body wash and lotions, all from The Spa at Luton Hoo signature range.
The pool complex is housed in an oak-framed building with sliding doors opening along one side onto a terraced garden area. There are plenty of comfortable loungers around the edges of the 18-metre infinity pool. There is also a vitality pool with sauna, steam room, caldarium and experience showers.
I wanted to laze around for longer but really didn't want to miss breakfast! I felt pretty smug having swam enough and trained enough in the gym to warrant the full English, with coffee that hit the mark.
After breakfast, we walked back to the stable buildings and asked at the golf house if we could use the driving range. The receptionist was very friendly and even more helpful. Armed with a bucket each of golf balls and correctly assigned golf clubs, we walked a short distance to the range. I had never swung a golf club before and thought I was going to humiliate myself but, after a few pointers, I was hitting the balls quite some distance; not straight ahead, mind, but at least in front of me!
Time for the spa! A member of staff greeted me and took me upstairs to one of the six treatment rooms. The room was cosy but airy. The lighting was subdued and spa music played softly in the background. I filled in my consultation form and changed into my spa gown. My therapist examined the form and then explained the treatment. All in all, a relaxing atmosphere.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Signature 5 Senses facial (70 minutes, £115). The treatments at Luton Hoo have been designed to complement their own range of spa products. These products, inspired by the gardens at Luton Hoo, use organic blends of flowers and herbs, including bay geranium, bergamot, camomile, rosemary, and fennel.
What were the treatments like?
The experience started with a ritual foot soak before my facial. My therapist began the facial with a double cleanse, first using an oil balm to remove all the dirt and impurities, then a moisturising cleanser, which smelt fresh and full of the outdoors. She washed each cleanser off using a warm cloth in order to open my pores and prepare my skin for the fine-grained exfoliator, which came next. After exfoliation, my skin felt alert, if a little dry.
A rich purifying mask countered this dryness. While the mask soaked into every pore, my therapist applied a warmed organic hair treatment. She began by using her fingertips to massage the warm oil into my scalp then, slowly, began to pull it through the length of my hair. Next, she massaged in organic face serum and, while it was being absorbed, expertly massaged my neck and shoulders. To finish this dreamy herbal journey, she applied organic moisturiser.
How did you feel afterwards?
The Signature 5 Senses facial is a truly pleasurable facial. My therapist used all the familiar facial "techniques", but the blend of flowers and herbs created a feeling of genuine nourishment of my skin.
What happens afterwards?
After I came round, my therapist gave me a glass of water and showed me to the relaxation room. While I got comfortable in one of the chairs, she returned with a cup of very delicious ginger tea. The refreshments station was fully stocked with a range of herbal teas, fresh juices, water, fresh fruit and even dried fruits.
Long-term effects
My face felt bright and glowed with health, and my complexion was noticeably more even. Although I can't say my skin looked younger, there was a sense of feeling younger, a sense of improvement in the quality of my skin. A bonus was that my hair felt healthier, cleaner and more manageable, too.
What else could you have?
The menu at Luton Hoo is simple but well chosen. The treatments are centred on their own organic products in association with Circaroma, another award-winning organic product house. Facials are classic, defining or soothing. Body treatments include body polishes and wraps. You can also try alternative therapies, including reflexology, hot stones, Reiki, and Indian head massage. There are finishing touches, too: hand and foot treatments; manicures and pedicures; eye brows and eye lashes; and waxing.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That I would have wanted to spend more time there. My partner and I managed to try quite a few activities, but we only scratched the surface of what this beautiful hotel has to offer. Here you will find an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, mapped walks, clay-pigeon shooting, fishing and boating, as well as the spa.
Any special features?
Luton Hoo is just full of special features! Top of my list are the staff. Nothing was too much effort, they were friendly and professional but never intrusive. The spa has a real sense of tranquillity and peace. The food is excellent and the wine list very fine. The gardens are spectacular and no matter which window you look through, your view is stunning. Lastly, and one of my favourite features, is the fleet of golf buggies available to taxi you around the estate or just to the spa.
Who do you think would like it?
Who would not like it? Even children are catered for.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the Spa at Luton Hoo 5 bubbles. It was difficult on our visit to separate the hotel from the spa and all the other leisure facilities on offer. However, if you do want a peaceful spa experience, Luton Hoo can provide it in its own right. All the rest is a big glorious bonus. My only criticism is that on the particular day we visited, there was a distinct lack of staff apparent in the spa building.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Definitely.
We visited The Spa at Luton Hoo in September 2009
See also:
* Contact Details for The Spa at Luton Hoo
* Facials
* Why on earth should I go to a spa?
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