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Chewton Glen, New Milton - 5 bubbles
Salubrious Spy was invited to Chewton Glen and had her chakras balanced and spirits raised by the superb customer service and wonderful surroundings. A slice of luxury and indulgence a stone's throw away from the beach in the New Forest.
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. The person I spoke to at the spa was efficient, friendly, polite and well-informed.
First impressions?
Chewton Glen is just outside New Milton in Hampshire. The spa is adjacent to the main hotel building and can be accessed via its own Health Club entrance, or through the main hotel building down a cosy, raspberry-carpeted corridor on the first floor. Once inside, the spa reception is smart and welcoming, with walls lined with colourful products from the spa's ranges: ila, REN, and Linda Meredith.
How did they welcome you?
Like something from a best practice customer service training video, but genuine.
What happens next?
As soon as I entered the hotel, someone took my bags and invited me to take a seat in the smart, classically-styled lounge to await my sister's arrival. I chose a comfy sofa next to a roaring open fire, and ordered a cup of tea. I had barely had time to take off my coat when the tea arrived on a silver tray and the discreetly polite waitress asked whether I would like her to pour it for me -- yes please -- and whether I would like the milk to be poured in first. This wasn’t a question I'd been asked before, and I wasn't sure I had strong feelings on the subject, not having been to finishing school. But I was pleased with my decision. And even more so with the home-made biscuits.
I went back to the reception where I met my sister. A smart and confident porter showed us, and our bags, to our room. He then gave us a comprehensive tour of the room, making sure we knew how to work everything from the heating to the plasma tv in the bathroom. I was struck by how immaculate this stylish room was. The bathroom was stunning, too, with its roll-top bath and huge glass-screened power-shower cubicle which didn't bear so much as a fingerprint. The room also had its own terrace, complete with loungers for sunbathing in good weather.
I was reluctant to leave this new-found lap of luxury, but the spa was calling. I donned my bathrobe and towelling slippers and made my way along the first-floor corridor to the spa.
The changing rooms at Chewton Glen are spacious, clean, bright and equipped with plenty of lockers and half a dozen private changing cubicles. The area was also well stocked with Molton Brown products and fluffy white towels. I put my bag in the locker then went to check out the heat facilities, where there is a large sauna, steam room and foot baths, all immaculate and attractively decorated with mosaic tiles.
Following a quick steam, sauna and super power shower, I made my way to the pool. Back through the spa reception and downstairs. The pool is impressive in size and striking with its triple-aspect views and celestial roof, painted with fluffy white clouds against a summer sky. Surrounded by comfy loungers, the 17-metre pool is large enough to accommodate a good number of swimmers at any one time, but I didn't have the chance to test its capacity as I was lucky enough to have the pool to myself –- at least for the first 5 minutes.
After enjoying a relaxing swim, I ventured through the glass entrance on the far side of the pool to the conservatory style orangerie that houses the spa pools. Again the area was wonderfully bright and airy. The circular hydrotherapy pool has six stations with everything from body jets to a swan pipe and air loungers. The pool is surrounded by half a dozen warm stone loungers from whose cosy seat you can enjoy a relaxing vista over the pool to the gardens outside. Convenience is paramount at Chewton Glen and the hydro pool area has its own showers and toilets, drinking fountain and supply of fresh towels. I was tempted to have a moment's shut-eye but didn’t want to risk missing my treatment so did a little people-watching instead, before heading back up to spa reception for my treatment.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the ila chakra balancing massage (£170, 120 minutes).
What were the treatments like?
I checked in at the spa, like the rest of Chewton Glen, the reception area was immaculately furnished; it was subtly lit, with magazines neatly placed on a side table. Kelly, my therapist, greeted me and led me through double doors to one of the ten treatment rooms.
The treatment room was attractive; dark wood with a panel of gleaming moss-coloured velvet on the wall, matched by an oval panel on the ceiling, surrounded by subtle recessed lighting. Kelly took a couple of minutes to tell me about the ila brand: "The products can actually change your aura." She also explained that the treatment would involve a scrub, massage, herbal poultices, a face and head massage and warm oil being poured onto my "third eye". Wow.
The treatment would also result in my chakras being "more balanced, which would make me feel more energised and emotionally harmonised". Wow again. Kelly asked me a series of questions relating to my physical and emotional well-being, putting ticks in the corresponding boxes on her ila consultation form. She said that she would mix my "bespoke" massage oil, including pure essential oils, based on my particular needs. I was intrigued.
Kelly left the room for a couple of minutes while she prepared the tailored ila oil, allowing me to prepare myself for the treatment by hanging up my bathrobe and lying face down on the comfortable, warmed couch.
Kelly started work on my back and neck, rubbing the oil-infused salt scrub into my skin; the aim of the scrub was to "energise and detoxify". The scrub smelled powerful and floral with lemongrass notes. Kelly applied it all over the back of my body, then asked me to turn over while she repeated the process on my front.
Before asking me to shower the salt off, Kelly gave me a fantastically relaxing head massage, which was probably my favourite part of this treatment. Any tension I had, dissipated.
Kelly left the room while I got into the shower in the corner of the room and washed the salt off. She also used the shower time to replace the towels on the couch, and left the room while I returned to the couch. The shower was amazing –- state of the power shower art -– and my skin felt smooth and soft.
Part two involved a slow relaxing full body massage which Kelly informed me incorporated lymphatic drainage, marma massage and chakra healing techniques. She started with my back again, and included warm herbal poultices which she placed up my spine. This felt great and helped me fight the urge to drop off to sleep. Kelly then massaged my front, including chest, and up to my face where she used lymphatic and marma massage techniques, with soothing circular strokes with figures-of-eight around my eyes. I was really enjoying the different elements of the treatment and the variety made the chakra balancing treatment more interesting than some.
Finally, Kelly poured hot oil over my "third eye" (the centre of my forehead), allowing the oil to run down the side of my head. It felt a little tickly at first but I relaxed after the initial sensation and quite enjoyed this unusual feeling. This shirodhara used an authentically Eastern looking bronze teapot and lasted for about five minutes.
Kelly completed the treatment by smoothing the oil down the length of my hair. I felt blissed out from head to toe.
How did you feel afterwards?
Relaxed, glowing and with the smoothest skin I'd had for a long time. Committed to taking a more responsible attitude to my daily skincare routine.
What happens afterwards?
I floated back to my room. I could have chosen to reacclimatise in the relaxation room, a seven-loungered nirvana where you can recline with a cup of herbal tea, but I settled for a lounge on the comfy bed before heading down to dinner at the restaurant.
There are two dining options at Chewton Glen. I dined at the main restaurant and enjoyed fresh hand-dived scallops to start, followed by succulent and tender spice rubbed loin of venison, rounded off with a perfect chocolate fondant with coffee ice cream.
The Pool Bar offers a more casual ambience, and lighter menu options; great for a spa lunch. You can eat at tables overlooking the pool or drink tea on sofas overlooking the parkland. I liked the range of healthy, imaginative fresh salads.
Long-term effects
I can't claim that my aura was noticeably affected by the treatment, but my mood certainly was. I felt like royalty for a good few hours after the treatment.
Was it worth it?
What price balanced chakras?! The treatment was blissfully lovely but for me, really for a truly special occasion.
Chewton Glen as a stay destination is not for the faint of pocket. However, with their trained army of every-whim-catering staff, they really look after you when you're there. The luxury and the attention to detail are what you're paying for, and you get what you pay for. Also, Chewton Glen limits the number of day-spa guests so that the spa never has that overcrowded feel you get in some places. No queuing for the showers here.
What else could you have?
The spa offers different Spa Day Experiences (Monday to Friday), and each package includes treatments, unlimited use of the swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, gym, saunas and steam rooms, as well as continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments in the Pool Bar. There are treatments specifically for men and there's also a "Twilight Spa Experience". You can also book beauty treatments, such as a Linda Meredith Haute Couture Facial (a serious, results-oriented facial). Manicures and pedicures are carried out downstairs in the grooming lounge, where there is more of an atmosphere for chat.
There is also a small gym in the spa, which is a very light and sunny room. There are cross-trainers, running machines, bikes, resistance machines to help you shape up, and mats and free weights, too. There are daily classes you can join in, including yoga and Pilates, but check availability before you are arrive if you're interested in a particular class.
For outdoor types, you can try the nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, and outdoor pool during summer daylight hours. Or you can just take advantage of the fantastic location – Chewton Glen’s in the middle of the New Forest and within easy walking distance of the coast. I took a quick walk around the grounds but even with the helpful map found myself nipping through a flower bed to get back to the path to the entrance.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Just how special Chewton Glen is. I'd have saved up and booked a second night.
Any special features?
The swimming and hydrotherapy pools are impressive; schedule in a good couple of hours to enjoy them fully.
Who do you think would like it?
Luxury-lovers and anyone who enjoys being indulged. Chewton Glen caters to all ages and would appeal to solo guests as well as couples and families. The hotel is ideal for anyone who likes to explore beyond the confines of the, albeit beautiful, grounds, with the New Forest and coast within a stone’s throw. Day guests are also welcome, for anyone looking to check out the spa without checking in.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Chewton Glen retains its 5 bubbles because the spa continues to offer luxury and indulgence, and you come away with your expectations surpassed.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Just try to stop me!
We visited Chewton Glen in December 2009
See also:
* Contact details for Chewton Glen
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