Review of Bovey Castle Spa, Hotel Spa in Dartmoor

Bovey Castle Spa, Dartmoor - 4 bubbles

Set within the stunning countryside of Dartmoor National Park, the Bovey Castle estate is home to a hotel, spa and one of England's finest golf courses. Sassy Spy and her mother arrived to find amiable staff in the quintessentially English hotel and a spa offering Ytsara holistic massages and a good range of Elemis spa treatments.

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 staff were professional and capable. Everything was impeccably organised and the advance information I received was clear and inviting.

First impressions?

The approach to Bovey Castle is picture perfect. We drove along a very narrow, country lane passing fields dotted with newborn lambs. It felt like nature was mid-yawn after a long winter.

A long drive leads you through stone-framed gates, around the fountain and up to the front door. There was a fleet of shiny Range Rovers outside the entrance. My mother and I relished the chance to emulate our historic royal lineage (which sadly faded out back in the 1600's). The huge manor house and elegant grounds did not disappoint. A substantial stead for our delusions of grandeur, then.

How did they welcome you?

As soon as we'd parked (between a Jag and a Porsche) a porter in britches was by our side. He greeted us warmly and took our car keys. There were a few people ahead of us at the reception desk. Before we knew it, our porter had brought our bags in, checked us in, and guided us up to our room. Smooth, efficient and easy.

Bovey castle is only accessible by car or helicopter. If your helicopter is playing up (like ours) and you don't drive, the staff at Bovey will arrange for you to be picked up at Exeter St. David's railway station.

What happens next?

Our Valley Castle room was bright, airy and warm with pleasing views stretching across the golf course and the River Bovey. The decor was terribly English but not too eccentric. Our room was just a shuffle away from the stairs leading down to the spa.

We went down to use the pool before our spa treatments. On this particular Sunday, the changing room was crammed full with children and their parents. We decided to come back later. As we had time to kill, we went to discover the spa relaxation area. This was up two flights of stairs from the pool level.

Suki, also my therapist, kindly gave me a tour of the spa. The cream and pale green colour scheme helps the spa feel very spacious and fresh. In the large reception area there were Elemis spa products and GloMinerals make-up to test and/or buy. There is a large toilet with disabled access. To the right of the reception desk is a nail bar and hair salon. To the left is the relaxation room. On this level there are also 6 good-sized treatment rooms.

The large relaxation room was flooded with natural daylight and had scented candles burning. In the comfy seating area in the centre there were jugs of lemon-infused water, lots of magazines and Elemis products to test. Two thickly padded recliners faced towards the windows with blankets to snuggle under. Suki brought us our health consultation forms to fill in whilst we supped water.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the Naplai recovery head massage (£55, 45 minutes). My mother had the blissful back massage (£55, 25 minutes) and an Elemis booster facial (£45, 25 minutes).

What were the treatments like?

Suki, my therapist, came to collect me from the relaxation room. She took me to what must have been the largest treatment room - it was huge. The treatment bed was at one end. At the other end, up a couple of steps, was a large sunken bath with candles around it. The closed blinds hid the natural daylight.

Suki explained that my massage was an Ytsara treatment, the brand being new to Bovey. She then told me exactly what would happen within my treatment. Suki began the treatment by cleansing my feet in a bowl of warm water and using a hot flannel to cleanse my hands. Suki then left the room for me to undress. I stripped down to my knickers and lay on my front on the treatment couch, under a sarong. Suki worked pressure points up my back and stretched my neck. She worked some pressure points over my head, too. Suki followed this with a hot poultice which she worked into my tight shoulder blades. The fragrant poultice contained ginger, cardamom and lime. I found it comforting to have Suki's warm hand touching my skin, which she alternated with pressure from the hot poultice.

After turning over onto my back, Suki cleansed my face and applied pressure to various points. I could feel my blocked sinuses draining. Suki then gave me a scalp massage with rosewood and lime oil.

Next, Suki worked the hot poultices into my neck and over my face. Suki asked me to sit up whilst holding my sarong over my front. She then gave me a final shoulder massage. It was definitely a reviving treatment rather than an indulgent one.

My Mother's back massage included both oil and hot stones. Her therapist, Eleanor, paid attention to her lower back and shoulder blades, as well as her neck. My Mother was impressed as these were the areas where she felt the most tense.

The Elemis booster facial consisted of various lotions, a facial scrub, hot cloths with lavender oil and a facial massage. Finally, an application of the revered Elemis tri-enzyme resurfacing mask was followed by a creamy moisturiser.

How did you feel afterwards?

I felt calm and less tense around my shoulders.

My mother said that her shoulders felt relaxed and her lower back was more comfortable than she had felt in a long while. After her Elemis booster facial, my mother looked glowing. I could tell that her treatments had done her the world of good. She had nothing but praise for her therapist.

What happens afterwards?

We lay on comfy loungers in the sunny relaxation room with happy grins on our faces.

Later on, we went to dine in the very large, formal Edwardian restaurant. It felt discreet and the staff were attentive. But the room lacked a little of the warmth we'd experienced elsewhere in the hotel. My mother feasted upon duck terrine with a trio of jellies, toasted brioche and apple salad, and I had a ham hock broth. For our main course, and my mother had sea bass with red mullet, monkfish, and scallops, and I had a huge roast lobster with chips. The food was tender and tasty. Wines start from around the £30 mark and a sommelier is on hand to assist should you need.

Breakfast was also in the Edwardian restaurant, and was a mixture of cooked breakfast items, cereals, cold hams and cheeses, as well as juices and teas and coffees.

We managed to go for a swim the following morning. You must sign in and out of the pool area via a visitors' book in a small, unmanned reception area. Shoe covers are provided if you just want to spectate. On entering I could see the large pool area had a sauna and steam room to my right. To my left, at the far end, were floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the green estate gardens and woods in the distance.

By the windows there were loungers and a table and chairs. The pool was initially cool, but once in, the temperature was fine. At one end of the pool there was an inbuilt Jacuzzi with cold water jets. This was pleasant, but as soon as 9.30am struck, children were bombing about and our serenity was broken. We moved to the hot steam room. This had 3 benches within and we shared it with one other person. I'd say it could hold 6 people. We then moved to the sauna. This was also pleasantly heated, although could have been hotter. I must say, I was a little irked by the echo of raucous children in both heat experiences.

Long-term effects

The wish that my ancestors had kept up pace with each other.

Was it worth it?

I doubt you will find much to fault at Bovey Castle. It is very expensive, but I'd say we were worth it.

What else could you have?

A range of Ytsara holistic massage treatments, Elemis facials and massages, reiki, reflexology, plus treats for your hands and feet, and make-up classes. There's a selection of Bovey rituals - for him, for her, for him and her, and for mothers-to-be. Spa day experiences are available Monday to Friday only.

What do you wish you'd known before you went?

I wish I'd set aside some time to have a go at sloe gin tasting or seeing the morning falconry display. I'd also like to try the speciality afternoon tea.

This is not a destination for spa breaks, but the treatments and pool area are a very welcome add-on to a luxury hotel stay.

Any special features?

The beautiful setting. The activities on offer - this is one of the last sporting estates in Britain. There are opportunities to enjoy fishing, archery, rifle shooting, tennis, cider making and apple pressing, amongst others.

Who do you think would like it?

Bovey castle is great to keep the whole family entertained. Kids aged 7 - 14 years can enjoy an action packed timetable with the Bovey Rangers. There's also a babysitting service so parents can enjoy a bit of free time too. Keen golfers will love the championship golf course.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

I gave the spa a rating of 4 bubbles, although Bovey Castle is more than worthy of a grand 5 bubbles overall. The staff were magnificent and the attention to detail was impressive. The high standards were not compromised with pretentiousness. The main spa treatment rooms and relaxation area were of a very high standard, too. Everywhere was spotless and faultless.

I loved the fact that you can live life here at the pace that you want, and do as much or as little as you please.

On the flipside, only one of the showers was working in the changing rooms. Whilst there were hooks to hang up your belongings, there were no lockers. You either have to take your things into the pool area or leave your belongings in your room.

The treatment rooms are separate from the pool, sauna and steam room. You have to go down two flights of stairs to get to the pool area, making the spa experience disjointed.

The swimming pool is open from 7am until 8.30pm for adults and 9am until 5.30pm for children (accompanied by an adult), so manage your expectations here - if you want some peace and quiet, then use these facilities before or after this time.

See more on how we rate the spas