Review of the Aquila Spa, at the Spread Eagle, Midhurst

Aquila Spa at the Spread Eagle, Midhurst, 4 bubbles

Single Spy and Sustainable Spy were invited to a couples' spa day at the Aquila Spa at the Spread Eagle Hotel. They found a perfect pool-lovers' paradise with olde-worlde charm.

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?

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?

Midhurst is a chocolate-box-pretty village with Petworth castle on its outskirts. Set away from the main street, just around the corner from the 12th-century church, The Spread Eagle (which dates in part from the 14th century) was once a coaching inn. The hotel has all the traditional touches from oak-beams to leaded-light windows and an inglenook fireplace.

You enter the hotel and Aquila spa through a long glass conservatory that runs the length of the front of the building. To the right is the hotel and restaurant, and to the left is the Aquila spa. The conservatory is dotted with comfy wicker sofas and chairs, perfect for dozing in the sun.

How did they welcome you?

With beaming smiles, brandishing consultation forms.

What happens next?

After filling out our forms, Single Spy and I were shown to the changing room, given a pound for the locker and handed white robe, slippers and fluffy turquoise towels. There's no chance of getting lost in the Aquila spa. The spa reception gives way to a small corridor with three treatment rooms and the entrance to the changing room. There's also a very small gym, which I decided to skip, after I realised it was too small for me to be able to comfortably stretch out and do some yoga.

Our treatments were booked for midday, and our lunch for 1.30pm. That left just over an hour to enjoy the facilities. I shivered as I changed into my swimsuit. For some reason, the air con was blasting out Arctic air. I hastily slipped into my robe and made my way next door to the pool.

A modern addition, the pool is the star at Aquila. A high ceiling with wooden beams and a strip of glass running through the centre, along with a whole floor-to-ceiling wall of glass doors creates a gloriously bright impression. The 14-metre pool has an eagle mosaic on the floor and was the perfect temperature. I had it to myself and enjoyed watching the clouds scud past through the roof.

Next, I tried the steam room. I'm a big fan of "wet" heat and this steam room was easily the best I've ever been in. Oddly reminiscent of being inside a giant kettle when the steam builds up. Unfortunately, half the door-handle had broken off.

Next to the steam room was the sauna, which, to be fair, may have been malfunctioning. I sat on the lower deck. My feet were chilly thanks to a small breeze blowing through a gap in the door, and my top half sweating. I left but saw two workmen pop their heads in later.

Tucked in a corner was the Jacuzzi. Roaring jets and best of all -- not on a timer! This area has a domed ceiling with glass, so you could, again, lie back and watch the sky. Until the condensation steams it up. Reluctantly, I went back to the freezing changing room to shower off for my treatment and get back in my robe.

Which treatments did you have?

I had a deep tissue muscle massage with aromatherapy oils and Single Spy had an Elemis Moisture Dew Facial. (The Couples Day for two includes either a one-hour treatment or two 30-minute treatments each, plus a two-course lunch and glass of wine, for £138.)

What were the treatments like?

My therapist, Andrea, was waiting for me at reception. I was a little anxious about the treatment; this was my first massage after a back operation, but Andrea listened to my concerns. Andrea offered me three different blends of oil, I picked the de-stress oil. Andrea asked me to de-robe and get on the couch.

Andrea began with a long back, neck and shoulder massage; I liked that she alternated between firm, strong pressure on my shoulders and a gentle, soothing touch on my lower back. She smoothed oil over my legs and feet. I love my feet being massaged so that really relaxed me. Just as I was starting to doze off, Andrea asked me to turn over. Quite lucky as I was on my way to snoring!

I'd told Andrea that I didn't mind if a little oil got in my hair and so, after massaging the front of my legs and arms, she treated me to a mini-head massage. Andrea chimed a tiny bell to tell me the treatment was over. Much as I enjoyed my treatment, the room didn't feel special. Barely bigger than a cupboard, with a tiny sink in the corner and bare walls.

Single Spy had the Elemis Moisture Dew Facial and reports:

"Jayne, my therapist, met me at spa reception and took me into a room that was little bigger than a cupboard. There was just enough space for a treatment bed, a trolley of spa products, and a small sink. I was surprised Jayne could negotiate the space between the bed and the wall without turning sideways. Jayne asked me to undress down to my knickers then place myself under the blankets, face-up, for the facial. So I did.

The facial unfolded in three stages after Jayne managed to untie my hair from the plait I had hastily put it in after my spa morning. First, Jayne cleansed my skin, then applied rose oil and treated me to a facial massage. The massage was very relaxing and felt like it was cheering up my skin. As my treatment room was right next to the spa reception, though, the experience was never completely peaceful. I could hear people coming and going, and the chat from the phone was constant and noisy. Not a relaxing atmosphere.

After the massage, Jayne applied a papaya enzyme peel, and carried out a scalp massage while the peel was doing its good work. The peel was very mild, and I loved the massage. Jayne got her fingers deep into my neck muscles and searched out the knots. I have lots of knots. At this point, I felt rather cold, and had to ask for some extra blankets.

While the Exotic Cream moisturising mask did its moisturising, Jayne gave me a soothing hand and arm massage. Fabulous. Once the facial was over, Jayne brought me a glass of water, told me to take my time getting ready for a re-entry to the world, and met me outside the treatment cupboard to make sure I was oriented. My skin looked clean and full of "moisture dew", so I was pleased with the result."

How did you feel afterwards?

One of us slept well that night, and the other had velvety soft skin.

What happens afterwards?

I left feeling incredibly relaxed. However, one blast of the changing-room gale threatened to burst my spa-bubble, so I raced to the sociably-placed loungers in the pool area and lay there. I had just 15 minutes before shuttling back to change. Lunch (two courses and a glass of wine) was included. There was a fire roaring in the grate and just a couple of other tables in our wood- panelled dining room. The food was very good (delicious salmon) but the service let it down. I had to go looking for someone to take our tea order.

Was it worth it?

Absolutely. The Aquila spa is terrific value for money; you come away feeling you've had a real bargain.

What else could you have?

A comprehensive menu of Elemis facials, and face and body treatments, and also Elemis treatments for men. Indian head massage, reflexology. Beauty treatments including Jessica manis and pedis.

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

That you can't lunch in your robe. Once you've changed, you really don't feel like getting into a wet cossie again. This is where the spa "day" falls apart. It does say this in the brochure but I didn't have one before I went.

Any special features?

The pool; it's spectacular.

Who do you think would like it?

Everyone. From solo spa-goers, to couples and groups.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Aquila Spa at The Spread Eagle 4 bubbles. The spa needs a little TLC. We found a couple of mouldy patches on the tiles around the pool and a little chipped plaster near the loungers. The changing room was packed with just five people in it. The notices for classes and asking mums to share lockers with their kids gave the spa a (very friendly) health club feeling.

The treatment rooms are basic and we can't imagine how they do treatments such as wraps or scrubs without an in-room shower. Do they give you a bed bath? The spa is in an amazing location, though, great ambience -- and did I mention the superb pool?

See more on how we rate the spas

Would you go again?

Yes, I'd love to see the pool in the summer, but I'd lunch earlier and book my treatment in for later. Aquila offers excellent value and would make a romantic stay-spa weekend.

We visited Aquila Spa at the Spread Eagle in February 2010

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