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Lowry Hotel and Spa, Manchester - 4 bubbles
Sustainable Spy was invited to re-review Manchester's Lowry hotel after a Good Spa Spy first visited in November 2005. She found a superbly stylish hotel spa with truly gifted therapists offering excellent customer service. Oh -- and paparazzi in the car park!
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?
Arriving by train in Manchester, I was perplexed to discover that the Lowry is actually in Salford. I consulted a map and, although it didn't look far, it was, being Manchester, raining. So I jumped in a cab, and a few minutes later we were pulling up to a huge, gleaming glass-fronted building. The Lowry is next to the canal which divides Salford from Manchester, complete with a rather beautiful suspension bridge.
The lobby bristles with business-cool design. Red couches, some intriguing (and rather grumpy-looking) carved heads and an impressively sweeping staircase leading up to the first-floor spa, bar and restaurant.
How did they welcome you?
I have never, ever been so "Madam'ed" in my life. Slick, professional and with the impression that absolutely nothing was too much trouble.
What happens next?
After batting off a raft of attentive porters, I hopped in the lift with my small bag (really, I can manage!) and found my way to my room. High on the fifth floor, I had a wonderful view over the bridge and canal. Squint and it could be Manhattan!
My room also boasted all those design-hotel standards, from an enormous bed and inviting chaise-longue, a stack of up-to-date magazines to flick through, flat-screen TV and mildly baffling movie-system and iPod speaker dock.
Unusually, it also had a "bath butler" menu, listing a variety of temptingly-scented soaks and bubble baths to order, along with a nibbles menu including chocolate-dipped strawberries. The very last word in decadence! Regretfully, I only had an hour to spend in my room before I headed spa-wards, but I could have happily stayed there all day.
The Good Spa Spy who visited in 2005 said that the room had:
"...plenty of little bits of paper telling you how much anything 'extra' is. Movies? Extra. Internet use? Extra. Tea and coffee? Extra. It felt as though my room were a big vending machine."
This situation hasn't changed. We do wish that high-end hotels would take into consideration that after paying over £100 for just bed and breakfast, throwing in a few sweeteners, such as free wi-fi and movies, would be nice!
Which treatments did you have?
I had Reflexology (55 minutes, £60).
What were the treatments like?
I always love the whoosh of spa-aromatherapy-smell when you open the door to some spas; the Lowry didn't disappoint. The receptionist greeted me with a smile and offered me a tour. As she left, she popped a "On a spa tour…" sign on reception. Obviously, they give everyone the royal tour treatment.
The spa comprises of a small -- but by no means miniscule -- hotel-gym. There was plenty of space for me to stretch out and do yoga. I noticed, from my floor-position, that the gym was absolutely spotless. The main reception area has a 4-person finishing touches station for manis and pedis and a small seated area with table and chairs. Shiny green apples were available to munch on, as well as a good selection of teas, and water.
The Lowry has changed its previously-segregated relaxation rooms and made them unisex. There's a Sunrise room; flooded with light, packed with huge squashy beanbags and a great selection of magazines, which is a perfect pre-treatment place to relax and get into your spa-zone. Post-treatment, you can head to the Sunset room, which is subtly lit with red-bulb lanterns on the floor and loungers, complete with towels to pull over yourself, so you can really snuggle up.
There are no water features at the Lowry. There was a pool planned for next-door, but the recession put paid to that, which is a shame. Such a great hotel and spa should have a pool to match. There are two small saunas leading off from each relaxation room, but more than two people in each would be a tight fit.
The changing room was also squeaky clean, with plenty of space, benches and lockers. I liked that they had everything from mouthwash to hairspray on offer with H2K products in the shower; pleasingly large pump dispensers, rather than those annoying mini-bottles. I changed into robe and slippers and waited for my therapist in the Sunset Room. I had a gloriously trashy few minutes on a gigantic beanbag, reading the latest about Brangelina.
I was anxious about my treatment. I'd never experienced reflexology before and usually loathe people fiddling with my feet, but Sassy Spy persuaded me. I'm always pleased to see an experienced therapist and Geraldine was definitely that, having practised reflexology for more than a decade. Geraldine showed me to the spacious treatment room. The room was dimly lit, so I can't report too much detail on what it looked like! However, the air smelt delicious, the music wasn't intrusive and I couldn't hear any sound from outside, so I happily groped my way to a chair and explained my reflexology-misgivings.
Geraldine took the time to explain exactly what would happen. Geraldine said that the treatment would be carried out in silence, and we could talk at the end. She would begin with a mini facial; she'd then cover my eyes and begin working on my feet. Geraldine asked me to get comfy and lie back on the couch, and left the room while I did so.
On Geraldine's return, she made sure I was warm and comfortable. Using Elemis products, Geraldine started with a lavender-scented cleanse, then smoothed a rose-scented serum on my face before ending with a papaya-based mask. An all-too-brief (and thoroughly unexpected) pleasingly aromatic start to my treatment, which I enjoyed.
Mini-facial over, I lay, warm and cosy, swaddled on the couch, with cool pads over my eyes and a heavy lavender pillow resting on top of the pads. My mind was alert. I didn't know if it would tickle, hurt, or feel odd, so what happened next was quite wonderful.
Beginning with my right foot, Geraldine used her thumb and fingers to trace my foot, over and over again. Using varying pressure, at times, it felt as though it wasn't her fingers, more a velvet pad, that was being smoothed over, around and between my toes. No pain, no ticklishness, just a sensation of waves washing over me. I felt very relaxed, then very alert, then hugely aware of my neck, my stomach... it was all very strange and rather fantastic.
When she began on my left foot, I began to feel sad that I didn't have more than two feet as I wanted to lie there forever and have Geraldine do whatever she was doing to me!
How did you feel afterwards?
Full of energy, slightly giggly and astonished to discover that my usual hunched-around-my-ears shoulders were happily resting several inches lower than usual. In short, I felt amazing. Geraldine correctly identified several weaknesses in my body thanks to a "build up of crystals" in my feet. I definitely felt "in balance" afterwards and slept like a baby.
What happens afterwards?
I drifted off to the Sunset room and curled up on a lounger. Unfortunately, after realising that the white-noise machine was, in fact, an amazingly loud air con, I found it hard to drift off to sleep.
So I strolled off to my room, wrapped in my robe, with an enormous grin on my face.
Dinner that night with a Mancunian mate was wonderful. My friend arrived and excitedly told me that the car park was, "Full of paps because Lady Gaga was staying." Unfortunately, she didn't join us for dinner.
We started with cocktails; I adored my Turkish Delight-inspired creation made with rose-petal vodka. Service in the restaurant was second to none, and the menu full of local specialities, which I loved. The presentation was excellent and we adored the witty menu items, such as the Snickers Brulée (insanely delicious).
Breakfast the next morning was equally splendid. It arrived in my room riding on top of a terribly posh trolley, all stiff white linen and flaky croissants. Unusually for a hotel, the coffee was good. Strong, fresh and not burnt. Perfect.
Long-term effects
I felt great for two or three days afterwards, and the treatment made me want to find a great reflexologist nearer to home.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely. For such 5-star service, the spa at The Lowry made a very reasonable charge. My friend snatched a treatment menu to take home, vowing to return herself soon.
What else could you have?
A full range of Elemis and Carita facials, massages and wraps. Plus finishing-touch beauty therapies from manis and pedis to waxing.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That I'd enjoy reflexology so much. I could have relaxed right from the start rather than lying there, just waiting for something weird to happen to my feet!
Any special features?
Excellent customer service.Wonderful food.
Who do you think would like it?
Stylish locals and visitors, celebs, and metrosexual males. While I was there, I saw a group of women enjoying manis and pedis, solo spa goers, and some very-much-at-home men and couples; so everyone, really.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave The Lowry 4 bubbles. My beef is that I'd argue that the spa was not "the ultimate world of luxury and relaxation... with extensive health facilities." In fact, I'd flat-out say it isn't.
Instead of pretending to be something that it isn't, I wish the spa at The Lowry would celebrate the very wonderful thing that it is: a very stylish, professional, spotlessly clean hotel spa with great therapists and a small-ish gym.
I loved the idea of the separate relaxation rooms, but I wish they'd committed more to them. I got the feeling that if necessary the rooms could be cleared in minutes. Perhaps some wall hangings, or something to cover the numerous air-con vents on the ceiling would add up to more of a spa feeling? The reception staff reassured me that the noisy air-con was being dealt with.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
I'm contemplating a trip back to Manchester just to see Geraldine! They know how to put on the style in Salford. The staff made me feel like a cherished guest, and I could see them treating everyone with the same warmth and professionalism.
We visited The Lowry in February 2010
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a great hotel offer at the Lowry Hotel with our partners lastminute.com
See also:
* Contact Details for Lowry Hotel and Spa
* I liked my therapist - can I ask for her again?
* Reflexology
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