Review of Fifteen Royal Terrace Day Spa, Glasgow

15 Royal Terrace Day Spa - 4 bubbles

These elegant townhouse treatment rooms overlooking Kelvingrove Park provide a warm welcome and individual touches. Sensibly priced, this day-spa experience is perfect for two (or more) to share, or a delightful individual pick-me-up.

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?

The townhouse is part of a terrace (as the name proclaims) with park views and plenty of metered parking available.

Up the grey stone steps, you ring the doorbell and wait for someone to let you in. Through the door is a light reception area with wooden floor, pale walls, and plenty of space.

How did they welcome you?

With an instant offer to relieve me of my coat and suitcase (I was on my way to the airport straight after) and the lure of a cup of tea.

Someone showed me through into the large, high-ceilinged waiting area, where there were two brown sofas and two brown leather chairs to rest upon. A fire in the mantelpiece gave the room a homely, toasty feel. While I filled in my consultation form, I helped myself to some green tea from the table where there is Nescafe, a variety of teas, and a hot water urn. I was struck by the floor-length silky teal drapes at the windows, while the glimpses of the park and a vase of tulips gave the room a restful atmosphere. On the walls were two fused glass artworks, with blue the keynote, giving a promise of "spa", as did the gently plinking new age music.

A mum and daughter were having afternoon tea, with fresh sandwiches and salad, scones and cakes, which looked very tempting.

What happens next?

Anne, my therapist, took me through to a large treatment room: again, the sense was of minimalism and space, with wood flooring, pale walls, blind over the window, and a clear shower unit in the corner. Two more glass pieces of art, this time with orange and green tones, gave the room a small touch of softness.

Anne and I discussed both my consultation form and how I'd like to feel after my treatments. "Uplifted," I said (as you need to be when contemplating Glasgow Airport).

Which treatments did you have?

Anne was careful to ask about my preferences, and between us we decided that I should try the Tranquillity signature treatment (120 minutes, £60).

What were the treatments like?

There are no changing rooms at 15 Royal Terrace, so I undressed in the reasonably warm treatment room and set out my clothes on another brown leather chair.

I hopped onto the thankfully heated treatment bed and covered myself with the purply-brown blanket. I lay face down, on a face-holder draped with clean towels. Anne returned and placed an inhalation bowl of the Neal's Yard Vitality oil on a chair and wheeled it under my nose. This meant I had a delicious ginger-and-clove scent to breathe during the treatment. The bowl was full of stones and pebbles (and not boiled potatoes as my first glance assumed).

Anne began the treatment with a double-cleanse for my back. The cleanser was quite zingy, and a little chilly as it dried. Especially as my lovely therapist was warm-hearted but had hands hewn out of, apparently, ice. Anne removed the cleanser each time with warm flannels, and placed towels over my feet to keep me warm.

Anne then painted warm paraffin over my back, careful to check that it was never too hot. Again, the paraffin cooled quickly but its lasting warmth meant that I didn't feel cold. The paraffin soothes the muscles and lifts off dead skin cells (but not hair, so is not painful).

While the paraffin wax did its magic, Anne treated me to a truly relaxing massage over my legs and feet. I was so relaxed that I drifted-off once or twice. (I explained to Anne that I wasn't snoring, just breathing very deeply!)

Anne peeled the wax from my back, which then felt very smooth and supple. She completed the treatment with an aromatherapy massage; this was free-flowing rather than focusing on pressure points, but made me feel divine and remarkably tension-free. Anne did some close work around my lower spine ("I can hear cracking either side of your coccyx") which relieved a lot of stress.

As I was travelling, Anne did not put any oil through my hair and finish with a scalp massage (probably just as well, as the chances are I'd have never got up from the treatment table), but did offer to carry out more massage to the front of my body if I liked. I would have liked very much, if time had allowed.

How did you feel afterwards?

I felt very relaxed, but not so sleepy that I couldn't face my journey. And quite uplifted, as I had asked. My neck and shoulders, in particular, felt a lot lighter.

What happens afterwards?

Anne took back to the waiting area. There isn't a dedicated relaxation area at this spa yet, but it will be a treat when there is. At the moment, you have to share your relaxation with those waiting for treatments.

I also checked out the loo before leaving: small but clean and with fluffy white flannels to dry your hands.

Long-term effects

I felt a lot more tranquil for several days after my "Tranquillity" treatment.

Was it worth it?

I felt that all the treatments on offer at 15 Royal Terrace were great value.

What else could you have?

You can have a range of facials, massages (including hot stones) using Thalgo and Decleor products. You can also have Jessica nail and Jane Iredale make-up treatments, as well as waxing, tanning and reflexology. And don't forget the Universal Contour Wrap.

The signature Complete Bliss treatment involves a back cleanse, exfoliation, hot-stone back massage, a facial, and a hand-and-arm, scalp and foot massage. You really would be blissful after that!

There's also a Sunday Spa Reviver Day, which is great value, and 15 Royal Terrace also looks after groups and hen parties.

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

If you're going as a group, you are welcome to bring your own nibbles and wine. The spa can also cater for you from a local deli, but you might like the choice.

Any special features?

Don't miss the afternoon tea.

Who do you think would like it?

Local savvy spa-goers are already making the most of the treatments. Anyone who wants a tailor-made, affordable package for solo or group R&R will find a wide and satisfying range of options at 15 Royal Terrace.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave 15 Royal Terrace 4 bubbles for the elegant atmosphere and quality of the treatments. The staff were all friendly and accommodating (especially as my journey had interfered with my arrival time) and the spa was elegant and spotless.

There are no pools or thermal experiences, so you might find a day here a bit of a stretch. The spa has more of a functional feel than a space to lounge in robes, Also, because my treatment room adjoined the reception area, the ringing of the doorbell and several conversations just outside my door hauled me out of my dream-like state a couple of times. But for great treatments at great prices, this is a star of a spa.

See more on how we rate the spas.