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PH20 Spa at Park House, Midhurst - 5 bubbles
Two lucky Good Spa Spies were invited to Park House Hotel in Bepton. They found a smart yet homely country-house hotel with a brand-new, stylish spa. Great treatments combined with congenial staff and locally-sourced, seasonal food added up to a royal 5 bubbles, as our Good Spa Spy reports...
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 spa receptionist was very helpful and well informed about the Anne Sémonin treatments.
First impressions?
Beautifully rural. The smart country house, restored barn cottages, and new spa are off a quiet, single-track country road, surrounded by ten acres of peaceful countryside.
How did they welcome you?
A friendly porter came to greet us in the car park and took our bags, and us, to reception in the main house. The hotel has 21 ensuite bedrooms across the main hotel and three cottages. Park House has the look of a traditional English country home and has a cosy feel. Like being in someone's front room.
What happens next?
The porter showed us across the drive to our rooms in the Southdown cottage. This cottage has six newly refurbished rooms and own living room, kitchen and "honesty" bar. The Southdown cottage is perfectly positioned for the spa, being just a few steps away.
Someone had a lot of fun, and took a lot of care, when imaginatively furnishing our cottage in its contemporary country-style.
My room had Delftware-style dusky pink and moss-green wallpaper with matching divan, duvet cover, and curtains, which were hung on modern perspex poles. The bathroom had a bath, state-of-the-art shower and Molton Brown products. Sassy Spy's large room was much more tranquil in its furnishings. It also had a balcony with great views across lush green fields.
Sassy and I made our way to the modern barn-style PH2O spa. The building has been sympathetically designed to fit with the main hotel building and cottages. The spa was much larger and smarter than we'd expected from a small hotel.
Inside, we were impressed by the opulence. There is a 15-metre, mother-of-pearl mosaic pool, reflecting the wooden beams. At one end of the shimmering pool is a showpiece shower. The snail-shaped, curved shower is an amazing design carved out of one huge piece of marble. There is also a raised, glass-balconied relaxation area with loungers, chairs, tables and refreshments.
By the front entrance to the pool, there are some steps and a lift for the disabled. The gym, also on the ground level, is quite small but has a variety of the latest gym equipment. Both the male and female changing rooms have their own sauna and steam room. There are plenty of lockers, each with luxury mink-coloured gown, slippers and plastic bag (for wet cossie). The female changing room has a foot bath, and three immensely powerful, multi-functional showers with a range of temperature, pressure and water-flow settings.
Which treatments did you have?
I had a Lava Shells massage (90 minutes, £105). Sassy Spy had an Anne Sémonin Cryotherapy firming facial (60 minutes, £75).
What were the treatments like?
Salubrious Spy's Lava Shells massage: I met Helen, my therapist, downstairs in the spa reception area. She gave me a consultation form to complete then led me to the treatment room for my lava shell massage. I was already in my robe, having just been for a swim.
The treatment room was attractive and smart, with neutral walls. There were quirky uplighters with stems that looked like silver-dipped twigs. The room had a large couch, covered in coffee-coloured towels. Helen offered me a seat and talked me through the treatment. She asked whether I had any particular areas of concern, and whether I would be OK with having my stomach massaged. My expression must have given away my reluctance to reveal my midriff. Helen went on to gently convince me, telling me how good stomach massage was for digestion.
Helen then left the room for me to disrobe and hop onto the warm couch, face up. The treatment started with a foot refresh and pressure-point massage through the soft towels that covered me. Helen then moved up to the top of my body and started to massage the underside of my neck and my décolletage, introducing the hot lava shells. I had previously had, and loved, a hot stone massage and was keen to try out their new cousin. Lava shells are similar to hot stones but smoother. Helen used the shells in combination with an exotic-scented mango and green-tea body oil.
Helen used the shells both flat on their sides, and at a slight angle for an edgier feeling. The warmth and firm pressure felt great. Having soothed and smoothed my arms and décolleté, Helen moved on to my stomach. I initially tried to hold my midriff in for appearance's sake, but soon relaxed. Having had two kids (and a fair number of pies), my stomach is not my best feature. But Helen was right, the massage did feel good, and she made me feel at ease as she worked under my ribs.
The combination of warm shells and heated couch was getting a little toasty. I was about to ask Helen to turn the bed temperature down, when she pre-empted my request. She explained that the gel-filled shells heat up when inactive, and begin to cool after being used. Helen uncovered and massaged my legs one by one, which cooled me down further, and finished by pressing the shells into my feet.
Helen then repeated the process on the back of my body. The shells felt particularly great on my back and their warmth seemed to penetrate deep into my muscles, which was very soothing. At the end of this indulgent massage, Helen offered me a glass of water. She quietly invited me to take a few minutes to gradually get up.
Sassy Spy's Anne Sémonin facial: I made myself comfortable on a dry floatation bed, under a light cover and a chunky eiderdown. I was surprisingly content to be so toasty and suspended.
My therapist, Kim, started with a thorough consultation to define my main concerns. Kim concluded that she would focus upon my dark circles, fine lines and dehydrated skin. Kim tied my hair back, gently removed my make-up, and cleansed and toned my face. Kim then thickly applied my favourite exfoliating mask with a spatula. Whilst the mask was drying, she gave me a hand and arm massage.
Kim removed the solidified mask by rubbing my face gently. She removed the excess with warm mitts and cotton wool. Kim placed some gauze soaked in serum over my face. Next, Kim applied a weighty cream mask, to ensure the serum would soak in. Kim placed cotton pads over my eyes before delicately applying a smear of mineral mask under each eye, which is apparently good for rebalancing the skin. She removed the mask and applied "firming intensive complexes" (an essential oil plus trace elements).
Next, my competent therapist gave me some facial lymphatic drainage -- a series of relaxing, repetitive pressure point sequences over my face and neck. Kim swept an Express Radiance ice cube over my whole face. There were a couple of moments when the ice felt bone-achingly cold, but that feeling soon subsided with Kim's skilful application.
During the final part of my treatment, Kim used the delicious Aromatherapy Associates Enrich hair oil whilst massaging and manipulating pressure points on my head.
How did you feel afterwards?
I felt drunk with relaxation.
Sassy Spy felt utterly pampered. Her skin looked refreshingly plump, clear and hydrated. She stated that it was one of the best facials she's had.
What happens afterwards?
Sassy Spy and I enjoyed a quiet meal in the conservatory-style part of the restaurant. I loved my fresh salad of smoked chicken, spinach, and mango-and-lime vinaigrette, followed by fillets of local sea bass with braised broad beans and sorrel. Dessert was a creamy rice pudding with fresh rhubarb compote.
Long-term effects
We both concurred we felt like royalty.
Was it worth it?
The lava shells massage is expensive. But the treatment was fantastic and, combined with the overall experience, we did feel that it was worth it for a special treat.
It was also very evident that Park House's therapists are very knowledgeable and comprehensively trained in Anne Sémonin's made-to-measure products and treatments.
What else could you have?
PH2O has an extensive range of treatments, ranging from massages and facials to more unusual treatments. Signature treatments include the Inner Peace Flotation Experience and Sleep Massage Experience. PH2O also offers pregnancy treatments and a good range of treatments for men.
There is a golf course, tennis, croquet and a heated outdoor swimming pool complete with terrace -- perfect for a summer soiree. There's also their beautiful, restored Sussex barn, which is a perfect venue for weddings and other celebrations.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
How good the breakfast was going to be. We might have held back on the full three courses the night before.
Any special features?
The pure opulence of the spa features. The marble shower beautiful enough to be a sculpture. The mother-of-pearl mosaic pool. The ultimate multi-functional power-showers in the spa.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone looking for a bit of peace and rural relaxation. Park House is a great place for couples or friends and would also appeal to anyone who wants a solo escape.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Park House combines great treatments with good customer service, a delightful hotel and fresh, seasonal cuisine. We felt it deserved nothing short of 5 bubbles.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Absolutely. Park House is a great place to go for a relaxing break. We'd like to go back in summer when the outdoor pool is open.
We visited Park House in April 2010
See also:
* Contact details for Park House
* Our Spa Spies review Anne Sémonin products
* Why do I have to fill in a consultation form?
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