Review of Greenwoods Hotel Spa and Retreat, Ingatestone

Greenwoods Hotel, Spa and Retreat, Ingatestone - 4 bubbles

A 17th-century manor house with modern spa and leisure facilities, Greenwoods Hotel, Spa and Retreat played host to Sedate Spy and her daughter. They found an impressive range of Decléor and La Sultane De Saba spa treatments, and a tranquil environment to relax in. Set in the Essex countryside but relatively close to London, Greenwoods proved a good location for a mother-and-daughter spa break in the South East.

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?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

Greenwoods is set in five acres of landscaped grounds. My daughter and I approached the spa through perfectly manicured lawns and well presented gardens. The Greenwoods building is a 17th-century manor house with a large modern extension. The old building retains original features such as the leaded windows and low beams. The new extension has been built in similar shades of red brick and white render. The new building creates space for leisure and function facilities, including the spa.

How did they welcome you?

The reception entrance sits just between the old, main building and the new extension. The reception area is very spacious and modern. Two smiling receptionists greeted us, then politely and swiftly checked us in. A receptionist gave us our room key and a separate pass key for entry to the leisure facilities and spa.

What happens next?

Our room was in the old building, on the first floor. The view over the hotel grounds was glorious. The room was stylish yet traditional, with plenty of space and a large old-fashioned double bed. The bathroom, although on the snug side, was well lit, newly decorated and spotlessly clean.

My daughter and I were both tired after our journey so decided to go for a refreshing swim. The spa has its own reception area, which reminded me of a quaint old-fashioned trinkets shop with its long, curved-glass window display. I approached the two receptionists to enquire about the changing rooms and lockers. The receptionists did look very busy, but could have made a bit more effort to help. Eye contact would have been nice.

The changing rooms were packed to the rafters. I wasn't really expecting Greenwoods to be that busy on a Sunday afternoon. My daughter and I found a spot next to the hand basins and changed there.

The 20-metre swimming pool is the centre-piece of the leisure facilities. The pool was a comfortable temperature for serious swimming and had plenty of loungers around the edge. I was worried about how crowded it might be, but to my surprise, there were just two other guests in the pool! I had a long, refreshing swim and a session lazing in the Jacuzzi. I enjoyed the steam room and sauna and braved the monsoon showers. There was plenty to do and time passed quickly. Before I knew it, it was time to dress for dinner.

My daughter and I had pre-dinner drinks in the cocktail lounge and dinner in the Rosewood Restaurant. This is a very elegant dining room with an ornate ceiling, heavy drapes, and crisp white table linen. The restaurant also has great views over the garden. The staff were friendly and very professional. The menu featured traditional English fare with locally sourced ingredients. I had the chicken liver parfait and my daughter had king prawns with garlic. Both were quite delicious. To follow, we both opted for the roast loin of lamb with fondant potato. After the standard set by the starter, the lamb was a little disappointing. The restaurant boasts a comprehensive wine list and I must comment on the rather tasty South African Chenin Blanc.

My daughter and I both slept very well that night. So soundly, in fact, that I left my daughter sleeping while I went down to the gymnasium the next morning. This is a small gym but is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The machines are all fitted with full multi-media TV systems. With a little assistance from the on-hand member of the fitness staff, I even managed to use the Power Plate with confidence. After finishing my workout, I went for another swim. I had the changing room and the whole of the pool area to myself.

My daughter dragged herself out of bed in time to join me for breakfast in the restaurant. Once again the service was superb. I had poached eggs, cooked to perfection.

After breakfast, I went down to the spa. The waiting area near the reception is a large, comfy space with cosy sofas and plenty of magazines. I didn't have to wait long before my therapist, Kayleigh, appeared. Kayleigh introduced herself and led me through to the relaxation room. The relaxation area is a large room with a drinks station and lots of chairs. As I finished filling in my consultation form, Kayleigh reappeared and took me through to the treatment room.

My treatment room was spacious and airy, dimly lit and had Eastern music playing softly in the background.

Which treatments did you have?

La Sultane de Saba Balanese Flower Ceremony Treatment, (80 minutes, £110).

Kayleigh explained that La Sultane de Saba is a French product house who take inspiration from the beauty rituals of the Orient. The products are natural and organic, paraben-free, do not contain any animal ingredients and are not tested on animals. The Balinese Flower Ceremony uses lotus and frangipani flower scents in shea butter and massage oils.

What were the treatments like?

Kayleigh had lit scented candles in the room to prepare for the aromatic ritual. She began my treatment with a foot bath. Next, Kayleigh brushed my skin before exfoliating my entire body with a rose sea-salt scrub. The granules were quite coarse, but the feeling wasn't unpleasant. Once Kayleigh had thoroughly buffed and polished my body, she left me alone to shower.

After I had washed away the remnants of the scrub, Kayleigh returned to perform an intense muscle-relaxing massage. She used La Sultane de Saba's rich signature blend of warm oil and melted shea butter. Kayleigh then wrapped me in a shiny plastic sheet. She left me cocooned under a layer of warm blankets for 20 minutes. While the wrap was nourishing my body, Kayleigh gave me an express facial and a most wonderful head massage.

How did you feel afterwards?

My skin was silky smooth and deeply nourished. I had relaxed into a calm dreamy state and my weary muscles felt soothed and refreshed. This ritual was a journey of pure relaxation.

What happens afterwards?

Kayleigh explained that I should try to leave the oils soaking into my skin for as long as possible. I drank lots of iced water and padded off to the relaxation room. This tranquil room was lit only by lamps and candles. I curled up on one of the comfy loungers and promptly fell fast asleep.

Was it worth it?

On booking, I did think that £110 for 80 minutes was quite expensive. After actually experiencing this ritual, I felt that it was worth every penny.

What else could you have?

A range of Decléor facials and body treatments; an exciting list of La Sultane De Saba Moroccan-themed treatments.You can have standard beauty fixes such as manicures, waxing and threading, plus you can have your hair cut and coloured. Greenwoods also offer holistic therapies such as reiki and reflexology.

The Greenwoods day and residential packages are good value when compared to the accommodation and treatment costs.

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

Had I known that the afternoon tea came highly recommended, we would definitely have arrived a little earlier. The lounge was absolutely full with guests and locals. The quality and quantity looked superb for only £13.50 per person.

Who do you think would like it?

My daughter and I really enjoyed ourselves. We came across some spa-ing newly-weds and groups of girls all taking advantage of various spa offers. Greenwoods is also a wedding and conference venue, so expect to see the odd bridal party or corporate guest, too.

Greenwoods probably welcomes a good cross-section of guests as it is very conveniently located. London is just 40 minutes away by train.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave the Greenwoods Hotel Spa and Retreat 4 bubbles. The spa has a fabulous range of treatments. The treatment rooms and relaxation room are beautifully maintained, fresh and tranquil. The spa offers a lovely environment to unwind and relax in.

The changing rooms need a little attention and can become overcrowded at times. If you are on a residential package, items such as teas and coffees count as extras. You may need to keep a check on how many you order as extras and beverages can be quite expensive.

See more on how we rate the spas