Review of Elmers Court Hotel and Resort Macdonald Hotel, Lymington

Elmers Court Hotel and Resort, Lymington - 3 bubbles

This Tudor-style manor house in the Hampshire countryside is home to a friendly, affordable hotel and leisure resort. Our Good Spa Spy was invited to stay at Elmers Court and try a Decléor treatment in their spa. With husband and kids in tow to try the child-friendly facilities, she saw how Elmers Court is perfect for a family break.

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?

Any special features?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

Elmers Court Hotel is located on the edge of the New Forest, just past the Isle of Wight ferry port at Lymington. As soon as you pass through the hotel gateposts you are greeted by a gabled Tudor-style mansion, flanked by acres of landscaped gardens and a few rabbits.

How did they welcome you?

The receptionist was friendly and relaxed when I arrived with my husband and children in tow. She greeted us and made polite conversation with the children before checking us in, giving us a map of the complex and pointing out where our room was.

What happens next?

We headed straight for our rooms. We had adjoining first floor rooms in the main accommodation area, a minute away from the mansion house. Both rooms were a good size, and backed onto each other with French doors at the front. The rooms were modern, with traditional furnishings, and had a holiday chalet feel. One of our rooms had a kitchen area with a fridge and sink, which was useful. Each room had an ensuite bathroom and balcony. And to top it all off the children's beds came complete with a colouring set, which was appreciated by all.

We arrived late in the evening, which meant that we didn’t have time to check out the Waterford fine dining restaurant, which is only open for dinner. I was impressed with the imaginative room service menu, so placed an order. I had poached smoked haddock from a traditional Scottish smokehouse, which came with lightly cooked fresh greens and a poached egg. Delicious.

The following morning I had breakfast in the marine-themed Sails brasserie and lounge. This is next to the leisure club, and has a compass motif carpet and wall-mounted anchor and ship’s steering wheel. The food was perfectly good, and my children made the most of the well-stocked buffet bar.

I then made my way to the leisure club across the foyer. The leisure club receptionist pointed me in the direction of the spa. The leisure club staff were friendly and helpful, suggesting that my husband take the children to try out the driving range. They then went to some lengths to track down the clubs that a resident had failed to return the night before.

I made my way along a corridor overlooking a squash court and downstairs to the spa, first checking out the 15-metre pool from the reception vantage point.

Which treatments did you have?

The Decléor Aroma Ultimate Body Massage (60 minutes, £60, or £55 on weekdays).

What were the treatments like?

I was greeted at the spa reception by Faye, my therapist. She cheerfully talked me through the treatment and led me over to the Decléor product counter to try the oils and choose my preference of scent. I opted for "Circularome", which Faye said was great for muscle tension. Once I’d completed a health questionnaire Faye led me through to one of the four treatment rooms. The room was decorated in neutral tones with a rather worn wooden floor. The lights were subdued, but it was light enough to see that the room could do with repainting to cover oil marks on one of the walls. The massage couch was covered with chocolate-coloured towels and had a silk lily placed on the top.

Faye left the room for a couple of minutes while I got undressed, leaving my clothes on a chair. Once back in the room, Faye checked that I was happy with the room temperature, and began massaging my back. The massage was pleasantly traditional and free of gimmicks. Faye applied medium pressure, as I’d requested, and she made efforts to linger on areas of particular tension, such as my shoulders. Once on my back, Faye checked whether I wanted my stomach to be massaged. As I’d only had breakfast a short while before, I declined. I was quietly disappointed at not being offered a head or hand massage instead.

Faye was friendly and professional throughout the treatment, and made me feel relaxed throughout. At the end of the treatment she went to get me a glass of water and stressed the importance of drinking lots of water throughout the day.

How did you feel afterwards?

I felt suitably relaxed after the treatment but not de-energised. Good for a morning massage.

What happens afterwards?

I went to the relaxation room to snuggle under a duvet on one of the eight comfy loungers before going to find my energetic children. In a bid to keep my post-massage aura, I opted to join the rest of the family in the pool as a spectator only. I donned the blue shoe-covers and watched my little ones attempt lengths, interspersed with excited visits to the Jacuzzi at one end of the pool.

Elmers Court is the first hotel I’ve been to where children can use the Jacuzzi. It’s a bubbly section of the swimming pool and not a hotter separate entity only available to over 16s. Elmers Court also has a sauna and steam room at one end of the pool, and a good-size gym housed in the main leisure area.

Long-term effects

I’m not sure I can attribute any significant long-term effects to this treatment. In the short term it felt good and my shoulders felt like they had been brought down a knot or two!

Was it worth it?

The Decléor Aroma Ultimate Body Massage is relatively good value for a treatment of this type.

What else could you have?

The spa at Macdonald Elmers Court offers a good range of treatments including a variety of Decléor facials and body treatments. There are back treatments, anti-cellulite treatments, a "sunrise" self-tanning treatment and a "sunset" after-sun treatment. Good if you’ve spent a sunny summer’s day at Elmers Court’s outdoor pool. There are also treatments for mothers-to-be and men. Packages start from £95.

Beyond the spa there’s squash, fitness classes, tennis, pitch and putt and the outdoor pool.

Any special features?

Elmers Court has a great location and a good amount of space: 23 acres to be precise. The outdoor pool is a good size and the hotel is a stone's throw from both the seaside and the New Forest.

Who do you think would like it?

Elmers Court is an affordable place for families or a group of friends. It would also appeal to couples looking to explore the local area. While the spa offers good treatments it’s not ideal for anyone looking for a tranquil spa visit due to its family-friendly positioning and the fact that the pool is part of the leisure club.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

I gave the spa 3 bubbles as the treatments were of a good standard and the staff were professional and friendly. The pool is a good size, but can still get busy. While the family-friendly poolside facilities can be useful, the play pen and nappy bin in the changing room does detract from its spa-ness.

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