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Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa - 3 bubbles
The glamorous Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa is a charming city-centre five-star hotel, on the main high street of Chester. The small spa has five treatment rooms, a thermal suite, a relaxation room, and a gym. There is no pool, and there's a lack of natural daylight, but the spa deserves a round of applause for the staff and fabulous treatments on offer.
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?
Elegant, sophisticated and full of character. The hotel entrance doors were wide open on my arrival. Pleasant and pristine doormen warmly greeted me as I walked into the opulent, low-lit reception area. Inside, to my immediate left, was a polished Parisian-style La Brasserie bistro and, to my right, a wide winding staircase with a huge twinkling chandelier at its centre. Towards the back of the open-plan room was a reception desk.
How did they welcome you?
I checked in with ease and a porter whisked away my overnight bag. Mary, the hotel's PR, showed me to the Reay Suite, on the same level as the spa and fitness centre.
What happens next?
My impressive suite featured a huge king-size bed, flat-screen TV and a desk. A separate powder room led to a bathroom and shower room; there was also a separate toilet, and a living room with desk, sofas and dinner table.
Mary gave me a tour of the family-run, independent hotel and the facilities in the Grade-II listed building. I noted the small gym -- a bright room stocked with good quality equipment. Sadly, Simon Radley's Michelin-starred restaurant is closed on Mondays, the night I was there.
Back in my suite, I changed in to my super-chunky white robe and slippers, and headed to the spa, just along the corridor. The spa reception area is a shop with a few seats, a desk, and lots of Darphin, Elemis, and REN products on display.
I sat and filled out my consultation form, whilst Karen, the gracious spa manager, brought me a glass of water. Karen then showed me to the circular relaxation room, lined with teak wood. Five comfy loungers faced a central plinth that was topped by an illuminated quartz crystal. Lining the ceiling was a band of light that gradually changed colour.
I investigated the cream-coloured, marble-tiled thermal suite, which had a sauna, steam room, experience shower, salt grotto, and an ice fountain, all leading off from a central area. Two shelf units built into the walls stored large and small towels, plus there was a shelf of Molton Brown shower caps.
I started by giving my feet a cleanse in one of the two foot-baths. You could choose from a REN scrub or an Elemis body wash, and I opted for the REN scrub. There were hooks to hang your dressing gown and towel outside each thermal experience. The steam room was deliciously hot and steamy with fairy lights in the ceiling, and enough room to sit four people.
The herb sauna was also a pleasantly hot temperature. In one corner were some hot coals, purely for effect. I had to hop-skip over to the seating area as the floor was so hot. I'd recommend wearing your slippers in the sauna!
The salt-eucalyptus grotto was dark, even though it had fairy lights in ceiling. I was surprised that it was also cold. Although I know the health benefits of spending time in a salt cave, the temperature didn't make me want to stay in there for too long.
I tried the experience showers, which had four different temperature settings, including "summer shower" and "winter chill". As well as from the shower heads above, water would spurt from holes in the wall. The showers were fun but not for the faint-hearted, for the speed the water shot out had me jumping with fright.
There were two compact changing rooms, both with a mirror, hairdryer, and some lockers. The larger changing room contained two clean showers with three silver fitted wall containers, all labelled shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
I then met Kendra, Darphin's representative, who happened to be at The Chester Grosvenor on the day I visited. Kendra showed me Darphin's skin-scanner technology whereby various pieces of clever equipment determine the health of the skin on your face. My face was generally okay, apparently, but quite dehydrated.
Read our blog for more information on the Darphin skin scanner.
Which treatments did you have?
I had Darphin's Ultimate Indulgence facial (90 minutes, £80), a facial designed exclusively for Chester Grosvenor Spa.
What were the treatments like?
Kendra passed on my skin-scan notes to Joanna, my therapist, to customise my facial. Joanna collected me from the relaxation area and took me to a fragrant, low-lit treatment room that really set the mood.
Joanna told me she'd be using products from Darphin's Clear White range, designed to help reduce uneven skin tone and pigmentation (I have a sun damaged forehead). Joanna outlined what the facial would involve, and really whet my appetite for what was to come. I lay on the treatment couch under a sarong, and one of the first things I noticed was the Enya album that was playing. It made me chuckle to myself.
The treatment began with a Welcome Ritual with Joanna cleansing my feet with hot towels. I'd advised that my tight shoulders were my main concern, so Joanna focused on this area deeply during the 10-minute back massage that followed. I loved how the massage really allowed my body to settle into the treatment couch when I turned over for my facial. An opening massage should be a compulsory addition to any facial!
Joanna secured my hair away from my face with a cosmetic headband, then carefully removed my make up, and cleansed my skin. Next, Joanna asked me to close my eyes and smell two fragrances. I chose the orange blossom over the rose.
Joanna applied a mild aroma peel with papaya, and allowed the peel to dry a little before rubbing it off, exfoliating my dead skin cells.
My favourite part of the treatment, which I did not want to end, was the deep tissue massage on my face, using "unique massage techniques" and lymphatic drainage. Joanna mixed a massage cream with the recommended Clear White moisturiser to deliver this wonderfully indulgent part of the treatment. -- quite possibly the best face and decollete massage I have ever experienced. I was pleased that the massage went on for as long as it did, and I was propelled in to a deep state of relaxation. Divine.
Joanna applied a moisturising camellia mask to my face, followed closely by a vital powder mask with essential oil that weighed quite heavy as it set. After a dreamy head massage, interrupted by my sleepy snuffles, Joanna peeled off the mask. The treatment finished with serum, a moisturiser, dabs of magnolia wrinkle corrective eye-cream, and a swab of lip balm.
How did you feel afterwards?
Pretty fabulous indeed. What an indulgently delicious facial. My skin looked clean, dewy and radiant. I was actually shocked at how good I looked.
What happens afterwards?
Joanna met me outside the treatment room with a glass of water, and took me to the relaxation area. I relaxed with one of the latest Vogue magazines, and lay on a lounger in a blissed out, rather smug haze.
The relaxation room has two sets of saloon-style doors for entry: swing doors that aren't sealed at the top or bottom. My blurry reality was a little sharpened by voices from the main reception area, as well as footsteps from people walking up and down the corridor. The doors creaked open from the thermal experience, as another spa-goer joined me.
I would have liked a side table next to my lounger for my glass, rather than to have to hold it or put it on the floor.
That evening I dined in La Brasserie; I particularly enjoyed perfectly cooked diver-caught scallops with prosciutto ham and a minted pea puree. I also devoured cod with braised fennel, wilted spinach, green beans and garlic bread. At bursting point, I still managed to slip in some home-made ice cream. Unable to choose a flavour, I opted for a scoop each of the passion fruit and banana, and the chocolate. Ridiculously good.
In the morning I ordered room service, which attracted a room charge as well as a cooked breakfast supplement. Even so, another delectable spread.
Long-term effects
The Darphin Ultimate Indulgence facial has become one of my favourite spa treatments. I shall seek one out again. Or I might just have to come back!
Was it worth it?
Yes -- the facial results were immediately good.
What else could you have?
You can choose from a menu of over 40 treatments from REN, Darphin, and Elemis, and men and mums-to-be are not forgotten. Try a CACI toning treatment, as well as a range of holistic body and soul rituals. Enjoy a full day with lunch, or a half-day package.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Advance reservations are essential for treatments and you also have to pay to use the thermal suite (£35 per room per stay, when we visited). The spa has a loyalty "Pamper Me" rewards card, so you can build up free treatment time in the spa with every visit/purchase.
If you're driving to this city-centre hotel, there's a multi-storey car park to the rear of the building.
Any special features?
The quality of the staff and hotel.
Who do you think would like it?
Ladies who lunch. People staying at the hotel (although non-residential guests are also welcome at the Chester Grosvenor Spa). Solo spa-goers and couples alike, looking for a professional and discreet spa experience.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the Chester Grosvenor Spa 3 bubbles -- it very narrowly missed out on 4. There is a lot to like about this small hotel spa including the exquisite standard of staff, the treatments, and the relaxation room. The main thermal suite feels a little tired and the grouting between the tiles could do with a power clean in places. I would also get the floor of the sauna checked out.
There was no music anywhere within the spa, which meant I was able to hear other goings-on, which could have been masked somewhat. The creaking doors within the thermal experiences, and the external noises I could hear when in the relaxation room were a little off putting.
If you are wanting to dine during your spa time, then the options can also make your spa time a little disjointed. You either have to get dressed to go downstairs to one of the fine restaurants, or head to the drawing room for an afternoon tea, and possibly contend with an informal business meeting.
Would you go again?
The hotel is on the expensive side but, if I was in Chester, I would certainly pop in for an afternoon tea and spa treat with a friend. Oh, and I'd love to dine in Simon Radley's restaurant, too.
We visited Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa in August 2010
See also:
* Contact details for Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa
* Facials: How to choose the right one for you
* Darphin
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