Review of Budock Vean, near Falmouth

Budock Vean, near Falmouth - 3 bubbles

Family-run Budock Vean is a traditional, welcoming hotel set in 65 acres of subtropical gardens, plus golf course, on the banks of the Helford River. We loved our Spiezia algae wrap, delivered in the pristine treatment rooms of the Natural Health Spa. However, Budock Vean doesn't really offer the full spa experience as there is no relaxation room, and the leisure facilities could do with some tlc.

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?

Any special features?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

We approached Budock Vean down a beautiful sweeping driveway, with an abundance of plants and lush gardens unravelling on either side. The 1930s building was itself surrounded by more stunning plants, including flowering echinacea and thistles. The hotel car parks have self catering cottages on one side, and outdoor tennis courts on the other.

Inside the hotel, the decor felt very country traditional and quite dated. However, there was an impressive and vast display of the hotel's awards around the reception area, and artwork by local artists around the hotel.

How did they welcome you?

The receptionist welcomed us warmly, found our invitation, and checked us in. The porter took our bags, and led us to our large first-floor traditional suite, which consisted of a double bedroom, a very large living room with a big old television, sofa, writing desk and dining table, plus a shower room and a bathroom. We admired the remarkable views of the golf course, trees and gardens.

Stuart, the reservations manager, gave us a tour around Budock Vean, taking us through a small maze of narrow corridors. There are 57-bedrooms in the hotel, and Stuart showed us some of the older rooms as well as the refurbished ones. The refurbished rooms are a vast improvement: much lighter and brighter. On the ground floor, there are five lounges, a conservatory and a garden patio in which to chat or relax, as well as a restaurant with views across the golf course.

We paused for some stilton soup and a roll in the conservatory before getting ready to spa.

What happens next?

Heavy towelling robes, standard slippers, and pool towels are provided in the hotel bedrooms, so we gathered everything together and headed to the Natural Health Spa. There are two ways of accessing the spa, either a side route from the bedrooms, or via main reception and through various lounges.

We walked through the small spa reception area and down a long corridor that connects the hotel with the pool building. Just before the double door is a water machine, a swimming costume spin-dryer, and lots of wall signs explaining the rules and regulations of the pool area.

The octagonal-shaped pool building has bare flint stone pillar walls, and a beautiful wooden slatted roof that goes up to a pyramid peak. The 1.2 metre deep swimming pool is surrounded by large pale blue and cream tiles; dark-blue carpet frames the tiles and covers the rest of the floor surface. The tiles continue a pathway to the communal shower area, where there are two lovely monsoon showerheads. Floor-to-ceiling windows line five of the eight walls, exposing rolling views of the golf course and gardens, and plants around the pool area continue the green theme. One corner delightfully (and surprisingly) reveals a wood burning fire with a stack of wood, and a huge cheese plant. A lovely touch for a swim mid-winter.

We walked past a stack of about 20 metal old-school lockers with keys on bands on our way to the changing area. The basic changing room could hold a maximum of three, possibly four people, and felt very dated and tired with Formica surfaces, a mirror, separate toilet with sink (with full-size Elemis products), and a very small wooden bench.

We enjoyed our swim. I was very impressed that guests, without prompting, strictly adhered to the children's swimming times throughout our stay. There are plenty of wooden loungers around the pool with blue mattresses atop for lounging on afterwards.

From the pool, double doors lead out to a private decked area. Between the pool and the doors, however, we were astonished to see a table-tennis table, with people playing!

Outside was a sunken six-seater hot tub. Two seats in the hot tub didn't have jets that worked but there was no-one else in it so it didn't matter to us. From a photo on Budock Vean's website, I'd been expecting views across the golf course from the hot tub, but the long grasses had grown so high that we couldn't see anything. It felt very private being enclosed by pretty bamboo and reedy plants, though!

Back inside, we headed for the sauna -- an individual pod on a square base of tiles. The tiles had not been cleaned for some time. I went to fill up the sauna bucket in one of the showers and was vexed to find that the shower had been leaking all over the carpet; this left a squirmingly horrible sensation underfoot. Once I had filled the bucket, though, the sauna warmed up nicely.

Experiences over, I headed to the fragrant spa reception area. There was a small reception desk, a couple of seats and a colourful display of Spiezia products. Sophie, my therapist, was expecting me and took me into a pretty, aromatic treatment room. Natural light came from a high window, dimmed by a blind. There are three similar sized treatment rooms, called Harmony, Serenity, and Tranquillity.

Which treatments did you have?

I had a Spiezia Made for Life Cornish Algae Wrap, a herbal, cleansing and detoxifying body treatment (60 minutes, £60).

What were the treatments like?

Sophie, my therapist, explained about what the treatment would entail. She then asked me to don paper pants and to get between the two sarongs which covered the treatment bed whilst she left the room.

Sophie began my treatment with a full body dry skin brushing. Sophie uncovered me limb by limb to ensure I stayed warm. She then covered me in warmed marine algae -- a really thick dark green substance, rich in minerals, vitamins and micronutrients. The idea is that your skin absorbs the minerals to restore tone and vitality, and the seaweed helps to disperse local fatty deposits. I'd had spirulina in a drink before, and knew the benefits of ingesting it, so I was intrigued to see what effect slathering it on my body would have.

I turned over, and Sophie applied yet more of this gloopy mixture to my front. She then wrapped me up in the sarongs ensuring that I was completely covered, and topped this with a snug warm duvet.

While I was cocooned, Sophie gave me a truly relaxing pressure point head massage; this helped release a lot of tension in my whole body. I was in algae heaven.

I'm not sure how long I lay there as a head massage usually sends me off to la la land, but Sophie gently asked me to shower off all of the green goodness. The shower cubicle became absolutely spattered with algae and it took a good amount of rubbing to clean the algae from my skin.

Whilst I was showering, Sophie left out some fresh paper pants, and cleaned up the treatment couch. I got back on the treatment bed, and alerted Sophie who was waiting outside the room. To finish, Sophie massaged my whole body with a silky Spiezia 100% organic body firming oil. I felt soothed and smoothed.

How did you feel afterwards?

Glisteningly smooth, squeaky clean, and really relaxed.

What happens afterwards?

Sophie met me in the reception area and gave me a glass of water. I sat next to a display of Spiezia products and had a good browse.

As there is no relaxation room, I went back down the corridor to the pool area where I found my spa pal swimming some lengths.

That evening, we headed to the conservatory for a pre-dinner drink, and waiting staff brought round a variety of canapes. In the formal restaurant, a pianist played gently as we feasted upon locally-caught fresh fish, coffee and fudge in the library, and some very tasty wine. Serving staff were efficient and professionally courteous. It's compulsory for men to wear a shirt, jacket and tie (although jackets are dispensable during July and August).

Was it worth it?

For the spa treatments, yes.

What else could you have?

A wide range of Cornish Spiezia organic facial and body treatments, as well as Elemis body and facial treatments. Massage and holistic therapies, including lava shells, reiki and Indian head massage. Manicures, pedicures and various pamper packages.

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

To take my own flip-flops for wearing in the pool area.

Any special features?

The octagonal shaped pool building with its lovely open fireplace, wooden roof and exposed stone walls.

The hotel has won numerous awards for eco credentials. For example: by our bedroom bin was a hessian bag for any recycling you accumulate. In the bathroom, full-sized Elemis products bore a saying that they are refilled to save on waste, and to please not take them away.

The organically managed amazing gardens; you are able to take cuttings from the many different varieties, if you wish. The valley garden comprises ponds and waterfalls that lead down to the shore.

Who do you think would like it?

Retired couples; generations of families holidaying together; regulars who get fabulous discounts for the following year if they book their next trip before leaving. Golfers will be pleased to know that the hotel tariff includes unlimited golf with no green fees for hotel residents. You can walk 10 minutes and be right by the sea where there are fishing and boat trips.

Regular customers obviously cherish Budock Vean like an old reliable friend: although not in the best condition, reassuringly comfortable.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Budock Vean 3 bubbles. The treatment rooms are simply delightful and the spa staff and treatments were excellent. However, Budock Vean does not offer a true or seamless spa experience, as there is no relaxation room, and the wet facilities are an add-on to the hotel. Having carpet around the pool, as well as a table-tennis table next to it surely did burst a bubble.

See more on how we rate the spas