Review of Spa at Blythswood Square, Glasgow

Spa at Blythswood Square, Glasgow - 5 bubbles

This hotel spa manages the mix between hotel guests and spa-goers just right, so you can have a peaceful spa day, while you enjoy excellent treatments from an imaginative menu. There is no swimming pool or gym, but the thermal experiences provide a stimulating treat, and you can catch up with yourself in the spa lounge. Ideal for a day of restoration, either by yourself or with a friend.

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?

We were invited to the spa on this occasion, but booking seems easy according to the guests I spoke with. Let us know.

First impressions?

Blythswood Square is an imposing Georgian building in a central Glasgow square. The entrance lobby is large and dramatic, with a cascading chandelier, marble floor, and bright red seating. The entrance to the spa is via a lift at the back of the reception area. The spa is in the basement, and you reach it along a long wooden corridor, which is a bit disconcerting, as you're not sure where you're meant to go.

Once you pass the doors to the treatment rooms, you will find yourself at the spa reception desk. Opposite the desk is a cafe area with comfy chairs and tables; you can sit here and have lunch or a snack on your spa day without having to take off your robe.

How did they welcome you?

Quickly and pleasantly. A member of staff issued me with a consultation form to complete, then took me downstairs to the changing rooms, pointing out the room I should wait in when it was time for my treatments. She also showed me how to work the code for my locker, then took me on a tour of the facilities. I wasn't sure about this: good to know where things were, but we were walking around the pool in outdoor shoes.

The changing rooms were clean and tidy. There are around 30 wooden lockers, three curtained off (with Harris Tweed!) cubicles for private changing, and a couple of wooden benches. The lockers are spacious and have carvings of thistles on them, just in case you needed reminding you were in Scotland. An original touch.

Inside the locker were towels, towelling slippers, my robe and a bottle of water.

What happens next?

I went exploring! The spa is not huge, but it is a little warren of passageways. Through the door marked "Thermal Experiences", I wandered past an entrance to the Jacuzzi on my left, which seemed very dark. There were no hooks around the doorway to hang your towels on, so I judged this was not the way to get into the thermal experiences, and carried on. A sauna to my right, then I emerged into the main pool area. Three white lounge chairs bordered the pool, two of them serving as towel stores. I placed my robe and towel on the remaining chair and looked for a shower before entering the pool. I didn't spot one (although the next day I did discover them in a candle-lit alcove next to the sauna).

The hydrotherapy pool was bubbly and delightfully warm. There are various jets and swan pipes to pummel and pound you (although I couldn't make one of the swan pipes work; it made ominous noises, though). There is an extra part of the pool that you can swim into, through an arch, which seems a little odd. It's definitely not a lap pool, so come with your swimming expectations managed.

The steam room, with shining mosaic tiles and a glowing crystal was exactly as hot as a steam room should be. I loved it. Water does collect on the floor here, though, so take care.

The sauna is dinky, but was also hot, while another room -- again beautifully tiled with tiny tiles, and with a cascading fountain in the corner -- was not so hot and smelled of something nice: pomegranate, possibly.

The sanarium, which overlooks the pool, has wooden benches like the sauna, but the heat is not so fierce. The same goes for the heated ceramic loungers: gently relaxing. To cool you down in between all these varying heat experiences is an ice fountain.

When it was nearly time for my treatments, I showered back in the changing rooms. A row of showers, equipped with products used in the spa, is neatly tucked away to one side of the changing rooms. Plenty of fresh clean towels were on hand -- lovely. A separate dressing room has mirrors, hairdryers, cotton pads and moisturiser.

Clean and relaxed, I took myself back upstairs to the treatment waiting room. There were only a few chairs in here, and the Harris Tweed coverings were the first I've come across in any spa. Iced water in a jug, was very welcome. I was a little disappointed by the reading material, counting neither Men's Health nor Golfing Today among my most-loved magazines, but they were the only ones on offer. Luckily, I didn't have long to wait before my therapist, Marianne, collected me. She took me through double wooden doors into a wide wood-floored corridor with flickering tea-lights and into the treatment room. The room was large, dimly lit, and had its own shower.

Which treatments did you have?

I had two of the spa's signature treatments: the Turus body wrap (60 minutes, £80) and Turus facial (60 minutes, £80). The word "turus" is the Gaelic for "journey". The turus treatments have been specifically designed for Blythswood Square by ila, and use Scottish ingredients.

What were the treatments like?

Heavenly. I am not usually a fan of wraps (all that turning over and squeaky plastic) but this was an exceptional experience. Marianne, had a gentle touch and calm presence. I lay on the heated treatment bed, where she made sure I was comfortable (I was, and in my paper knickers) before beginning a seaweed and salt scrub. Each limb in turn was treated to brushing with Himalayan salt, and the smells of the various products were distinctive and uplifting.

Once the salt was washed away, Marianne applied a seaweed and plasma plankton mud wrap. No foil or plastic involved, just towels, which made this a supremely comfortable and relaxing treatment. While the marine minerals got to work (they are supposed to stimulate the lymphatic system, promoting detoxification), Marianne gave me a head massage that helped dissipate any left-over tension.

The facial was equally enjoyable. Marianne cleansed my skin and applied an oatmeal scrub to exfoliate, followed by various wondrous ingredients, including organic milk thistle extract and a Scottish herb poultice. Using lymphatic drainage techniques, she massaged carefully, especially in the area under my eyes. I especially enjoyed the beeswax and rose geranium moisturiser which Marianne used to complete the facial, as it smelled and felt delicious. In fact, the scents throughout the treatments -- including lavender and vetivert -- helped make the experience a feast for all the senses.

How did you feel afterwards?

Very relaxed. My skin felt wonderfully smooth.

What happens afterwards?

Marianne took me through to the relaxation room. Most fabulously, this is a different room to the room where you wait for treatments, so your post-facial floating isn't interrupted by therapists looking for their next appointment.

My relaxation was greatly aided by two of my favourite things: green tea and some decent magazines. I lay on a lounger for a while, just enjoying the calm and peace.

My relaxation even lasted while I waited ages for the one lift that is your only way out of the spa.

Later that evening, I met a friend and we ate in the hotel restaurant, where the food ranges from classic salads to foie gras. My overnight bedroom, with a gorgeous view of the square was very comfortable, and I liked the way my spa experience continued with Anne Sémonin products in the marble bathroom.

Long-term effects

I left Blythswood Square in good spirits, and still felt uplifted days later.

Was it worth it?

Yes. Individual treatments may seem pricy if you compare them to what else is on offer locally, but taken as a whole, the spa offers good value, especially if you choose one of the spa-day packages.

What else could you have?

You can try other Turus treatments, including a hot-stone massage and a seaweed bath. Or choose from a range of treatments from Anne Sémonin and ila, including facials, massages, wraps, scrubs, and hand and foot "experiences". There are treatments for couples, some specifically for men, and mums-to-be are not forgotten. You can also try a Moroccan mud treatment in the rhassoul. I must say, I would have a hard time choosing between the Anne Sémonin Black Sand Jewel Massage and the ila Dreamtime Massage. (So I'll have to go twice.)

A good introduction to the spa at Blythswood Square might be the taster day, which includes -- in addition to floating about the heat experiences -- a 55-minute Anne Sémonin facial and an ila back, neck and shoulder massage. Great combination, and you get an ila gift bag to take home, too. There are many other treatment-combination days, most including lunch, and some including champagne.

You can leave looking beautiful, as tanning, Leighton Denny manicures and pedicures, tinting and waxing are all on the menu.

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

Bring your flip-flops. The floor on the steam room tends to get very wet, so if you rely on the towelling slippers provided, you'll end up with damp tootsies all day.

Parking is plentiful, and free in the evenings.

Any special features?

The lighting throughout the spa is both subtle and dramatic. Perhaps a little dim in places, but the sudden bright splashes of colour make a perfect contrast with the muted grey slate flooring.

Who do you think would like it?

People staying in the hotel, obviously, but guests might not think to visit. There is some information about the spa in the information leaflets in the room, but no really come-hither luscious photography that conveys what delights lie below. If you're staying, time your visit carefully. You can use the pool and heat facilities for free if you're having a treatment of any description. You can also use them for free between the hours of 7am and 9am and 6pm and 9pm. Otherwise, there is a charge.

Glasgow connoisseurs of the good life.

The Spa at Blythswood Square won't appeal to gym bunnies: there is no swimming pool or gym.

What the spa is good for, though, is friends, mums and daughters, and is comfortable for people spa-ing alone. The spa offers a good blend of relaxation and, in the cafe, catching up time.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Blythswood Square 5 bubbles because it offers excellent treatments, a peaceful environment, and an enjoyable thermal journey with a perfect mix of temperatures. I especially liked the fact that you can try treatments involving Hebridean seaweed, and the way fun touches like the Harris Tweed reminded you that you were in a Scottish spa rather than in, say, Thailand. Everywhere was fresh and clean. All of the staff I met were friendly and helpful. The relaxation area is comfortable, and the lounge and cafe area informal and welcoming.

The spa is not yet perfect, as is to be expected; there are always a few teething problems when you open a new spa. The fact that the showers aren't prominently placed or well lit at the start of the thermal journey is a shame, as the shower should always be where you start. I thought there could be more towel hooks outside some of the various heat rooms, to encourage people to hang towels and robes there, rather than decorating the chairs with them. The chairs by the pool didn't seem to get used for any other purpose.

Something the spa at Blythswood Square does get right, which many hotel spas struggle to do, is find the right balance between hotel guests and spa visitors. No children under 16 are allowed, and because hotel guests are charged if they use the facilities outside peak hours, your spa bubble won't be punctured by a noisy family popping up next to you in the steam room.

All in all, the spa at Blythswood Square offers top-quality Scottish spa-going, with the opportunity to try something different.

See more on how we rate the spas.