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Grayshott Spa, Hindhead - 4 bubbles
Grayshott is a peaceful, rural, destination spa. Great treatments, delicious food, indoor and outdoor pools, plenty of activities and impressive gardens. Our Spies loved the combination of olde-worlde charm and modern spa. If the taxi hadn't arrived to take them to the station, they'd probably still be there!
First impressions?
What's on offer?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
What else could you have?
Food facts
Was it worth it?
We loved
We didn't love
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
Grayshott Spa is a nineteenth-century building with a modern spa extension. Sunshine filtered through spring leaves to delightfully dapple our approach along the curved driveway. The feeling of grandeur was immediate, both in location and in the friendly porter who greeted us.
What's on offer?
Grayshott is a sizeable spa, so we welcomed a brief tour to get our bearings. The spa is housed in an extension, and is separated into male and female areas. The changing facility for day guests houses two toilets, lockers and changing cubicles. The area was clean and tidy on our visit, with staff replenishing towels and water (which is available at almost every turn), but there were some threadbare carpets. Carpets in other parts of Grayshott told a similar tale of wear, too, although some areas have been re-floored with wood laminate – a sensible choice, given the number of visitors at this popular spa.
The shower area had plenty of fresh towels. Each cubicle features what we eventually worked out to be Aromatherapy Associates shampoo, shower gel and conditioner. Grayshott is obviously into recycling: admirable, but a little confusing when the contents of the bottles don't always correspond to the labelling. The shower attendant was very useful when we struggled with the controls -- it's nice to know you won't get left stranded in this spa.
The heat facilities are small and perfectly formed. The steam room, tiled in midnight-blue mosaic, and featuring a large amethyst and twinkling lights, was deliciously hot; a very relaxing place to be. The sauna is small, and was clearly very new. I enjoyed the intense heat, but didn't quite feel brave enough to use the cold plunge pool!
The hydrotherapy pool, next to the main pool, was warm, and produced a decent amount of bubbles. This pool also has one swan pipe.
The indoor and outdoor swimming pools are heated, and on the warm May day that we visited, we watched an energetic aqua-aerobics class in the outdoor pool; the animated participants gave us just the spur we needed to hit the gym.
The gym is light, bright, well-equipped and well-staffed. A friendly instructor introduced himself and made sure we had everything we needed. There is a good range of weights machines, Power Plate, treadmills, cross trainers, exercise bikes and steppers.
The relaxation room was newly decorated, with brand-new carpet and plush loungers with soft purple fleece blankets to snuggle under.
If you're staying, there are grand main-house bedrooms, but our Garden Room was spacious, impeccably clean and well equipped. We had a gorgeous large bathroom, two televisions, and our own patio with loungers overlooking the gardens and lake.
Which treatments did you have?
I had an English Glow Facial (55 minutes, £72) and Holistic Therapy (65 minutes, £87).
What were the treatments like?
My therapist, Lucy, greeted me in the lounge, and we headed upstairs to the beauty area. On the way, Lucy explained that the English Glow Facial used ila products, so was very natural, organic, and designed to hydrate and rejuvenate my skin.
The treatment room was cosy and neutrally decorated. A quiet, chant-like soundtrack played in the room, which sadly wasn't on a long enough loop – I knew the two songs well after the full 55 minutes!
Lucy started with a double-cleanse, followed by a thick, dark, oaty blackcurrant-and-honey exfoliator and a toner. Lucy was quiet, and incredibly gentle with her lymphatic drainage massage; there were times when I almost forgot she was there! Each step was expertly executed, and I felt nurtured and comforted by her light touch.
Lucy then applied a fragrant lavender mask; the scent was so heady; it was like being in a field of lavender. Lucy left the mask to work, and gave me a gentle hand and arm massage. After placing a cloth over my eyes, Lucy said she would leave me alone for "just over five minutes". As I relaxed, I could hear little of the outside world, bar the gentle tap-tap of footsteps and hushed voices in the corridor (and the now repetitive sound of the chanting music).
Exactly as she said, Lucy returned to remove the mask. As the treatment closed with the application of moisturiser and eye cream, Lucy was keen to know if I had enjoyed myself. Lucy was enthusiastic about the products, and made me feel at ease throughout. My skin was soft and felt smooth.
My holistic massage came at the end of my day at Grayshott Spa. My therapist, Frank, greeted me in the lounge. I had heard other spa-goers talking about Frank during the day; all comments were very positive. I hadn't been advised that I would have a male therapist. Whilst this was not a problem for me, I did wonder whether other clients might be a little put-out by this.
Frank led me, to my slight confusion, into the male spa. However, we immediately darted into a treatment room, so I didn't accidentally bump into any half-clad male spa-goers. Frank left me to get comfortable. There were no paper knickers in sight, so I de-robed and got under the dark green towels on the treatment couch.
The massage was very thorough. In the 65 minutes I spent with Frank, he massaged me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. This treatment uses slow and rhythmical massage techniques; by the end, I felt calm and ready for my journey home.
What else could you have?
Grayshott definitely has a holistic angle, offering reflexology, acupuncture and meditation as well as the usual spa suspects: facials, massage, pedicures and manicures. There is an on-site hairdresser, and Grayshott boasts that it is the only UK spa with a full-time on-site nutritionist and health consultant.
Grayshott runs special courses targeting various aims, including weight loss, walking, nutrition, and age awareness. They also have daily talks on a range of subjects from the lowdown on essential oils to an introduction to acupuncture.
Food facts
Our buffet lunch was nothing short of fabulous. We dined on pulses, couscous, herby jacket potatoes, fresh mackerel and pasta salad. Specially-designed plates highlight the correct portioning of carbohydrates, vegetables and protein. The food was delicious, and the waiters were attentive and friendly, even though it was a buffet – a nice touch.
Was it worth it?
The location, dedication and complete escape, as well as the excellent range of treatments, makes Grayshott worth every penny.
We loved
Wandering around the impressive and immaculately kept gardens. It was wonderful to wander in our robes, without feeling at all out of place. Grayshott is a true retreat, and we commented on how comfortable we would feel staying on our own.
We didn't love
The showers in the changing rooms were a little lacklustre; one was broken and a little bit of mould was starting to form in the others.
The worn carpets. The carpet in the dining room was not just worn, but also decidedly stained and dirty. A buffet set-up is going to produce mess, but the flooring left a lot to be desired.
That we would definitely want to stay longer.
Who do you think would like it?
Almost everyone! Grayshott is perfect for the lone spa visitor, although we saw plenty of couples and friends, too. Grayshott is a good choice if you have a particular goal in mind; you will feel supported, motivated and nicely challenged by the range of activities available.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Grayshott again achieved an impressive 4 bubbles. Grayshott is a wonderfully calming place to be, with a great range of treatments. The low staff turnover is a sure sign that Grayshott must be a good place to work.
This spa retreat missed out on 5 bubbles as there are areas that could do with a spruce up. New carpets are desperately needed in high-traffic areas. However, if you aren't looking at the floor, you'll be very impressed by the perfect blend of grandeur and country chic.
Read more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Try to stop me! Grayshott has the capacity to help you make big changes in the way you live your life. I could see Grayshott easily fitting in as a bi-yearly event in my calendar to relax, rejuvenate, and lose weight.
We visited Grayshott in May 2011.
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a special spa offer at Grayshott with our partners lastminute.com
See also:
* Contact details for Grayshott Spa
* The Spa Spies review ila products
* What is a spa retreat, and what makes them different to hotel spas or day spas?
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