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Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham - 4 bubbles
Ellenborough Park is a renovated medieval manor house in 90 acres of parkland, with its own entrance to the Cheltenham racecourse. The medieval feel is carried through to the spa with a dramatic staircase, dark wood panelling, and red walls. There is a small gym and an outdoor heated pool, while steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi and "mood" showers are in the wet room of the spa.
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?
Ellenborough Park is a newly renovated and extended stone mansion house dating back to the sixteenth century, complete with turrets and leaded windows. The spa is set on a hillside with views of the 90 acres of surrounding parkland and the valley below.
The impressive main lounge feels like a medieval great hall with its double-height ceilings, tall windows, and huge stone fireplace.
What's on offer?
The spa is unusual in that it uses dark wood and deep red to create an impressive and rich backdrop. The reception area is double height with an ornate carved wood staircase going up to the treatment area.
The wet room on the ground floor has a circular warm pool with bubble jets, a steam room and sauna, plus two powerful showers that offer hot or cold experiences with mood lighting.
Upstairs, there is a waiting area with juice bar, seven treatment rooms and a relaxation room. Up another flight of stairs, in a turret that would have been ideal for Rapunzel, is a couples treatment room with high ceilings, arched windows and side-by-side treatment beds.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Namaste of India (110 minutes, £175).
What were the treatments like?
My Namaste began with a welcoming ritual of foot washing. Ruth, my therapist, massaged my feet and wrapped them in hot towels. A perfect start to any treatment!
Ruth then rubbed oils into her hands and asked me to inhale the scent. The smell was delightful, like a spring day after warm rain. The scent was the Ellenborough blend -- it's worth booking a treatment just for that aroma!
Gentle body brushing followed, and then a good massage. The emphasis was on my chakra points. The aim was apparently to unblock the energy and then flick it away, which explains the unusual massage action involved. I did find that my back and chest area felt much freer after the massage. I also found it easier to breathe deeply. The treatment was very relaxing and I confess that I drifted off to sleep at one point.
Afterwards, I felt very relaxed and quite floaty. I was glad of the chance to just rest in the relaxation room.
What else could you have?
A whole host of massages: aromatherapy, hot stone, four hands, you name it...
There are facials, exfoliations, and body wraps, as well as specialist treatments for men and for pregnant women. You can travel the world with the Ellenborough Park body treatments: the Khanya of Africa, the Scen Tao of Asia, and the Namaste of India.
Spa "days" are actually half-days, though.
Food facts
The fine dining room was closed the day we were there, so we ate in the more informal dining room and had very fresh fish, and a decent glass of wine. Just what we needed before making our way to our huge bedroom and very comfortable bed.
Was it worth it?
The Good Spa Guide rule of thumb is that, on average, treatments cost around £1 a minute. Luxurious spas cost a little more. My Namaste treatment was relaxing and uplifting, so worth the £175 for 110 minutes. But some of the treatments at Ellenborough Park cost about £2 a minute -- a 25-minute facial or massage for £50, for instance -- so choose carefully.
The spa "days" (actually only half days) are at the top end of the price range. There are other spas with many more facilities that charge much less than this.
We loved
The relaxation room: Recline and relax on unusual copper-coloured sofas, with sloping stools to rest your legs and high backs to support your shoulders. Gentle lighting and fluffy blankets to snuggle into made this space very restful. As well as water and fruit, we found a tray of frozen grapes which we were told would boost our blood sugar. They certainly woke me up.
The strong colours and almost medieval feel to the spa: Dark woods, dark-red walls, and -- upstairs in the waiting area -- a huge turquoise metal gate decorated one wall. Dramatic and fun at the same time.
We didn't love
The very small changing rooms: There were 12 lockers and three washbasins but only one shower and one loo. Queuing for the loo should not be part of any luxury spa day. I gave up waiting for the shower after my treatment and went back to my room instead. If the spa is full, the size of the changing room could become a real problem.
Having to go outside and round the side of the building to the pool, which is open air. Once in, the water was warm. Getting in was a bit chilly.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone wanting a grand country house retreat with a couple of hours in the spa thrown in.
Race-goers: Ellenborough Park is next to the Cheltenham race-course with its own entrance.
Anyone who fancies being lord and lady of the manor for a night or two.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Ellenborough Park spa 4 bubbles. The spa is unusual and interesting, the treatments are very good, and the wet area has enough space and facilities to relax and unwind in. But the very small changing rooms do detract, and so does the distance to the outdoor pool.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Yes, but I would look for a really good value weekend break that included a spa treatment or two.
We visited Ellenborough Park in May 2011.
See also:
* Contact details for Ellenborough Park
* Chakra and qi -- what are they?
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