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Wokefield Park (Spa at Mansion House), Reading - 3 bubbles
With a modern conference centre, a championship golf course and a grand mansion house, Wokefield Park is a popular destination for business events, weddings and leisure breaks. The small spa is tucked away from the main hotel accommodation but offers good treatments in a comfortable setting.
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?
A simply huge white mansion (with 95 bedrooms) that dominates the landscaped grounds. On one side is a modern conference centre, with 222 bedrooms; on the other side is Wellington Lodge, which has 40 bedrooms. There is space to park 350 cars, though you don't notice the cars so much as there are 250 acres of grounds.
What's on offer?
Wokefield Park is a popular conference and training centre. There is a championship golf course at the centre, a high ropes course, and a fishing lake.
The spa is tucked away in a modern extension at the far right of the main building. The spa is modern with wooden floors, and is decorated in soft browns and deep purples. The spa has a steam room and a sauna, experience showers and a Jacuzzi in a split level "wet" area. There are two relaxer chairs in this area and doors that open onto a small balcony with more chairs. Sadly, the balcony overlooks some car parking. A seating area of purple velvet in the middle of the spa leads to the treatment rooms and the small relaxation room. The relaxation room has just three very comfortable chairs, a window which lets light in, and a mirrored wall which makes this small room feel larger than it really is. Water and herbal teas are on offer. There is also a small but light and airy gym.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the ESPA Aromatherapy Facial (55 minutes, £50).
What were the treatments like?
My treatment began with a smell test. Leanne, my therapist, put two oils and two spritzers on cotton wool and let me smell them. Your body tells you what you need, apparently. I had a strong preference for one of each of the products and found I had chosen the "'invigorating" blends rather than the "relaxing" mixes.
Leanne carried out two deep cleanses, using a very fine exfoliant for the second cleanse. The facial also involved acupressure massage, lymphatic drainage and head massage. These massages, combined with some very good shoulder and neck massage, helped me relax deeply. Relaxation massage helps relax the muscles of the face and neck. Combined with the rich moisturisers, the deep relaxation techniques create a facial that shows improvements by making the skin look plumper, softer, and younger. It certainly worked for me.
What else could you have?
A range of facials and massages, body scrubs, and manicures and pedicures. Wokefield Park offer a "twilight package"' from 5pm until 7pm on weekdays which includes use of the spa and a mini-treatment (or two mini-treatments for slightly more money). Their Teen package includes a mini-make-up session and a mini-manicure.
Day and stay spa packages are available, too; a weekday spa package includes one-and-a-half hours of treatments, lunch and use of the facilities, which offers good value. Overnight stays include dinner, bed and breakfast, as well as a treatment.
Food facts
Dinner is in The Maple restaurant; this is a huge room more suited to large events, so the few diners on the evening we visited felt a bit lost.
The food was very good. I had crab tian as a starter; there was plenty of it, all very fresh, and served with warm breads. My ribeye steak was also freshly cooked and nicely served. Staff were attentive and helpful.
Was it worth it?
Wokefield Park is generally good value for money. You have to book a spa day or spa stay to use the facilities and the packages are competitively priced. I would opt for the deluxe spa day which buys you an amazing 210 minutes of treatments plus lunch (very good value on a weekday).
We loved
The peace and quiet in the spa. Given that Wokefield Park is really geared up for conferences, weddings and large scale events, the place can be quite busy. But the spa is a small haven of quiet. We only hope they limit numbers on busy days to maintain this feeling of calm.
We didn't love
The pool is in the Executive Centre. From the spa, you have to go through the main building, across the car park, into the Executive Centre, then through the bar to find the pool. I would not want to undertake such a journey in my spa robe, or when it was cold or raining. The pool feels more gym club than spa, too, and is quite a lot older than the spa. However, I had it to myself early in the morning and really enjoyed 30 minutes of solitary bliss.
The changing facilities are cramped. There are just three unisex changing cubicles, each with a shower, and 22 quite small lockers. The lockers are too small to hang clothes in, but staff told us that clothes could be hung in the storeroom. So travel light, spa bunnies, if you are coming to Wokefield Park for the day.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone attending a course or conference would enjoy a couple of hours of treatments and time in the "wet" area. If your partner is a golf or fishing fanatic, the spa would be a great way to relax while your other half indulges in their favourite sport.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Wokefield Park Spa 3 bubbles. Treatments are good, and most of the spa is comfortable, enjoyable, and attractive. On the minus side, the changing rooms are cramped, there is limited space in the "wet area", and the pool is a hike away from the actual spa.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
I wouldn't make a special trip, but I would certainly book in for a treatment if I were staying at Wokefield Park. A sublime facial can make all the difference to how you feel about a conference.
We visited Wokefield Park in May 2011.
See also:
* Contact details for Wokefield Park
* Our Spa Spies review ESPA products
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