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Lansdowne Place Hotel and Spa, Hove - 4 bubbles
A petite hotel spa on the Sussex seafront, Lansdowne Place Spa offers excellent ESPA treatments from professional therapists, a choice of tranquil or sociable spaces to relax in, and thermal facilities to add to your experience. Perfect for hotel guests, Brighton and Hove residents or visitors to the city wanting a pick-me-up.
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?
Lansdowne Place Hotel is a grand building just off Hove seafront. Reception is smart, classically decorated and features a large, impressive crystal chandelier. The spa is clearly signposted; the lift promptly deposited me in the basement, where the spa is housed.
Spa reception was dimly lit and decorated using the signature ESPA colours. I was greeted by Charlotte, the Spa Manager. After filling in a brief consultation form and choosing my lunch, Charlotte gave me a tour of this bijou spa.
What's on offer?
Lansdowne Place Spa comprises of a locker room, two relaxation rooms, two showers, a sauna, steam room and eight treatment rooms, including two doubles.
The locker room is small, with large, dark wood lockers and one toilet. (A little Spy bugbear – there is no hook for your gown in the toilet). There is no private cubicle for the shy spa goer.
The first relaxation area is situated next to the thermal facilities. There are four loungers and lighting that becomes dimmer along the row, allowing for different levels of relaxation. At the far (darker) end, the walls and ceiling are clad in opulent, ruched purple chiffon, cocooning you in hushed tranquillity. There was a range of up-to-date high-end magazines as well as tea, water and fresh fruit on offer.
The second relaxation room is lighter, perfectly designed for those sharing a spa day and wanting to chat. The décor was a little patchy in places, but there were pretty orchids dotted about and the loungers had cosy blankets.
There are two showers encased in curved mosaics – very pretty. One shower's bulb was out, so I used the lit shower then popped into the sauna. This little medium-hot sauna could fit around four people sitting. There was no water for the sauna coals, but the steam in the steam room was hot and plentiful. The steam room's plastic-clad walls and bucket seats did collect water somewhat. When closing the door I was showered with droplets from the ceiling – a little surprise for the unsuspecting visitor!
Which treatments did you have?
I had the ESPA Holistic Total Body Care with Hot Stones (115 minutes, £88).
What were the treatments like?
Out of this world. My therapist Sam welcomed me to the treatment with enthusiasm and professionalism. After the ESPA scent test Sam left me to get comfortable on the couch, facing upwards. Sam adjusted the lighting to near-dark upon her return.
Sam began the treatment with a vigorous and thorough body-brushing and full-body exfoliation. This was the most delightfully determined exfoliation I'd ever had – brilliant! Sam used dry flannels to remove the exfoliant, so there was no need to remove myself from the treatment bed to shower. I stayed put for the full 115 minutes, which made a world of difference to my relaxation.
I requested a strong massage and Sam didn't disappoint. The combination of Sam's powerful massage technique and her adept use of the heated stones made for a very exciting massage. Sam used the stones in the palms of her hands, as tools in their own right and placed them on me at various points during the massage.
The treatment menu describes the next part of the treatment as a "face and scalp massage", but it was more than this. I would describe this as a mini-facial, and a darn good one at that! Sam cleansed, exfoliated and moisturised my face, using lots of massage and strong, fluid and purposeful strokes. For the divine scalp massage, Sam used ESPA pink hair and scalp mud. By the time Sam was finished, I was completely relaxed and felt utterly pampered.
Sam furnished me with shampoo, conditioner and body lotion so I could shower (I had to return to the office after lunch). I then returned to the locker room to change. The air conditioning was a little too vigorous and I felt decidedly chilly as I changed. The hair-drying/make-up area is a little cramped, so you may have to wait to put your face on if the spa is busy. However, after Sam's wonderful facial massage I didn't put any make up on. That's a real testament to Sam's skills considering what a foundation-fiend I usually am.
What else could you have?
All the usual ESPA goodies are up for grabs at Lansdowne Place: facials, massage, scrubs, wraps, hot stone delights and more. There are also skin peels from MD Formulations, and microdermabrasion.
Complementary therapies include reflexology, Indian head massage and ear candling, plus there's a range of finishing touches (manis, pedis, waxing, tanning and make-up).
You can also try the healing hands of "the world's foremost Therapeutic Holistic Coach" Reggie Lenny, who has a residency at Lansdowne Place. Reggie promotes healthy living and relief from pain via therapies, training and education. Al Pacino is a fan and Pierce Brosnan states that Reggie is "one of the few true healers", no less.
Food facts
Lunch is served in the restaurant upstairs. This means no lounging in your robe whilst you eat. I had a prawn sandwich followed by chocolate mousse. The prawn sandwich was more cheap-café than luxury hotel. The mousse was nicely presented and tasty, though.
Was it worth it?
115 minutes of Sam's time was just £88. That is truly a bargain.
We loved
Sam's seamless, professional treatment.
We didn't love
The broken light in the shower, the over-enthusiastic air-conditioning in the locker room, and the lacklustre sandwich.
Who do you think would like it?
Hotel guests looking for a great treatment.
Locals looking for a good deal.
Sam fans (count me as one of them!)
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Lansdowne Place Hotel 4 bubbles. We were blown away by the glorious treatment and enjoyed our time in the spa, but felt that a little more attention to detail would make the spa even better.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Absolutely. I have already recommended Sam to friends!
We visited Lansdowne Place Hotel and Spa in August 2011.
See also:
* Contact details for Lansdowne Place Hotel and Spa
* I liked my therapist -- can I ask for her again?
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