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Celtic Manor Resort, Newport - 5 bubbles
The Celtic Manor Resort is a luxury golf and leisure resort set in the magnificent South Wales countryside. The resort has two hotels, seven restaurants, three championship golf courses, two health clubs, two spas and a conference centre. Our Spa Spy loved her Elemis treatments in The Forum Spa, and was thoroughly impressed by the high standard of facilities and service throughout the resort.
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?
As you drive through the grounds you see just how enormous this resort is. Everything here is done on a grand scale, which isn't out of place when it's set against rolling Welsh hills.
What's on offer?
Two spas:
There are two very distinct spas to choose from at Celtic Manor: The Forum Spa, which is part of The Forum Health Club in the main hotel complex, and The Ocius Treatment Rooms, which are part of Dylans Health and Fitness Club in The Lodge, a leisure building near the golf academy and driving range.
The Forum Spa has sixteen spacious treatment rooms with individual showers and the latest in treatment beds. There are two relaxation rooms. The larger of the two has windows and a skylight that let in plenty of natural light, should you want to read one of the many glossy magazines on offer. If you prefer complete tranquillity, there is a smaller, much darker, relaxation room available.
The Forum changing rooms are shared between the spa and the health club, but they are spacious and were kept very clean and tidy during our visit. Spa guests will find a fluffy robe, towel and slippers in their locker. Both male and female changing rooms have a wet area with a steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool and large Jacuzzi. In keeping with the name of the spa, there is a Roman theme to the décor -- the walls of changing rooms are adorned with fabulous Romanesque mosaics.
The Ocius Treatment Rooms offer an extensive range of Elemis treatments and finishing touches.
Health and fitness facilities:
Celtic Manor's two health clubs, The Forum Health Club and Dylans Health and Fitness Club, both have huge state-of-the-art gyms and studios for classes. Each club has a 20-metre swimming pool with a poolside sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, and a separate children's pool. The pool areas are bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows which look out onto beautifully kept gardens. Although the pools can be busy at times, there are plenty of poolside loungers for relaxing on. Both pools are watched over by lifeguards.
The Forum pool has a giant mosaic of a Welsh dragon at the bottom, and a magnificent domed ceiling painted with a blue, cloudy sky. At night, the "sky" darkens and lights twinkle like stars. Next to the pool is an enormous bubbling spa bath, big enough to seat up to 50!
The Forum also has a café, while Dylans boasts a physiotherapy treatment room and sports massage room.
Accommodation:
The Celtic Manor Resort has two main hotels to choose from. The Manor House has 70 traditionally furnished bedrooms. The Resort Hotel consists of 330 bedrooms, 32 luxury suites and two impressive presidential suites. Rooms are decorated to a high standard, have super-comfy beds and superb marble bathrooms stocked with Elemis toiletries. There are a variety of room types to choose from; we loved the deluxe rooms with private balconies for taking in the stunning surroundings.
Golf:
Golfers can choose from three world-class courses, each impeccably manicured and diligently maintained. The newest course is the Twenty Ten, which was purpose built for hosting the Ryder Cup (you can guess which year!) The Montgomerie, designed by the Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, is a new par-69 course that opened in July 2007. The 18-hole Roman Road, the oldest course, overlooks the Severn Estuary. Other golf facilities include the golf academy, 28-bay two-tier driving range, pitching greens, indoor putting, two superb clubhouses and three pro shops.
Family activities:
Outdoor activities include falconry, treasure hunts, woodland walks and wilderness bush-craft. Try Treetops Shooting School for a spot of clay pigeon practice or fishing, horse riding or mountain biking. Classes include soccer club, street dance and archery and there is tennis and, of course, golf coaching. Forest Jump is an adventure playground where you can swing through the trees, try high rope and low rope courses with bridges and walkways, and all manner of obstacles. Adventure Golf courses provide putting challenges to inspire the golf novice in all of us.
Weather not permitting, there is lots more fun indoors. Toddlers can run, toddle or crawl around in the soft-play playroom or use the crèche, which is staffed by fully qualified nannies. There is a children's club for those between five and 11 years of age. Teen fun can be had in the super-cool and well-equipped games room and leisure zone, which includes air hockey, table tennis and pool.
There is also a shopping centre with golf and other retail outlets, a delegate conference suite with exhibition hall and 40 function rooms. And don't forget the Rhys Giles Hairdressing Salon! Phew!
Which treatments did you have?
I had The Forum's signature treatment, the Elemis Herbal Steam Temple (£75 for two) and the Elemis Face and Body Sensation (£68, 50 minutes).
What were the treatments like?
Elemis Herbal Steam Temple:
The Forum's signature treatment is essentially a rasul ritual with Elemis "chakra muds". The steam temple is a beautifully tiled chamber with a star-studded domed ceiling and a central steam column. A therapist, Jade, gave us various spa products, and advised us on what order to use them in. She then left us to get started.
We began our traditional Arabian cleansing ritual with a lime and ginger salt scrub. After we had applied the scrub to our bodies, we rinsed it off using one of the water jets in the chamber. Next, we picked up the grey slate tile Jade had given us, which acted as a tray for a selection of muds. There were five separate piles of mud to cover our legs, trunk, back, arms and face. Once satisfied that we were completely covered, and all the mud had been used, we sat down on the heated seats to enjoy the aromatic steam. Finally, we used the chamber's tropical rain shower to wash the mud away.
Elemis Face and Body Sensation:
My therapist, Aimeé, began this treatment with the most soothing body massage, using frangipani-scented oil. She expertly used hot stones to work deep into my muscles, particularly around my shoulder blades. I loved the soothing feel of the stones on the soles of my feet and the back of my legs.
Aimeé began the facial element of the treatment with the fragrant Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser, followed by cool Rehydrating Ginseng Toner. Aimeé then applied Papaya Enzyme Peel, a gentle exfoliating mask with no abrasive granules. After removing the peel mask, Aimeé applied a facial oil that smelt amazing. Aimeé advised that the oil was an Elemis Skin Recovery Capsule containing pure moringa oil, rose and lavender. Finally, she applied Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, an anti-ageing moisturiser. Afterwards, my skin felt firmer and looked more radiant.
What else could you have?
The Forum Spa use Elemis products for all spa treatments. There is a range of luxury treatments for men and women, including purifying and rebalancing facials, rejuvenating and deep tissue massage, body wraps and body scrubs, relaxation and detoxifying rituals, and a host of treatments designed specifically for the mother-to-be.
There are Leighton Denny manicures and pedicures, and makeovers using celebrity make-up artist Daniel Sandler's range of cosmetics. The Rhys Giles hair salon uses Kerastase products and offers a full range of salon services.
Food facts
The Forum Café, which overlooks the Forum's pool, is bright and modern. You can choose from a range of light snacks and there is a children's menu available.
The Crown at Celtic Manor is the flagship restaurant that boasts three AA Rosettes and a Michelin-starred executive chef. This restaurant offers modern fine dining in sophisticated surroundings.
The Olive Tree & Garden Room is less formal, but the food is equally delicious. The restaurant offers a Mediterranean menu and evening buffet, and has its own cocktail bar and open-air terrace.
The Lodge Brasserie has superb panoramic views over the Roman Road golf course. The brasserie serves rustic British fare with a Welsh influence, at a very reasonable price.
Rafters Grill, part of the Twenty Ten Clubhouse, offers a contemporary dining experience where diners can enjoy the best from the grill, from Welsh beef to seafood.
Le Patio Bistro, which offers authentic French cuisine, is where we ate our evening meal. Le Patio is in the conservatory of the old Manor House, with views over the gardens. The atmosphere is relaxed, the food was delicate and delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly and efficient.
Was it worth it?
Ultimately, you get what you pay for. The Forum Spa is worth every penny as the treatments leave you feeling and looking fabulous.
We loved
The Elemis Herbal Steam Temple. The experience is such fun to share with a friend or partner, and it really did leave my skin feeling incredibly soft.
The skilled and friendly therapists. In fact, all of the staff at Celtic Manor -- the service throughout was excellent.
The roof terrace where you can have your spa lunch. Spa lunches are served in a spa-only dining room with the most spectacular terrace (and a little birdie tells me that there will be an outdoor hot-tub there by next summer!)
We didn't love
That there isn’t a dedicated spa pool. However, the allocated time for adults-only swimming in the middle of the day is a fantastic idea; it allows some peaceful laps in a spa day.
Who do you think would like it?
If you prefer pampering to putting, The Forum Spa is the ideal place to wind down and relax.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Celtic Manor Resort 5 bubbles. The treatments, facilities and service are excellent in The Forum Spa, and the standards are equally as high throughout the entire resort.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Definitely! It is almost impossible not to be impressed by the Celtic Manor Resort.
We visited The Forum Spa at the Celtic Manor Resort in July 2011.
See also:
* Contact details for Celtic Manor Resort
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