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Bailiffscourt Hotel, Arundel - 4 bubbles
We were invited to Bailiffscourt on the Sussex coast to try some Temple Spa treatments. Our Spies loved the hotel, the grounds, and the spa, the water-beds and the massages, but felt that one or two touches stopped just short of 5-bubble perfection. However, if you want to sit in a hot tub and watch peacocks stroll by, this is the place to go.
Was it easy to book?
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
Was it easy to book?
Yes. I was put straight through to the spa, and the staff were helpful and well-informed about their treatments. I was particularly tempted by the heated water bed-covers that they use for massages at Bailiffscourt.
First impressions?
As you approach through the grounds, Bailiffscourt looks like a classic English manor house, all medieval mellow stone and mullioned windows. The hotel sits in a rural setting, a pebble's throw from Climping beach in West Sussex. The 30 acres of gardens boast not only a coastal view (give or take the odd hedge), but an ostentation of peacocks.
Once you're inside, the building is a maze of wood-panelled passageways and steps. But appearances can be deceptive. The 39-roomed hotel was actually created in 1927, imaginatively constructed with reclaimed medieval materials around modern plumbing and amenities. Bailiffscourt is a curious mix of ancient and modern, but all very comfortable.
The spa is in a separate building to the main hotel, and reached via a pathway through the gardens.
How did they welcome you?
We walked in to the main building, through a couple of inviting lounges, to the traditional reception desk. A welcoming receptionist met us, and ensured that we knew where to go. We stayed in the traditional Tattersham room in the main house with a real log fire, and medieval-style furnishings. The room had an ensuite bathroom, with careful instructions on how to use the shower properly and ditto about the ancient nature of the plumbing.
What happens next?
We made our way outside, along the short stone path, to the barn-style spa building. We admired the suspended Perspex ball chairs in the airy and light entrance area, where we checked in at the spa reception desk. Helpful Mike welcomed us, offered us a drink, and gave us consultation forms to complete.
The gym: This is a medium-size room, wood-floored, overlooking the outdoor pool, so is nice and bright. You can have your workout on several running, cycling or cross-training machines, or use the free weights. There is a water machine here (and there's also one by the pool, so you can keep yourself well hydrated).
The pools and heat facilities: These are great. The indoor pool is large enough to have a proper swim, and at the far end you can recover from your exertions in the Jacuzzi. In the main pool area, you'll also find the sauna and steam room. Both were pleasantly hot, and provided a soothing experience for stressed muscles. There are loungers around the pool and, because of the large windows, the area feels bright as well as restful. You could certainly chill out here for a whole day, reading and swimming and steaming. Especially as you can see the gardens through the window, which adds to the "get-away-from-real-life-for-a-bit" atmosphere.
You can also go through to the outdoor pool and hot tub. In the summer, this area must really come into its own, as you wouldn't have to sit round the indoor pool looking at the gardens through the windows, but actually sit in the gardens on the decking round the pool. The hot tub isn't huge, so you can't get more than about four people in there at a time, but it is nicely hot and refreshing.
The changing rooms: these are not the most spacious, but have roomy lockers, containing robes and slippers in our case as we were both booked in for a treatment.
We quickly changed in to our robes and made our way upstairs to the Sandpiper room for our spa lunch: brie, salad, apple chutney, and balsamic pickled onions, and smoked salmon, lemon, capers, and wholemeal bread. We chose this option rather than going to the hotel's more formal Tapestry restaurant. The salads were fresh and generously portioned, but the low tables and deep low-backed sofas were designed for relaxation, not as comfortable dining furniture.
There's a serious-looking coffee machine in the corner of the Sandpiper room. A nice touch, but it lacked idiot-proof instruction, so my intended cappuccino just about coated the bottom of my large cup and was lukewarm by the time I'd got back to my seat.
We savoured the fresh scones we'd ordered as a chaser -- if not quite the entirety of the large pot of clotted cream -- and made our way down to the waiting area in reception for our treatments.
Which treatments did you have?
We had the Mediterranean Sea massage (60 minutes, £82), and the Rocks of the Mediterranean (75 minutes, £87), a hot-stone therapy.
All treatments start with a Temple Spa foot ritual, which involves a hot flannel cleansing your feet, a leg stretch, and a back stretch.
What were the treatments like?
The Mediterranean Sea Massage: I chose this massage as I was intrigued to experience a full-body massage with me lying face-up for the duration of the treatment.
Georgie, my therapist, greeted me at the spa reception and led me to a simply furnished cream and wood treatment room on the first floor. Georgie offered me a seat, and talked me through the treatment. She explained that the massage would be performed face-up, but that my back, neck and shoulders would be comprehensively massaged from above. She also talked me through the best way to get onto the water-bed, which was warm, and designed to take pressure off my spine as well as offering cosy comfort. Georgie suggested that I remove all my underwear, reassuring me that my modesty would be protected at all times by a towel. She added that I could have some paper knickers, if I preferred. I decided I didn't, as the room was sufficiently dimly lit for my comfort.
Georgie left me for a couple of minutes while I undressed and got onto the water-bed, which was more difficult than I anticipated. A few wriggles later, I was happy that I was in the right place, and enjoyed being enveloped by the surrounding warm pouch – like a large, smooth layer of hot water-bottle.
Georgie started the treatment by putting some oil on her hands, which she placed in front of my face, asking me to breathe in- and exhale deeply three times. She then enclosed my feet in warm moist towels and dried them off before starting the massage. Georgie started massaging my legs with warmed oil from the Temple Spa range, from above in the usual way, then underneath by sliding her hands over the surface of the water bed. The movement of her hands, combined with that of the water, created a rhythmic motion which was very relaxing. She continued this approach up my legs, the sides of my body and my arms.
When she got to my arms, Georgie performed a couple of stretches and got right in under my shoulder blades to intensify the stretch and target the surrounding muscles. She then began a slower, gentle scalp massage and finished this highly relaxing treatment with a facial massage. A final inhalation of the oil brought the treatment to a close. I could have happily enjoyed another hour.
The Mediterranean Sea massage left me feeling extremely relaxed and quite spaced out - in a good way.
Rocks of the Mediterranean: The room was fragrant, with chill-out music playing. I changed into the paper knickers provided, lay on my front on the towel-covered heated water-bed, and covered myself with the towel provided. I had to shuffle about a few times to find my optimum position, but it was worth it.
Zoe drizzled hot Temple Spa's "Dream Blend" oil all the way from my heel to my back, then followed the path back down again. Next came the basalt stones; these were hot, but not burning. I was surprised to feel my body instantly relax (after just working on one leg!) and my mind drift.
The treatment continued along my body and down my arm, before starting on my other leg. I asked for Zoe to pay particular attention to my shoulders, as well as my hips, as they were feeling quite achey. Zoe really dispersed the many crunchy knots in my shoulders. It was so good.
I turned onto my front. Zoe covered my eyes with a warm, weighty eye-pillow and continued the treatment with hot oils and stones on the front of my legs. Everything went a bit hazy as I drifted off. I stirred when Zoe applied the hot stones to my face but this was also ultra relaxing. I came around with Zoe's hands above my face, giving me an invigorating inhalation of peppermint oil.
Afterwards, I felt cosy and softened all over, as well as a deep sense of relaxation. Sadly, when I got to the relaxation room, all four loungers were taken. However, my friend was in there so we shared a lounger for a few minutes until the other girls left.
How did you feel afterwards?
Relaxed and soothed inside and out.
Was it worth it?
Bailiffscourt offers well-priced and excellent treatments in a very pleasant spa environment. The Mediterranean Sea massage is at the more expensive end of the pricing scale. However, the treatment really was special so is not bad value for money. The Rocks of the Mediterranean was definitely worth it; the therapist, the surroundings and the treatment were faultless.
What else could you have?
Throughout the spa, they use Temple Spa products; this is a range of skin-care and aromatherapy products that smell delicious as well as containing natural ingredients. They have recently introduced Electric Body products, too: free from petrochemicals and parabens.
You can choose from a wide range of individual therapies and packages. Facials include the Power Breakfast Espresso facial, My Kinda Skin Prescriptive facial and Windows of the Soul, to revitalise the eye area. Bailiffscourt spa also offers a variety of massage treatments, scrubs, and wraps, in addition to manicures, pedicures and the usual beauty treatments.
Day packages include a Beautiful Bride day and options for detoxers, stressed executives, couples and mothers-to-be.
If you can manage to draw yourself away from the spa, there's a croquet lawn, tennis courts, and the hotel can arrange clay-pigeon shooting.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Not to park under the tree where the peacocks roost!
Bailiffscourt is a health club as well as a spa, but children are only permitted to use the pool between 10 and 11am, as well as 3.30 and 5pm.
Any special features?
The subtly lit outdoor pool with its rising steam and silhouetted tree surrounds and the toasty outdoor hot tub on a cold winter's eve are hard to beat for a bit of al fresco R&R. There aren't many places you can sit and look at peacocks from a hot tub.
Who do you think would like it?
Bailiffscourt would appeal to anyone looking for a sense of space and escape, male or female, young or old. In fact, pretty much anyone, really -- except for spa goers with an aversion to peacocks.
The spa's fantastic coastal location and outdoor pool and hot-tub make it a great spa choice for all seasons.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Bailiffscourt 4 bubbles – and it's certainly a high 4. The treatments and the facilities were wonderful. The set up of the hotel and spa means you can combine a traditional country-house stay with a modern spa experience.
However, the changing rooms are a little too small to comfortably accommodate all the guests who may be using the spa at any one time. Although the spa itself didn't feel overcrowded during our visit, the three showers and one loo were pretty busy.
The Sandpiper room with its low tables had a lovely balconied terrace overlooking the pool, but wasn't ideally suited for dining in comfort, even if it was just sandwiches and deli platters.
Finally, the relaxation room, while comfortable and well-equipped with magazines, water and sheepskin fluffies, only had four loungers, so not quite enough to accommodate people from all six treatment rooms -- especially if some choose to linger or snooze.
The overall Bailiffscourt experience is of a very high standard, though, indicated by the award of 4 gleaming bubbles.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Absolutely. The comfort, facilities, location and unpretentious nature of this spa, hotel and its staff even make me consider taking my husband to sample its delights -- and that's saying something.
We visited Bailiffscourt in November 2009
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a special spa offer at Bailiffscourt with our partners lastminute.com
See also:
* Contact details for Bailiffscourt
* Massage
* I like a really firm massage. How can I make sure I get one?
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