Review of The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, Near Preston

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, near Preston - 5 bubbles

Ribby Hall Village, a luxury self-catering holiday park near Blackpool, is also home to a sleek, ultra-modern spa hotel. This adult-only spa's offering is more comprehensive than any other spa in the North West; the two-hour "Aqua Thermal Journey" includes seven different heat experiences, plus there is an indoor hydro pool, outdoor spa pool and sauna, fourteen treatment rooms, a champagne bar and brasserie! There's a great sense of space and natural light throughout, with views onto the Lancashire countryside. A good-value spa that doesn't compromise on quality.

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?

New to the spa scene, but well-established in the self-catering holiday world, Ribby Hall Village is just 10 minutes' drive from the beaches of Blackpool and Lytham St Annes. At the far end of the "village" is the multi-million pound, 42-bedroom, adult-only Spa Hotel, which opened in 2011.

The cream-painted exterior matches the holiday cottages that you pass on the drive through. Externally, the hotel seemed a tad bland, although this didn't reflect the design of the cool, contemporary interior.

The front entrance to The Spa Hotel is just behind a large duck pond. You can drive right up and park in the hotel's own car park. Once inside, staff will greet you and check you in at the hotel reception desk, before you head to the Aqua-Thermal Journey. The spa area has its own 360-degree reception desk, where you can speak to one of the friendly staff to book treatments.

Wood and glass dominate the spacious interior, and the mellow brown and beige decor is enlivened by green and purple contemporary furnishings. Just 10 weeks old at the time of our visit, the hotel still smelled brand-new.

What's on offer?

The central spa area houses the Aqua Thermal Journey. To enter, you go through the large and well equipped changing rooms. It is recommended that you take two hours to properly experience the seven different heat experiences. Each thermal room is spacious and clearly signposted with instructions on temperature and advised usage time. There were plenty of robe hooks by each experience, too.

There is no swimming pool in The Spa Hotel, but the central hydrotherapy pool, complete with hydro-seats and strong swan-pipes, was fantastic.

The tepidarium contains four heated loungers that all face the spa garden, an outdoor area with large cushioned loungers and plants. Also outside is a rustic sauna with its own shower for cooling off afterwards. The outdoor hot tub is just up a flight of stairs from the spa garden, but you can also reach it via indoor stairs next to the hydrotherapy pool.

The two experience showers were good fun, and there's an icy drench bucket for the very brave. The heated tiled bench for the foot spas will keep you warm while you sit still. We thoroughly enjoyed flitting between the warmer of the experiences and the ice fountain.

The rasul mud chamber can fit from two to six people, although there is an extra charge for using this room.

A central staircase near the spa reception leads up to the treatment reception and pre-treatment waiting areas. Treatment rooms line either side of this open-plan area. From here, huge windows give views down into the Aqua-Thermal area, with its white organic-shaped lampshades suspended from the high ceiling, and out to the Lancashire countryside beyond.

There are various types of accommodation at Ribby Hall Village, from luxury cottages to pine lodges and motel rooms, and dedicated rooms for spa-goers in the Spa Hotel. Our bedroom had a lovely big bed and large plasma-screen TV. Our fluffy brown polyester robes were waiting in the wardrobe. The shiny bathroom had Molton Brown toiletries, a monsoon shower and power-jet bath.

Elsewhere in the grounds of Ribby Hall Village you will find a leisure centre complete with family swimming pool, an equestrian centre, fishing lakes, and more.

Which treatments did you have?

I had a facial tailor-made to my ailments at the time (a stinking cold!) My treatment included a head and neck massage, and lymphatic drainage to help clear my nostrils (45 minutes, £40).

What were the treatments like?

Very good. Suffering from the sniffles, I was sad not to be able to smell the beautiful Neom Candles burning in my treatment room, or the delicate Neom mist that my therapist sprayed onto a towel and positioned across my chest, under my nose. Poor me!

As I lay under a sarong on the heated treatment bed, Carol, my therapist, asked if I was happy with the lighting or if I would like to be treated by candlelight. How lovely and unusual!

Carol started the treatment with a foot ritual. Carol cleansed my feet with warm mitts -- a good way to ground you before your treatment. Carol began my facial with a cleanse and tone, followed by lymphatic drainage massage. Carol had a light touch that was very effective in relieving my blocked sinuses. Next, Carol worked on pressure points on my head, which helped me become even more relaxed. Her long, slow finger presses in my neck and upper back led Carol to advise me that I also needed some work done on my shoulders.

Carol's tip of rubbing ice cubes on my sinuses to calm the inflammation (which I tried later on) was fantastic advice. I felt genuinely cared for throughout my lovely treatment.

What else could you have?

Environ and Dermalogica facials, Neom aromatherapy treatments, a good range of holistic treatments, OPI treats for hands and feet in the mani/pedi suite, a variety of massages and body treatments such as wraps and scrubs to detoxify, indulge or restore.

There are also slimming treatments, treatments for pre- and post-pregnancy, and couples' treatments.

The treatment menu has contraindications listed next to each treatment, so you can easily tell if the treatment is suitable for you. Whether you're pregnant, have skincare concerns such as acne, or suffer from diabetes or a heart condition, you'll be able to see at a glance the treatments that are safe.

Food facts

We had our evening meal in The Brasserie. My partner chose lamb cutlets, and I chose the sea bass with lemongrass foam. The head waiter, Andrew, was delightful, and we enjoyed our dishes.

The breakfast buffet was substantial and there is a cooked option available.

The champagne bar next to the restaurant is perfect for a special tipple before or after your meal.

Was it worth it?

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village is fantastic value for money. Entrance to the Aqua Thermal Journey starts from £27 per person. Spa breaks start from £99 per person per night.

We loved

The customer service. The staff are a credit to the hotel and are the glue that holds the new Spa Hotel together.

The outdoor hot tub. Basking in the bubbles at sunset was divine.

We didn't love

The (windowless) second relaxation room, located just behind the main relaxation room. It felt like it had been forgotten. Some creative soft touches would see it right.

Who do you think would like it?

Though Ribby Hall is a great destination for families, the Spa Hotel is adult-only. It's perfect for mothers and daughters, couples, best friends, and small groups. This spa is very man-friendly, too; I saw a group of six men enjoying a spa day together.

Ribby Hall is also a good refuge for holiday campers wanting a few hours' respite from children.

Day guests from the surrounding areas will enjoy the excellent value spa days.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village 5 bubbles. For a spa that was pretty new at the time of our visit, there was very little to fault. The layout of the Spa Hotel has been well thought out, plus it's well-presented and very good value. The staff were spot-on and the treatments good.

We loved the spa's sense of space and natural light. All of the spa-side windows show off the countryside beyond. You would never know you were in a family holiday park.