Review of St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot

St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot - 5 bubbles

St Brides Spa Hotel is a stylish destination hotel with spectacular views over Carmarthen Bay. The hotel has been designed around its stunning clifftop location, and menus from both the restaurant and the spa follow a coastal theme, with fresh seafood to feed you from the inside, and marine spa treatments to soothe you from the outside. The spa at St Brides has an excellent thermal suite and an outstanding infinity-edge hydro-pool, where you can relax in warm salt-water and enjoy the panoramic views.

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

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

You can see the St Brides Spa Hotel sitting on the hillside from Saundersfoot harbour and from the sandy beaches below. The hotel's front entrance is pretty uninspiring, with large glass automatic doors which lead into a plain corridor. But, when you turn the corner into the reception area, you are immediately struck by the bright airy interior, with its wonderful oak floors and chic contemporary décor.

What's on offer?

The luxury spa at St Brides makes full use of it coastal setting and is the hotels star attraction. The reception area is clean and modern with oak wood floors and curved reception desk. Behind the desk and on all the doors throughout the spa is the beautifully simple logo of three wavy lines.

The spa:

There are four single treatment rooms and one double treatment room. The spacious double room has a glass wall with a view out over the bay and the beach below.

There are more panoramic views of the bay from the sensational outdoor infinity pool. This hydrotherapy pool's salt water is heated to a constant 32 degrees, so guests can relax and enjoy the views, whatever the Welsh weather.

The thermal suite consists of an aroma steam room, sauna, salt infusion room, experience shower and ice fountain. All of the rooms are beautifully tiled, have chromotherapy lighting and outside each are clear instructions for use.

The spa has two relaxation rooms. One is a wet relaxation room with a full-length glass wall, so that you can relax and contemplate whilst looking out to sea. The darkened relaxation room is an altogether drowsier affair, with comfortable adjustable beds and dim lighting. Outside, the pool area has wooden decking with plenty more loungers for relaxing on.

There is a fitness suite, which is separate to the spa complex. The compact gym is airy and bright, and fully equipped with up-to-date fitness equipment.

Accommodation:

There are 46 contemporary bedrooms classified as "good", "better" and "best", and six luxury two-bedroom garden suites. The individually styled rooms are all spacious, spotlessly clean and comfortable, and have sophisticated seaside décor. The finishing touches stand out, such as the [ comfort zone ] products in the bathroom, the soft, fluffy robes and towels, the handmade throws, locally crafted furniture and tasteful artwork. It's worth booking a sea view room with a private balcony as the view really is breathtaking.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the Ocean Breeze (1 hour 55 minutes, £125). This is a [ comfort zone ] signature treatment that is exclusive to St Brides.

What were the treatments like?

Jody, my therapist, began by explaining the various stages of the treatment, and asked me how I wanted to feel afterwards. She checked that I was happy with the temperature, lighting and music. The treatment bed was very comfortable, being wide and with additional arm supports.

Jody began the treatment by placing her hands over my face and asking me take three deep breaths of the aroma. The oil Jody used was the [ comfort zone ] blend "Tranquillity", which had a distinct smell of grape and vanilla. Jody used the same oil for my massage.

Jody’s massage technique was fabulous. She use long, very firm strokes and worked hard on the knots below my shoulder blades with her thumbs and elbows. When Jody had finished, my muscles felt like they had been smoothed out and my shoulders had dropped a couple of inches!

I turned onto my back, ready for my facial, the next part of this treatment. Jody placed a rolled-up towel under my legs for extra comfort. She started the facial by gently removing my make-up, then used products from the [ comfort zone ] Active Pureness range to cleanse, tone and exfoliate my skin. The products all had refreshingly fruity smells of pineapple, pear and peach. Jody used a brush to paint on a green clay purifying mask, which smelt fresh and had a velvety texture. While the mask was on my skin, Jody gave me a fantastic foot massage that I didn’t want her to stop! After Jody had removed the mask, she massaged Action Sublime Anti-Aging serum into my face, neck and décolleté, until it had absorbed. Jody finished my facial by applying a selection of serums and balms to my eyes and lips. The final part of the Ocean Breeze treatment was still to come.

Jody massaged my feet and ankles with [ comfort zone ] Lushly Floral Foot Balm, then wrapped my feet and calves in warm cloth bandages. While the balm was moisturising my feet, Jody delivered a great scalp massage, using more oil. Finally, Jody removed the bandages and smoothed more moisturiser up to my knees.

I was left feeling deeply relaxed from head to toe, my limbs soothed and my skin super-soft.

What else could you have?

The St Brides signature marine treatments, designed for both him and her, use a variety of marine-based VOYA products. Seaweed, salt and marine mud are used in scrubs, wraps and a facial "to reflect the rich seascape of Pembrokeshire".

The rest of the spa treatments are from Italian skincare specialists [ comfort zone ]. There are three exclusive coastal-themed treatments (of which my Ocean Breeze treatment is one); there are facials to hydrate, purify or plump; there two treatments for pre- and post-pregnancy.

There are also hot and cold stone therapies, manicures and pedicures by Spa Ritual, waxing, and eyebrow and eyelash tinting.

Food facts

The Cliff Restaurant serves contemporary dishes against a backdrop of that dramatic coastal view. The menu, which changes daily, features locally landed fish and seafood. We had drinks out on the terrace before and after our delicious meal. There is a comprehensive wine list with a selection of over four hundred wines, and a no-mobile-phone policy. Perfect!

St Brides also run a restaurant on the marina, and one in the village, overlooking the beach. Marina, Fish Chips and More is a contemporary fish and chips shop. The Mermaid on the Strand Restaurant specialises in seafood, fish and traditional home cooking, and is ideal for families.

Was it worth it?

Although St Brides is a little pricey, it is worth every penny.

We loved

Everything!

The high quality of treatments deserves a special mention.

The attention to detail. We loved the marine theme, and the featured artworks. Paintings from leading modern Welsh artists are exhibited in all of the hotel's public areas.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone wanting tranquil luxury will fall in love with St Brides. Couples wanting somewhere romantic, or best friends wanting somewhere special to spend the weekend.

Fans of the British coastal landscape.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave the spa at St Brides Hotel 5 bubbles. This spa has a commitment to quality; every detail of my experience was faultless. My treatment was excellent; the spa facilities were fabulous; the staff were all friendly, polite and attentive; the food was fantastic and the views were outstanding.

We especially loved the outdoor infinity pool; you won't find another one quite like it. St Brides deserves to retain the 5 bubbles we awarded the spa in 2008.

See more on how we rate the spas.