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Matfen Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne - 4 bubbles
Our Sybaritic Spy was invited to spend a short break at Matfen Hall, a lovely Victorian house set in 300 acres of parkland. The spa proved a tonic, as she now rates their signature treatment in her personal top ten of treatments and she's spa-ed all over the world.
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?
What happens afterwards?
Long-term effects
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?
First impressions?
Matfen Hall is the ancestral home of Sir Hugh and Lady Blackett, who still own the hotel. Matfen is individual, attractive and unusual. There's a lovely print room full of old family pictures, and the dining room is the original library room, still lined with books. A huge Grand Hall with a sweeping staircase and gallery is very popular for weddings The spa building is a new addition but has been built to look like a converted stable block. Everywhere is spotlessly clean and bright and light. The pool has a glass roof, so that it feels rather like an enclosed courtyard. The spa had been recently redecorated before my visit, and updated in deep blues, which felt remarkably restful.
How did they welcome you?
Efficiently. Even though we were early, our room was ready. Upstairs we found a huge room overlooking the grounds, with a vast bed and a comfy sofa and chairs. The room had its own hall and a separate bathroom. All very grand, and delightfully private.
What happens next?
We went down to the spa and enjoyed a swim in the 16-metre pool. We also tried out the spa whirlpool and explored the small fire and ice rooms, which include a crystal steam room, a herbal sauna, an invigorating salt grotto, a massage shower and an ice fountain. Across the corridor is the spa proper. There, I was invited to fill in a consultation form and take a seat in the relaxation room. Jade, my therapist, collected me and took me upstairs to the treatment room.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Matfen Hall Exclusive Signature Treatment (£85, 90 minutes), a back, scalp and face treatment created by [comfort zone] for Matfen Hall Spa.
What were the treatments like?
The signature treatment is a lovely combination of a 30-minute back massage followed by a one-hour facial. I started by lying face up on the treatment table. Jade asked me to take three deep breaths in and out, then did a good arm and shoulder stretch. I turned over and Jade rocked me gently with her hands and stretched my spine by massaging outwards from the middle of my back. This movement released pent-up tension and let my body relax. Jade began the massage with sweeping strokes and then used her forearms and her weight to lean into my body. Jade followed up with careful point work on my most knotted muscles, and stretching of my neck and shoulders. Jade certainly knew her anatomy; her massage was good, deep, and clearly focused on the areas that needed attention. I turned over again and Jade began the facial. She carried out cleansing and exfoliation, followed by a "lifting" massage, which, she told me, would help tighten up my face. Once the face pack and eye pads were on, Jade gave me a hand-and-arm massage, and also massaged leg cream into my puffy ankles. She then performed a head massage with some lovely firm holding -- none of that nasty hair pulling that some therapists torture you with! Finally, Jade removed my face pack, massaged in a moisturiser and added a skin serum to plump up my fine lines. You know you have reached a certain age when therapists prescribe skin serums -- it's code for "you need all the help you can get"!
How did you feel afterwards?
Wonderful. I was completely relaxed and unwound. Almost very bit of me seemed to have been primped and prettified.
What happens afterwards?
Jade took me back to the relaxation room, which had eight long wicker loungers with padded cushions, dark-blue spotted curtains, and dark-blue walls with uplighters. The relaxation area felt very relaxing and sophisticated. I had a cool drink and settled back to read a magazine or three.
Long-term effects
I felt very relaxed and my skin was noticeably plumper and brighter. We often show our stresses and tensions in our faces, so Jade's back massage had helped to improve how I looked. Add in the facial massage and the plumping serums, and my skin looked a whole lot better for the experience.
Was it worth it?
Without a doubt. The grounds at Matfen were lovely, the hall itself was attractive and nicely maintained, and the spa was clean, comfortable and relaxing. A group of women were having a pre-wedding spa trip and they had booked a real bargain: dinner, bed and breakfast plus a one-hour treatment and use of the spa and pool for £130 on a Sunday night.
What else could you have?
Take your pick from hot stone massages, a handful of different facials and manicures and pedicures. We like the sound of the Monticelli Mud Body Treatment -- maybe they put the mud on with paintbrushes in a pre-impressionist design? There are special pregnancy treatments such as the "new mum" body treatment and even a men's facial. The gym is well equipped and modern. There is a studio where classes are held every day and the pool is a decent size for swimming laps.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That there is a new "Go Ape" course in the woods. With the right shoes and clothes, this high-ropes course could be a fun addition to a spa weekend, or make a change from golf or the gym if you want to do something energetic.
Any special features?
The Ice and Fire rooms, though small, are great fun and add to the interest in the pool area. Sit in the cool blue salt/ozone room, press the button and fine salt spray descends: it feels like a fresh breezy day at the seaside or the top of a mountain. Cross into the herbal sauna and warm up gently. The brave then cover themselves with ice at the ice fountain. (I am not this kind of brave...) Step into the steam room and from there go on to the circular shower where you can choose the setting; my favourite was "summer rains" which gives a lovely warm mist. Different settings change the temperature of the water, the power and the lights. The cold settings have me imitating Meg Ryan in the orgasm scene, which is a bit embarrassing when there is someone waiting their turn to use the shower!
Who do you think would like it?
Golfers: there is a 27-hole, 6700-yard course incorporating what are described as "challenging water features and unique obstacles". Couples: Matfen Hall feels romantic. Walkers: there are vast grounds to explore and Hadrian's Wall is very close. Foodies: enjoy the 2-AA-rosette restaurant.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Matfen Hall 4 bubbles because, what it chooses to do, it does very well. The spa is luxurious and the therapists really know their stuff. The pool area and changing room are shared with the leisure-club members, so aren't quite as luxurious as they should be. With over 700 members, these areas can get very busy. Lunch, drinks and snacks are available in the small café next to the pool; again, this area can get busy with members and doesn't feel very restful. Some way of making the peaceful spa experience spread out to the changing area and eating area would make a huge difference to the feel of the spa at Matfen Hall.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes. There are all sorts of special offers and themed events at Matfen: a spa and walking weekend, or a yoga break, for instance. Ideally, I'd visit in winter, there would be snow on the ground, and we could curl up on the sofas in front of the log fires.
We visited Matfen Hall in December 2009
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a great hotel offer at Matfen Hall with our partners lastminute.com
See also:
* Contact Details for Maften Hall
* Our Spa Spies review [comfort zone] products
* Body treatments
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