Review of Petit Spa at Malmaison, Birmingham

Caribbean rain at Petit Spa, Malmaison, Birmingham

Petit Spa at Malmaison, Birmingham - 5 bubbles

A Good Spa reviewer enjoyed an overnight stay at Malmaison Birmingham. She was looking for relaxation in the snug and peaceful petit spa, and relaxation is what she got.

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?

Trendy, cool and popular. Malmaison is at the Mailbox in the centre of Birmingham. The theme is red and black - appropriately for a building that was once the main post office for the city. Now the Mailbox is an upmarket shopping centre complete with Harvey Nicks and the Malmaison hotel. Petit Spa is on the ground floor, next to the hotel reception.

How did they welcome you?

Efficiently. We were shown to the lifts to go to our room and unpack. The room was generously sized and well equipped: an extra large bed, seating area with desk, DVD player and CD player and large bathroom. And all brightly decorated.

What happens next?

I changed into my fluffy white robe and slippers and headed back to the ground floor to the spa. I got strange looks from a couple of businessmen getting in the lift as I got out. They obviously didn't expect to see a woman in a towelling robe wandering around the hotel.

I went through the glass door to the spa which had wooden flooring, dark brown sofas and subdued lighting, including candlelight along the corridor. It was a peaceful haven after the business of the hotel.

The changing room had two toilets, two showers, two hairdryers in front of a large mirror and about 20 reasonable sized lockers. There was also a full-length mirror - which is useful if you are going straight out to the bar on the first floor and want to make an entrance! The only thing that was missing was body lotion or moisturiser; most spas have a tub or two in the changing area.

The spa had a whirlpool bath with room for six and was deep enough to get your shoulders under the warm water comfortably, a sauna, a steam room, a couple of circular showers (one hot, one cold) and a small gym. The relaxation area had five huge leather reclining seats that also massage your back. The lighting was subdued and the finishes all good quality and very clean: black slate tiles around the whirlpool bath, wooden flooring throughout.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the Elemis Aromastone spa ritual, which included a full-body massage and anti-ageing facial. Jane, my therapist, collected me from the whirlpool bath and took me along the corridor -- lit by candlelight at floor level -- to the treatment room. The massage bed was wider and longer than most and did not creak or wobble as I got on it.

Jane ran through the treatment explaining each part of it and finished with, "It's dead relaxing." Relaxation is what I booked for, and relaxation is what I got.

What were the treatments like?

I laid down on my front and Jane began the body massage with hot towels on the soles of my feet. Already I was relaxed! Then Jane worked up my body with a firm holding touch. She tucked a couple of hot pebbles under my shoulders, and worked them down so they came to rest under my shoulder bones. It felt like someone was trying to get inside my bra... I resisted the urge to giggle, and decided to go with the flow. That was pretty easy to do as Jane used the hot stones in long sweeping movements to massage my muscles.

I drifted off and spent the next hour or so unpacking my last few stressful weeks. By the time Jane asked me to turn over, I had managed to put some of the most difficult issues behind me - a big step forward, and one that I had been struggling with. Result.

So, by the time we got to the facial, I was feeling quite floaty and very relaxed. When Jane put gauze over my eyes and face, I was not freaked out in the way I would usually be. When Jane put a face-pack on top of the gauze, I couldn't stop myself thinking that it must look like a death mask... but I wasn't worried about it. Floating... The good thing about doing a facial with a mask is that taking it off is quick and easy. There was much in the way of massage and creams, and I enjoyed it.

How did you feel afterwards?

"Dead relaxed" -- just as Jane had promised!

What happens afterwards?

I went along to the relaxation room where a huge leather reclining chair was waiting for me. It had a massage setting if you needed any more (and it's good and deep). With only five chairs, you might have to wait for a turn, which is a bit of a shame as they are so good. I wanted one to take back to the GSG office, but on second thoughts, maybe it would be better to take one home so I don't have to share!

Long-term effects

My skin looked great. The fine, feathery lines on my top lip, which have been making me look and feel old, had softened and filled out, and the frown lines between my eyes were much less noticeable.

Was it worth it?

Yes. So much so, that I did what I hardly ever do, and bought some of the Elemis products to use at home. Usually, I think that so much of the success of a treatment is in the delivery of it, that I don't buy the products, as I know I won't be able to achieve the same results. But the "tri-enzymes" in this new Elemis range seemed to make such a difference that I was prepared to give it a try. I have used the products every day for the full two weeks following the treatment, and my upper lip looks much better.

What else could you have?

Le petit spa offer Elemis facials, massages and body rituals. There's Elemis manicures and pedicures, treatments for men, and the usual spa beauty treatments. You can choose from a small range of holistic therapies. The £80 Birthday Treats gift package is good value -- it includes a one hour treatment, a light lunch and champagne with chocolate dipped strawberries.

What do you wish you'd known before you went?

That the spa gets so booked up. I've stayed at Malmaison a couple of times before on business and never managed to use the spa. You need to book a good three weeks in advance for weekends. The spa is open until 8pm in the evening.

That the food in the brasserie was so good; with such a wide choice of restaurants within walking distance, I hadn't tried the food on previous occasions, but it was worth staying in to eat.

Any special features?

Le petit spa is a gem of a city spa. It has no swimming pool, but there is enough to do with the whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms, plus the gym, to make it worth spending a few hours here. Using the facilities costs £20 for the day, £25 with lunch, so it's good value, too.

Who do you think would like it?

The Malmaison is the ideal destination for anyone who wants to combine shopping, spa-ing and a good night out. We had a brilliant meal in the brasserie, delicious food and a good choice of well-priced wines. The bar area was buzzy and lively. Great for couples and for friends who want a fun weekend away.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Le petit spa earns five bubbles. It's spacious, offers good treatments and facilities, and is good value for money. Everywhere was clean (with the exception of the back of the loo doors which were suffering from handprints), there were plenty of clean fluffy towels, and those lovely leather reclining chairs in the relaxation area made the spa a hit.

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