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Green Street House, Bath - 4 bubbles
The city-centre treatment rooms of Green Street House offer a friendly, welcoming environment for spa first-timers and experienced spa-goers. Our Spy was invited to the Georigian townhouse to experience the Elemis Cooling Hot Stone Body Facial. Confused? So was she, until she tried it. With the bubble wrap in her shoulders unknotted, and her skin visibly different, she returned to Spa HQ with a spring in her step (and some sausages).
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?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
I felt like a child in a sweet shop, although this time it was a spa shop. Beyond the front door of Green Street House is a pretty, apothecary-esque shop area, brimming with appealing, sweet-smelling beauty products. It's clean, bright and full of temptation.
Green Street House is very much a house, and has a homely, welcoming feel. It has a traditional-Georgian style with neutral colours and stained wooden floors. There are original features galore. This friendly atmosphere suited me better than some overstyled, or clinic-type spas I've been to. There are six treatment rooms at Green Street House: a good capacity for a city centre spa.
How did they welcome you?
The staff were friendly, efficient and relaxed.
What happens next?
A member of staff showed me to one of the large sofas in the relaxation area, offered me a drink, and gave me a health questionnaire to complete. No sooner had I completed the form, than my therapist, Dawn, came in to take me up to my treatment room at the top of the Georgian townhouse. The treatment room was large and light, with original wooden floors and an Indian cotton throw over the bed. Soft uplighting gave the room a gentle ambience.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the astoundingly named Elemis Cooling Hot Stone Body Facial (£75, 60 minutes).
What were the treatments like?
Dawn asked me whether I'd had a hot and cold stone massage before. I hadn't, so she talked me through the steps involved in the treatment. She was very knowledgeable about the Elemis products and seemed genuinely to believe in their beauty powers. In a nutshell, the Elemis Cooling Hot Stone Body Facial involves a massage using cooling gel and hot stones plus a mini tri-enzyme resurfacing facial. I couldn't wait to experience this contrasting treatment.
Dawn left the room while I undressed and arranged myself, face down on the couch. Two minutes later, she reappeared to check that I was comfortable and started the treatment. The treatment began with a welcome foot treat as Dawn refreshed my feet with hot towels and firmly pressed the soles of my feet. This felt great. She followed this by body brushing my back. Dawn thoughtfully checked whether I'd had body brushing before. The almost stinging sensation of the cactus brush being swept over unsuspecting skin can be quite a shock. Dawn brushed the back of my body, leaving it feeling pleasantly tingly, then moved on to massage my legs. The leg massage was good and firm, with Dawn using her forearms to give extra pressure. I liked her no-nonsense approach.
Dawn then prepared me for the instantly refreshing gel, which sent a cool sensation along the back of my legs. This was followed by the warmth of the hot stones which created an interesting and pleasant conflict of sensations. She applied the same cool gel with hot stone massage to my back and shoulders. There were bolsters to raise the level of my arms and shoulders and maximise my comfort. Dawn commented on how much tension I had in my neck and shoulders. She said it felt like bubble wrap! As she ran the hot stones just under my shoulder blades, the knots pretty much unravelled.
Dawn instructed me to turn over onto my back so she could start work on my front. The process was pretty similar: cool gel followed by warm stones. The cooling sensation was most welcome on a muggy July day.
Having massaged my back and front into a cool/warm sense of relaxation, Dawn started on my facial.
The first thing she did was to give me a mirror, so I could see how my skin looked before the facial. I could compare before and after, post-treatment.
Dawn was very well informed about the Elemis products that she was using. She was quite convincing even to a product-cynic like me. I particularly liked her graphic description of the enzymes starting to "nibble away" at the protein in my skin. She assured me that my skin wouldn't go blotchy as white truffle would help maintain the ph balance.
The facial had a good number of stages, and used pleasant exotic fruit-scented products. Dawn applied cool eye pads, and used warm towels to keep things lively. She dabbed on the enzymes with her fingertips in a purposeful way. She also mixed up an enzyme mask herself and left it to dry on my face. I could almost feel the dirt being extracted from my pores when she peeled it off.
The treatment culminated a couple of enzyme applications later with Dawn applying a pleasantly scented moisturiser and eye serum.
Dawn then passed me a mirror. I felt the pressure of anticipation. I was expected to notice a visible difference... To my surprise, my skin did look visibly perkier. Cynical Spy, eat your heart out!
How did you feel afterwards?
I was very impressed to see a noticeable difference in the skin on my face. It somehow looked plumper and more even. My body felt good, too, awakened by the contrasting hot and cold sensations. I enjoyed the contrast of warm/comforting and cold/fresh but, as someone who would rather be in Antigua than Antarctica, I found myself looking forward to the warm strokes more, if I'm honest.
What happens afterwards?
Dawn left me to get dressed. I made my way down to the reception lounge where a cup of lemon and ginger tea awaited me. There's no dedicated relaxation room at Green Street House, but the reception area is comfortable and calming. You can lounge on two large sofas, with a good supply of magazines.
Long-term effects
My skin looked better for a good few days after the treatment. I can't say my boyfriend noticed -- no surprise there! -- but a couple of friends commented on how well I looked.
Was it worth it?
Yes. The Elemis body treatment was refreshing and relaxing. And I'm always up for a facial that actually gives good results.
What else could you have?
Elemis and Oxyjet facials. Elemis body therapies. An excellent range of manicures and pedicures, and all the beauty treatments you would hope to find in good city-centre treatment rooms. You can even have your ears pierced.
We like the sound of the two-step pre-holiday package to ensure that you arrive at your destination plucked and painted. There's waxing, a BeauBronz spray tan, eyelash tinting and a luxury pedicure.
The 5-hour glamour puss package includes an oxygen facial, lash and brow tint, French manicure, luxury pedicure, and a BeauBronz spray tan along with a sushi snack.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That the treatment rooms are opposite a sausage shop. I could have sorted out my barbecue and complexion in one easy trip.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone who appreciates a good treatment but isn't looking for a full-blown spa experience. This spa is not for anyone with mobility problems as Green Street House is a five-storey building with treatment rooms over four levels.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Green Street House 4 bubbles. Green Street House is a great place for spa virgins, as well as seasoned spa-goers, as it's relaxed and unintimidating. It offers a good standard of treatments and service and the staff are attentive and genuine. With a fantastic location in Bath's main shopping area, Green Street House is perfectly positioned for an enjoyable pre- or post-shop pick-me-up.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes. Maybe I'll combine a treatment at Green Street House with a swim at Thermae.
We visited Green Street House in July 2008
See also:
* Contact Details for Green Street House
* Facials: how to choose the right one for you
* Hot stone therapy
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