 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Amarna Spa at the Lythe Hill Hotel, Haslemere - 3 bubbles
Our Good Spa Spy headed off to Amarna Spa at Lythe Hill Hotel in Surrey. Great facilities, affordability and excellent value, this is a place to go with friends, to get a bit of spa without blowing the budget.
Was it easy to book?
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?
Was it easy to book?
Yes. I was in the area on business and booked about three days ahead. I signed up for a special offer which gave me B&B, dinner in the Auberge restaurant, use of the pool and one treatment in the spa for a smidgen under £100. The bad news was that very few treatments were available in the spa, so I ended up with an express facial as it was the only time slot left. "Book ahead in future," I told myself sternly!
First impressions?
Very pretty, Tudor, black-and-white timbered main house, with various extensions and a new pool and spa building. The grounds and surroundings are lovely, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which seems very appropriate... The courtyard area would be lovely in summer, but I was there on a snowy winter's day so didn't linger. Picturesque, though, and very English.
How did they welcome you?
Reception staff were very friendly (if slightly disorganised). It looked like building work had only just been completed on the reception area and they were still getting used to their new surroundings. But they were very helpful, and even let me use a spare computer when my laptop decided to ignore their wireless system.
What happens next?
I settled into my very spacious room, with a decent-sized, comfortable bed. Settled, I went across to the restaurant for an excellent meal. The following morning I had a call from the spa manager to say that one of their therapists had called in sick and could they change the time of my treatment. At the appointed time, I went over to the pool and spa, which you get to across the car park. You would not want to do that in your dressing gown!
Which treatments did you have?
I had an Express facial.
What were the treatments like?
My express facial was just that ... more express than facial. My therapist didn't stop to introduce herself or to chat. A shame, really. On another day when they were not short staffed, I might have had a better experience.
How did you feel afterwards?
My skin looked good and clean, and the brief bit of shoulder massage certainly helped me unwind a bit. I just wanted more of everything!
What happens afterwards?
My therapist took me to the reception area where there are large cream sofas to sit on, offered a glass of water and some magazines and left me to it as the next customer was waiting. I went downstairs to the pool, picking up a towel from reception on the way. The pool is huge and I had it to myself, so enjoyed doing a few laps and getting the chinks out of my system. As the spa is also a local health club, the pool may get busy after school and at weekends.
Long-term effects
None really, though the morning made a nice interlude in what was a couple of very busy days of business meetings.
Was it worth it?
It was very good value for money, especially as part of their special offer. Treatment prices are about average if you pick from their list.
What else could you have?
All the usual manicures, pedicures, massages and aromatherapy treatments using Sothy products. But interestingly packaged, with an Egyptian theme, including Nefertiti's Beauty and Bronzing Treatments, Pharaoh Days and the Men's Pharaoh Day which featured either Tutankhamun - a facial; back, neck and shoulder massage; and the "Executive hand and foot treatment", or Akhenaten's - an "homme facial" (not sure why French here...?). full-body Swedish massage, Indian head massage and, again, the "Executive hand or foot treatment".
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
To book earlier to get more choice of treatments. That the grounds and the views from the hotel are so lovely that it's worth going when it's warmer and talking in a couple of long walks. It really is a relaxing place to be.
Any special features?
The pool wins hands down. It's large with a high wooden ceiling that rises to a point; very dramatic and a joy to swim in. There is also a steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi.
Who do you think would like it?
It's ideal if you want a couple of hours R&R on a business trip. It's also a good place for a weekend break if you want to potter in the local antique and boutique shops, or your partner is not into spa-ing but wants to play golf or go walking.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
I've given it 3 bubbles because although the pool is lovely and the treatment rooms well designed, it doesn't really have a spa "atmosphere". It's more of an above-average health club, and indeed has many local members. There are no towelling robes and I had to go back to reception and ask for another towel after my swim, so that I had something dry to wrap around me while I put make-up on before my next business meeting.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes, I would. The hotel was comfortable, the food in the restaurant was good, and all the staff went out of their way to be helpful and welcoming.
This spa review is due an update as we visited in 2006
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a special offer at the Lythe Hill Hotel with our partners lastminute.com
See also:
* Contact details for Amarna Spa
* Our Spa Spies review Elemis products
* Facials: how to choose the right one for you
|
|
|