 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Four Seasons, Hook - 5 bubbles
As the Four Seasons is one of our favourite 5 bubble spas, when our Good Spa Reviewer was invited back to this luxurious country house hotel in Hampshire she jumped at the chance.
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. The website doesn't go into full details and do the spa menu justice though, so it's worth phoning the spa team to discuss treatment requirements. Also, it's probably a good idea to book a few weeks ahead if you have a particular date you'd like to visit - especially if it's at a weekend - as I imagine the spa gets busy.
First impressions?
A classic English manor house on a beautiful lush green estate. As you make your way down the driveway through the estate, you could be mistaken for thinking that you were on the set of a period drama. One of the previous owners of the house wanted an unobscured view of the horizon, so there are no other houses as far as the eye can see, which gives an impressive sense of space and openness.
How did they welcome you?
With a smile, in a (wet) bowler hat. The doorman escorted us from our car with a large umbrella, we handed over our keys as the staff unloaded our bags and parked our car for us. I couldn't help noticing that our seagull-dropping-coated Ford stood out somewhat amongst the gleaming Lotuses and Aston Martins. I wished I'd taken a couple of minutes to clean out the boot before our arrival, but we were made to feel just as welcome as the next guest.
What happens next?
We were shown to our room - the William Godson suite - a spacious double-aspect room above the hotel entrance. (Apparently, William was "of historic importance to the house's history".) I was struck by how immaculate the room was - from the light-patterned carpet to the marble floor and gleaming fittings in the bathroom. The flowers, which were fit for a wedding, were a beautiful touch, and the furnishings were traditional and luxurious, in keeping with the hotel's overall smart, classic style.
Younger guests are welcomed to their room with a personalised chocolate plaque, Barbour-clad teddy and child-size bath robe. Any junior guests' names are also spelled out in sponges, which creates no end of excitement.
Which treatments did you have?
The Cherish couples ritual - £330 for 3 hours, and a Purva Karma Four-Hands Massage - £270 for 1 hour 55 minutes.
What were the treatments like?
Cherish: The Cherish package takes place in the smart, sand-toned couple's suite, which has two massage couches, side by side, and a large Jacuzzi bath surrounded by fresh rose-petals and tea=lights. My husband, a slightly reluctant spa-goer, joined me.
The treatment, which has an Ayurvedic approach, started with ESPA's signature Welcome Foot Ritual where the therapists - we had one each - talked us through the treatment, assessed our doshas and performed the trademark ESPA scent test while soaking and caressing our feet. The therapists also gave us a mouthwatering fruit smoothie, and offered a choice of crystal, which they then placed in the foot bowl for some spiritual purpose relating to chakras. They also offered us the choice of coloured lighting.
After the foot ritual, we were left for about 40 minutes to use the Jacuzzi and steam room. At the risk of sounding unromantic, our time in the Jacuzzi offered the ideal opportunity to "do diaries", and actually have a chance for a proper conversation, uninterrupted by children or unilateral social engagements.
The therapists' gentle knock advised us that it was time for the treatment to start: we opted for variations on the signature back treatment and massage.
The treatment started face down with a good back scrub to exfoliate this much neglected part of my body. The therapist removed the scrub with warm flannels and applied a mud mask.
The therapists didn't talk much during the treatment, but there was a strong sense of synchronisation - at least of sound effects of replacing lids etc. Next, they applied oil and an indulgent back massage followed, involving the seamless introduction of hot stones.
Generally, I would describe the massage as soothing rather than deep muscle, but I had mentioned that my shoulders were tense in my pre-treatment chat and the therapist definitely concentrated more, and applied greater pressure to this area, which felt great.
The body massage was extended to the head and the treatment concluded with a good, firm, oriental head massage.
Purva Karma: This slightly unnerving sounding four-hand massage (yes, two therapists!) is billed as an Ayurvedic "ritual". The massage combines stretching and rolling movements, together with smooth strokes and gentle rocking movements.
The massage started with a lone therapist, who began by applying tepid oil to my back with moist, warm mitts. She then added a coarse salt exfoliant to the mix, which she briskly rubbed up and down my arms, legs and back, giving a fresh, tingling sensation. I was instructed to shower off in the smart shower within the treatment room, and made my way back onto the couch, lying on my back this time. The therapist then performed a few stretching and rocking moves on me, which I was told helped to "balance polarity". This sounded kind of magnetic, but felt great.
Enter Therapist Two. I have to admit to feeling slightly apprehensive about having two therapists work on my body at the same time - and it did take a bit of getting used to - while I got over the strangeness of having my feet and shoulders massaged simultaneously. But hey, I'm an open-minded woman, so I got over this pretty quickly and into the sensual onslaught that is four-hand massage.
It's fair to say that I've had a few massages in my time but there's something pretty indulgent about having one therapist working on your right shoulder while another presses a perfectly warmed stone into the sole of your left foot. It's like extreme pampering, and I wasn't sure if I was strictly worthy. The four-hand indulgence went on for a good hour before Therapist Two finally had to leave. The ritual concluded with Shirodhara, where Therapist One poured warm oil onto my "third eye" and over my scalp. This felt quite pleasant, if slightly unusual, but I can't say that there was any evidence of it living up to the claim that it would deliver "clarity of mind". If it did, I was feeling too relaxed to notice.
How did you feel afterwards?
Positively drunk with relaxation. My skin felt softer and less dehydrated than it did before the treatment, too. After my Purva Karma treatment I felt seriously spoilt, like some Greek Goddess. Or at least a C-list celebrity.
What happens afterwards?
The therapist gave me a cup of ginger tea and showed me to the relaxation room to regroup my senses.
The spa presents a challenge to anyone (like me) who has little sense of direction. Formerly an 18th-century stable block, the spa consists of a series of corridors - all modern, brightly lit and, like the hotel's rooms, immaculately presented. There are 18 treatment rooms in total including self-contained the Couples and Single VIP treatment rooms.
Dining at The Four Seasons: We dined at the Seasons restaurant, which is quite an unusually styled large room, which one of the other guests described as "reminiscent of a dining room on an ocean liner". I could see what they meant.
The cuisine is varied, of a high standard, and includes a large amount of locally sourced products. I was impressed to learn that the perfectly cooked roast lamb and immaculately tender beef that we had enjoyed as part of an impressive buffet lunch were actually from the Four Seasons' own Dogmersfield Estate. It was more a question of food metres than food miles
For dinner, I chose from the à la carte menu and enjoyed chicken breast with baby carrots, beans and wild mushrooms. My husband was equally impressed by the set Hunters Menu including local delicacies of venison and pheasant. Children are well catered for with their own menu options and a dedicated children's buffet, set up in the foyer, surrounded by toys for younger guests.
Spa facilities: At first glance, the pool reminded me of the Hot House at Kew Gardens with its domed glass ceiling and wall, giving it a good amount of natural light. The pool is a good size, at 20m, and has a lane roped off for more serious swimmers. Surrounded by banana plants, the place has a natural feel.
The pool leads through to the outside hydrotherapy pool, with swan pipes and bubble loungers. There are further loungers outside on the terrace, making it an attractive spot in summer.
Children are welcome to use the main pool, except between 11am and 3pm which is billed as "adult quiet time". There's a selection of armbands and floats. Access to the pool is via seven built-in steps making it easier to access than some. Children have to be 14 or over to use the Vitality Pool.
To the side of the main pool, there's a clear quartz crystal sauna and an amethyst crystal steam room, featuring the named illuminated stones. There are additional single-sex heat experience rooms (again crystal sauna and steam room) and an experience shower offering the choice of a blue-lit cooling minty mist or green-glowing tropical floral shower.
Long-term effects
Following our three-hour relaxation marathon that was the Cherish package, I felt like I was floating in a dream-like state for a good couple of hours.
Was it worth it?
In terms of the level of luxury and relaxation delivered, definitely, yes. But extreme pampering doesn't come cheap...
What else could you have?
The spa offers a good range of Espa treatments, including some that Espa have specially designed for the Four Seasons, incorporating poultices made from herbs in the hotel's walled garden. These include a chamomile and sage massage, lavender and rosemary back treat, and herbal hand and feet rituals.
Other treatments include Hot Stones, Ayurvedic treatments, body wraps and treatments for men, including massages, manicures, pedicures or envelopment.
Four Seasons offer day-spa packages, which are limited to eight people per day to retain an exclusive feel. I spoke to a group of women who were enjoying a day spa retreat while I was visiting the spa; they said that they would give it ten out of ten for an upmarket luxury treat. Choose from cleansing, hydrating, soothing, energising or pre- or post-natal: from £205.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Just how welcoming they are to families. Children love the little touches, such as having their own separate buffet, and the hotel staff seem to always be one step ahead in anticipating parents' needs.
Any special features?
The estate on which the spa is built is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
Who do you think would like it?
I can't really think of many people who wouldn't like it - except possibly anyone who has an aversion to luxury. It is top-end, though, so has to be more of a treat than a monthly routine for most people.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
The Four Seasons spa deserves 5 bubbles in every category - from the facilities, expert treatments, impressive customer service and friendly ambience through to the design, cleanliness and attention to detail. It was never an option to award any less than 5 gleaming bubbles.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
You just try and stop me!
We visited Four Seasons in November 2007
See also:
* Contact Details for the Four Seasons
* It's my partner's first time at a spa. What treatments should he book?
* What do you do about tipping at spas?
|
|
|