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Cambridge Belfry Hotel, Cambourne - 3 bubbles
Sybaritic Spy stopped over at the Cambridge Belfry between business meetings. A morning at their Reflections spa helped to focus her mind and ease her anxiety before her next presentation.
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?
Getting a room and booking treatments was easy, even a couple of days beforehand. They even held the room for an hour, so I could double-check meeting times and routes. Their website listed the treatments available quite clearly and when I rang back to confirm, the reception put me straight through to the spa to book my treatments. Since it was a weekday and I had most of the morning free, it was easy to get the facial and massage I wanted.
First impressions?
Finding the hotel proved the greatest challenge of all. Cambourne is a new village being built from scratch just outside Cambridge. So streetmap.co.uk doesn't have the hotel postcode, presumably because it was open fields until not long ago. I printed out the tiny map from the hotel's website and followed the directions to the village. But it took me several attempts to find the actual hotel. Eventually I rang them and they literally had to talk me in on my mobile phone. I had driven past the entrance several times because, firstly, the hotel looks like a low-rise office block and, secondly, the entrance is blocked by a barrier. It does, of course, lift as you turn into the hotel but driving past you don't know that. I mentioned this to the receptionist who obviously thought I was just daft and couldn't read a map. But next day the therapist asked me if I found the hotel easily and commented that many people have difficulty.
The hotel: The hotel is modern; all soft neutral colours and light and airy. Rooms are a decent size with comfortable beds. There is a bit of a feel of an upmarket shopping centre about it as the buildings are new and quite raw still, and views are out over the building sites and new estates of the village. They have tried to soften everything down with a small lake, trees and shrubs but it's likely to take some years before it feels part of the landscape.
The leisure centre: The leisure centre is light and airy, with a Jacuzzi and a pool large enough to swim a lap or two. There is a small gym and outside tennis courts.
Changing rooms: The changing rooms are spacious, though they feel slightly like those in a public swimming pool; lockers and cubicles abound. There is a steam room and sauna, though I didn't have time to try either as my massage beckoned.
How did they welcome you?
It was a quiet weekday morning and I appeared to be the only person having treatments, so the receptionist gave me the usual health form and my therapist came over straightaway to greet me.
What happens next?
My therapist took me through to the generously sized treatment room, which has a shower-room going off it.
Which treatments did you have?
I had an Espa Concept Facial and aromatherapy massage.
What were the treatments like?
My therapist read my forms and noted that I get migraines. She said that she would take that into account when she did my massage and concentrate on the areas that tend to tighten up. We discussed my hatred of lavender oils, which gave her a small problem as most of the pre-mixed massage oils they use have lavender in them. In the end, she suggested the un-perfumed oil called "nourish" that they usually use for pregnant women. That was fine by me... I liked the idea of being nourished after two days of presentations, meetings and budget spreadsheets.
The massage she gave me was slightly lighter than I usually like it but wonderfully focused and careful. She used her fingers to tease out the tense spots, and her fingertips to put pressure on individual muscles and areas. It felt wonderful, as did the big stroking movements she made to lengthen and stretch my spine. Twenty-five minutes went all too quickly, but I was noticeably more relaxed than I was when she began.
The therapist asked me to turn over ready for the facial and held the towel up in front of her while I did so, to preserve my modesty. As I had another meeting to go to that afternoon and didn't want to turn up looking as if I hadn't washed my hair for a week, she found me a hairband to protect me from the oil. My facial included some detailed face massage, which was very good; fingertip pressure around muscles relaxed them without dragging on the skin. The cold eye-pads were pressed very firmly into place, which was a bit of a surprise. While the face pack was doing its magic, she gave me a quick hand-and-arm massage and then left me for a few minutes... which turned into 15. I always hate it when this happens. I was bored and fidgety lying there by myself and much prefer places where they give a longer hand and arm massage and don't rush off.
When my therapist came back, she removed the face mask, spritzed me with toner, and I was all done. She reminded me to drink plenty of water and maybe have a cup of coffee before I left as I might be sleepy otherwise, and I had a long drive ahead. Her parting comment was "Your skin is wonderfully soft. It's lovely to massage." One last moment of ego massage to go with the body massage. Ah, the power of compliments!
How did you feel afterwards?
I left floating on air, relaxed and ready to do battle with those spreadsheets once more.
What happens afterwards?
There wasn't really anywhere to sit and relax in the spa, though I could have used the main hotel areas, I suppose. It would have been nice if there had been a relaxation area, and to have been offered a drink. But my skin looked and felt good for several days and I was certainly much more relaxed than when I arrived.
Long-term effects
The massage undid the knots caused by driving a couple of hundred miles, and allowed me to recharge my batteries. The facial left my skin feeling smooth and soft. It was just a shame to have to put make up on straight away.
Was it worth it?
It was certainly good value, though not luxurious.
What else could you have?
They had the full range of Espa facial and body treatments, as well as reflexology, manicure and pedicure.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
I wish I had known that the pool was so good, since I would have built time into my visit for a swim and to use the Jacuzzi. So many hotels don't have a decent-sized pool but this one was worth a few lengths and it was empty! Apparently it gets very crowded during school holidays; Cambourne has very few local amenities so a good number of local families use it. But on a weekday during the school term, you are likely to find it quiet. Also, bring a bottle of water, since they don't provide drinks.
Any special features?
The fantastic pool.
Who do you think would like it?
This spa would appeal to businessfolk travelling to the Cambridge area for an event or a meeting. Since it's functional rather than luxurious, it is more suitable for having a specific treatment than a relaxing, lazing-about time. Also it would be good if you have never been to a spa and are a bit nervous about the whole thing. You could just book a treatment and see if you like it... a sort of spa-lite.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
This is a good hotel spa with above-average facilities. It's not a place you'd be likely to go just for the spa, but it functions very well for its clientele. It's no frills but no nonsense, either. It does what it does well, but it's not a full spa experience, so 3 bubbles.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes. And as it's part of a chain of 15 hotels around the country, six of which have spas, I will look out for a Marston hotel when travelling on business.
This spa review is due an update!
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See also:
* Contact Details for Cambridge Belfry Hotel
* Aromatherapy
* Is there a right order for treatments? Massage before my facial or after?
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