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Donnington Valley Spa, Newbury - 4 bubbles
The Donnington Valley spa and health club are well established, and offer fine facilities, excellent food, and high standards of service. If you're looking for good value for your spa money, you'll find it just off the M4.
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?
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?
Donnington Valley is a large modern hotel just off the M4 motorway. The hotel looks rather nondescript from the outside with low modern buildings stretched out beside the car park. But there are gardens at the back, and it overlooks its own 18-hole golf course.
Donnington Valley is far enough away from the motorway so you don't hear any noise, but close enough to make the hotel an ideal meeting point.
How did they welcome you?
Efficiently. Myself and spouse had been invited to stay overnight and spend a day at the spa. Staff took us on a quick tour of the hotel and spa, then we went for a walk in the lovely, small garden.
What happens next?
A member of staff showed us to our room which was modern business-hotel standard, but bright and clean with a comfortable bed. Our waffle robes and slippers were in the wardrobe.
We went along to the spa, which is on two floors. The pool, gym and café area are on the ground floor, easily accessible to day guests and members; the spa and treatment rooms are on the second floor, completely separate. You can reach the treatment rooms directly from the hotel. Sensibly, if you book a spa package, you are allocated a "spa bedroom" at the spa end of the building.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Natural Magic Energising Holistic Indulgence (80 minutes, £80) and my husband had the Back to Bliss treatment (55 minutes, £56.20).
What were the treatments like?
I love treatments that begin with a foot ritual. So that was a good start to the Natural Magic Energising Holistic Indulgence. I can spend all day having my feet washed, exfoliated and massaged!
Next, my therapist gave me a body polish which began with some skin brushing; brushing is very stimulating but can often be a bit too vigorous. My therapist got it just right with long sweeping strokes that felt good and not too prickly. The body polish itself was much smoother and finer; she removed the exfoliant with hot towels, which had the extra bonus of relaxing my muscles.
I then had a massage which included some hot-stone work especially around my neck and shoulders. My therapist tucked stones under my shoulders while she worked on the front of my body and the heat really helped to relax my tense neck muscles.
I had told my husband he was booked in for a back massage with the Back to Bliss treatment. He was a bit taken aback to find that the good strong back massage was followed by a pressure-point massage on his face, and a head and scalp massage. He enjoyed every minute of it!
How did you feel afterwards?
We both felt very relaxed and my skin felt very smooth. We both vowed to have similar treatments more often.
What happens afterwards?
The relaxation room was in use for a training session. I know from previous visits that the relaxation area is spacious and overlooks fields and trees. Usually, you can enjoy cushioned wicker relaxer chairs, subdued lighting and gentle music, as well as a herbal tea or some water after your treatment. I had a quick peek to make sure all the relaxation elements were all still there, and made my apologies for disturbing the volunteers who were road-testing the new treatments.
We headed for the pool, where a busy aqua-exercise class was just finishing. Fifteen people were having fun in the class. A section of the pool was cordoned off for swimmers -- a very sensible idea. Too often, pools are closed while classes take place, which leaves spa-goers milling around waiting to use the pool. We sat by the pool and read some of the many magazines on offer.
At 18 metres, the pool is a good size for a proper swim and the water is not too hot. They keep the air temperature around the pool high, so you can get out of the pool without shivering, while the water is cool enough to swim in. There are about 25 chairs (reclining and upright) around the pool -- testament to how busy this spa can get at weekends. You can order drinks and snacks poolside and there are little "service flags" to stand up on your table when you want to order! Very civilised.
The outdoor seating area, overlooking the golf course, is very sheltered, as it is slightly lower than the surrounding gardens, so it makes a nice suntrap.
We tried out the steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi, all of which were hot. In fact, the sauna was so hot I had to sit on a towel and tiptoe across the floor. There are also monsoon showers and an aroma steam room, which was gently warm; too gently, in fact, as I wasn't quite sure if it was working or not.
The changing rooms have tiled floors with under-floor heating: always nice when you are trying to get dry and not get cold. The mosaic-tiled walls have low-level lights built into the wall to highlight the way to the pool.
Two large padded seating areas in the middle of the changing room and one padded bench on the wall give plenty of seating. There are also plenty of lockers (I counted 63). There was body wash, shampoo, and moisturiser available, but no conditioner in the showers! There is a water dispenser and a spinner to dry your costume and a bag to pack it in.
Was it worth it?
Donnington Valley offers very good value. The spa is well designed and well equipped.
On our first visit here, we said: "It's an affordable and accessible health club and spa that will suit most people." And that is still the case.
What else could you have?
There are signature "Natural Magic" treatments from NEOM. There are ESPA, Clarins, and Spa Find facials for all skin types, including the Clarins Absolute Radiance facial to revitalise lifeless complexions. ESPA body treats include a Detoxifying Algae envelopment, or you can try a Clarins Pro Active Body Touch massage. Plus, you can experience not just reflexology but electro-reflexology.
There is a good range of Jessica and Clarins manicures and pedicures to provide a finishing touch. Go for the Luxury manicure, which allows you to simultaneously relax on the gorgeous massage chair.
Men can enjoy hot-stone treatments, a Golfer's Foot Ritual, and sports massage.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That the vegetarian food here is so good. I would have brought my vege daughter. Most restaurants offer a token risotto or goat's cheese tart. The Winepress Restaurant at Donnington Valley offers almost as many vegetarian dishes as meat-based dishes on the menu. And the lunchtime salads and bento boxes are just right for a spa day.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone new to spa-ing who wants to spa at a reasonable price in a non-intimidating atmosphere. If you are close enough to pop in for the evening, you can have a 25-minute treatment with a smoothie and use of the facilities for around £50. Spa days offer good value on weekdays (days cost slightly more at weekends) and include one or more treatments and lunch. The Sunday Spa Break is a bargain as it includes dinner, bed and breakfast, and a 25-minute treatment.
Gym bunnies: There is a large and well equipped gym at Donnington Valley, and keen trainers who will help review your routine.
Anyone travelling on business who wants to squeeze in a swim and a massage around their meeting schedule.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Donnington Valley 4 bubbles. The spa is good value and the service levels are excellent. The pool and club lounge area can get busy at times as the health club is popular, but they have designed the space to cope with the numbers. And they staff the spa well.
The treatment and relaxation rooms are on the second floor away from the pool, which keeps the peaceful atmosphere, but it also makes the spa experience slightly disjointed. You can't drift from a treatment to the pool and back to the relaxation area easily. In fact, you may find it easier to spend half the day upstairs in the spa proper and half downstairs in the pool area, as we did.
It's two years since we last reviewed Donnington Valley and we were pleased to see that the spa is still sparkling clean and very well maintained.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes. If I needed an overnight stop when travelling on business, I would make a point of booking at Donnington Valley. If I had a golf-playing spouse, this would be a great place to come. And if I were looking for a bargain for a group of friends, I would certainly check out their special offers.
We visited Donnington Valley in October 2010
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a special spa offer at Donnington Valley with our partners lastminute.com
See also:
* Contact Details for Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa
* Our Spa Spies review ESPA products
* Treatments for men
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