There are two words guaranteed to brighten any gloomy afternoon, but which are ESPECIALLY welcome in this never-ending month of January. Nope, not ‘free bar’ (though that comes close second): spa day.
I recently received a kind invitation to Hoar Cross Hall, and after checking it out online, I knew I was in for something really special. This Grade II listed stately home looked unlike any other spa I’d visited, and so last Sunday morning I whizzed over there with high expectations. (And by ‘whizzed’ I obviously mean I crept across at about 5 miles per hour because it had snowed overnight and the Derbyshire country roads were close to giving this city girl a breakdown.)
On arrival I was blown away by this simply beautiful hotel and spa. An impressive, Downton-esque exterior is complimented by stylish and surprisingly modern interiors, with bright pops of colour and cosy fabrics creating a very inviting atmosphere as you walk through the hotel.
The day spa was equally as impressive, and in all honesty my only regret of the day was that I couldn’t really get any good photos (nobody wants to be the weirdo with the camera when people are trying to chillax in their ‘kinis, do they?) I’ve included a couple from the website here to give you an idea, but definitely check out their gallery for a more complete overview.
While I’ve never had a ‘bad’ spa day, I’ve definitely been to spas that have felt a bit like a standard leisure centre with a massage thrown in. They’ve been the sort of places where you’re happy to have a treatment and hit the sauna, but there’s nothing particularly luxe to keep you hanging around. However, Hoar Cross Hall is the complete opposite to this. It’s the real deal, with relaxation and luxury absolutely top of the agenda.
The spa is huge, and filled with plenty of impressive facilities to keep you busy during a spa day. There are two pools, one hydrotherapy and one salt water with its own cave (yes, cave). Both have jacuzzis, so there are plenty of places for you to unwind. An aqua massage section has a range of different sensory rooms, from body jets and a foot spa to a freezing cold plunge pool. I obviously swerved this, because I’m not insane, but I encouraged my boyfriend to go in (heehee) and it looked like, shall we say, an experience.
After mooching around this area, it was time for our massages, which were absolutely divine. I went for a relaxing Swedish full body, while James went for a more intense deep tissue (which he still managed to fall asleep through – how do they manage this?!) Of course all of this pampering really works up an appetite, so we were really lucky to then be treated to a lovely three-course lunch in one of the hotel’s restaurants.
After lunch – where everyone was eating in their robes, chill vibes only – we explored the rest of the spa. The Nordic Heat and Ice Suite is a Scandi-inspired ‘sensory experience’, where you can move from a salt steam room to an Ice Temple to invigorate your skin and senses.
From here, there are plenty of chill-out areas where spa guests were unwinding with books, hot drinks and what looked like a lot of napping. A personal highlight for me were the large hanging pods – someone tell me where I can buy them and how I can get one fitted in my two-bedroom flat ASAP, please and thanks.
Overall, we had the most amazing spa day at Hoar Cross Hall. The attention to detail, impressive interiors and lovely, helpful staff all contributed to a perfect experience. The spa packages here start at a very reasonable £39 per person, while the Serene Spa Package that we enjoyed costs £119 per person.
Have any of you visited Hoar Cross Hall, or would you like to? Let me know in the comments!
Wow this looks so relaxing! Who doesn’t love eating lunch in a robe?!
Oh wow this sounds and looks absolutely amazing! I’ve never been to a spa but this post has really made me want to visit one for a treat!
Cyber Mermaids | Alternative beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog
This place looks amazing! Definitely have to check it out sometime this year. Great review xx