Lighten the load at Grayshott Health Spa

Stepping through the door to a spa should be like taking off a heavy coat. You want to feel lifted, as though you have had a weight removed. Grayshott gives exactly that feeling. My stress ebbed away as I caught my first sight of the building, a beautiful manor house near Hindhead in Surrey. Once the country seat of Victorian poet Alfred Tennyson, it was rebuilt later; a tower added in 1886 has the mottoes "Pax Intrantibus" (peace as you enter) and "Salus Exuentibus" (health as you leave) which summed up my feelings perfectly.

Settling in

Check in and induction were painless and my friend and I was shown to our rooms promptly. My room was beautiful in style and generous in size. I felt I needed a step ladder to climb onto the four poster bed with its luxury linen and plump pillows. The bathroom was bright and generous with plenty of fluffy towels and toiletries and, if I planned to take sanctuary in my room for the evening, the big flat screen TV had plenty of satellite channels to surf.

After settling into my room and getting into the healthy vibe by eating the sliced fruit served on arrival I changed into my dressing gown - an instant relaxer - and went in search of lunch. In the restaurant the sun was streaming through the windows, creating a bright and airy space. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the food tasty and varied. There is a buffet at breakfast and lunch and, whether you want to lose weight or not, a great selection of healthy eating options. I had some gorgeous prawns and piled my plate high with delicious salads.

Spa treatments

After lunch it was off to the treatment rooms.  The male and female spas feature heat treatment, relaxation rooms, hydrotherapy suite, Hamman Bed, sensual treatment rooms for individuals and a VIP treatment suite for couples. The therapist asked me about my lifestyle and skin issues. I explained that I didn't sleep well and often suffered headaches from dehydration so she devised a facial that would relax me and rehydrate my skin. It included a divine neck and shoulder massage. I looked five years younger by the time I had my second treatment, a heavenly hair and scalp massage. 

The therapist used just the right amount of pressure and the massage was hypnotically relaxing. That evening my friend commented on the great condition of my hair and skin - so the treatments had clearly worked their magic!

Evening entertainment

After the treatments, we relaxed in the lounge, then dressed for dinner. We had a non-alcoholic cocktail in the Bubbles bar - wine is also available should you fancy something stronger. The a la carte menu in the dining room was good and, again, the staff were attentive but unobtrusive. And at the end of a truly relaxing day it was pure pleasure to go to my room and enjoy the calm space and quietness before drifting off to sleep in my four poster bed.

The next day after a buffet breakfast my friend and I went for a swim. The pool is great but there was an aqua-aerobics class in progress, which is not so good when you are hoping for a quiet swim. I also struggled to get the infinity whirlpool working; but they are small complaints in an otherwise lovely break.

My stay at Grayshott felt like the perfect balance between indulgence and healthy living and I felt really restored. They say one drink on a plane is worth three on the ground; well in relaxation terms, two days at Grayshott felt like I'd just come back from a week long holiday!

Prices and contact details

Prices are from £205 per person per night in a Classic Room based on two people sharing. This price includes full board, a Grayshott Classic Massage and either a Grayshott Refresher Facial or a Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage and use of all facilities (spa, gym, exercise classes, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, mountain bicycles, golf and daily walks).

Grayshott Spa Days start from £95 for ‘Grayshott a la Carte Day', including use of all spa facilities and lunch.

Grayshott Spa, Headley Road, Grayshott, Nr Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6JJ; phone 01428 602020 or visit www.grayshottspa.com

Special offer for All About You readers

We are pleased to offer an exclusive deal for All About You readers to receive a 20% discount for any 2-night spa break midweek (Sunday to Thursday) between March 25 and April 30.

To take up this offer please call Grayshott Reservations on 01428 602020 or email reservations@grayshottspa.com and quote All About You when making your booking.  This offer is subject to availability, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and excludes Easter (April 12 and 13). Prices from £348 per person.

See last month's spa review

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