The Cotswold cure-all

Beauty journalist Donna Francis knows a thing or two about spa hotels. How would she rate the luxurious Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds?

As a beauty journalist, there’s not a lot I don’t know about spa hotels. Relaxing, peaceful places that offer an escape from everyday stress. They should soothe away any aches and pains  in your head and in your heart. So it’s fair to say that my expectations for Whatley Manor and its Aquarias Spa were high.

 

But those expectations were met as soon as my sister and I drove up the hotel's private tree-lined driveway and the fairytale-like entrance greeted us. As the hotel’s discreet set of gates opened magically, and we drove into the typically picturesque Cotswold-stone courtyard that‘s surrounded by the Grade-II listed manor house, we were far from disappointed. The smartly-dressed concierge met us at our car (which was valet parked for the rest of our stay) with a VIP “Hello Mrs Francis” name check and smooth, swift check-in.

 

Deluxe accommodation 

 

Our swanky accommodation was an impressive split-level 3-room suite (divided into spacious living, bedroom and bathroom areas) with impressive views of Whatley Manor's English country garden and the sweeping cow-grazing countryside surrounding it. Stylish, chintz-free manor-house-style fittings mixed happily with modern gizmos like a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound hi-fi system and two plasma TV’s. The marble-clad bathroom could have housed a spa in itself - it was hard to choose between bathing in either the impressive glass-walled power shower or the stand-alone bathtub.

 

After a flick through the hotel literature (where we learnt about the 24-hour room service, 40-seater cinema, 2 restaurants, one of which has a Michelin star and the general A-list quality of the rest of the hotel’s services), my sister and I were ready to test the spa to see if it deserved the 5-star rating we had already given our room and the services we had met so far. So, dressed in the typical spa uniform provided in our bedroom - fluffy robes and soft, spongy slippers - we padded our way through the hotel’s cosy corridors and after a short tour, found our way to the stable block, where Aquarias, the hotel’s spa, is housed.     

 

Moment of truth: The spa 

 

We didn’t know what to do first. Was it to be a dip in the spa’s in-and-outdoor hydrotherapy pool (UK‘s largest), a visit to one of the spa’s three thermal cabins or just a chill-out in the relaxation room? The hydrotherapy pool was the winner, and it didn’t disappoint. Okay, it’s not for swimming, but we didn’t want to exert ourselves too much anyhow. It has the perfect design (and temperature) for lounging, while bubbling jets and miniature waterfalls get your senses going and transport you to Planet Chill.  The treatments (a La Prarie facial for both of us) provided a tonic for our souls, not just our skins. Both therapists left the chit-chat outside the large, serene treatment rooms, allowing us both to wallow in what were heavenly facials. 

 

After changing into our informal-but-still-dressy evening wear, we went to the bar for a glass of champagne or two before dinner. We could’ve stayed gossiping in one of the bar’s private corner tables all night, with the garden terrace providing the perfect view, but we had a table booked at La Mazot, the hotel’s relaxed brasserie-style restaurant. On arrival we were both quite taken aback by the dining room's Swiss-chalet-style décor that’s so different to the rest of the hotel’s chic furnishings. However, the food was fine and faultless. 

 

And there is little at Whatley Manor that disappoints. The magnificent picture-postcard building, its impressive grounds, delicious cuisine, first-class service and not to mention, superstar spa makes it a hotel you’ll want to visit again and again.  But for next time, we’ve decided to bring our other halves to pick up the bill…

 

More information 

 

A one-night stay at Whatley Manor costs from £290 per room for a standard room, including bed and breakfast and 10% discretionary service charge and VAT, plus use of the spa Aquarias.  Spa treatments cost from £80 for a 60-minute treatment or £115 for a 90-minute treatment.  Tai Chi and personal training costs £50 per person per hour. For further information and to book call Whatley Manor on 01666 822888 or visit the website at www.whatleymanor.com.

 

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