A spa in the fast lane: Whittlebury Hall

Within shouting distance of the Silverstone track, Whittlebury Hall is one of the UK's biggest spa hotels. Bernadette Fallon took a holiday. PLUS Win a stay at Whittlebury Hall - see below ...

From the moment I arrive at Whittlebury Hall, I'm in no doubt that I'm in a spa hotel. There are white robbed, be-slippered guests around every corner - chatting to the reception staff as I'm checking in, padding across the lounge carrying blue spa day-bags, sitting in the bar sipping glasses of wine, even out on the terrace in the sunshine having tea. And it's good to find a venue that doesn't divide its ‘spa' and ‘hotel' activities like some do, because there's something very liberating about sitting in public in your dressing gown. It certainly beats a normal Saturday in Tesco.

 

Atmosphere

 

Located in rural Northamptonshire, Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa is just 10 minutes off the M1, or coming by train from London, a 20-minute taxi journey from Milton Keynes. The hotel is modern, bright and big. Too big and modern for the kind of cosy ‘nook and cranny-ness' of traditional country house hotels to which the name aspires. But it has its own individual quirks all the same; like the memorabilia-packed Silverstone bar (the famous track is just behind the hotel), and the handwritten letters from Princess Diana to staff at nearby Althorp House hanging in the corridor outside.

 

And while it's spacious rather than cosy, guest comfort is high on the list - there are loads of inviting couches in reception and bucket armchairs in the bar; there's even a huge separate lounge around the corner from reception, perfect if you're visiting with the family or a group of girlfriends, though couples will probably find the bar and outside terrace more intimate.

 

Award-winning

 

Of course it's not selling itself on atmosphere, it's selling itself as one of the UK's largest spas and has picked up an impressive list of awards - from the AA for Culinary Excellence, an Enjoy England Gold Award for Large Hotels, and a Condé Nast Recommended Hotel cert.

 

But what of the star attraction - the spa itself?

 

Not one of these ‘pseudo spas' (a few treatment rooms and a Jacuzzi), the spa covers a large area over two floors and includes a leisure club, open plan restaurant and hair salon. It's a busy spot, catering for both hotel guests and loads of people on day spa trips.

 

Spa facilities

 

The spa area is created around a large hydrotherapy pool, with the steam rooms, saunas, experience showers and ice cave opening off it. The Aromatherapy crystal steam room is great for really opening the sinuses, while the Caldarium is perfect for a milder steam and comes with foot rests for a more relaxing experience. There's a traditional sauna, and a sanarium - just like a sauna, just not as hot - while outside, an ice cave turns out to be my favourite spot of the lot.

 

Unlike other ice caves I've tried which are shaped out of pure ice that you can sit on - and stick to as I've found out the hard way - this is refreshingly icy rather than the equivalent of stepping into the Artic Circle. There's a large bowl of ice where you can grab handfuls to rub yourself with, lovely! (And this from somebody who won't even take a lukewarm shower normally!) There are also two companion foot spas, beside two moulded sunbeds with head cushions - these looked very comfy but as there were only two they were in high demand.

 

Relaxing

 

To do any serious sitting around in your robe, you need to go back out to the spa reception area with its comfy armchairs, stocked fruit bowl, iced water and ‘tea of the day' (today it's peppermint), though this can get a little busy as it's also where new arrivals fill out their registration forms. So I head to the leisure club. The large 19m swimming pool is surrounded by loungers and I settle back with a magazine to while away half an hour before lunch. The leisure club also boasts its own sauna, steam room and whirlpool spa opening off the pool area, nearby there's a 42-station gym. You can also take part in any of the scheduled classes running on the day of your visit - these include yoga, aerobics, Pilates, body workouts and - intriguingly - salsa.

 

Spa lunch

 

Lunch is included in the spa package; it's help-yourself buffet style and features a good range of choices with a great seafood selection, some nice salads a few hot dishes including jacket potatoes, vegetarian moussaka and sweet and sour pork with rice, and there's a tasty fruit salad for dessert. If you're paying for lunch separately or don't fancy the buffet, prices range from £5 for Paninis, mains are around £10, desserts for £5.

 

Treatments

 

Later I have an Elemis Cooling Hot Stone Face & Body treatment. I've had hot stone massages before and really enjoyed them, the hot stones are the perfect complement to a firm massage, the heat continuing to loosen the muscles as the therapist moves around the body. This treatment is even better as it combines the benefits of a facial with a massage - so difficult trying to choose between them normally. Of course, both are in shorter form - it's a half hour facial and a half-hour massage, but the benefits are that your whole body is worked on and not only are muscles loosened by the massage, your skin is left fresh and glowing as well. The therapist I had was very good - I was able to do a full body stretch with the greatest of ease after my body treatment, and that's not something I can normally do easily.

 

The spa uses both Elemis and Espa products, there's a beauty shop upstairs from the spa reception where you can buy any products that take your fancy - you will also be given a list of recommended products after your treatment. Oh, and for those of you who turn up at the spa without a bathing costume (guilty - and how stupid I felt!), there's also a small shop in the leisure centre selling swimming costumes and other spa essentials.

 

Accommodation

 

The bedrooms are smart and well appointed, though views vary. Get a front-facing room and enjoy the rolling green countryside of the surround parkland; be wary of the over-bar area though if you're not planning to participate in the fun downstairs at night - the music can get very loud.

 

Dining

 

There are three restaurants, all serving different menus - Murrays for gourmands with its double AA rosette rating, Astons, the main dining room, and Bentleys, which has a more informal setting. There's also a full bar menu on offer in the Silverstone bar, or you can eat outside at the terrace café.

 

Prices and information

 

1-night spa stay from £75 per person midweek, special packages available.

To find out more contact the hotel: Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa, West Park, Northamptonshire, NN12 8QH; phone 01327 857857, email sales@whittleburyhall.co.uk or visit the website www.whittleburyhall.co.uk

 

Special offer for All About You readers

 

Book a one-night spa stay for two for £75 per person midweek and enjoy a free 25-minute back, neck and shoulder massage - phone 0845 4000002 and quote All About You to book.

 

Looking for more ideas?

 

Read last month's spa review - the Royal Spa at Tunbridge Wells

 

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Great ideas for relaxing escapes

 

Enjoy a one-night wonder - Stoke Place Hotel

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