Grayshott Spa, Surrey

by Nina Cuthbert

Above: Grayshott Spa

The History: Tucked away in the sleepy environs of the Surrey countryside, Grayshott Spa boasts a locale rich in English heritage having once been the seat of Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson. An hour’s drive from the bustle of London, it encompasses 47 acres of woodland, gardens and lush sprawling lawns adjoining 700 acres of National Trust land; perfect for tranquil walks and re-charging those worn down batteries.

The Room: Overlooking the estate that offers views of rolling fields and glimpses of baby rabbits scuttling across the golf course, the room is positioned perfectly. At the top of a grand sweeping staircase, it has a four-poster bed, sofa, armchair and large widescreen television. The vast bath-room has a plethora of Grayshott signature lotions, creams and shower products – allowing you to indulge further. The mango shower gel is the pick of the collection.

The Spa: A wide variety of treatments is available to visitors and each is tailored to individual requests, whether for health and dietary reasons or just an opportunity to lie back and relax. Should you wish to stay for two, three, four or even seven nights, packages are put together under the brackets of de-stress, detox, pamper or sport/fitness – something for everyone. Highly recommended is the osteopathy session, which gently manipulates and de-stresses one’s body framework while the Safflower Salt Scrub relieves the skin of any dry or rough areas and leave it as smooth as the day you were born. The Marine Algae Wrap is a delight – you may look like you have been involved in a mud fight at a music festival but once it has all washed off, your skin will be glowing. Massages are deep and soothing and the manicures and pedicures leave you looking and feeling like a movie star. It is well worth purchasing from the Jessica range of nail varnishes

The Restaurant: Guests are given a choice between The Dining Room and The Conservatory. Wherever you choose to eat, the three-course meals will leave you feeling well-fed and satisfied without the guilt of having over-indulged. The Conservatory has a wood-burning oven, the lamb steak easily worth a Michelin star on its own. The Dining Room offers whole sea bass on its menu, perfectly baked and the buffet lunch has a delectable array of seafood, meats and vegetarian options, all of which are well worth going back for more. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken seriously at the spa and by providing guests with new and interesting ways of healthy eating, one leaves believing that this can be done every day at home.

The Upside: Guests roam freely in dressing gowns and slippers, making it an informal and comfortable atmos-phere. Bicycles can be hired to explore the surrounding fields and there is also a small cinema showing nightly films.

The Downside: The only place you can serve yourself tea and coffee and access the internet, should you so wish, is in a communal area of the hotel, neighbouring the spa reception. This should be available in each room.

The Extras: There is a swimming pool, sauna and a gym, alongside numerous classes in yoga, pilates, tai chi and personal training.

The Details: Club Orchard Rooms: double occupancy are from £395 per person for two nights including three treatments each, suites start from £565 per person for two nights including three treatments.

Grayshott Spa, Headley Road, Grayshott, Nr Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6JJ
Main house: 01428 602000
Reservations: 01428 602020
www.grayshottspa.com