The Surrey Life spa guide
Above: Your guide to Surrey's spas
In Surrey Life magazine each month, writer Janet Donin visits a top Surrey spa to give it the SL treatment. Here, are a few snippets and suggestions (for the full reviews you'll have to keep an eye out for the magazine, where you'll also be able to take advantage of fantastic reader offers) for the best spas in Surrey to relax and be pampered...
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine November 2008
Name of spa: Lythe Hill Hotel & Spa
Address: Petersham Road, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3BQ
Tel: 01428 651251
What you can expect: Right in the heart of the Surrey countryside, this is a little gem. The hotel is steeped in history that dates back to the 15th century, but now it couldn’t be more up to date with stunning bedrooms, a recently refurbished restaurant and a purpose-built spa, all surrounded by 22 acres of countryside and a wealth of wildlife.
Verdict: Possibly one of the prettiest pampering locations I’ve visited, and it makes you feel as though you’ve left all the stresses of life behind.
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine October 2008 Name of spa: Nutfield Priory Hotel and Spa
Address: Nutfield, Surrey RH1 4EL
Tel: 01737 824425
What you can expect: This is a little bit of old England set high on a green Surrey hillside. The spa is adjacent to the hotel and has all the peace and tranquillity of a bygone age.
Verdict: A lovely experience, right on the doorstep, that’s incredibly pampering and relaxing.
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine August 2008
Name of spa: Runnymede Hotel and Spa
Address: Windsor Road, Egham TW20 0AG
Tel: 01784 220990
What you can expect: Situated on the banks of the River Thames, just a stone’s throw from historic Runnymede, this is probably one of the more scenic locations for a spa. Here, you can enjoy a lovely riverside walk as well as fabulous treatments.
Verdict: My facial was the best. The many cleansing and moisturising creams together with the soothing eye lotion left my skin looking so clear and smooth, and my eyes so fresh and sparkling, that I happily went home free of make-up and feeling years younger.
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine July 2008 Name of spa: Foxhills
Address: Ottershaw, Surrey KT16 0EL
Tel: 01932 872050
What you can expect: Just a stone’s throw from the M25 is a country estate of some 400 acres at the heart of which stands a beautiful 19th century manor house. It’s a hotel, a country club and a family haven surrounded by some of Surrey’s loveliest countryside. And this month sees the opening of the retreat’s new luxury health spa, gym and indoor pool complex.
Verdict: Everyone from the doorman to the MD, Marc Hayton, and the therapists to the waitresses, make you feel so welcome. And, the location really is country heaven.
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine June 2008Name of spa: Addington Palace Country Club
Address: Gravel Hill, Croydon, Surrey CRO 5BB,
Tel: 020 8662 5013 What you can expect: Take the long driveway past the golf course and you’ll reach the lovely and historic palace set in 163 acres of beautiful grounds. Henry VIII chased
deer and Anne Boleyn here and six Archbishops of Canterbury used it as a refuge.
Verdict: I felt really refreshed when I left, as if I had spent much longer than a day at Addington Palace – and the staff are so friendly, which added to the pleasure.
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine May 2008Name of spa: K Aesthetics
Address: 7-8 Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood, Surrey KT20 6EB
Tel: 01737 373832
What you can expect: The rural village of Kingswood, with its views across fields, is the last place you’d expect to find a beauty salon, let alone one that offers anti-wrinkle injections! But here in the reassuring tranquil surroundings, you can pop in for anything from a quick pedicure to Botox!
Verdict: I’ve had so many compliments on how well I look, and so relaxed, I can only assume it’s because my face looks fresher now that the annoying wrinkles have been softened. I’m so pleased I’ll just have to go back for more treatments!
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine April 2008Name of spa: The Spa at Pennyhill Park Hotel
Address: London Road, Bagshott
Tel: 01276 486156
What you can expect: From the moment you enter the turreted buildings that make up the spa, you’re in a world of luxury. Built just four years ago, in the grounds of Pennyhill Park Hotel, the spa offers a tranquil retreat of five star treatments that are hard to beat.
Verdict: This really is a little bit of heaven right in the middle of Surrey. Surrounded by so much luxury and pampering you can’t fail to enjoy. A day really isn’t long enough!
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine March 2008
Name of spa: Grayshott
Address: Headley Road, Grayshott, nr. Hindhead GU26 6JJ
Tel: 01428 602000
What you can expect: As soon as you turn into the drive at Grayshott and glimpse the beautiful manor house – once the country seat of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, with its surrounding 47 acres of beautiful lawns, shrubberies and woods – you know you’re in for a special experience.
Verdict: A very special experience that offers so much more than just treatments.
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine February 2008
Name of spa: Champneys High Street Spa
Address: 194 High Street, Guildford
Tel: 01483 455850
What you can expect: If you’ve ever visited one of Champneys’ resorts, you’re in for a treat as their new spa in the heart of Guildford is a mini replica. And the good news is that the treatments are all at high street prices, so you can pop in for a lunchtime repair to your manicure or de-stress for an hour before going home.
Verdict: A lovely beauty and massage treatment, which was only slightly spoiled by the outside noises that infiltrated the treatment room.
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine January 2008
Name of spa: Redchat Lifestyle Salon and Spa
Address: Bentalls 3rd Floor, Wood Street, Kingston-upon-Thames
Tel: 020 8546 7313What you can expect: From the bustling heart of Kingston, where better to retreat than this blissful spa? Conveniently located at the top of the escalators on the third floor of Bentalls, it’s a relaxing world apart where you can indulge in day-long pampering. Alternatively, nip in for a 60-minute facial that will leave you glowing or a spa pedicure to ease your aching feet.
Verdict: A not to-be-missed, special experience that left me wanting to return for regular massages and facials.