An unhurried afternoon of elegance, pampering and ‘together time’
An unhurried afternoon of elegance, pampering and ‘together time’ at The Spa Hotel(Image: The Spa Hotel)
It sounds like one of those days you dream about – an elegant escape on a summer-like day in Kent for an afternoon tea and time in a spa and wellness centre, with a treatment, in the most quintessentially English hotel. I was lucky enough to be treated to this on Saturday (May 23) by two of my sisters, and we loved every refined and relaxing minute of it.
It was at The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells set in 14 acres of picturesque grounds. We had the Afternoon Tea Spa Wellness Experience and, at the time of writing, it’s £120 per person including a treatment, with more details of that below.
You can opt to arrive at 10am and have your afternoon tea after your spa part or, as we did, arrive at 1pm, with the afternoon tea first. On arrival we parked in the hotel’s car park, had a tour of the spa and wellness suite, filled in the health check forms, before going into the spacious and beautifully light The Orangery Restaurant for our afternoon tea at 1.45pm.
We were seated by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grounds with mature trees, lawns and flowers. The afternoon tea was gasp-inducing, and we each had our own stands.
They were even better than the photo, as there two levels of savouries, with the freshest sandwiches and other bites. Two scones each with high-quality cream of just the right consistency, and jam, and a tray each of the exquisite little cakes and desserts.
I have a big appetite and I was fully sated! The staff were charming and attentive, and really helped make the whole experience, nothing was too much trouble – and I loved the fact they offered us more tea many times.
Our treatments in the spa were at 3.45pm, so we had time for a coffee on the huge, comfy sofas in the cool lounge area – and it’s great coffee. I had a 25 minutes’ facial, which was expertly and unhurriedly done with ESPA products, while my sisters each had a back, shoulder and neck massage.
After that we had full use of the spa and new wellness centre, which has to be seen to be believed. I had written about it for KentLive twice, but to see and experience it was like being in a dream.
I fully submerged several times in the cold plunge pool, and did the drench bucket about three times. I actually tried everything!
The new wellness centre is a large area, with a spacious sauna, hydro pool, hot spa pool, cold plunge pool, steam rooms, a drench bucket, ice fountain and thermo showers. There is also a pool with large windows on to the lawns, and the gym.
Afterwards, the four of us had a quick refreshing drink in the hotel’s Zagatos Bar, which was lovely and cool on what was a very hot day.
Verdict
An extra special experience and great to share with a loved one, or two! All the staff are superb, in the restaurant and in the spa and wellness centre.
It’s a very professional yet warm environment. We noticed everything was immaculate, spotless, for example, crystal clear windows in the restaurant.
I loved the zingy colours of the chairs in the restaurant, it felt modern and fresh. The food was substantial – we didn’t have champagne as shown in the photograph – and we couldn’t fault it, and one of my sisters is rather fussy.
You have plenty of time to use the spa facilities, and we didn’t once feel hurried through the process. We all felt our treatments were done very ‘mindfully’, and with care by warm therapists, who also added to our overall experience.
Charming staff made us feel very welcome and special.
The Afternoon Tea Spa Wellness Experience
- 1 treatment, up to 30 minutes per person*
- Afternoon tea in The Orangery Restaurant
- Complimentary herbal teas
- Full use of leisure facilities, including new wellness suite
- Complimentary use of towels and robe
- Arrival from 10am or 1pm
The choice of treatments are:
- Aromatherapy back, neck and shoulder massage – 25 minutes
- ESPA Express optimal skin facial – 25 minutes
- Express manicure – 30 minutes
- Express pedicure – 30 minutes
More scones, madam?
Here’s what the spa says about this package:
“Scones and self-care go together like fluffy robes and slippers. And you’ll be enjoying all of the above (and more!) on the Afternoon Tea Spa Experience at The Spa Hotel in Kent.
“Rise and shine in style, because this whole day of treats lets you access the leisure facilities from 10am. Sip a herbal tea and get your fix of luxurious lounging, before a 25-minute ritual to beautify, soothe or relax you.
“But your day isn’t over yet! Not when there are lashings of dinky sandwiches and cakes waiting for you at the light-filled Orangery.”
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