Best Spa for Sipping Champagne in a Hot Tub
We’re frequently asked for our personal favourites – from where’s a good bet for a romantic anniversary break in the country, to which spas have delicious food to match their delectable treatments. So, we thought it about time that we share some of our current star spas. First Impressions from the Sedate Spy.
Maison Talbooth is located just seventy miles from London on the Essex/Suffolk border in “Constable Country”. It was a lovely sunny day, one of the first this year. We took in the breathtaking views that inspired the English masters. We drove up the gravel driveway into a large car park. The grounds around the house were very impressive. The lawns were beautifully manicured, the plants well maintained and the house itself looked picture perfect.
Sedate Spy says: “The pool house completes this small but very perfect little romantic hideaway. You reach the pool house through a code-locked gate. The fire is lit every day and the pool is a constant 85 degrees all year round. It was like walking through into another world. There was a long 18 metre turquoise blue pool and I could see a bubbling hot tub to one side. There were sun loungers strategically positioned around the edges complete with large umbrellas. The plants in their stylish pots were immaculately trimmed. We were alone for the afternoon so I swam for a long time then relaxed for an even longer time in the hub tub. Next we went over to the large, very deep sofa completed with blankets and lazed about in front of the log fire. By now I really thought I had died and gone to heaven.”
There are seven categories this year, with five nominees in each, and we’ll be revealing the winners on 1 June 2010. For full details of categories and finalists visit www.good-spa-awards.co.uk
How did they welcome you?
A baby grand piano, shiny and new, is the first thing you see on entering. To the left is a large lounge area with huge comfy sofas and large coffee tables. The whole room was filled with natural light streaming in through the dual-aspect windows. A friendly member of staff greeted us by the door and asked us to take a seat in the lounge. We sank into one of the sofas by a table covered in glossy magazines. A staff member asked if we needed a drink and something to eat after our long journey. We opted for a glass of wine and the chef’s meze, both of which were light and refreshing. I walked through the lounge to the Garden Room. This is an elegant dining area with a high vaulted ceiling, huge windows and sparkling chandeliers. Two sets of French doors open out onto the terrace.
What happens next?
A porter took us to our room on the first floor, at the front of the house. I thought I had forgotten to check in but our porter informed us that there are no forms to fill at Maison Talbooth, how modern! The landing was furbished with antique furniture and bookcases filled with leather bound books. Each of the 12 suites in the hotel has been decorated uniquely and named after a famous English poet, such as Shakespeare or Shelley. Our room was “Wordsworth”. The room, opened with a huge, old-fashioned metal key, was gorgeous. It was spacious and stylishly decorated. There was a super-king-size bed with giant pillows and cushions to match the upholstered headboard. I was drawn immediately to the window and the fantastic views over the Dedham Vale. Steps led down into the spotlessly-clean marble bathroom. There was a separate shower and the bath was an enormous Jacuzzi-style affair. There was a full range of generously-sized Molton Brown soaps and lotions and plenty of super-soft towels and comfy robes on offer. The bathroom was so special I decided to have a bath. Some rooms even have their own outdoor hot tub on a private terrace!Lisa, my therapist, collected me from the lounge at the allotted time. The spa area is on the first floor and is a new addition to the hotel. The Treatment Rooms is a small spa but it was softy-lit and immaculate.
Which treatments did you have?
I had The Treatment Rooms Visible Brilliance facial – the Dermalogica signature facial – ?65 for 65 minutes. My daughter had a Powerdirect deep tissue massage. You can opt for a 30-minute back massage, a 60-minute full-body massage, or a 90-minute “marathon” massage! She chose the Powerdirect 60 – ?50 for 60 minutes.
What were the treatments like? My daughter and I opted to try one of the two dual treatment rooms. It was a spacious, crisp-white room with pale wooden counter-tops. We both undressed in the treatment room and put our clothes into chic gym sacks. Once positioned comfortably next to each other, our therapists returned.
Lisa began my facial with a double cleanse. First came the pre-cleanse, followed by a cleaning gel, which my skin loved. Next, Lisa explained “skin mapping”. This is a Dermalogica technique for skin analysis and is carried out by a Dermalogica-trained therapist. The face and neck are divided into 14 areas and each is examined separately, so that the therapist can prescribe the right products. Lisa also used the famous Dermalogica UV face-scanner. This ultra-modern magnifying glass shows the visible effects of UV damage. I was very pleased when Lisa told me that my face is still in pretty good shape, although I was suffering from a bit of dehydration.Lisa then performed a deep-pore cleanse and exfoliation, while she gently steamed my face with aromatic vapour. For the exfoliation, Lisa used microfoliant, a gentle rice-bran polish. Lisa then gave me the option for a gentle extraction with the steam vapour, which I happily agreed to. Immediately after, she painted on an aromatic face-mask which was deliciously cooling. While the mask was working its magic, I was treated to a wonderful shoulder, neck and scalp massage. Finally, Lisa applied an eye serum, followed by a luscious moisturizer.My daughter said that this was the best massage she had ever experienced. Usually, massages given by females are “a little fluffy for her”. But this female therapist had worked hard on her revision-stressed shoulders.
How did you feel afterwards?
I felt thoroughly relaxed, as if I had been treated to more than just a facial. Lisa brought in some iced water. My daughter and I chatted while slowly dressing and coming round.
What happens afterwards?
We returned to our room and I immediately fell fast asleep. When I woke up, we ventured out to eat.
The restaurant: Le Talbooth is a beautiful 16th century, timber-framed house which was originally a toll booth for horse-drawn river traffic. It occupies an idyllic position on the banks of the River Stour and is even featured in Constable’s famous painting of Dedham Vale. Much effort has gone into maintaining the building’s historic charm while incorporating modern comforts. Although only a 3-minute drive, hotel guests are chauffeured there and back by the hotel staff.
A friendly maitre d’ showed us to our seats. We started with a gin and tonic on the terrace next to the river. The terrace is covered by a large curved sail allowing guests to dine alfresco during the summer months. As we sipped our drinks, watching the reflection in the water, a group of swans glided by. I fell in love with the restaurant before a bite had passed my lips.
I asked for menu recommendations from our polite waiter. His recommendations, all locally sourced, included Dedham Vale beef, Stour Valley lamb and seafood fresh from Harwich. I had the foie gras and tasted my daughter’s hand-dived, seared scallops. These were the largest and most delicious scallops I have ever tasted. The main courses were at the same degree of excellence. My daughter had the veal tenderloin caponata with quail’s egg and I had first-rate duck. Our meal was accompanied by an excellent South African Sauvignon Blanc. Unfortunately, neither of us had any space left for the saucer-sized chocolate souffle or the Talbooth tiramisu with 100% Venezuelan chocolate.
Le Talbooth is a true gourmet destination. I would highly recommend everything about it. A picturesque setting, phenomenal food and wine, all accompanied by outstanding service.
After the short drive we arrived back at the hotel. The house looked lovely in the dark. Lights lined the path leading down to the pool house and the lights in the Garden Room glowed dimly.
We awoke to a beautiful morning, so we had our tea and poached eggs on the Garden Room’s terrace. Spectacular views and eggs cooked to perfection.
The pool area: Daniel, the helpful manager, walked us down to the pool area and entered the code on the locked gate. He informed us that the log-burning fire is lit every day and that the pool is a constant 85 degrees. The 18-metre, turquoise-blue pool also has a bubbling hot tub to one side. Sun loungers were strategically positioned around the pool edge, complete with large umbrellas.
The pool house has a large dining area complete with a kitchen and fully-stocked bar. There was a huge, comfy sofa parked in front of a 50-inch, flat-screen television. The changing rooms are tiled in beautiful dark stone and furnished with wooden-topped benches and gigantic mirrors. There were plenty of soft, fluffy-white towels.
As I entered the pool, I realised that the steps graduate down the entire side of the pool, not just a corner. I swam for a long time then relaxed in the hot tub for even longer. We then lazed about in front of the log fire, on the sofa, covered with blankets.
Long-term effects
This was my first Dermalogica facial. My skin felt beautiful and noticeably glowed. My blocked pores had been replaced by radiant skin. I felt the same the following day, even after a long stint in the pool.
Was it worth it?
Treatments are very reasonable. Accommodation and dining are a little on the pricey side, but worth every penny. You will definitely have a very memorable stay.
What else could you have?
A selection of Dermalogica face and body treatments, treatments for men, and holistic therapies such as reflexology and Indian head massage. you can visit the spa as a day guest and use the pool, hot tub and tennis court.
What do you wish you’d known before you went?
How lovely the pool area was. I would have made time to use it twice! And how good the restaurant was. I would definitely have worn a less constricting waistband!
Any special features?
Maison Talbooth, Le Talbooth and The Treatment Rooms are all very special, but the pool area was just gorgeous. The professionalism of the staff. Every member of staff I came into contact with was cheerful, polite and efficient.
Who do you think would like it?
I had a fabulous time with my daughter, but I think this is an ideal retreat for romance.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Maison Talbooth 4 bubbles. The hotel is sumptuous, the restaurant superb, and the spa treatments very professional. But the spa has no relaxation room. So for those clients not staying over, the spa experience is cut short.
Would you go again?
I didn’t want to leave!
Maison Talbooth is part of Milsom Hotels and Restaurants, the finest places to eat, drink and stay in East Anglia
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