Escape to Henlow Grange (Henlow Grange)

Member Name: snow_white_forev

Product:	Henlow Grange
Date:	11/09/09 (70 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful grounds and luxurious treatments

Disadvantages: Very Expensive

Before staring university my mum and I decided we wanted to do something special just the two of us, and we were over the moon when we heard that Champneys offered a special mother and daughter break, as neither of us have ever been to a spa before. Champneys have four resorts in the UK and all of them offer residential packages and day experiences, but I would recommend checking the promotional section on their website as they regularly offer both type at discounted prices.

The 2 night mother and daughter break is a regular promotion that is offered each year around mother's day at all resorts, with one guest paying full price while the other receives 50% off. The package includes 3 treatments per person, breakfast, lunch and dinner, 2 nights accommodation, full use of the facilities and daily fitness and relaxation classes. Prices start from £299.85 per room but vary depending on the resort and the choice of room, prices are inclusive of VAT.

We choice to stay at Henlow Grange as it was the closest to my mum, located in Bedfordshire just of J13 of the M1. Henlow Grange is a gorgeous Georgian mansion, situated in 150 acres of peaceful and tranquil countryside. Driving up to the entrance we were both in awe of the beautiful building and I cannot fault it or the impressive grounds, but unfortunately the inside isn't quite as impressive. Everywhere is clean and the rooms are beautiful with opulent upholstered furniture and hand painted walls but the corridors and communal areas seem to lack a certain charm that would complement the impressive building.

All around the grounds were the friendliest ducks ever that frequently came right up to our room's patio door and looked right in at us, obviously used to being fed by guests. In the centre of the ground floor is a small closed of courtyard where a mummy duck had 10/11 tiny cute little ducklings. In with the ducks, amongst trees and shrubs, were bowls of food and a small little fountain and watching them wash has to be one of the most adorable things I've ever seen!

Both checking in and out was swift and efficient and I found the staff there to be helpful and always polite. On arrival we received a pack that contained a free pen and note paper, leaflets on the evening talks, promotional information, timetable and info on classes, an identity card and a personal timetable of our treatments. Unfortunately Champneys arrange when each treatment takes place and in some cases they may clash with classes you wish to take part in or be soon after arrival or close to departure. Luckily our timetable was evenly spread out over the 3 days and worked perfectly for us both.


~~~The Rooms~~~

Champneys Henlow Grange offers a choice of rooms: Standard, Superior, Premier or Suite. All are fitted with an en suite, colour TV, DVD player, hairdryer, a telephone and toiletries. The Superior rooms are located on the ground floor with a patio, or in the original Georgian mansion house on the second floor, they also come with complimentary Champneys robes. The Premier rooms are more spacious with a fruit basket on arrival whilst the suites are more luxurious, spacious and individually styled.

We opted for a twin superior room and stayed in Room 43, situated on the ground floor. The beds were lovely and comfortable so the only thing that kept us awake was our nonstop chatting. The room opened out onto a small private patio area with table and chairs, and the view out was amazing. Opposite was a beautiful trickling waterfall with ducks swimming and not another building or any road in sight; totally tranquil and picturesque.

~~~What to wear~~~

Most guest during the day wear towelling robes, either their own or those provided by Champneys, and slippers. What you wear under your robe is up to you, but most people opt for swimwear. Many people I know have commented that this feels strange to start with but we instantly clicked into it, as both my mum and I would live in dressing gowns if it was sociably acceptable! Robes are acceptable anywhere in the building and breakfast and lunch but guests are required to get dressed for the evening meal, in 'smart casual' clothes.

Swimwear is also needed for the pool areas and comfortable clothes, that you can easily move in are required if you want to take part in any of the free classes. For treatments you will either be provided with an unflattering paper thong, or can roll down your swimming costume if preferred.

~~~Spa Facilities~~~

Include a beautiful 25m indoor pool and Jacuzzi; the pool area is Grecian themed and very clean when we stayed. I had been slightly worried as before I had read reviews that the pool was poorly kept but I can honestly say the neither my mum nor I noticed any problems in terms of cleanliness. The pool itself is a perfect even depth; deep enough to swim in whilst being shallow enough to stand during aqua fitness classes, and never over crowded. Lockers are provided in the changing rooms, which are spacious and also clean, equipped with a Laconium heat room, herbal steam chamber and sauna.

There is also a small gym available, with bikes, cross trainers, treadmills and a stepper and two fitness studios where the fitness and relaxation classes take place.


~~~Classes~~~

The weather was beautiful when we went and many people chose to spend the majority of the day sunbathing on the loungers along by the river that runs through the grounds or swimming in the pool. However, each day Henlow offer a full timetable of free activities that are relaxed, fun and informal. They offer intense fitness classes such as spinning and cardio blast, as well as outdoor running and cycling. They also offer tennis, aqua aerobics and circuit training, as well as the more calm yoga and pilates. We tried as many as possible, my mum' personal favourite was a salsa dance class, suitable for all abilities, whilst I loved aqua fit and the 'better backs' workshop where I picked up lots of tips and exercises to help my slight lower back pain.


~~~The evenings~~~

The evenings are relaxing and very quiet, personally I would recommend taking a book or magazine to keep you occupied, but DVDs are available for hire from reception. There are also evening talks available, which are usually on such subjects as palmistry, and general wellbeing. We opted not to attend these though, preferring to chat and giggle with a bottle of wine that we sneaked in or to read our books.



~~~Treatments ~~~

Now for the best bit of the whole spa experience... The majority of day and residential packages have inclusive treatments; the more expensive packages usually have a choice of more exotic treatments whilst the cheaper packages usually include a basic 25min Champneys massage and facial. The mother and daughter package included a 25 mins facial, massage and a Thalassothearaphy pool session.

It is possible to book additional treatments either online or in writing on top of your package, if there is a particular treatment that you want then I would recommend booking in advance. However, if like us you're not too fussy and love a bargain then it is possible to book treatments whilst at the spa, as in the spa reception there is a board full of that day's special offers and it is possible to get fantastic bargains. Of course, booking while there you do run the risk of nothing being available, but we went mid week and where able to book 2 additional treatments each.

A wide variety of treatments are available at Henlow Grange; everything I could ever think of. I have since spent hours on their website dreaming about which treatments I'll have when I can afford to go back again! They offer relaxing treatments for the body, such as wraps, massages, and flotations; treatments designed to tone and shape the body, some of which promise loss in centimetres and a wide variety of facials to suit all skin types and ages. They also offer treatments aimed at lifestyle and mind, such as aromatherapy, physic healing, colour analysis and Iridology (a reading of your Iris!). On top of these treatments they also offer many 'finishing touches' treatments, for example manicures, pedicures, waxing and make-up application.

Massage and Facial - I was a bit worried that our included massage and facial would feel rushed as each lasted only 25mins each and previously my other massages had been an hour long. But I was totally wrong; I lost all concept of time and entered pure heaven!

Thalassotheraphy - I was very excited about this treatment as I had no idea what to expect and the website stated it was an excellent treatment for cellulite! They also claim that it is effective in treating arthritis and general muscular and joint aches and pains too. However, it is one of those treatments where you need a few sessions for any effect but it was certainly great fun, and I must have burnt lots of calories from laughter alone. It's a shared treatment, my mum and I were with another mother and daughter team and three friends, together we all entered a mineral rich warm pool with hydrotherapy jets that stimulate and tone tired aching muscles. The pool is fitted with a series of different stations each aimed at targeting a different area: at one we had to walk round in circles against a strong resistance aimed at boosting metabolism, and along one wall is a series of different jets at different heights, but the most hilarious station was a jet shower. The shower jet was POWERFUL, and you could not only feel it above water but under too, nearly every time someone first got under it they ended up spaying water on everyone opposite. Certainly not a treatment to take too seriously, our group was almost hysterically laughing by the end of it.

Rasul - was the first additional treatment we booked and we had £10 off reducing the price to £20 each. The treatment, which lasts 45mins, is another shared treatment and is exclusive to Henlow Grange and Forest Mere. It is best described as, "Mud, glorious mud!" The treatment takes place in a specially designed chamber that seats up to 4 people (you can book the chamber privately but at a much higher cost; ideal of couples as when shared the treatment is single sex.) We all got naked and put on the sexy paper thongs provided, not a great look but surprisingly comfy. Inside we were instructed to cover our faces, necks and breasts in white mud and to smother the rest of us in the brown mud, which was smooth but with exfoliating grit. Once covered in mud and sitting down, the lights switched off and the domed ceiling lighted up with dim tiny stars, then scented steam filling the chamber (not too hot) and relaxing music played. At the end of the session "tropical rain" fell from the ceiling and we washed the mud off. This treatment is definitely fun but there is also an instantly noticeable effect, as the combined benefits of mud and steam left my skin feeling utterly fantastic. I cannot recommend this treatment enough, defiantly a 'must have'.

Unwind and Soothe Wrap - lasts 25mins and cost £32. The therapist begins by body brushing your skin, and then rubs aromatherapy oils all over the body, and then wraps you in cling film. To start with a felt a bit like a turkey but I soon relaxed as whilst being wrapped up, the therapist gave me a heavenly scalp massage. You get to keep your body brush after the treatment.

I found that the therapists at Henlow to be friendly and welcoming, without being too chatty, which allows you to enjoy the treatments and relax without having to think too hard about making small talk. Some treatments aren't suitable for all, for example the rasul isn't recommend for those with diabetes or those pregnant. I would advise checking online first before booking additional treatments; any inclusive treatments that aren't suitable can be switched for something else.

~~~Food~~~

Many people are worried that the food at health spas are bland and equivalent to rabbit food but I can assure you that this isn't the case, the food was divine! Personally I felt that the food was a true highlight of the whole experience; whilst everything served was nutritious it was delicious too. Breakfast is buffet style with a wide variety of choice; I had melon, other fresh fruit and toast, with a cup of tea and fresh fruit juice. Lunch is a hot and cold buffet but the choice of food is amazing; different fishes, chicken, curries, breads, a wide variety of salads, rice, new potatoes and plenty of other options too; I completely ignored the signs indicating calories and the correct mix of fibre, protein and carb, and went up both days for a second helping.

Dinner is the true highlight and is a three course balanced meal; for each course there is about five or six options. The food was all beautifully presented and I cannot fault it, and I'm quite a fussy eater. To give you an idea of what's on offer: the first night I had caesar salad, lamb on garlic mash with veg and mint jue, followed by mango yogurt ice cream with watermelon; the desert was heavenly and very refreshing. The second night I had: a small serving of organic duck on rocket with passion fruit sauce, then chicken with roasted parsnip, butter nut squash and other veg with a red wine jue, and for desert mango ice cream again...yum yum. The portions are relatively small but I found them to be very filling.

Wine is served with the evening meal at an additional cost but they state that 'alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum', which is to be expected at any health resort. Additional snacks are sold at the shop but I would recommend sneaking stuff in as it's far cheaper. At each meal there was plenty of choice for vegetarians but if kosher food is required 21 days notice is needed and a supplement will be charged.

~~~

Overall I cannot recommend Henlow Grange highly enough, we had a fantastic time. I feel that whilst it is an expensive treat we certainly got our money's worth, never have I felt more relaxed and pampered, I didn't want it to end. I can't wait to go back to Champneys and it's a treat that I hope to have again in the future, but I think that next time I shall try one of the other resorts just as a point of comparison.

Summary: A perfect treat