TAKE ME WITH YOU…
Dormy House is a beautifully designed rural retreat in The Cotswolds with 40 rooms and suites, a restaurant (The Garden Room), a gastro pub (The Shed), three lounges with open fires, and a separate spa, The House Spa, that occupies a large modern annexe.
Cotswold stone, clean lines, high ceilings and plenty of glass give the spa a light, airy feel.
SHALL WE SPA?
You’ll find the House Spa a short saunter from the spa car park; step through the glass doors into a bright and airy nature-inspired reception area complete with sofa, two armchairs and shelves of Temple Spa and Tabitha products for perusing. We were warmly welcomed and handed our fluffy grey robes with pretty blue House Spa logo.
From here, we were shown up to the impressive Greenhouse, a lounge-cum-dining area with comfy sofas arranged around a striking circular modern fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling glass opens onto a vast spa terrace with a selection of stylish furniture to curl up on.
The gym, heat experiences, pool and the changing rooms are on the level below. Decent-sized lockers adorn three walls of the attractive Dressing Room, operated via four-digit code. You'll find a towel and flip-flops inside. Change beside two large leather stools in the centre or hop into the private changing cubicle. There’s two loos and three rain showers each contain Temple Spa products.
Two armchairs and hairdryers make up the mirrored vanity area, with cotton-wool pads, shower caps and plenty of Temple Spa products for post-spa preening.
From here, head to The Bathing Room, where you will find a 16-metre indoor infinity pool with water brimming over a marble plinth onto surrounding white pebbles. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook an outdoor patio. Relax afterwards on one of many cushioned loungers or rattan seats with foot stools - help yourself to fruit-infused water.
Clever lighting makes the small-but-perfectly-formed Thermal Suite feel relaxing whilst being able to see your way around; glass panels in each of the experience rooms facilitate peeks inside. The Himalayan Salt Sauna was toasty hot in our visit; the Eucalyptus Steam room suitably steamy - both have space for six to eight people. Cool off by grabbing a cold towel from the fridge (a very nice touch) or standing beneath the large fluffy flakes in the well-lit Snow Shower with snowy landscape backdrop. The experience showers are roomy - choose your temperature and intensity: warm mist is delightful, tropical rain stimulating and artic breeze invigorating.
Outside, and up a set of stairs, is a deep hydrotherapy hot tub, a raised squeaky-clean stainless steel square pool seating six. Bubble away whilst admiring the feature fire built into a Cotswold stone wall, adorned with greenery.
The House Spa also has a small gym, a Wave Touch Massage Bed and a floatation tank.
TREATMENT TALK
We tried the Dormy Japanese Head Spa (90 minutes, £175), developed in collaboration with Tabitha James Kraan, whose eco-luxe salon is based on the Farncombe Estate.
My therapist, Magda, collected me from The Greenhouse terrace and led me to a dedicated head spa treatment room. The treatment began with a soothing foot soak in a copper bath filled with magnesium amber rose crystals while we discussed my hair type - thin, dry, with a natural curl; Magda explained the treatment: a multi-step ‘facial for the scalp’ designed to cleanse, rejuvenate and calm the mind.
Feet dried, I disrobed and lay face-up on the heated bed. After three deep inhalations of eucalyptus and rosemary oil, Magda placed a heated mask over my eyes. A dry acupressure scalp massage began using a concoction of tools: a traditional scalp massager, oval scalp combs that weaved through my scalp, a curved detangling brush with gentle bristles; a firmer bristle brush for invigorating flicks and cool rose quartz mushrooms to soothe and stimulate blood flow.
Next came rosemary oil and steam therapy, followed by a deeply relaxing scalp, neck, shoulder and décolleté massage. The highlight was the rainbow shower, a cascade of warm water fell across my scalp, before a double shampoo, nourishing mask and blissful foot and leg massage while it worked its magic. The finale: a cool rosemary rinse from a miniature copper watering can and a Tabitha 4-in-1 leave-in conditioner. Magda wrapped my hair in bun tied neatly with a soft hair towel and led me back to the Greenhouse terrace where she handed me a peppermint tea and homemade lemon and rosemary chocolate.
HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?
If your favourite part of a hair salon visit is the complimentary head massage, you’ll love the Japanese Head Spa. This multi-sensory journey - with colour-changing lights, flowing water, varied massage techniques, gentle music and herbal aromas - had me in a trance-like state for the entire 90 minutes.
SPOT OF LUNCH?
Spa guests can dine enrobe in The Greenhouse with its central bar serving hot drinks, smoothies and juices, and menu of plates with names like Naughty & Nice, Nutritional, Sides and Something Sweet. There are plenty of options for vegans and gluten-free guests, too.
We tucked into a very healthy chicken Caesar salad with anchovies, washed down with an elderflower presse. For dessert, a trio of sorbets - fig, blackberry and pineapple - hit the spot on a rather hot and sunny day.
Overnight guests can dine in The Garden Room with its menu of local fayre or explore Broadway, a postcard-pretty village with golden stone buildings, cosy pubs and excellent restaurants.
GOT ALL DAY?
Arrive early and take your time enjoying the facilities, book a long indulgent treatment, feast at The Greenhouse and linger on the terrace with a book in the sunshine. Heaven.
SHORT ON TIME?
Book the Japanese Head Spa for 90-minutes of pure eye-rolling bliss - you won’t regret it.
Good Spa Guide
15th August 2025
