Scarlet Spy tries a Royal Crescent Hero treatment

TAKE ME WITH YOU…

Located on Bath’s most desirable street - the sweeping Royal Crescent - the five-star, grade I-listed hotel of the same name occupies two of the 30 Georgian terrace townhouses. Inside, honey-hued stone, tall ceilings and statement chandeliers give it the royal treatment. On a nice days, grab a picnic basket and plonk yourself on the lawn facing Royal Victoria Park.

If you’re arriving by car, pull up on the cobbled road outside - a concierge will promptly park your car and whisk your case to the room. Then simply take a seat in the firelit lounge and check-in.

SHALL WE SPA?

You’ll find The Spa & Bath House behind the main hotel building; stroll across the pretty garden - dotted with magnolia trees and spring blooms – and head left.

We checked in at reception, took a seat on a comfy sofa and filled in consultation forms. A smiley staff member then handed us a bundle containing a white robe, a towel and flip-flops.

You’ll find the changing rooms just around the corner from here, past a small mani/pedi room. Showers – of which there are two – are stocked with Temple Spa products; there’s also a loo; a compact room in which to change in private; banks of card-operated lockers; and a vanity area with large mirrors, green seats and hairdryers.

Further along this floor is the door leading to the spa facilities - home to a toasty wooden sauna, a steam room, rainforest showers and a bubbly vitality pool (expect bubbles on a timer: 10 mins on; 5 mins off). The 12-metre Relaxation Pool steals the show and is (just) big enough for swimming laps. Flanked by an exposed stone wall with three striking arched windows, it gives the once old coach house a chapel-esque feel. Post-dip, bag one of the four pool-side loungers and sip cold fruit-infused water.

During the summer months, saunter out to The Spa Garden (with a glass of Champagne, perhaps?) and soak up the pretty garden views with row-upon-row of chimney stacks beyond.

TREATMENT TALK

We tried a Royal Crescent Hero Treatment (90 minutes, £180 – including afternoon tea or lunch).

My therapist, Cherry, met me in reception and led me up the stairs to one of six treatment rooms. After talking me through the treatment, she handed me a pair of paper knickers and left the room so I could get comfortable on the warm bed, lying face down.

Cherry commenced the treatment with three inhalations of Temple Spa's Breath of Life oil; It’s eucalyptus scent instantly reliving my stuffy nose. Next, a back scrub using Sugar Buff Smoothing Body Scrub and warm mitts to buff it off, followed by a soothing back massage with Mediterranean-scented Drift Away oil. Cherry methodically stretched out my muscles, confidently applying just the right amount of pressure in all the right places.

Turning on to my back, Cherry placed a bolster cushion under my knees for extra support and began one of the most blissful facials this Spa Spy has ever experienced (and there’s been a few).

Cherry then applied Breakfast Smoothie Gentle Exfoliator and massaged my face. After slathering on a Deep Hydration Mask, Cherry set to work massaging my arms and hands, feet and ankles, scalp and neck - even my ears got the VIP treatment. Cherry concluded the treatment by massaging my decollete, before spritzing the air with Quietude Chill Out & Sleep Well Mist. 

HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?

It’s always an absolute delight to encounter an intuitive therapist with that extra magic; having trained in both Thailand and the UK, Cherry certainly had the je ne sais quoi. My whole body felt completely relaxed and soothed; my (often whirring) mind felt quiet, while my face glowed.

SPOT OF LUNCH?

Although you can dine en robe, everyone in Montagu’s Mews restaurant was fully dressed so changing proved to be a wise decision. A serene palette of tangerine, green and white is paired with plants and displays of wine bottles. There’s a choice of banquette-style sofas or ivory upholstered chairs and wooded tables to dine at. Three sets of arched double doors open out onto the garden, allowing sunlight and heartening birdsong in.

On the menu: afternoon tea or a two or three-course lunch. We opted for a Crispy Clarence Court hen’s egg – the yoke cooked to perfection - with ham and the most delightfully tiny mushrooms to start, followed by Cornish cod, St. Austell mussel broth and flavoursome chunks of chorizo, served with a deliciously fresh side of steamed tender stem broccoli with ginger and garlic. Too stuffed for dessert - but determined not to forgo the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream - we ordered it to enjoy later that evening with a glass of Pinot Noir.

GOT ALL DAY?

Hit the cobbled streets of Bath and take in some of the cultural highlights; the Circus is just a short stroll away. If you’re staying overnight the Heritage rooms are divine; the regency views from the balcony breathtaking.

SHORT ON TIME?

Book a Royal Crescent Hero Treatment (with Cherry if you can) before feasting on afternoon tea in Montagu’s Mews.