TAKE ME WITH YOU…
The four-star Solent Hotel & Spa (part of Daniel Thwaites) can be found just off the M27 in Whiteley, wedged between Southampton and Portsmouth. Along with 117 rooms, you’ll find an open flame grill restaurant FYR, modern business spaces and a brand spanking new spa.
A recent six-figure facelift to the wellness space has given the area a fresh new coastal-inspired look with 13-metre pool, salt sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and storm shower.
If you’re arriving by car (spaces were limited on our visit), park in the main car park and you can scan a barcode at the spa reception for complementary parking.
SHALL WE SPA?
Walk through the main hotel entrance, past reception and you’ll find the spa at the end of the corridor on your right. We were welcomed by a member of the spa team and led through to the bustling café spa/lounge to complete consultation forms and pre-order lunch. After receiving a key-activated wristband, we were offered a tour of the spa and led through the doors to the bright, fresh-looking changing room. Expect a palette of bright blue subway tiles, pops of orange and wooden benches by which to change. The modest will find three private changing spaces, along with two loos and six rainforest showers with Templespa amenities.
A super soft grey fluffy robe, towel (help yourself to more from a shelf in the corridor) and slippers await you in your locker. Forgot your locker number? Tap you wristband on the machine for a handy reminder.
Drawing on its Solent location, the pool and thermal area continues in hues of blue and orange. The 13-metre pool takes centre stage beneath a wood-beamed ceiling; stripy deckchair-inspired banquette seating lines one wall; a trio of seaside inspired artwork hangs above. You’ll find a kids splash pool at one end and, beyond that, nine stripy loungers, and two tables and chairs. A door from here leads to an alfresco area with more loungers and a backdrop of trees; we imagine this space comes into its own in the summer months. At the other end of the swimming pool, a toasty hot spa pool awaits, next to a wall of glass looking into the spa café.
The new thermal suite includes a menthol-scented steam room, a toasty hot Salt Sauna with Himalayan salt brick wall and a Storm Shower with over-sized marble-effect tiles; choose from tropical rain, spring rain, Caribbean storm or – our favourite - cool fog. Help yourself to a glass of water to stay hydrated.
You’ll find the door to the spa treatment area on the other side of the changing rooms, at the very end of the corridor from the main spa reception, where textured white tiles and lit-up jellyfish artwork line the walls.
TREATMENT TALK
We tried the Caudalie Vinohydra Facial (50 minutes, £85).
My therapist, Jo, met me at the spa reception and led me to one of the eight treatment rooms. Jo took some time to talk through my current skincare routine (cleanse, tone, serum, moisturise; face scrub every other day) and my areas of concern (dehydrated skin and epic eye bags) before ascertaining that the Caudalie Vinohydra facial would be best for me. As the name suggests, this deeply-hydrating facial uses Grape Water to rehydrate, soothe and plump the skin, while the massage eases out tension.
Lying face up on the bed, Jo commenced the treatment with a double cleanse using Caudalie Vinoclean Almond Milk – which smelt delicious, like cherry Bakewell - and Vinoclean oil. She spritzed Grape Water Hydrating Face Mist in the air above my face before applying Gentle Buffing Cream to banish dead skin cells.
Next, she applied Vinohydra Hyaluronic Serum with polyphenols to lock in hydration, and commenced a neck and shoulder massage, turning my head from side-to-side and working deep into my muscles. Jo continued with a blissful pressure point face massage, working on my jawline and relieving stuffy sinuses with ease, before ending with a firm scalp massage – leaving me feeling thoroughly soothed.
After a slick of VinoHydra Deep Hydration Moisturiser and Resveratrol-lift Firming Eye Gel Cream (bye bye bags), Jo gentle brought me back around and handed me a glass of water and a berry smoothie. She then led me to the Relax Room where I climbed onto one of three curved leather cushioned loungers and snuggled under a cosy grey blanket.
HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?
The Caudalie Vinohydra products felt (and smelt) divine on my skin; the dry areas either side of my nose were now smooth and hydrated, while the massage element left me feeling de-stressed.
SPOT OF LUNCH?
We changed out of cossie (you dine en robe
if you prefer) and made our way back to the spa café at the entrance for lunch.
Choose from afternoon tea or a two-course lunch – we opted for the latter; the Caesar Salad with chargrilled chicken hit the spot. Our spa partner plumped for the Club Sandwich which also got a thumbs up. For pud: two portions of Eton Mess and a big cup of black coffee (spa-ing is tiring you know).
GOT ALL DAY?
After its fancy refurb - and with bargain spa day prices - you can expect the spa to be busy. A little birdie told us that Tuesday and Wednesdays are the quiet(er) days (shh…) but even weekdays are busy. If it’s peace and serenity you’re after, we recommend you book a long and leisurely treatment (or two) and spend as much time as you can in the Relax Room; pale wood walls, soothing tunes and views over the garden gently nudge you to relax. Active spa-goers will love the well-equipped gym.
SHORT ON TIME?
Book a facial with Jo – with 30 years of skincare experience you really are in expert hands.
Good Spa Guide
6th May 2025
