Stylish Spy tries a Beer Spa Experience

TAKE ME WITH YOU…

The Norfolk Mead is a boutique hotel and events space set in eight acres of manicured gardens in the beautiful Norfolk Broads. As well as 16 rooms, suites and individual cottages, the hotel has a 2 AA Rosette restaurant and a brand-new spa which opened this summer.

SHALL WE SPA?

Crafted out of wood, glass and graphite, the separate spa building is a modern juxtaposition to the traditional hotel. Glass doors lead straight to spa reception which has bank seating, a two-person desk and shelves of Natural Spa Factory products. We were warmly greeted, asked to complete consultation forms and shown around the facilities.

Changing rooms are compact but perfectly formed with textured walls, dark wood lockers operated by four-digit code – with robes, towels and branded flip-flops inside – and benches underneath by which to change. Your WC, swimsuit spinner and two showers equipped with Natural Spa Factory shampoo, conditioner and body wash are straight ahead.

Once showered, pull up a lime grey padded stool at the vanity bar and use the huge back-lit mirror to preen; each station has a pair of GHD straighteners and a hairdryer. Help yourself to cotton wool pads, and Natural Spa Factory cleanser, moisturiser and body lotion.

A door next to the changing rooms leads to the thermal suite with its large hydro-therapy pool heated to a 35-37°c. Two swan necks take care of your shoulders; lay down jets, powerful water cannons, seated jets and standing full body jets ensure every inch of your body is pummelled.

At the back of the pool is a herbal steam room seating six on silver mosaic-tiled benches. We loved the twinkly ceiling lights and the refreshing smell of lemongrass.

Cool down under the experience shower afterwards with its three settings – Tropical Rain, Thunderstorm or Artic Mist. The foot spa next door has grey mosaic-tiled seats for two and bubbly water below for your tootsies.

A door from here leads out to the aromatic sauna made entirely of glass and heated – on our visit – to a truly toasty 90 degrees. Cool down under one of two cold water buckets. The outdoor hot tub is square, sunken and attractively set in navy mosaic tiles. The water was deliciously warm on our visit; the jets strong.

Relax on one of two double rattan chairs afterwards, admiring the many plants, orange tree and bronze Buddha; a spa host will take drink orders.

You’ll find the relaxation room upstairs, a calming space with super comfy S-shaped loungers. We loved the suspended ceiling lights, contemplating if they were meant to resemble planets.

A double nail bar completes the list of facilities.

TREATMENT TALK

We tried a Pig in Mud Treatment (45 minutes, £110) followed by a Beer Spa Experience (45 minutes, £68 per person).

For the first treatment, we were taken to the Mud Chamber where we were introduced to the muds, which come from the Australian Alps.

To prepare and clean the skin, we were advised to apply the fig and vanilla body salt first and wash this off under one of two showers. Then to the muds – the palest one for the face, the middle one for the body and the grey one for dry areas such as elbows and knees. Sufficiently coated, we entered the large steam room with its gold mosaic tiles, shower heads, arm rests and tangerine scent. After half an hour, we heard the thunder, looked startled as the lights flickered and enjoyed the rain coming down from all four heads, cold at first but turning warm.

For the beer spa experience we were led to a different room containing two wooden baths, each large enough for two and with its own beer tap for pouring pints of Woodforde’s English Lager into silver tankards.

Before climbing into the warm, bubbly water – sitting opposite one another - we sprinkled some malt (which smelt just like Horlicks), hops and Himalayan salt in. Then poured our pints and relaxed.

HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?

Our skin felt super soft after the mud experience; our souls were lifted after the beer spa – a super fun thing to do.

SPOT OF LUNCH?

There’s a coffee lounge beyond the changing rooms serving hot drinks, cakes, pastries, juices, smoothies and cocktails from 11am to 12pm and 5pm to 6pm.

For lunch, a corridor to the right of reception doubles up as the Conservatory Restaurant serving Tapas and afternoon tea to guests in robes. A long bank of pea green and fawn seating makes the most of the slim room; a large window lets light flood in.

We selected four plates from the Tapas menu and tucked into cheese and Chorizo croquettes, King Prawns with garlic and chilli, chicken skewers with Chimichurri and broccoli with crushed almonds. We accompanied this with individual glasses of Sauvignon Blanc.

That evening we dined in the hotel’s 2 AA restaurant with its menu of seasonal dishes divided into Firsts, Seconds, Thirds and Sides. We began with ham hock pressing with mustard mayo and quail’s egg; our spa partner chose the hot smoked salmon with Taramasalata. For mains we shared a Cote de Boeuf steak served with skin-on chips, Binham blue sauce and Parmesan salad which we washed down with glasses of rich Shiraz. Everything we ate during our stay was lip-smackingly good.

GOT ALL DAY?

Take advantage of the location and ask to hire the hotel’s own English Harbour Yacht or take a walk down to the river.

SHORT ON TIME?

Try the Beer Spa – the first of its kind outside of Europe – a really fun way to spend 45 minutes.