The Belfry Resort & Spa is a very large hotel near the North Warwickshire town of Sutton Coldfield. The juxtaposition between the M6 and the M42 makes it a very convenient place to meet up with friends and family who might be scattered around the UK.
With 300 rooms and suites, several restaurants and bars, meeting spaces, three golf courses - including The Brabazon and PGA National – a leisure club and a spa, there’s plenty to keep guests occupied (and well fed).
SHALL WE SPA?
Follow the signs from hotel reception to the Belfry Club and Spa. At spa reception, you’ll be handed a robe and towel, and asked to complete a health questionnaire. Bring your own flip flops and a pound coin for the lockers. The changing rooms have showers and loos but are rather more health club than spa in style.
The pool area has a large swimming pool, two circular hydrotherapy pools a sauna, steam room and a shower. There are plenty of wicker recliners beside the pool to relax on post-swim; sadly these are positioned on the low side with very little padding for comfort.
The area can get very crowded and noisy during children’s swim times - choose a midweek, middle-of-the-day visit to avoid busy times. Upstairs you’ll find a spa lounge with comfortable chairs and sofas in soft greys. This is where you’ll relax before and after treatments.
We were booked into a one-hour Fire and Ice experience so immediately headed to this suite – with its shimmering bronze mosaic wall tiles – to work our way around the various rooms, starting with a five-minutes foot bath. Each room cleverly has its own wall guide on the outside advising how long to remain inside. The tropical shower was wonderfully warm; the ice drench setting certainly woke us up. We liked the Caldarium with its warm air and citrus aroma as well as the sauna.
Cool down in the shower grotto across the way afterwards, with its cold bucket – excited screams indicated when this is in use. You’ll discover twinkly ceiling lights and soothing sounds in the tranquillity room; sadly, the igloo room was out of action on our visit. Pummel tight shoulders under swan necks in the hydrotherapy pool – with its bench seating – before warming up in the crystal steam room with its aromatic oils to help cleanse and purify the skin. We loved the warm aroma cave and the salt cave which can help alleviate seasonal sniffles. ‘
We found the relaxation room a little too chilly to lie down in without blankets; the wicker recliners could also do with some extra padding for comfort.
TREATMENT TALK
We tried the Dermalogica Ultimate Skin Health Experience (60 minutes, £95).
After a thorough cleanse, Chelsea, my therapist, began the treatment with some Face Mapping: taking a good look at my skin with the help of a strong light. She noted areas that need more hydration and others that were a little red due to sensitivity.
Chelsea used this information to select a Dermologia Daily Exfoliator - which she applied with soft fan brush – followed by a Power Recovery Mask to help open my pores and insert some moisture. While that worked on my skin, Chelsea massaged by neck, shoulders and head.
Mask removed, Chelsea ended the facial with a multivitamin, firming cream which she dotted around my eyes, and an aftercare leaflet containing some sound advice.
HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?
My skin definitely looked brighter and more plumped. I shall be taking Chelsea’s advice on the chin (pun intended) and using a more hydrating night cream, as well as exfoliating more regularly.
SPOT OF LUNCH?
You can eat lunch in your robe in the spa’s own café Rocco’s with its menu of antipasti, pizza, salads and pasta.
We enjoyed our sea bass dish with sautéed potatoes; this we followed with strawberries Romanoff, strawberries topped with a blend of sweetened whipped and creamy sour cream.
As we were staying overnight, we dined in the Ryder Grill with its light wood floors and powder blue chairs off set with large gold mirrors and ceiling lights crafted out of green wine bottles. Diners can opt for the three-course buffet - which offers a vast choice of fish, meat and veggies dishes, as well as pretty salads and puds – or select dishes from the à la carte menu which divides dishes into categories: Land, Sea, Grill, Garden, etc.
Overwhelmed by the choice, we ordered some tender, perfectly-cooked steaks from the à la carte and paired it with a rich glass of red wine.
GOT ALL DAY?
GOT ALL DAY?
Make good use of the extensive facilities available, including the pool, hydropool and Fire and Ice rooms before heading to Rocco’s for lunch. End the day with a treatment and some time relaxing in the spa lounge. Fancy a snooze? Climb onto one of the beds and pull the curtain across for privacy.
SHORT ON TIME?
Book the hour-long Fire and Ice experience before heading upstairs for a treatment.
Sybaritic Spy
10th September 2024
Spy Likes:
Warm treatment beds; fragrant steam rooms; therapists who listen to what you say; unexpected treats such as back massages that start with hot towels on your feet.
Spy Dislikes:
Small towels; crowded changing rooms; black mould in the showers; therapists who sniff; anyone who doesn't take my lavender allergy seriously - until I'm actually sick on them!
