TAKE ME WITH YOU…
Dormy House is a handsome 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. There's a separate car park for spa-goers.
SHALL WE SPA?
Pull open the two huge wooden doors, with their attractive silver tree handles, to walk from hotel reception into the spa’s own reception area, with its sofa, two armchairs and shelves of Temple Spa products for browsing. 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 doors open onto a vast terrace with stylish furniture. You’ll find the gym, the heat experiences, the pool and the changing rooms on the level below.
Decent-sized lockers adorn three walls of the attractive Dressing Room, operated via four-digit code. You'll find a robe, towel and flip-flops inside. Change beside two large leather stools in the centre or hop into the private changing cubicle. 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. Both self-contained toilets were immaculate on our visit.
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 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 is warm; the Eucalyptus Steam room suitably steamy - both have space for six to eight people. The experience showers are also roomy - choose your temperature and intensity: warm mist is delightful, tropical rain stimulating and artic breeze invigorating. The well-lit snow shower forms the centrepiece of the thermal area – here, large fluffy snowflakes descend in front of snowy landscapes projected onto the walls. It’s hypnotic to watch - and exhilarating to stand under.
Outside, and up a set of stairs, is a deep hydrotherapy hot tub, a raised stainless steel square pool seating six. Bubble away whilst admiring the feature fire built into a Cotswold stone wall.
The House Spa also has a small gym, a Wave Touch Massage Bed and a floatation tank.
TREATMENT TALK
We tried the Temple Spa Your Best You treatment (90 minutes, £165).
Having done her homework, Floss, my therapist, was already aware of my lavender allergy and had chosen different products for the treatment accordingly – top marks.
I climbed onto the wide, warm bed and snuggled under a fluffy towel while Floss placed a bolster under my ankles to reduce pressure on my lower back. She began the treatment with warm cloths on my feet followed by some rhythmic joint moving and gentle stretching to help me relax. Floss then moved onto the massage using hot Himalayan Salt stones dipped in a Light Relief CBD oil. The warmth of the oil felt wonderful on the large muscles of my legs, back and arms.
For the facial, Floss opted for a Trufflelixir serum - which smelt fresh and felt wonderfully light and creamy on my skin - and a Truffle Delight moisturiser. She then used a cold quartz Gua Sha piece to improve lymphatic drainage around my jaw line and the skin under my eyes.
HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?
Dormy House describe this treatment as a ‘hug for your body’ and that’s exactly how it felt. My face looked bright and clear, while my slightly saggy jawline appeared tighter.
SPOT OF LUNCH?
Spa guests can take lunch in their robes 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.
Despite being sorely tempted by the ‘invisible chips’, which have zero calories, we tucked into a very healthy dish of smoked salmon with crème fraiche and sea vegetables served with chunks of brown bread. We offset this by indulging in slices of chocolate and marmalade cake.
For supper The Garden Room offers an interesting range of local fayre - our trout dish served with a rich sauce Verde was as tasty as our spa partner’s monkfish and prawn Thermidor. The cherry crêpe soufflé with Kirsch sauce to finish was tangy and moreish.
GOT ALL DAY?
Pre-booked to join group sessions in the meditation suite upstairs and try out sound baths, breathwork or Qigong. Or book into the Zen Wellness rooms for some Reiki, reflexology or intuitive massage. Once you are thoroughly relaxed, head for the spa facilities, enjoy lunch in The Greenhouse and finish the day with a swim or some time in the hydrotherapy pool.
SHORT ON TIME?
Watch snowflakes descend while feeling cosy and warm in the steam room or sauna, cooling down afterwards with a dash through said snowflakes or grab a cold towel from the towel fridge opposite. Rest up with a nice long massage.
Sybaritic Spy
9th August 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!
