RE:TREAT at The Lowry Hotel

The Lowry Hotel is a five-star hotel in the Salford area of Manchester overlooking the river Irwell (not to be confused with The Lowry Theatre at The Quay which we nearly ended up at). It’s famous for its premiership clientele; keep your eyes peeled throughout your stay.

Parking is available for guests should they wish to use it at the cost of £24 per night. Park in the car park opposite and walk across to the hotel. 

In addition to their 2 AA Rosette restaurant, the hotel has a Club Lounge and Bar, function rooms, a hair salon and RE:TREAT, the hotel’s spa which is all situated on the first floor – walk up the stairs or push R (for restaurant) on the lift.
 

RE:TREAT is a warm, charming space with much to admire in its herringbone floors, light tongue and groove wood, pale pink paintwork, rattan/tan chairs/sofas, and plants galore. We loved the live moss wall and the almost Spanish feel of the whole space.

We were warmly greeted at reception and offered a tea, coffee, water, Kombucha (gut health in a can), a glass of Floreat (for the driving) or Prosecco (for the staying put), before being taken on a tour of the spa.
 
Straight opposite the reception desk is the mani-pedi area; on the right a display of Gaia, Elemis and Grown Alchemist products. Around the corner is an Assure Health Room for well-woman and well-man testing; guests can get their cholesterol or hormone levels or liver function checked, and - rather conversely - opt for Botox or fillers.

A sunny studio opposite puts on a range of Pilates and Yoga classes including Varanasi and Puppy Yoga, the new trend to come out of London (yup, you read that right).

Beyond here you’ll find a relaxation area with two beds separated by flowing curtains, a guided meditation pod with headphones, a Cryotherapy chamber and a space-age looking flotation tank. There are also four treatment rooms and a spacious gym with equipment facing the river.

Changing rooms are compact but well designed with more pinks and light woods. Half-height grey lockers are operated with a four-digit code of your choosing; your beige robe and flip flops will be inside– help yourself to towels from a stand under the large mirror. One hairdryer and a pair of GHD’s hang on the wall – busy times might well require a bit of a wait. Both showers have separate areas for drying, large rain heads and Elemis products.

We tried the Gaia Serenity Ritual (90 minutes, £120) followed by a Mii Lash Tint (15 minutes, £20).

My therapist, Laura, met me in the reception area and led me to a larger-than-average treatment room with light wood floors and woven plates on the walls. She began the treatment with a foot ritual – wash, scrub, dry – before asking me to choose a preferred scent from three of Gaia oils. Facing a long drive home, I instinctively chose ‘awakening’ which contains uplifting rosemary.

Laura then left the room so that I could get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face down. The treatment began with a scrub, which Laura smoothed onto my back and shoulders. While I showered this off, she prepared the bed for a massage using the oil, which she warmed. Long strokes with increased pressure around my knotty shoulders worked to relax my busy mind.

Laura then asked me to turnover for the facial which consisted of a double cleanse followed by a massage using cold jade stones. Whilst a light mask worked away, Laura treated my scalp to a dry massage (heaven in a spa room, as always).

Once the mask was removed, Laura took to adding moisture in the form of cream, some serum, dots of eye gel and a slick of winter-busting lip balm. I left the room ready – and willing – to face anything that the M6 might throw at me. My face looked glowing, too.

My eyelash tint was performed by Emily in the mani/pedi room – she asked me to choose a shade from black, brown or blue-black, which – I have learnt through experience - appears darker on eyelashes than black itself. I went for this and lied back so that Emily could paint the liquid on before leaving it to dry for 10 minutes.

Emily checked it was dry before wiping any excess off and handing me a mirror to have a look. The result? Long dark eyelashes, and no mascara.

My spa partner braved the Cryotherapy chamber which she managed to remain in for the required three minutes  – thankful for the fluffy gloves on her hands and practical Crocs on her feet – before enjoying a 30-minute float. She said both experiences made her feel entirely relaxed and care-free.

The Lowry offers a range of treatments from Gaia, Grown Alchemist and Elemis, as well as Botox and Fillers, manis/pedis and well-woman testing.

With The River Restaurant closed for refurbishment, we dined in The Lowry Lounge & Bar with its Art Deco style including intimate booth seating, 60s gold lighting and palette of dusky pinks, teals and tans.

The menu showcases British classics with soup of the day, steak and chips and a selection of cheeses on our visit.

Skipping a starter so that we could have a pud, we both ordered the grilled salmon with crushed garlic potatoes, shallots and parsley lemon, and added a side of maple carrots and walnuts, and parmesan truffle chips. Delicious.

Dessert was a cherry cheesecake with dark chocolate, sour cherry sorbet and chocolate amaretto cream – childhood memories of rich Blackforest Gateau flooded back with every mouthful, like only food can do.

We loved

The design of the spa: several tips were picked up to be used at home – where might we find some moss?

The food: from breakfast to dinner, everything we ate was as healthy as it was tasty.

Our treatments: rarely do you get to try Cryotherapy, a float, a Gaia ritual and an eyelash tint in one spa visit.

We didn’t love

As somebody that loves sitting in warm bubbly water, the absence of a pool of any sort was a little noticeable, but didn’t detract from the overall experience.

 

Lucky locals can pop in for a massage, a float or a yoga session, accompanying puppy optional.

Business types: The Lowry’s central location and function rooms make it popular with business guests; several mini meetings seemed to be taking place over breakfast.

Spa goers looking for something a little bit different – this is no ordinary spa.

 

We awarded RE:TREAT at The Lowry Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its charming design; range of unusual treatments; and friendly, enthusiastic staff.

Stylish Spy visited in February 2023 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.