Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa is situated in the beautiful Borrowdale Valley with pinch-me views to Derwentwater and the Catbells Mountain Range. The Spa, which opened in 2018, was designed to emulate its lakeside location with slate dry stone wall finishes, wooden bridges and walkways, and beautifully tendered terraced gardens. Inside, you’ll find 18 luxury spa bedrooms, five treatment rooms and a thermal suite, but it’s the 16-metre infinity edge vitality pool that steals the show – with possibly the best selfie spot in the whole Lake District.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

Park in the spa car park and look left to get your first glimpse of the spectacular spa building – all natural stone, timber finishes and floor-to-ceiling glass – which wouldn’t look out of place in the Swiss Alps. To the right, the view of Derwentwater and the Catbells Mountain Range will take your breath away. Take the steps up to the glass doors to reveal the spa’s reception – a calming space with an earthy natural palette and stone floors; plonk yourself on the comfy upholstered seating to fill in consultation forms while browsing shelves of spa products.

Our spa host handed us soft grey robes and a wristband (no slippers provided; bring your own or you can purchase a pair for £3.50 a piece) and showed us through to the well-equipped changing rooms where the natural tiles continue. Store your possessions in one of full-size code-operated lockers. You’ll find a well-lit vanity area with a trio of mirrors, hair dryers and grey stools to perch on; there’s three cubicles in which to change; five rainforest showers containing Odyssey Black Pepper & Sandalwood shampoo, conditioner and body wash, plus three loos.

Head back through towards reception and a door on your right leads through to the spa facilities. Grab a towel from the shelf on your way in and help yourself to fruit water; just inside, a stand offers a choice of Elemis and ishga products to try. You’ll find the thermal rooms lining the perimeter; these increase in heat as you move around, starting at the laconium, with its star-studded ceiling before moving onto the salt steam, aroma steam and concluding at (our favourite) the large herbal sauna. Scented with a rack of dried herbs on our visit, the top bench seats were deep enough for us to get horizontal without encroaching on the fellow sauna lovers below. Between each of the thermals you’ll find an experience shower – Forest Rinse, Tropical Rain and Thermal Sensation - and, in the centre, an ice fountain to cool off at.

Grab a drink from the Champagne Bar, at the far end, and get comfy on one of the cushioned loungers; a row of heated relaxation loungers look out through floor-to-ceiling glass.

Step through the glass doors and you’ll find the pièce de resistance: the 16-metre infinity edge vitality pool (the one you see in all those Insta posts), complete with three swan neck jets, underwater loungers and the most jaw-dropping lake-and-mountains views. There’s plenty of grey loungers around the pool; hang your towels and robes on the well-place stands between bubbling. If you can pull yourself away, the Finnish Sauna is deliciously hot, and the view from the giant picture window will leave you speechless. Cool off by pulling the open-air cold drench bucket over your head - contrast therapy at its best.

When it’s time for your treatment head passed the five treatment rooms and Rasul to the relaxation room where a row of five comfy chaise loungers line one curved wall. Snuggle beneath furry blankets to watch the flickering fire or sit in one of the wingback chairs beside the floor-to-ceiling glass. A door opens out onto a balcony with – you guessed it – more of those serene views. Help yourself to water, lemon and ginger tea or the shiniest red apples this Spa Spy has ever seen.

TELL US ABOUT THE TREATMENTS

We tried The Falls Deluxe Trio (50 minutes, £100) as part of a Warm & Restore Spa Day.

My therapist, Naomi, collected me from the relaxation lounge and led me through to one of five treatment rooms – a small, calming space lit by candles. She explained the treatment – a back massage, tailor-made Elemis facial and warm oil scalp massage – before leaving the room so that I disrobe and lie face down on the bed.

After checking I was comfortable, Naomi drizzled some Elemis Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend onto my back and the magic commenced. She warmed up my muscles using a variety of styles – from Thai, Swedish and stretching techniques; I even clocked a little Reiki going on – and immediately knew that I was in very experienced hands. Noting my preference for firm pressure, she used forearm and elbows to work out the knots in my back and shoulders, which I appreciated.

Turning (somewhat reluctantly) onto my back, Naomi commenced the facial element by massaging heavenly-scented Pro-Collagen Black Cherry Cleansing Balm into my skin. This was followed by Rehydrating Ginseng Toner and an Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen Aqua Infusion Mask – a curious concoction of (three) potent algaes, Orange African Bulbine and Polynesian Lagoon Water – said to banish wrinkles and bolster hydration.

While the mask did its thing, Naomi expertly moved her hands around my décolleté, neck and shoulders before moving onto an eye-rolling-ly good scalp massage. Mask removed, she applied Pro-Collagen Eye Cream and Rose Marine Cream. Before the treatment concluded, she slowly moved her hands a few inches from body, stopping at my abdomen. To my surprise, the tears began to flow as she gently explained that the stomach tends to hold suppressed emotions.

After slowly come to, Naomi led me back to the relaxation room where she gave me a hug and fetched me a cup of lemon & ginger tea. I felt totally soothed and nurtured. I had a hunch Naomi had healing hands as soon as the treatment commenced; book some time with her if you need a little extra TLC.

The Falls Spa offers a range of facials, massages and body treatments from Ishga and Elemis, along with treatments specifically for mums-to-be and ishga Touch Therapies for those undergoing cancer treatment or in recovery.

FOOD FACTS

Spa guests can dine enrobe at the contemporary pan-Asian restaurant Mizu - a large, light and airy space located next to the spa building. The two-course lunch menu includes a selection of Japanese, Malaysian, Korean and Thai-inspired dishes. If all that spa-ing has worked up an appetite, you can add on a third course for a tenner.

As we were dining at the hotel that evening, we stuck to the two courses: Asian Crab Cakes to start, followed by Korean Crispy Fried Chicken Burger for mains. Our spa partner devoured the Chef’s Sushi Selection and Pork Belly Ramen – all dishes were fresh, vibrant and beautifully-presented.

Our meal that evening was in the Falls Brasserie, a short walk across the bridge to the main hotel. With a tempting menu of Whole Daurade (Sea Bream), Lodore Burger and Cumbrian Lamb, we finally decided on the waiter-recommended 22oz Chateaubriand (for two) – a delicious and theatrical affair served with beef-dripping chips, whole-roasted garlic and grilled baby gem hearts. All washed down with of a bottle of Primitivo.

Belts loosened, we ordered the Citrus Crèmeux (and two spoons): a hazelnut mousse, mandarin sorbet, coconut sponge combo that left us feeling suitable stuffed and happy.

WE LOVED / WE DIDN’T LOVE

We loved

The Spa Suite was super stylish with private balcony over-looking the vitality pool and beyond to those magnificent views. Spa Suite residents also get unrestricted VIP access to the spa; simply saunter down enrobe at your leisure.

The location: sipping bubbles in the sunshine in the infinity edge pool, while soaking in views of Derwentwater and the Catbells Mountain Range, was the epitome of happiness. A moment we won’t forget in a hurry.

The food at Mizu was fresh, zingy and delicious; choose from beautifully presented Sushi and Sashimi to bowls of Ramen – perfectly light and delicate food for a spa day.

We didn’t love

If you’re on a spa day package, you’ll only have a two-hour window to get your spa-fix – and, trust us, there will be tantrums when your time is up. Save up and book a Spa Suite for unlimited access and bubble to your heart’s content.

WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD LIKE IT?

Relaxation seekers: surrounded by shoulder-dropping nature as far as the eye can see, we defy anyone not to relax in the infinity pool.

Couples: we saw lots of loved-up couples on our visit; Lodore Falls has got romantic spa breaks in the bag.

Lake District fell walkers will love all the treatments and heat facilities for soothing tired bodies.

WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded The Falls Spa at Lodore Falls a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its beautiful design, jaw-dropping location, a great choice of thermal facilities (did we mention the infinity pool-with-a-view?), therapists that know their stuff and delicious food.