Ragdale Hall Spa

First impressions

Ragdale Hall is a large, comfortable country house set in the Leicestershire countryside. Follow the long driveway down to the hotel, catching glimpses of the attractive gardens and red brick house along the way.

This is a dedicated spa retreat so you will be pampered from the moment you arrive – simply hand your keys and luggage over to the porter and you are ready to spa (the car is parked for you and your luggage magically appears in your room).

What's on offer?

Pick up a map of the spa on arrival so you don’t miss anything. There is plenty of spa on offer here including six pools - one of which is on the roof - 12 heat and water experiences, and a wide array of temping treatments, daily exercise classes, and - most importantly - plenty of inviting loungers on which to unwind.

Water babies will love the choice of pools. The 25-metre pool allows you to stretch out for a serious swim, then relax under the cascade or in the warm whirlpool. Join the aqua classes in the exercise pool or head up to the restful rooftop pool where you can just lie back in warm bubbly water and admire the green views.

Take the steps down into the warm Candle Pool where gentle music and candlelight lets you float around peacefully. Or follow the path of the waterfall pool which leads outside, through steam and mist, and past massage jets.

The Thermal Spa area offers a range of experiences: relax in the Scented Room, take deep refreshing breaths in the Volcanic Salt Bath or the Herbal Sauna and allow the tropical storm setting of an experience shower to wake you up. Go round a couple of times, adding in the experiences and rooms you missed first time. If they aren’t immediately obvious, take time to hunt out the Thought Zone and the Colour Flow Cave.

The design at Ragdale Hall encourages you to do as little - or as much - as you wish. Relax in the sun streaming into the Pavilion lounge, hide away in the Retreat for a snooze, chill outside in the courtyard or curl up by the pool with a good book.

Treatment talk

We tried an Expert Touch Define Facial (85 minutes, £120).

Ewa, my gently-spoken therapist, explained the steps of the treatment and conducted an in-depth consultation before beginning. Having done her research, she was already in-the-know about my lavender allergy and adjusted some of the products from the Elemis range accordingly – as Rose is my favourite scent, the switch pleased me no-end.

Ewa began the treatment with a double cleanse using two of Elemis’ hero products: the Pro-collagen Marine Cleanser and the Rose Pro-Collagn Cleansing Balm. This treatment includes two face masks - Ewa expertly massaged my feet during the first one, followed by my hands and arms during the second. Once my skin was super clean and well nourished, Ewa began an eight-minute (and surely hand-ache-inducing) facial massage using firming and lifting techniques on the neck, jawline and face. Treatment not quite over yet, Ewa continued with a ‘jaw and jowls mask’, a cloth that is tucked over the ears, so the jawline is lifted while the mask soaks in.

By the end my skin had been smoothed into submission; I couldn’t resist touching my face as Ewa went through the after-care advice, reminding me how to improve my at-home skincare routine. Top tip: always use a serum before a moisturiser (I had been using them the wrong way round at home).

My Spa Partner tried a Ragdale Equilibrium Massage (40 minutes, £72), a tension-busting back, neck and shoulder massage followed by a scalp massage. He emerged from the treatment room smiling. As for me, I looked younger and felt healthier.

The Spa at Ragdale Hall offers a wide range of facials for all types, and a selection of massages, from hot stone to an MOT massage. There are also body scrubs, floats, detoxes and wraps, as well as interesting wellness treatments including a sleep collection, along with complementary therapies such as hypnotherapy, reiki, crystal sound healing and even cosmetic acupuncture.

Food facts

You can eat in the large, wood-panelled dining room or the smaller more informal Verandah Bar which serves breakfast, lunch and drinks all day. The main dining room opens for lunch and dinner. You can also have breakfast in bed which is a bit of a Ragdale tradition (not to mention a deliciously lazy start to the day).

Everywhere was busy with people in their spa robes or gym gear during our visit so we felt comfortable eating en robe. Our Verandah Bar lunch consisted of a Salad Niçoise with a generous portion of fresh tuna and a very tasty salad dressing, followed by a colourful plate of fresh fruit including raspberries, slices of kiwi and melon, blackberries and a vegan yogurt. Our spa partner (who still insists he doesn’t like vegetarian dishes) demolished a pea ravioli and shallots with great enthusiasm.

That evening we enjoyed dinner in the main dining room. Our spa partner enjoyed a filling mushroom and bean risotto followed by a selection of cheeses; we opted for Tempura vegetables followed by blackberry sorbet and a rather lovely glass of non-alcoholic pink fizz.

The buffet lunch here includes a full roast dinner and other hot dishes, alongside a wide selection of fresh salads followed by some tempting desserts.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The new spa suites: extra space and little touches of luxury make these three rooms at the front of the hall ideal for a special occasion. Room 6 had a statement fireplace, seating area, luxurious bathroom and steps up to a private terrace that overlooked the fountains at the front of the house.

All the extras: a huge range of inclusive classes are on offer here including Ballet fit and Drums Alive. We could have signed up for a make-up master class on the day of our visit, as well as a fashion tips workshop and some sound bathing. Keep an eye on the ‘available treatments’ blackboard for more imaginative ideas to enthral.

The quantity of things to do: as well as the pools and heat experiences, there are classes, wellbeing events - from woodland walks to guided meditations - and specialist treatments; prepare to be well and truly pampered. Even if you are just trying water facilities and relaxing with a good book, the attentive staff will make you feel well looked after.

We didn't love

Only staying one night – we could easily have moved in.

Who do you think would like it?

Anyone for whom skincare is important: there are some pretty special treatments for the face and body available to book, as well as some ‘hands on’ preening in Beauty Express, the spa’s spot for rapid finishing treatments.

Couples and groups of friends: there are plenty of places to sit and chat quietly within the spa, be it enjoying the pool or and heat experiences or simply taking part in a morning session in the gym or some guided meditation together.

Anyone wishing to unwind and indulge: after a walk, a class or some spa time, spa goers can eat nourishing food and rest up in the relaxation spaces. Come evening, treat yourself to a cocktail in the Twilight Bar.

What Bubble Rating did you award this spa?

We awarded Ragdale Hall Spa our coveted Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its wide range of thermal experiences and pools, ongoing investment in new experiences, luxurious rooms and good dining options. It also scores top marks for its skilled therapists and excellent customer service.