The Elms Hotel & Greenhouse Spa

First Impressions

The Elms is an ivy-clad, Queen Anne-style mansion set in ten acres of beautiful grounds in the serene Worcestershire countryside. The hotel has found a style that blends a quintessential English country home (faux fur throws; huge fireplaces) with botanicals and subtle nods to the building’s history for cool yet cosy luxury. This style is carried throughout, creating areas of unexpected interest.

The Greenhouse Spa is tucked behind the hotel inside a converted barn surrounded by manicured gardens. The beautiful botanical styling is stepped up in the reception area, with an array of plants and natural materials, old wooden ladders and tools befitting of its name.

What's on offer?

After checking in, Reception Manager Liz gave us a tour of the hotel while our bags were whisked away to our room. From the hotel reception, turn right out of the back garden door and you’ll arrive at The Greenhouse Spa. We received a warm welcome from the team on spa reception who, after handing us towels, gave us a tour of the spa. On the ground level, the charming botanical-styled manicure and pedicure stations lead to the changing rooms, pool and thermal suite; the treatment rooms and relaxation lounges can be found on the upper level.

Changing rooms are small but beautifully decorated with two toilets, a larger changing space lined with key code lockers, a bench and a vanity area with hairdryers, lotion, and large glass jars filled with cotton-pads and buds. Two rainforest showers were fully stocked with Temple spa shampoo, conditioner and body wash on our visit.

The pool area is a firm favourite; floor-to-ceiling windows drench the space with light. At 10-metres the pool is big enough to swim laps; we loved floating beneath the wooden vaulted ceiling - adorned with hanging plants - and pummelling stressed-out shoulders under fierce swan-neck jet fountain. A large clock hangs on one wall, while arched garden mirrors, potted plants and old garden tools are dotted throughout. Order a pool-side drink from the friendly spa staff and chill out on rattan chairs, or comfy cushioned leather sofas dotted around the edge. Hotel guests (including families at specified times) can access the pool.

Don’t miss the swim-out indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool - with its iridescent rainbow tiles; take a seat under the giant windmill palms and let the warm bubbles soothe you as you listen to birdsong.

Through a central area with a coffee machine, bowl of fruit and infused water stations, is the spa’s large and low-lit thermal area. We began our journey in smaller of the two steam rooms with seats for two or three people, making it perfect for couples. Conversely, the sauna is huge – big enough for 12, comfortably – and has a picture window, mosaic floor and bench seats lining the dark wood walls. Cool off afterwards at the ice fountain or set the experience shower to ice mist, tropical storm or rainforest walk (or a combination of the three).

The Elms has no shortage of relaxation spaces - bring a book or grab a magazine and settle in. The upstairs sun terrace offers views of the garden, while the stylish, dimly lit relaxation room provides the ideal space for lounging post-treatment.

The spa also has a light and airy yoga studio and separate gym; join a yoga, Pilates or meditation class or book in with a personal trainer.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried The Greenhouse GAIA Signature Spa Experience (60 minutes, £150): a specially curated treatment combining a deep tissue massage with a Jade facial.

We took a seat in the pre-treatment area and sipped apple-infused fruit water whilst completing consultation forms. My therapist, Izzy, led me through to one of the five treatment rooms – low-lit and decorated in natural materials; a fabulous Monstera leaf art installation taking centre stage.

Izzy explained the treatment and asked about any areas of concern before commencing a foot soak and scrub. Next, I selected my body oil by sniff-test, opting for the Gaia Awakening Oil for its uplifting scents of tangerine, grapefruit and peppermint.

Lying face down on the bed, Izzy began the deep tissue massage using long firm strokes, applying extra pressure using her forearms and elbows to relieve deep-seated tension. Paying extra attention to my shoulders, Izzy expertly popped the rows of knots like edamame beans.

Turning onto my back, Izzy began the facial with a double cleanse using Gaia Crystal Cleansing Oil and Cleansing Balm with face exfoliator. After the application of Face Serum, Izzy used myofascial massage techniques to tone and lift the face; cold Jade stones were used in sweeping strokes to help reduce puffiness, contour and lift the skin.

While a Gaia Face Mask set, Izzy commenced a heavenly scalp massage using oil and cold Jade stones on my scalp and behind my ears; by this point I was so deeply relaxed I may have nodded off.

Removing the mask, Izzy used Crystal Purifying Tone on a muslin cloth, wrapping it under my chin and around the face. The treatment concluded with a lick of serum and moisturiser, a dot of eye serum with retinol and Vitamin C, and a dab of lip balm.

As I slowly came to, Izzy handed me a glass of water and a refreshing elderflower and gooseberry sorbet, and led me through to the lantern-lit relaxation room adorned with plants; I sank into a comfy armchair next to my spa-partner who looked – as I felt - suitably serene.

The Greenhouse Spa offers a range of face and body treatments by Temple Spa, Gaia and HydraFacial alongside nails by The Gel Bottle and finishing touches.

Food Facts

Guests can feel at ease eating lunch or afternoon tea in their robe and slippers at Badgers restaurant; small and intimate, the restaurant has a relaxed vibe - fairy lights, wood wall art, cosy standing lamps and antlers are part of the eclectic style. A collection of rather distinguished looking badger portraits line the walls – a nod to the hotel’s historic coat of arms.

The menu – British comfort food at its best - features hot and cold sandwiches, super food salads and, to keep things balanced, beer battered fish and chips and sweet treats. We opted for the Seafood Platter to share and feasted on plump prawns, mackerel pate, smoked salmon and mussels, mopped up with a selection of lightly toasted fresh breads.

If you’re staying overnight, don’t miss the newly refurbished Gallery Restaurant with its midnight blue walls, trio of oversized wall mirrors and – the standout feature - two giant iron hanging islands adorned with a selection of pendant lamps.

We feasted on fragrant Thai Red Broth with Thai crackers, followed by a succulent Sirloin steak served with tomato, mushroom, peppery watercress and a non-negotiable side of Black Truffle and parmesan fries. My spa partner enjoyed the almost too-pretty-to-eat Ceviche Scallops with yuzu & wasabi peas and caviar, followed by a main of Rabbit with Heritage carrots, black olives, leeks and hazelnut. A delicious Chocolate and Cherry Delice with cherry sorbet, Chantilly cream and rum-soaked cherries finished off the evening nicely.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The Greenhouse Signature GAIA treatment: created just for the Greenhouse Spa, this beautiful combination of what you need (a knot-busting deep tissue massage) with want you want (a heavenly facial with scalp massage) will leave you feeling utterly blissful.

The decor: the entire hotel is beautiful – especially the new midnight blue Gallery Restaurant - but the spa is particularly special, with plants hanging from the ceilings and a greenhouse theme giving it real character and flare.

Our suite: the Abberley Suite is magnificent and full of imaginative quirks with gold accents, an enormous comfy bed and an exquisite marble bathroom with roll-top tub and light-up stained-glass windows. We didn’t want to leave.

We didn't love

Not a lot: but if we were being fussy there’s no private changing rooms (other than the two toilet).
 

Who do you think would like it?

Couples: we saw lots of couples chilling poolside in one of the cosy nooks.

Design lovers: The Elms offers something a bit different; cleverly designed with lots of curious and delightful points of interest.

Stressed-out city-dwellers: an hour away from Worcester, Birmingham, Hereford and Gloucester, The Elms makes for a peaceful country retreat.

What bubble rating did you give this spa?

We awarded The Greenhouse Spa at The Elms the highest Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its stunning countryside location, botanical-inspired original design, nurturing treatments and more-ish food.