Weavers’ House Spa at The Swan at Lavenham Hotel

“A compact but oh-so bijou spa attached to a 16^th century hotel in the beautiful old wool town of Lavenham. The modern aesthetic, Med-style spa garden and great treatments make this one to watch in Suffolk”
(Stylish Spy)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Swan at Lavenham is about as higgledy-piggledy as hotels get – all Tudor black stripes on the outside; creaking floors, ‘mind-your-head’ ceilings and wooden beams inside (it wasn’t the wine with dinner either; our room was definitely on the loveliest of leans).

Two restaurants (the Brasserie for casual dining and The Gallery for a more formal affair), a bar dedicated to US Airmen (don’t leave without reading the comments from returners on the walls) and a spa complete the list of facilities.

It’s almost as charming as the village of Lavenham itself which could easily be re-imagined as a set for a movie. Arriving by car? Drive round the back and park up for free.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

Weavers’ House Spa is a modern juxtaposition to the old building that should jar but somehow sits perfectly beside the main building. There are two ways in: either follow the path beside the Brasserie, head up the steps by the garden and through the white fence, or go straight in from the High Street.

Arriving the night before, we adorned our robes and slippers in the comfort of our room, and padded out to the spa (getting mighty lost on the way).

Spa reception is large, modern and airy with more products than this Spa Spy has seen to tempt guests (from Temple Spa and Tribe517 amongst others), as well as candles and intricate jewellery.

We were warmly welcomed at the reception desk and shown through to the changing rooms which are compact yet functional with 16 half-height wooden lockers operated by a four-digit code of your choosing; inside you’ll find a branded robe and flip-flops, a towel and a consultation form to complete at leisure in the spa lounge.

Two immaculate loos are here, as well as four private changing cubicles with benches and hooks. Post-spa preening is facilitated via two showers, with Temple Spa amenities, and a vanity bar with two hairdryers.

Head left out of the changing rooms and you’ll find a spacious sauna for eight behind a glass door, which was super toasty on our visit (use the spacious area before the door to hang your robe) and steamy steam room for six, bathed in white. Help yourself to water from the old-fashioned sink opposite (plastic glasses to your left).

The spa lounge is a gorgeous, cosy space with squishy cream sofas, tables laden with magazines (the physical kind - which we applaud) and a fireplace for the winter. Bi-fold doors on two sides let the air (and garden views) in. Help yourself to water and fresh fruit.

The walled spa garden is a thing of beauty with Med feels thanks to its lavender and rosemary bushes, and large olive tree. Rattan furniture with teal cushions add a pop of colour, while multi-layering means guests can seek out shade or privacy at will.

The sunken vitality pool for four to six is a must, with its jets operated by silver button. Thirsty? Order a drink from reception and they will bring it to you whilst you wallow in the water. Numbers are kept low to keep the space exclusive. The outdoor shower was perfect for cooling off on our hot July visit.

The spa also has a cosy relaxation room for that all-important post-treatment snooze.

TREATMENT TALK

We tried a Bespoke treatment (120 minutes, £173), a delightful combination of a Beautiful Hero massage by Tribe517 and Temple Spa’s My Kinda Skin facial.

After drinking a ginger shot and completing a consultation form in the comfortable Spa Lounge, my therapist Hannah, met me and led me upstairs to one of six treatment rooms (called Cashmere), a large room with minty green walls and a shower in the corner.

Hannah talked me through the treatment and then left the room so that I could get comfortable on the bed, lying face down.

After taking three deep breathes, Hannah used a hydrating oil containing avocado and orange to perform the softest of massages on the back of my legs before moving up to ease out an ache in my lower back (damn you, ageing). Turning over, Hannah repeated this on the front of my legs before beginning the facial.

Using Temple Spa’s In The Beginning cleansing balm, Hannah thoroughly cleaned my face before cleansing again with Dual Act, a cream-gel cleaner which she used in preparation for a Clean Up Your Act sonic wave cleansing brush which buzzed away gently. A balancing tonic mist ensured my face was squeaky clean.

Hannah then used a Clear To Me serum to prepare my face for facial massage that led into a dreamy scalp massage with oils.

Next up: a thick alginate mask that was painted on and removed in one satisfying peel. While this hardened, Hannah massaged my arms and hands.

Finishing products included a lip balm, a serum and a high protection moisturiser, all containing SPF30, as well as dots of eye cream.

Before leading me to the relaxation room – with its four beds, creamy palette and grey blankets under which to snuggle – Hannah served me with a lemon sorbet and glass of water in the treatment room, returning to the relaxation room with a herbal tea (containing spearmint and chamomile), and a crumbly shortbread biscuit.

The result? Baby-soft skin, a less stiff lower back and a glowing face.

FOOD FACTS

Arriving the night before, we dined at Brasserie, a restaurant very much in keeping with the rest of the hotel (think stone floors; beamed ceilings) but with doors out to a pretty garden terrace.

On the menu of British classics, we opted for two fish dishes: hot-smoked trout with horseradish cream and lemon to start; seared Tuna steak with pineapple, feta, watermelon and mint for mains – both dishes were light and flavoursome with plenty of tang.

Our spa partner went all in with breaded pork belly served with apple three ways to start, and a huge burger with all the toppings and fries for mains. Despite being tempted by the cheese board, we were too full for a third course and slowly finished our glasses of NZ Sauvignon Blanc before retiring.

Lunch the next day was in the same restaurant but this time outside on the terrace under a white Laurent-Perrier parasol. Our chicken Caesar salad and chicken burger with shoestring fries were just what the doctor ordered before the drive home.

SWEET STAY?

Our room, 52 (aka Stanstead Room) was on the top floor, up a series of creaky steps. Using an original key to open the heavy door, we were presented with a huge bed under an original wood beamed apex ceiling and a large bathroom with black and white floors, a tub and a powerful overhead shower.

After a refreshing shower with Temple Spa amenities, we headed out to see some of lovely Lavenham; the hotel is located on the High Street opposite the quaintest of Butcher’s and a two- minute stroll from Market Square where we found some great little pubs.

WE LOVED

The spa garden: soak up the rays, soak in the vitality pool and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere (don’t forget to order a drink). We spent so much time in here we were almost late for lunch.

Our treatment: Hannah – who also did my treatment on my last visit nearly a decade ago – is an extremely talented, intuitive therapist who you should book if you can.

The location: set right on Lavenham High Street, this visit afforded a new appreciation for this historic Suffolk town).

WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded Weavers’ House Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its modern design, cleverly designed spa garden, friendly staff and fantastic range of treatments.