First Impressions
Buxton Crescent is a curved, honey-hued Georgian terrace set in the centre of the charming Derbyshire spa town of Buxton. Originally the home of the Duchess of Devonshire, a 17-year restoration has given it a new lease of life (think huge sash windows with original stained glass and gleaming chandeliers) as a spa hotel run by European spa specialist Ensana.
Enter through the bathhouse doors next to the hotel to admire the original wooden peat bath placed in the tiled hallway. Hotel guests will follow a more circuitous - but covered - route from the 1st floor. Once a destination spa, Buxton Crescent can now be used by day guests.
What’s on offer?
The spa is laid out over three floors and offers traditional Roman-style baths with Art Deco tiles below and a smart modern rooftop pool up top. The hotel is built over the Buxton Spring once enjoyed by the Romans and Mary Queen of Scots - now it delivers pure mineral-rich water to the spa’s thermal pool.
As overnight guests, we checked in at the hotel, handed over car keys for the valet team to take care of parking, and ventured to spa reception with its Ensana and Comfort Zone products on shelves, stylish sofas and oak desks. We were given a wristband to activate the lockers, where grey robes, a towel and flip-flops can be found. Help yourself to extra towels at every turn. Spa hosts take care of you throughout the day, from arrival with a welcome drink – apple & berry smoothie on our visit - to handing your wristband (somewhat reluctantly) back.
Natural light streams into the changing rooms via a stained glass dome. As well as spacious, solid oak lockers, spa goers will find two private changing cubicles, two vanity stations stocked with Ghd hairdryers and straighteners, spotless loos, and three spacious showers behind glass doors, each with Comfort Zone Tranquillity shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.
You’ll find the thermal area on the lower ground floor; at its heart, a mosaic-tiled nine-metre-square thermal pool built in the 1850s. Cast-iron columns support a beautiful stained-glass dome allowing you to bathe in dappled blues and greens. Around its edge: 12 cushioned classic wooden loungers and Art Deco tiles.
Next door is a blue-tiled cooler 7.5m relaxation pool; its double-arched ceiling is pricked with star lights and edged with underwater seats for Roman-style bathing. Pop into the steam room afterwards - large enough for twelve people – followed by the gentler aroma steam room with seats for eight.
The comprehensive thermal suite has a traditional wooden bio-thermal sauna, an infra-red sauna and a traditional Finnish sauna, each with glass doors and comfortably seating around six to eight people. Two curved, mosaic-tiled showers sit either side of an ornamental ice fountain – use a combination of the three to cool off. There’s also a bookable salt cave: four recliners placed in a room full of snowy sodium chloride, said to be good for respiration.
There are two relaxation rooms to choose from: one in an atmospherically dark brick-ceilinged cellar room with five mosaic-tiled heated recliners and salt lamps; the other larger with eight wide beds for snoozing.
Don’t snooze for too long though – some time must be spent in the 12-metre rooftop hydro-pool (accessed by stairs or a lift). A glass wall cleverly divides the rectangular indoor pool from the outdoor pool; both have massaging water jet pipes. Drift into one of the two curved bubble-seats or let the super powerful waterfall swan pipe pummel your shoulders whilst admiring the views across the Georgian rooftops. On warm days, lay on one of the cushioned loungers on the tiny roof terrace. Post-bubble, you can follow the mermaid mural painted by artist Katie Bird down past the cool Spa Cafe with its outdoor terrace offering more views.
The spa also has a gym, a yoga studio overlooking the café’s terrace, a hair salon, and a mani-pedi suite. And if that wasn’t enough (it is), you’ll find three mud rooms, two mineral baths, an underwater Jet Massage room and a wave balance treatment room on the lower ground floor. Phew.
Tell us about the treatments
We tried two treatments: an CO2 Buxton Mineral Bath (25mins, £35) and a Himalayan Salt Massage (60 mins, £85).
Our therapist, Grace, met the two of us at the relaxation room and led us downstairs to the Bath Rooms – one room each - think changeable mood lighting, white ceilings, a royal blue and white art deco tiled feature wall and a huge stainless steel bath.
Pre-filled, Grace drizzled Comfort Zone Tranquillity oil in and left the room to show our spa partner to their bath and so that I could slip in and get comfortable, pop a self-heated eye mask on and submerge my shoulders under the warm water. Grace checked in halfway through and gave me the nod when it was time to climb out and dry off.
For my next treatment, Zoe, my therapist showed me upstairs to one of the treatment rooms with pale yellow walls, cherry wood units and flooring, and an attractive stained-glass window overlooking the park. Zoe asked me to be seated on a chair in the corner and explained the treatment before leaving the room for me to pop on disposable pants and get comfortable on the treatment bed lying face down.
Zoe began the treatment by gliding two warm Himalayan salt blocks in long flowing strokes up my calf to my hamstring, continuing up my back over my shoulder and down my arm. She then repeated this on the other side of my body. Next came the vigorous salt scrub. Turning over, Zoe placed a relaxing pillow on my forehead then replicated the protocol with the warm salt blocks followed by the salt scrub on the front of my body. which washed off easily in the shower using just hot water. The gentle massage to end the treatment left my skin feeling smooth and nourished.
Buxton Crescent Spa has 22 treatment rooms offering a range of specialised mud and bath therapies as well as traditional massages, facials and beauty treatments. The CO2 Bath Suites use the Buxton thermal waters mingled with champagne-like oxygen bubbles. Facials and body treatments showcase Comfort Zone, Jennifer Young and Ensana products.
Food facts
Spa guests eat en robe in the Spa Café, with its swish leather dining seats and rooftop terrace for sunnier days. The menu includes freshly baked focaccia and olive tapenade to start, main courses (such as pan-fried cod and The Crescent Burger), and desserts (such as sorbet selection, fruit platter or Crème Brûlée). All ingredients are locally sourced. Dietary requirements are catered for.
We tried - and were impressed with - the new Wellness Bowl: butternut squash, avocado, radish, tomato, quinoa, mixed leaf salad and feta cheese (we opted to add chicken for protein). Water on the table and a jug of iced tea complemented the healthy main choice, we were too tempted by the naughty-but-nice chocolate brownie dessert. Guests on specific packages can also enjoy afternoon tea.
Overnight guests can dine in the hotel’s elegant restaurant 1789 with its teal and cream palette. The menu is elegant British cuisine with seasonal dishes such as seared scallops, stuffed saddle of lamb and all the steaks from the grill.
We began our meal with light and delicious dishes of beetroot tartare and pork and apple terrine. For mains we feasted on market fish of the day which - on our visit - was stone bass; our spa partner devoured the 1789 hot smoked salmon. All four plates were vibrant, tasty and beautifully presented. After a breather - and some belt adjustment - we shared the Rhubarb & Custard Cheesecake and the three different cheeses (Wensleydale and cranberry, Blue Murder and Brie) served with chutney, pear jelly, baby apples, whipped butter, honey bread and oat biscuits.
We loved / We didn’t love
We loved
The extensive facilities: so much thought and knowledge has gone into the restoration. From the different indoor and outdoor rooftop pools with its town views, 13 thermal experiences, and endless steam rooms and saunas, Buxton Crescent has not missed a trick.
The wide range of spa treatments: combining traditional beauty therapies with wellness and holistic treatments, there is something for everyone.
The location: the ridiculously beautiful Peak District and quirky Victorian spa town make this a great place to retreat to.
We didn’t love
The spa is well sign-posted but it may take a while to get your bearings across all three floors with their many stairs – although there are lifts, too. It took this Spa Spy a second visit to figure it all out and not miss anything.
Who do you think would like it?
Wellness pilgrims will flock here to wallow in ancient healing spring waters.
Tourists: did we mention that the property sits right in the middle of Buxton?
Water babies: not only does the hotel have three pools (two inside; one out) but two mineral baths and an underwater jet bath.
What bubble rating did you award this spa?
We awarded Buxton Crescent Health Spa Hotel our highest accolade of Five Bubble Luxury for its beautiful historic restoration; additional stylish comforts; spa treatment menu of modern wellness with a Roman twist; natural springs; and nutritious, delicious food.
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