A rather quaint spa in a historic building with garden views, Caudalie treatments and a large indoor pool (Stylish Spy)
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Horwood House can be found at the end of a tree-lined driveway near the vibrant city of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire The 38-acre grounds - complete with mature trees, manicured Pytheas Gardens and rectangular lily pond – were made famous by TV Gardener Percy Thrower.
The Grade II listed Jacobean mansion itself was built in 1911 and has undergone a £6 million transformation to preserve the manor whilst incorporating a sprawling modern extension. Hotel reception is just a short walk from the main car park.
WHAT’S ON OFFER?
Follow the signs through the hotel and down the stairs to H Spa, where you’ll find reception through double doors. Caudalie products line the pale wood walls. We were warmly welcomed, and handed a bundle containing a robe, a towel and spa slippers, as well as consultation forms to complete prior to treatments.
The changing rooms are compact but functional with eight half-height wooden code-activated lockers – there’s plenty more by the pool for busier days - and a vanity area with large mirror and two hairdryers. You’ll also find a WC and four private changing rooms to your left, two with rainforest showers containing Horwood-branded body wash and conditioning shampoo.
The Spa Lounge is just outside on your left - all neutral panelled walls, oversized plants and a green sofa. Help yourself to lemon-infused water and peruse a selection of coffee table books and magazines. In here we completed our forms and waited for our therapists.
You’ll find the relaxation area around the corner from here with four chaise chairs and pouffes in grey, each with its own side table and reading lamp. Looking out to the courtyard are two swinging egg chairs and four loungers. A low-lit corridor from here leads to six treatment rooms, including one double.
You’ll find the pool and heat facilities on the other side of the spa reception; your room key will allow you access to this leisure area – the space is accessible to hotel guests and members (children’s swim times are 9am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm daily. Inside you’ll find two banks of wooden lockers, more toilets and changing rooms.
The main thermal facilities are to the left. Plonk yourself in the small wood sauna – just big enough for four or two lying down; opposite you’ll find an equally sized steam room complete with grey mosaic tiles and blue lights - this was wonderfully steamy on our visit. Cool off in one of the two pool-side showers. Retreat to the one of the two white curved heated loungers to ease out any lasting muscle tension.
The 15-metre indoor swimming pool – with eye-catching, gold-edged, botanical ‘H’ at on the wall at the bottom – is large enough for laps (we had it all to ourselves for a good 10). Bag one of six poolside loungers for post-swim chilling. Sunny day? Head out to the courtyard to lounge alfresco.
For active spa-goers, there's also a fully equipped gym upstairs within the spa building.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT
We tried a Caudalie Express Divine Facial (25 minutes, £59).
My therapist, Leah, met me in the Spa Lounge and led me to a couples’ treatment room with gold accents complementing a neutral palette.
After explaining the steps of the facial, Leah left the room so that I could get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face up.
The facial began with a refreshing spritz from above followed by a milky cleanser containing sweet almond, which smelt just like Christmas. Leah wiped this off with deliciously hot mitts before closing my pores with a beauty elixir.
Leah then continued the facial with a Gentle Buffing Cream to exfoliate followed by a moisturising mask. While this worked deep into my dehydrated skin, Leah massaged my hands and arms. The facial finished with an SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum, dots of Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream, Instant firming Serum and Lightweight Firming Cashmere Cream.
The result? Baby-soft skin, hydrated in just 25 minutes
After thanking my therapist, I waited in the relaxation area for my spa partner whose stiff back felt much looser, she explained, after her Caudalie Divine Back, Next and Shoulder massage (25 minutes, £63).
FOOD FACTS
We began our spa day with afternoon tea in Harry’s Bar & Restaurant, a contemporary space whose décor gives a nod to the gardens’ rich history – think: panelled walls, hanging plants and zoned seating. You’ll find a well-stocked bar at one end serving wine, local spirits and cocktails.
Arriving, rather traditionally, on a three-tiered silver stand, we devoured the bottom layer of warm sausage rolls and sandwiches (coronation chicken, egg and cress, salmon and cream cheese), followed by the middle layer of scones (both plain and fruity) with jam and gooey clotted cream. The exquisite little cakes on the top layer (New York cheesecake, red velvet cake, a chocolate and orange bomb and apple and blackberry crumble) proved too much for one sitting; thankfully a takeaway box for the fridge in our room was happily provided. We washed it all down with tea from an extensive menu - served in a beautifully glazed pot - and a glass of Prosecco.
Staying overnight on a very wet autumn evening, we slipped into our PJ’s and ordered room service from Harry’s, which arrived promptly and with a smile.
Once laid out on the table in front of us - with a glass of cold Sauvignon Blanc and a fresh mango juice to accompany - we shared everything and tucked into Harry’s Prawn Cocktail with king prawns, avocado puree and a Bloody Mary sauce; homemade Pappardelle pasta with pistachio pesto, fresh mint, lemon and parmesan shavings; and a succulent charcoal-grilled 1/2 chicken served with lemon aioli and skinny fries. The pretty little cakes from our afternoon tea proved to be the perfect dessert.
SWEET STAY?
We stayed in one of the Executive Rooms - number 270 - which had a separate lounge area (the squishy sofa transformed into a comfy double bed for my teenage daughter), a huge flatscreen, a king-size bed behind a half wall and two large windows offering garden views.
We loved the ginormous bathroom with its stark black and white tiles, walk in shower equipped with Horwood’s own amenities and large white sink prevented any elbow bashing.
A bottle of Prosecco on ice with two glasses was a lovely welcoming touch; after a great night’s sleep, the Nespresso coffee machine was a god-send before heading down for breakfast.
WE LOVED…
Our room was perfect for travelling with a teenager who refuses, as they all do, to sleep in close proximity.
Our treatments were just as effective at 25 minutes as they would have been at 50 (is this the Caudalie effect, we wonder?).
The grounds: the grounds around Horwood House are delightful whatever the weather, and visible from majority of the hotel.
WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?
We awarded H Spa at Horwood House Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 4 Bubbles for its leafy setting, lap pool, good range of Caudalie treatments and scrumptious afternoon tea.
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