The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa Review

We knew it would be good, but was the Royal Crescent Spa just as good at it promised?

We asked our Bath based blogger @SarahfromBath to try out the spa facilities which included an hour’s treatment of choice and lunch. Sarah took her partner Simon.

What Sarah said.

The Spa is a separate building across the beautiful gardens at the rear of the main house. The award-winning Spa & Bath House really do have the wow factor. The spa was fully renovated in 2016 and at first glance is every inch of its five-star billing.

Through a reception area, staffed by very welcoming and professional yet friendly staff are the changing areas, gym and Bath House.

The Bath House is a jaw dropping 12 metre heated relaxation pool which on our day of visiting was a delicious 34 degrees. The pool sits beneath two gothic style windows that brought the February mini-summer we were experiencing flooding in to the picturesque room bouncing light off the glittering mosaic tiling.

Sat proudly in the centre of the room, and opposite the pool, in-line with a gothic style door, that we are told can be opened during warmer weather so as to enjoy the gardens, is an all singing all dancing jacuzzi or ‘Vitality Pool’ with massage jets which were aimed at our calves and backs. Aaaaaaand relax! Wow, what a treat.

We had been allocated over an hour in the Bath House and given our Monday morning timings this meant that we had the place to ourselves for the first 40 minutes. Bliss. Add to that frequent trips to the Himalayan Salt Infused Sauna and the Herbal Steam Inhalation Room all set within the Bath House and you get the picture; this was the dreamiest of Monday mornings.

There was also plenty of fruit infused water ready to drink, being such thirsty work! And needless to say, that the Bath House was spotlessly clean with regular visits by the staff to keep the floors slip free and finished to an exemplarily standard.

Next. Treatment time.

The Spa has six beautiful and tranquil treatment rooms and a gorgeous long list of beautiful sounding treatments. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa was the first hotel in the country to trial a ‘cancer safe’ treatment called Spezia Touch Therapy using Spezia products that are 100% natural. They are designed to be suitable for those with sensitive skin providing relief and nourishment.

I am 2 years in remission following a cancer diagnosis in 2016 and had successful radiotherapy and complicated limb saving surgery. I had follow-up surgery too in 2018. I have 2 large scars, 1 on each leg and they are both sensitive, and numb. I have some lymphedema in my left calve and left foot. So far I have avoided anyone touching my scars.

My lovely therapist listened to me carefully explaining the above and what I felt I was comfortable with during this body and facial massage. I opted to include some massage around my scar tissue as this would help with the painful lymphedema, scar tissue and blood flow to the surface of the skin around the scars. The massage was delicate yet purposeful and was actually very pleasant around the scarring. The attention to detail on the therapy was beautiful and I enjoyed a fully relaxing hour as my skin drank the exquisite products. I opted to not shower after the treatment as the advice was that the skin benefits hugely from staying in the essential oils for as long as possible but which meant I had that crazy post massage oily hair! However, I did manage to rescue my hair, ready to find my partner, and head to lunch to hear all about his Hot Stone Massage treatment.

I would recommend the Spezia treatment to fellow cancer patients, where medical teams allow. It was beautiful, restorative and super relaxing for a body that has had little time or confidence to do any of those things to date.

We were so lucky to be able to lunch outside as this was the week of the strangely warm weather which meant that we were shown to a table on the edge of the gardens by our bubbly waiter.

Feeling healthy I chose a delicious meat free dish and warm salad from their lunch menu. Simon chose a steak and frites. Feeling a little more indulgent I treated myself to a glass of prosecco….and plenty of water, heeding the advice of my therapist to stay hydrated.

Simon very much enjoyed his treatment too, almost as much as he did his alfresco steak! Lunch was delicious!

The Royal Crescent Spa is everything you’d hope for and more. The professional, friendly and helpful staff make you feel very welcome and at ease whilst maintaining the lux service delivery you’d expect from a hotel with such a reputation and title.

I thank Mary Stringer and her staff at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa for such good care and attention during our visit. I thank Liz Ledger at Total Guide to Bath for asking me to sample the delights of their Spa. It was wonderful.