First Impressions
Bedford Lodge Hotel is a grand, whitewashed Georgian hotel in manicured grounds near the Suffolk town of Newmarket, famous for its racecourse. The two-storey spa is housed in a modern extension with its own entrance. Walk down a path leading from the car park and through Grecian stone pillars with lilac wisteria hanging overhead.
Tell us about the treatments
We tried the ESPA Mindful Massage (80 minutes, £110).
My therapist, Elisha, met me on the mezzanine level and led me to one of nine treatment rooms; mine had wood floors and truffle-coloured walls. The dulcet sounds of Enya emanated from the stereo; a nice change from the usual spa music
Elisha invited me to sit on a chair and talked me through the treatment, asking about any areas of concern and inviting me to choose a massage oil; I selected one containing sandalwood and frankincense. Elisha then left the room so that I could lie face-up on the treatment bed.
Elisha began the Mindful Massage by chiming small cymbal over my head with the aim of opening my energy centres (also known as chakras). She then asked me to take several deep breaths, holding each for three counts, then four and finally five. Once I was nicely relaxed, she asked me to visualise a colour and imagine it working its way down my body, from my head to my feet.
My hard-working feet were then treated to a wash using hot towels. Elisha poured my chosen oil down the right-hand side of my body and performed a very assured and relaxing massage. She worked her way up to my shoulder and neck before moving my neck to one side to give it a good stretch.
Elisha then did the same to the other side of my body before asking me to turn over. She lowered the bed and placed an inhalation bowl underneath, asking me to take three deep breaths. This time, Elisha concentrated the massage on my knotty shoulders, using a rotating motion to work them out, while also paying attention to my lower back, which I recently injured. Even my fingers were treated to Elisha’s expert touch.
Once I turned back over, Elisha’s skilled hands continued to work on my scalp, tugging parts of my hair and performing some static rotation work. I was in Spa Spy heaven. Rose quartz on my forehead, also the ‘third eye chakra’, and more hot towels on my feet ended what was an incredibly professional massage.
Rousing me slowly, Elisha fetched me a cup of lavender tea and led me to the deep relaxation room. I entered the treatment room feeling washed out and left feeling relaxed yet alert, leaving me able to do a couple of hours’ work before dinner.
The Spa at Bedford Loge Hotel offers everything from massages and facials to wraps and scrubs, as well as microdermabrasion, skin peels, reflexology and flotation. There are also treatments for men and mothers-to-be, plus makeovers, manis/pedis and beauty finishing touches.
We loved…
The spa garden, with its manicured lawn, central fountain, flowered borders and a visible church spire, makes for very relaxing spa-ing.
Our treatment: We love trying treatments we wouldn’t usually select and being wowed by them.
The mezzanine level: From the rooftop terrace with hot tub to the spacious and airy relaxation room, The Spa at Bedford Lodge is a charming place to be.
What bubble rating did you give this spa?
We awarded The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles. The spa is stylish, functional and well thought-out, with decent facilities, good food and some treats to enjoy. We loved our treatment. Being in the Suffolk countryside makes the spa feel like a real getaway, too.
Stylish Spy visited in May 2018 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.