Lucy Matthews checked into the four star The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village for the ultimate pamper weekend of relaxation, great food and indulgence.
Ribby Hall Village itself is a large complex at Wrea Green, not far from Blackpool. It’s a short but scenic drive from my home near Chester to The Spa Hotel which regally overlooks the village which is surrounded by Lancashire countryside. We were impressed not only with the hotel’s location but its pretty exterior. The duck-filled lake in front of it is a lovely feature.
After a friendly welcome, we checked in and made our way to our immaculate and spacious double room. Traditionally decorated with a shiny bathroom, the room also had digital touches like a HDMI socket to plug your personal devices into the television. The interior of the hotel’s public areas was also aesthetically pleasing; the décor was fresh with splashes of green, purple and orange.
Included in our spa package was access to the Aqua Thermal Journey. This experience is designed to relax body and mind with an array of tantalising treatments. It slowly raises your body temperature while you relax and soak up the benefits. We were guided through the heat experiences by a spa expert and had access to the aroma steam rooms, outdoor spa pool, herbal sauna, hydrotherapy pool, Balinese salt inhalation room and monsoon showers. We left the tranquil experience feeling reinvigorated.
We then decided to further unwind with a few afternoon tipples in the champagne bar. Although, at first, it may seem quite unnatural to sip espresso martinis in the hotel lobby wearing fluffy white robes and slippers, Ribby Hall really does provide that ‘home from home’ feel, making you feel uber-relaxed and comfortable.
We had a dinner reservation at the hotel’s award-winning, adult-only Orangery restaurant. My friend and I had been drooling over the Lancashire inspired menu all week. Made up of classic yet striking dishes, we opted for a main of Bowland beef fillet (£31), cooked to perfection, served with the classic chunky chips and peppercorn sauce combo. Despite being incredibly full, a shared dessert of Nutella filled doughnuts with a hazelnut crumb and custard (£8) was just too tempting to pass up - it certainly satisfied the sweet tooth.
The pampering continued on Sunday morning. First we enjoyed a delicious room service breakfast served from silver cloches. Then followed our spa treatments. I opted for the Elemis Booster Facial (£40) and Deluxe Scalp Massage (£51), which included a hot stone back massage. My beauty therapist, Emily, guided me through the treatments and made me feel so relaxed I may have even nodded off. The products used left my skin glowing, radiant and nourished. After the treatments you are guided to picture-perfect relaxation rooms where you can recline on heated loungers while overlooking the Lancashire countryside…sounds like a dream right?
My two-day stay at Ribby Hall was packed full of indulgent spa-ing that left me feeling incredibly spoilt. The outstanding hospitality is ultimately what makes Ribby Hall; from the bar staff to the beauty therapists to the front desk there is a level of highly attentive, quality service. The Spa Hotel is an holistic escape; somewhere you can feel relaxed, indulged and escape your hectic life.
The Spa Hotel, Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road, Wrea Green, near Blackpool, PR4 2PR
01772 671755 www.ribbyhall.co.uk
