If you go down to the woods

Getting away from it all does not necessarily mean travelling great distances. Catherine Gray visited Belton Woods Hotel, Grantham for a mini spa break.
Plenty of hackneyed phrases sprang to mind as we drove through the splendid entrance to the hotel – a ‘hidden gem’ and ‘tranquil surroundings’ amongst them – but I had not visited before and what a first impression Belton Woods Hotel made on me. This is a multi-faceted estate which includes a golf course, hotel and spa complex and health club as well as lodges and facilities for business conferences and special occasion celebrations. I was taking my husband for his first spa experience so while he was a bit apprehensive I was very much looking forward to winding down and leaving the world behind us as we turned into the driveway.

Belton Woods Hotel is part of the QHotels group and our VIQ room was ready on our arrival. Beautifully appointed with a super king bed and luxury linens, we had a view across the golf course and plenty of time to relax before our first visit to the spa. Our overnight package included lunch in the Spa Café, two treatments, evening dinner, breakfast and the use of all the hotel’s leisure facilities.

We were amongst many other guests enjoying the weekend but this is a good sized hotel and at no time did we feel crowded or pushed for time – compliments to all the staff to achieve this.

We headed to the Spa Café for our lunch and enjoyed two courses with a glass of prosecco each before dipping our toes into the Spa. There were other couples enjoying the experience so my husband’s qualms were soon forgotten – in fact he is now the one asking when we are doing this again.

The Spa is decorated and equipped to a high specification in contemporary green and greys, the result of a major investment in 2016 to update and extend the facilities. There is a large pool, new fitness studio, tennis court and changing rooms as well as a sauna and steam room and eight treatment rooms. We swam in the pool and experienced the scented spa rooms before heading to our therapists. My husband was having the ESPA Salt and Oil treatment – a salt scrub to help soften and exfoliate the body, combined with aromatherapy oils to leave your body feeling revitalised. ESPA products smell delicious and my own Express Facial, which lasted 30 minutes was tailored to suit my skin’s needs. While my face mask took effect, my therapist gave me a relaxing scalp massage focusing on pressure points on my head. You know a treatment has been effective when you lose the sense of time and I certainly did.

There is a spa guests’ Relaxation Room which is quiet and cosy so we headed there to snuggle under throws to prolong the relaxation we had both found.

Our evening meal was in the main restaurant. There is a popular carvery option but we chose from the à la carte menu and enjoyed three courses each. Some delicious Ardennes pâté for myself followed by confit duck and apple crumble for me and cod fishcakes, blade of beef and chocolate gateau for my husband. Three courses were priced at £28 which was good value for some excellent dishes.

Our room was equipped with Sky TV, a Bose sound system and en-suite with walk-in shower and after a comfortable night’s sleep we went for breakfast, served in the restaurant. There was plenty to choose from the buffet style service as well as a Continental selection too.

For our second treatment we both enjoyed a back, neck and shoulder massage. Our therapists used aromatherapy oils, chosen to suit our personality and mood, with slow stroking movements designed to relax and centre our mind, body and soul. Relaxing and indulgent, I felt each treatment had helped me shed tension and truly unwind. Who says you need to go to the other side of the country or world to enjoy some quality escapism? It can be found right on your doorstep.

The Spa at Belton Woods Hotel can be booked as a day experience with a comprehensive choice of ESPA treatments tailored to your needs but there is also wide flexibility to create your own mini break by adding an exercise class, overnight stay, dining and golfing options. The choice is yours. Dip into this stunning Lincolnshire setting and create your own special retreat.

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