Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath, UK
author: Vicky King
When YTL Hotels started excavation work on Gainsborough Bath Spa, its first venture into the UK market, there couldn’t have been a greater omen for the treasure it was creating than coming across 17,577 silver Roman coins. Dating back to 32BC, most of the
hoard now resides in the nearby Roman Bath Museum but a chosen few sit, pride of place, in a glass case in the foyer of this truly authentic spa. Authentic because not only has it tapped into Bath’s natural thermal, mineral-rich waters but because its ethos is holistic to the core. Several pre-treatment rituals are
inspired: at the aromatherapy apothecary, various scents relating to how you are feeling are wafted under your nose; “the nose knows” is their saying. My nose seemed to want calm, so I was gifted with a bag of lavender, neroli and sandalwood smelling salts to sniff during my time in the spa – and put in a bath when I returned home. This apothecary-style service also
runs through to the cocktail bar – where many hours later, several slightly more medicinal lychee sours were created for me based on my love of fresh Thai flavours. Next, you’re asked to write down
a wish. It’s a long time since I’ve made a wish, and it’s a thought that I found myself drifting off with during the stress-melting two-hour Magnesium Wrap – including a body scrub, massage and wrap – one of the Gainsborough’s signature treatments, and a must. The spa is housed in the
courtyard of the hotel’s two Grade II-listed Georgian and Victorian buildings, with the glass roof being a particularly considered design element, as you’re bathed in natural light as you wallow. There are a number of natural thermal baths heated to various temperatures and a large pool with thermal water jets for back, neck and body – staff recommend a particular circuit, reminiscent of the Roman bathing journey, interspersed with an ice rub and an infrared sauna. And not to mention several (maybe more) small cups of an amazing spiced liquid chocolate. Access to the spa is unlimited if
guests are booked into one of the larger suites, but the Bath Spa Suite tops the bill, as the natural thermal waters run straight into its
80
TTGLUXURY.COM SPRING 2016 TRIED & TESTED
Good to know: Gainsborough Bath Spa has tapped into natural thermal mineral-rich waters known to soften the skin and aid muscular relief. The Bath Spa suite has natural thermal waters running directly to its alcove roll-top bath. An apothecary-style ethos means tailor-made smelling salts in the spa – and custom- made cocktails in the bar. A trip to the nearby Roman Baths is a must to brush up on the spa history of the city and to find out more about the coins found in the hotel grounds – be sure to suggest a good couple of hours for this. Each room features an iPod docking station, complimentary Wi-Fi and under-floor heating in the bathrooms.
roll-top alcove bath. Design of guestrooms is modern, soothing and sensitive to the period details in muted blues and greys, with a bed you won’t want to get out of, a well-stocked fridge and Asprey products in the bathroom – plus a soothing lip balm and facial spritz presented at evening turn-down. Modern artwork around the hotel
is a wonderful nod to the building’s former life as an art college, especially in the restaurant, where I tucked into slow-cooked honey-soy pork belly followed by roasted sea bass for dinner, provided by Michelin-starred chef Johann Lafer. And so after those lychee sours – plus a champagne cocktail for good measure – with a clear mind, eased muscles, satisfied belly and soft skin, my head hit the marshmallow-soft pillows for what was the deepest and most refreshing sleep I’ve had in a long, long time. My wish? That I’d be returning here soon.
How to book it From £285 room-only. Spa use is available to guests between 7-9am and 8-10pm – book a treatment however and you can use facilities either side. Several suites also include unlimited spa use. Tel: 0800 5298 000
gainsboroughbathspa.co.uk
Spa bliss
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86