Spa & Spice And All Things Nice!
Kathryn Heart and friend enjoy an ultimately relaxing Spa & Spice experience in the stunning surroundings of the Lake District
Several years ago, I was lucky enough to experience the spa trail at the Gilpin Lake House but at the time it was only available to hotel guests. However, I am thrilled to share that they are about to launch a new Spa & Spice experience that will be available to non-residents as well. To say I was excited for a preview, would be an understatement as Gilpin ranks up there as one of my favourite establishments and my long-time bestie, Siobhan came along for the ride.
Based within the grounds of the hotel, the new Gilpin Spa Space is simply stunning and effortlessly stylish, creating a calm and tranquil cocoon where you immediately feel yourself relax. After enjoying a welcome drink and a brief chat with our therapist we were off to the ‘shack’ to get ready for our spa experience. Having not been to Gilpin, Siobhan was a little concerned that we would be getting changed in the equivalent of a shed, which did make me smile, as the ‘shack’ was an uber luxurious changing area that I was immediately coveting for my own. Underfloor heating, double shower, incredible forest green toilet to tie in with the flora and fern-inspired décor meant it couldn’t have been less shack-like if it tried!
Once changed and into the supplied fluffy robes and flip flops it was off to one of the two double treatment rooms. Having chosen our preferred aromas, with phones locked away in the shack we settled in for a two-hour spa escape. After drifting off more than a couple of times during my expertly applied facial I awoke feeling fresh faced, both figuratively and literally! My skin was glowing and the spoiling didn’t stop there – next was the steam room with the self-applied mud treatment followed by the shower room with body scrub and the final stop in the spa trail was the outdoor hot tub to enjoy a glass of ‘bubbles in the bubbles’ whilst taking in the stunning scenery.
With stomachs rumbling it was off to the Asian inspired, two AA Rosette restaurant, Gilpin Spice for lunch. With another glass of bubbles, we enjoyed the most amazing, perfectly presented feather blade Cumbrian beef red curry and sweet and sour Cumbrian pork belly, followed by a shared spiced Jamaican ginger pudding, served with rum butterscotch sauce, hazelnuts and banana ice-cream. There wasn’t a grain of rice or crumb of sponge to be left on any of the plates – just delicious!
At Gilpin you know you are somewhere special, as it somehow manages to be luxurious yet homely. The team make you feel like a friend rather than a customer, where nothing is too much trouble. Gutted to be leaving, but arriving home feeling refreshed and revitalised it really was a faultless day.
Would I recommend? Absolutely! Would I go back? One hundred per cent! I’m currently looking for an agreeable date to go back with three of my girlfriends for the ultimate spa and lunch date.
Available from 1st April, the Gilpin Spa & Spice Trail is the perfect treat for you and a loved one, or even a party of four
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Crook Road, Windermere
01539 488818
thegilpin.co.uk
