Mum and daughter spa weekend in Hampshire
‘I look 10 years younger,’ my mum declared as she looked in the mirror and it was true, any visible signs of stress had vanished from her face. ‘That’s what spending a weekend with me does,’ I joked. Having never experienced a facial before she was hesitant to book one – but an hour later she couldn’t stop raving about it. I was in a blissful post-facial state too, so I simply mumbled, ‘told you so’.
We were halfway through our stay at Norton Park Hotel, just a few miles from Winchester, enjoying the hotel's spa. They work with Elemis to provide their signature facials, which for both of us was a highlight of the weekend, second to each other's company of course.
Good quality time with my mum is a rarity, and so is treating her to a spa weekend, so of course she was first on my list when I booked my stay. Arriving for the weekend on the Friday we quickly robed up and enjoyed what the hotel and spa had to offer.
What’s the vibe?
Bridgerton with a quality spa. Based on 45 acres of land in the Hampshire countryside, the hotel feels as though you're miles from anywhere, and we spent one morning ambling around the grounds which include a gorgeous 16th-Century manor house. Based at the edge of a lake, the hotel also has a wedding barn, a bar, a spa and a restaurant on its grounds.
The beds are huge
The rooms in the main hotel are all very similar, with oak panelling, flat-screen TVs and everything you could ask for in a hotel room. The best part was just how big and comfy the bed was – I’ve got so used to sleeping alone, but I barely registered that someone else was in the bed with me.
You can also book a stay in the hotel's Manor House, which offers 13 ensuite bedrooms and accommodates up to 26 guests. The converted communal areas include an orangery, lounge, and walled garden. But make sure to book in advance as while we were there it was booked up for a wedding, much to our disappointment.
How about the food?
For dinner, the hotel’s restaurant was open for a selection of British pub grub, including fish and chips, steaks and pies. I opted for the risotto, which was hearty and sticky, and when washed down with a couple of wines, it felt like the perfect concoction.
For dessert, we chose a selection of chocolate dishes, which were well-presented and mouth-wateringly delicious right down to the final spoonful. If you're on an overnight package you have £32pp towards an evening meal, with anything else on top charged at an extra fee.
There weren't many options for lunch, apart from the bar area, where they served sandwiches and burgers. So it’s handy if you have a car (or book a taxi) so you can brunch or lunch somewhere in the city centre, along with a wander around the famous cathedral.
Back to the facials...
It wasn't just my mum who loved the Elemis facials - the resurfacing, anti-ageing wizardry of the facialist's hands and treatments made my skin glow, while lying down for an hour, as I was pampered, was the perfect antidote for my busy body and mind.
The spa also has a range of other treatments, including massages, which are extra if you book a spa package. The pool, which was never too busy, was surrounded by a sauna, ice bath, heated chairs and a steam room - which we leisurely visited, in between catch-up chats.
So, is it worth visiting?
If I were rating the hotel on the facials, comfy beds and desserts I'd give the hotel five stars, but unfortunately, a few things let it down – and it wasn't quite the quintessential British spa break I was hoping for. Although the hotel served gorgeous meals, the service was a little slow and forgetful at times, while the restaurant itself looked like it could do with a slight revamp. The grounds of the hotel, although pretty, were also a little overgrown, with the lake, which we hoped to walk around, roped off. Of course, seeing how relaxed my mum was as she left was priceless, and if you're on a budget this Hampshire hotel is priced under £100, which is a bargain compared to other spa hotels in the UK.
Where can I book?
A classic double room at the Norton Park Hotel starts at £95 for one night. Spa days at the hotel start at £79pp BOOK HERE. We both agreed that arriving on my train was a mistake, though, even though it’s only a 20-minute drive from Winchester, it’s based down a long winding road, meaning –if you don't have a car you'll have to rely on taxis to get you into the city centre.
More UK travel inspiration:
This A-list hideaway in West Sussex is a must for anyone excited about UK travel
'I visited the secret subterranean spa beneath the Harbour Hotel in Brighton'
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