Check In

Checking into the hotel was seamless. As part of our package we were able to use the facilities from 12pm so the staff took care of our luggage until we could check into the room at 3pm. We were then taken on a quick tour of the facilities and given our all important, robe, towel and flip flops.

Changing Rooms

The changing rooms were spacious and clean, with plenty of lockers and changing cubicles. As soon as we changed into our swimming costumes and slipped on the robes we were ready to head to the pool area.

Pool

The pool area is beautifully designed with huge floor to ceiling windows which let in lots of natural light. Inside there is a heated hydrotherapy pool with plants around the edge, giving it a holiday feel. You can access the outdoor pool through a little doorway without leaving the warmth of the water. Here you will find different jacuzzis and loungers submerged in the water offering gentle bubbles and massage jets.

One of the best things is the amount of loungers there are plenty, both inside and out, so no loitering to reserve your spot.

Thermal Suite

There are two saunas, a crystal steam room and a salt grotto in the thermal suite which is right next to the pool. The herb sauna was a comfortable 40 – 45 degrees, it didn’t smell particularly herby but it was definitely relaxing. The other sauna is one of the first Kelo saunas in the UK, made from naturally fragrant Kelo wood found in the Arctic Circle. The temperature was between 70 and 75 degrees, far too hot for me to spend more than a couple of minutes in there. However, if you can hack the heat it is supposed to be very beneficial.

The crystal steam room was my favourite. A really large chamber with twinkly lights in the ceiling and a crystal that was lit up in the centre. With it being pretty dark, you need to almost feel your way to the seat. However, once you are settled the steam really works its magic relaxing any tension and clearing your airways.

The final room is a salt grotto which has a water fountain of salt water on one wall and seats on the other. Breathing in salt is thought to help with both your health and mood. However, we found it a bit chilly in here and didn’t stay long.

There are also foot baths and two showers, one offering a cold fog, and a cold water bucket to cool yourself down after the sauna if you are brave enough. At regular intervals you hear involuntary screams from this direction as people douse themselves in freezing water.

Outside

The outside area is quite spacious and is well looked after. I loved the feeling of the fresh air on my face as I swam outside in the lovely warm pool. Seeing the steam rise from the jacuzzis gives it a magical feeling.

There are plenty of loungers around the pool to sunbathe, if you visit when the weather is good, and there is also a fire pit to keep you warm on colder days.

If you are visiting with a group or for a special occasion there are pods that you can reserve to keep you warm and dry. They offer different packages some offering fruit platters and drinks as part of the price. A great way to enjoy the outdoors in comfort.

Treatments

When it was time for our treatments, we were seated in the gorgeous lobby are on huge, squishy sofas while we waited for our therapists. I opted for an express facial which was a real treat. The therapist was extremely friendly and professional, making sure she tailored the facial to my skin. She used a range of Elemis products which smelt gorgeous and left my skin feeling glowy.

As part of the facial she included one of the best scalp massages I’ve ever had and gave my neck and shoulders a quick massage as well. When it was finished (always too soon!) she took me to a lovely relaxation room with comfy loungers and dimmed lights where I waited for my friend.

My friend opted for a full body massage which she really enjoyed. She asked for firm pressure and said she felt it could have been a little firmer, but she was pleased that the therapist identified where she was tense and worked on these areas.

Food And Drink

During the afternoon we enjoyed a glass of prosecco by the pool, we went to the bar to order but afterwards we learnt that you can scan the QR code and they will bring your drink to you (we definitely missed out there!)

As part of our package we had £30 credit in the restaurant which almost covered two courses each and all we had to pay for were our drinks. I had a lamb tagine served with pilau rice which was really tasty and filling and my friend had a halloumi and falafel burger which she enjoyed. We then shared a couple of puddings, a rich chocolate brownie served with salted caramel sauce and ice cream and a lemon meringue tart which was delicious.

Our package also included breakfast, which you can order from the à la carte menu and also help yourself to the buffet. On the à la carte menu there was a full english breakfast and a veggie version plus lots of different egg dishes, such as eggs florentine, poached eggs with avocado and Grovewood Eggs which I opted for. This baked eggs dish was served with spiced tomato and beans finished with a sprinkling of dukah.

As well as the à la carte options, the buffet had a great selection. You could have anything from cereals, yogurt and fruit to a wide variety of fresh pastries, cheese and meat. You can also get unlimited tea, coffee and juices at the self serve station.

Rooms

We had a standard twin room which was nicely decorated with all the amenities that we needed, including a powerful hairdryer (essential when you’ve been in the pool all day), tea and coffee making facilities, an iron and complimentary toiletries. The beds were comfortable and the bathroom was beautifully clean with a fantastic waterfall shower, perfect to get ready in the evening after a day of relaxing by the pool.

Why We Liked The Malvern Spa

Although The Malvern Spa is in a cute little town that is definitely worth exploring, it is actually located on the edge of an industrial estate. However as soon as you step through the doors you immediately forget this and are engulfed in a luxurious, peaceful atmosphere at a reasonable price. The staff are extremely friendly and professional, and are always on hand to make your stay enjoyable. The neutral palette that has been used gives a serene feel and touch of class. The whole spa is well looked after and the outdoor area is an added bonus especially if you are lucky enough to visit when the sun shines.

Written by Laura Mills

Laura loves travelling across the UK and abroad. She has two children and a husband who are often her travel companions. Beach holidays, cosy cottages, treehouse adventures and brunching are just a few of her favourite ways to spend her travel time.

The post The Malvern Spa Review appeared first on Big Little Travels - Your Travel Guide.

But, you want a bit more information than that don’t you, so here it is – my Elms Hotel and Spa review…

Arrival 

We were greeted as soon as we stepped through the door by a friendly face on reception who showed us where to go. As we were a little bit early, we decided to have a coffee in the bar area which was beautifully decorated with quirky details that were still in keeping with the stunning original features such as intricately carved wood panels, high ceilings and sash windows.

After ordering a coffee, we settled ourselves down on a sumptuously comfy sofa in front of a roaring log fire. Bliss! 

And so the relaxation began.

Entrance to the spa

The spa itself is situated in a building adjacent to the main hotel with beautiful views over the rolling Worcestershire countryside.

Again, as we entered we were greeted immediately and shown around the spa which is stunning. The first area has little booths for manicures and pedicures that are hidden behind cascading plants and furnished with some very cool yet comfy looking seating. 

The Greenhouse Spa

Once we had changed and put on the complimentary robe and slippers we headed to the main attraction, the pool area.

It definitely lives up to its name “The Greenhouse Spa” – with plants hanging from the rafters in a barn style building with huge windows bringing the outdoors inside. There are comfy sofas and seats to relax on amongst the botanical setting and you can order snacks and drinks to be served poolside. A real bonus in my opinion!

We took advantage and ordered ourselves a glass of Prosecco to sip on while flicking through a magazine in this tropical paradise. 

The pool itself wasn’t busy and we had plenty of room to stretch our legs and do a few gentle lengths of the pool. The indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool was a real treat and even on a chilly winter’s afternoon it wasn’t too cold to venture outside. It was actually quite refreshing to be able to enjoy some fresh air but in the comfortable temperature of the pool. 

Sauna and steam rooms

As well as the pool area there are two steam rooms, a sauna and a rainforest shower. After relaxing in the steam room or sauna it was fun to try and work out what all the buttons in the shower did and try and guess which direction the water would come from next.

Your shower is also accompanied by rainforest sound effects and mood lighting. 

Afternoon Tea

As part of our spa package we had afternoon tea which was served in the main hotel in one of their dining rooms all of which are decorated slightly differently but are cosy and comfy with some interesting design details.

As for the food, the sandwiches were lovely and fresh and the scones were very light and still slightly warm, just the way they should be served.

The mini cakes were delicious but we struggled to finish them so the waitress kindly offered to box them up so we could take them home. It was all accompanied with unlimited tea, of which we sampled a few new varieties that we had never tried before. 

Treatments 

The treatment rooms also have the wow factor. Mine was huge and set up for couples treatments with a huge bed and double shower plus two normal treatment beds.

The botanical theme carries on in here, with natural wood panelling and plants in every corner. I had “The Power Breakfast” facial which is a 30 minute treatment. It includes a deep power cleanse, nutritious scrub and mask, revitalising face massage and wonderful scalp massage. It was a blissful half an hour on an extremely comfy heated treatment bed.

My friend had a massage and she said she could have stayed there all day! 

Outside space 

As it was about 4 degrees when we visited we didn’t really linger outside except for when we enjoyed the hydrotherapy pool. But there were lots of beautiful, uninterrupted views from every side of the manor house.

There are tables and chairs dotted around on the many patios and I could imagine sipping a chilled glass of wine enjoying the view in the sunshine. There are also sun loungers which would be perfect for a summer visit. 

How to get there 

The Elms is just off the A443 near to Abberly and Kidderminster. There is plenty of free parking including some EV charging points. If you are travelling by train there are a few nearby stations including Worcestershire Crowngate, Worcester Foregate, Kidderminster and Worcester Shrub Hill.

The whole experience felt very luxurious set in the beautiful, peaceful scenery of the Worcestershire countryside. It’s a quirky boutique hotel and spa, which feels cosy and homely compared to some of the others that I have visited and I love the botanical theme as I am officially a bit of a plant addict.

As for the service, nothing was too much trouble and we felt valued and cared for in every aspect as soon as we walked through the gorgeous entrance way. 

We didn’t stay over night but wish we had as the rooms look gorgeous and are all decorated stylishly reflecting the personality of the rest of the hotel. If you’re not interested in a treatment, the rooms include access to The Greenhouse Spa and come with breakfast included which makes it a great deal for a romantic weekend or for a girlie getaway. 

Written by Laura Mills

Laura loves travelling across the UK and abroad. She has two children and a husband who are often her travel companions. Beach holidays, cosy cottages, treehouse adventures and brunching are just a few of her favourite ways to spend her travel time.

The post The Elms Hotel and Spa Review appeared first on Big Little Travels - Your Travel Guide.