A truly unique and beautiful hotel and spa. From the moment we arrived you could tell this place was special and I will definitely be booking a return visit.
But, you want a bit more information than that don’t you, so here it is – my Elms Hotel and Spa review…
Quick Verdict: The Elms Hotel & Spa
The Elms Hotel and Spa is simply exquisite. We only visited for the afternoon tea and spa session – and although this was wonderful, I wanted to stay longer.
Everything from the treatments to the cakes and from the outdoor space to the beautifully designed interiors will make you feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of your normal life – it did for me!
Next time I visit I will be booking an overnight stay for sure.
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.
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.