Spas We Love: Moddershall Oaks
Moddershall Oaks is not so much a hotel-with-spa as a fabulous spa with a cosy ten bedrooms (10 minutes from the M6) , it’s like ‘entering a time warp of relaxation’, says our tester
It is ‘a wonderful find,’ according to our Beauty Bible sleuth Jessie Lawrence (who's also our Website Coordinator). Nestled in the peaceful Staffordshire countryside (but only ten minutes from the M6) , it’s like ‘entering a time warp of relaxation’, she says.The 3 p.m. check-in was a bonus for our single mother testers who had a long drive there. ‘The journey was less pressured and we didn't feel the clock was ticking.’ Their Spa Escape package meant they could use the spa until 5pm the following day, ‘which actually felt like days of endless pampering’, Jessie says.
After a relaxing drink, they dropped their bags in the twin room, which boasted huge beds. Patio doors led to a deck with a view over green fields and easy access to the communal hot tub.Then time to visit the inside spa, which offered a good-sized swimming pool, aromatherapy foot spa, steam room and hydrotherapy pool with several bubbly options to discover, all offering some sort of mind-and-body-soothing massage. There were heated marble loungers around the pool just in case we needed even more relaxation.Included in the Spa Escape package are a delicious two course dinner and the sort of breakfast you wish you had every day - plus a 25-minute back, neck and shoulder massage with wonderful Elemis products. ‘It was honestly one of the best massages I had ever had, transporting me to a land of bliss,’ reports Jessie.
During their visit, it was the grand opening of a new and sensational external spa boasting a huge 25 metre square outdoor heated spa pool, a Finnish kelo sauna cabin, a new spa deli and bar area, and a relaxing lounge with an indoor/outdoor roaring log fire.
Several of the rooms can be hired out separately including the Snug, which is available for private pamper parties. ‘Moddershall Oaks would be a perfect place to host a girly birthday party or hen party,’ suggests Jessie. It’s also available as a wedding venue.
‘All in all this is such a pleasurable place to spend time, and it caters for so many needs and preferences on so many levels – we can’t wait to go back and are already making plans for a longer stay,’ was our testers’ verdict.
Spa Break package for two, currently £249, between Sunday and Thursday.
Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat, Moddershall, Near Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8TG/01782 399000 www.modershalloaks.com