Ardencote Hotel and Spa is 45 minutes from Birmingham but felt like a world away from the pressure of modern life When it comes to getting together with
Friends for a much-needed catch up, spa breaks are one of my favourite ways of taking time out to reconnect. Whether it’s a Twilight Spa booked in for after work, or an afternoon tea with a chance to lounge by a pool, there are two things I’ve realised: I relax better when there’s less chance I’m going to be interrupted by work emails, small children or both and if you can add some food into the mix then so much the better. But with life just feeling so expensive at the moment, it’s sometimes hard to justify the money as much as the time away. However, a recent visit to a hidden gem of a spa hotel a few miles from Warwick but a world away from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life was the kind of tonic that felt worth every penny. READ MORE: The best 2023 air fryer deals as brands slash prices in spring sales Tucked away in the village of Claverdon, Ardencote Hotel and Spa is a four star independently owned and family-run hotel. Boasting 110 bedrooms, a full restaurant with accompanying bar and lounge and a full spa - with hot tub - sitting alongside the golfing facilities, it’s the perfect getaway whether you're looking to get in some exercise (there are indoor and outdoors swimming pools, squash and
Tennis courts, a gym and even a dance studio if you’re feeling energetic) or just want an idyllic opportunity to sit back and relax. I didn’t know much about Ardencote before I visited and the wow factor of the outside of the hotel made me even more excited as we moved into the lobby to register at reception. Behind the hotel is an idyllic lake, perfect for enjoying some fresh air and solitude - or a drink on the deck if you're feeling sociable (Image: Narin Flanders) Arrival and facilities Driving up to the wood-panelled front door, your first glimpse of Ardencote offers everything you would hope for a restful break away from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life. The approach to the hotel runs alongside the resort’s 18-hole
golf course so there’s the lush greenery of perfectly manicured lawns as far as the eye can see and, handily if (like me) you’ve got a tendency to overpack, a car park with plenty of space. But tucked away behind the hotel building is a jaw-droppingly beautiful man-made lake with views that will instantly transport you away from real life to a more gently paced and relaxing mindset. What’s more, with so much packed in around the 103-acre site, which boasts the main manor house dating back to 1863 in its centre, you won’t need to be going back to the real world any time soon. My first impression is one that stuck with me throughout my stay - the surroundings and facilities at Ardencote were excellent, particularly when compared to pricier spa hotels I’ve been to in the region, but underpinning everything was a warmth that meant the hotel never felt intimidating or stuffy. The friendly reception team soon had us checked in and confirmed our meal reservations, so we were able to walk over to our room and drop our bags in our twin bed room and head straight down to the newly-refurbished spa. We were greeted by more cheery and efficient staff who gave us robes and slippers and then walked us round the entire spa through the changing areas and all the different treatment and relaxation areas. There was a lot to take in so it was a nice touch to be given a little cardboard ‘menu’ to explain all the different rooms. Frankly there were so many that the reminder was helpful - as we walked the corridors scented with
Oil we found two different saunas, waterfall shower, footspas, ice fountain and aromatherapy steam room, all looking out on the outdoor hot tub. There were also indoor and outdoor swimming pools with plenty of loungers, which I made a mental note to return to once we’d explored the rest of the spa - although I stayed firmly indoors, leaving the too-chilly-for-me outdoor pool for the ducks. The view from my room made me feel like I was holidaying on the Riviera, not 45 minutes from Birmingham (Image: Narin Flanders) We started with the tepidarium, a lovely mosaic-tiled room with ergonomically curved seating set at a gentle 35 degrees, perfect to ease away the chill of the day and relax before we began to explore the other rooms. Fans of high temperature, high humidity spa experiences will love the Tyrolean Kilo Sauna, but my favourite was the slightly cooler and dryer Himalayan Salt Sauna, which left me feeling re-energised and cleansed. We did have a little rest on a lounger in the indoor pool area but the highlight was breathing in the fresh and slightly chilly air of the Warwickshire countryside while the rest of my body stayed in the warm bubbles of the hot tub overlooking the greenery of the grounds. Bliss. If you’re coming to Ardencote for a spa day, then the facilities are the perfect size to while away the time without getting bored, all without being too overwhelming. Ardencote offers various spa options depending on how long you want to stay and if you want to maximise your chill time either with a treatment from the spa’s experienced team or with a meal or afternoon tea in one of the hotel’s two restaurants. One of their most popular options is Ardencote's Feelgood Spa day package and, priced at £95, it definitely lives up to its name for the price. For your money you get slippers and towel hire, a 25-minute Elemis treatment (there's a choice between a facial or back massage), a light lunch, full access to the indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub and spa relaxation area from 10am to 6pm. There's also three hours of access to the Destination Spa during that time - to make sure it doesn't get too overcrowded - but I didn't feel like we missed out with that slight restriction and actually it meant that you weren't doing that awkward thing of sweatily sitting knee-to-knee in a packed sauna with lots of people you don't know. As we were staying overnight our package was £159 per person on the basis of two sharing a room but, bearing in mind that included everything from the £95 day plus a night's stay, breakfast in the morning and a two-course dinner in the restaurant, it still felt like good value - and that was before we tasted the food. Ardencote’s Brasserie has a menu ranging from smaller plates to hearty meals, with a good mix of classics like burgers and fish and chips through to braised beef brisket, butternut squash risotto and pan seared sea bass. I had a charred Staffordshire pork cutlet, served with creamed smoked bacon, savoy cabbage and a red wine jus as well as new potatoes, mange tout and green beans. I’m not going to lie, the portion size made my heart sing - Desperate Dan himself would have been impressed at the generosity of the pork chop and it was that great mixture of crispy crackling on the edge but still moist in the middle. Any concerns a set menu included in a package would be stingy portions or spa-friendly lettuce leaves were soon set aside in Ardencote's Brasserie which had a wide-ranging menu (Image: Narin Flanders) Following it with a milk chocolate and salted caramel tart topped with chocolate crumb and ice cream, I went to bed feeling replete and certain I wouldn’t need to eat for ages - until I saw the breakfast offering anyway. After a great night’s sleep and breakfast I spent the morning nattering with my good friend in the warmth of the hot tub, and was convinced, again, I wouldn’t have much room for lunch - until I saw the tempting menu. I had chargrilled lamb koftas on a garlic and coriander flatbread with chilli, salad and a mint raita. It was light enough that I didn’t feel bloated and overfull when I returned to the spa for a little more me-time afterwards, but the lamb was beautifully spiced and delicious. Foodies can rejoice. Sometimes you worry that when you buy a package deal you’ll end up with something on a set menu that isn’t that tasty and is a bit by-numbers but there was a wide range of options and everything we tried was piping hot, well cooked and delicious. Value for money and verdict Sometimes you don’t know you need a break until you get one. That’s very much how I felt after a blissful 24 hours at Ardencote. The staff were friendly and helpful and the spa punches well above its weight for the price you pay. There are so many wonderful touches that make it seem a little slice of luxury without a huge price tag - the Elemis products they use for the treatment, the quality of the food, even the fact we got a pool view that made us feel like we were on a night abroad, not 45 minutes’ drive from Brum. But the whole experience was no fuss, low key and the ideal break away. We’ve already planned a return trip for early next year, and this time I might go crazy and even brave the outdoor pool. To find out more about Ardencote, visit their website here or head to Booking.com for more information. Ardencote spa breaks can also be booked through SpaSeekers and SpaBreaks . READ NEXT: Three Mobile launches 'social tariff' contract for phone users struggling with cost of living I tried B&M's £49 air fryer and can see why it's gone viral I tried 'Mars bars' from Aldi and Tesco to see if they were as good as the original for a fraction of the price O2 launches 'free' SIMs in latest double data deal for customers looking to avoid mid-contract price hikes