The Gainsborough Bath Spa review
The Gainsborough Bath Spa review
Claire Stone heads west to relax in the thermae spa and enjoy a unique afternoon tea
Bath, of course, is rightly famous for its Roman and Georgian architecture, thermal spring waters and Jane Austen. A lot to see and do if you want to enjoy the best of the city.
Thankfully, you can savour all of the above in one afternoon without having to tire yourself out at The Gainsborough Bath Spa – a welcome sanctuary of history combined with modern luxury. Originally built in the 1800s, the hotel occupies two Grade II Listed buildings with distinguished Georgian and Victorian façades and has access to natural thermal, mineral-rich waters.
You can feel the stress melt away as soon as you walk into the Spa Village thanks to the subtle blend of essential oils and thermal spring water vapours.
Greeted with a cup of iced herbal tea, my guest and I chose our treatments and received an aromatic pouch of essential oils and Himalayan sea salt which set the tone of the day.
Words can’t do this spa justice, but I’m going to try as everyone should know about it! The space is simple, elegant and beautiful: mosaics, deep blue tiles, Bath stone, arched doorways and a curved glass roof.
The spa is clearly well cared for – the discrete and attentive staff take real pride in ensuring the setting lives up to expectations.
There are two smaller pools to enjoy while you build up to the main experience. We could have stayed in the first blue-tiled oasis for the whole time, but, as per the handy instructions, we showered with cold water and floated in the second small pool for a while.
Time almost came to a stop, but with one eye firmly focused on even more relaxation, we headed to the treatment area where we were greeted by our massage therapists, Hana and Elizabeth.
The calm zen of the treatment rooms was the first hint that this would be a good massage. After discussing my ailments – a recent migraine and tight shoulder muscles – I was soon on the massage table, ready for what was an excellent massage.
Not only did Hana expertly knead away all lingering stress and tension, but she included a variety of traditional techniques like reflexology to add to the whole experience. All this, while cocooned on a super comfortable, heated and adjustable massage table. In fact, calling it a massage table hugely understates just how comfy it was. I would have taken the it home with me but it wouldn’t fit under my robe!
All too soon, I was guided to the relaxation terrace – a quiet spot above the pools with loungers – to enjoy the luxury of silence as we sipped herbal tea and watched the gathering clouds beyond the glass ceiling.
We chatted for a while, debating whose massage therapist was the best (I won) and then headed back down to the wellbeing area to indulge in a sauna, a steam room, an infrared sauna and an ice rub. Each was as tranquil and refreshing as you’d expect.
We finished with a good 30 minutes or so gliding through the warm spring waters of the main pool – a sublime experience made even more memorable by the lightning that we could see through the glass ceiling!
The well-stocked changing rooms provided us with all we needed as we said goodbye to the spa, and we soon wandered up to the charming brasserie for an excellent afternoon tea – perfectly cut finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and petit fours to die for. All scrumptious, beautifully presented and in a relaxed setting. There were three highlights:
First, the Gainsborough tea blend was spot on – refreshing, timeless and familiar, like a cuppa from the olden days.
Second, an afternoon tea rarely includes hot savouries, but The Gainsborough knows how to surprise and delight. The curry puffs – think tiny vegetable curry pasties with the right blend of spices – were scrumptious.
Last, and most certainly not least, our special guest. A wonderful character, dressed in elegant finery, made her way around the tearoom, answering questions and charming us with delightful stories about Bath, Jane Austen and the history of the English afternoon tea. A lovely touch which made for an unforgettable end to the relaxing day.
