Yahoo Lifestyle Inside Beaverbrook, the haute spa hotel that gets hosting so right
Surrey isn’t short of spa hotels, but Beaverbrook stands in a league of its own. The former home of Lord Beaverbrook – an influential press baron and politician – the Grade-II listed country house estate is now a luxury hotel, where historic tales are told and modern memories made (see #beaverbrook on Instagram for evidence).
If you're yet to visit, picture the grandeur of Cliveden or Estelle Manor with the charm of The Pig or Lime Wood, throw in some family-friendly facilities, uncompromised in style, and you’ve got the perfect mix for a playful, sophisticated staycation.
What’s to love
Firstly, the picturesque surroundings are glorious. The 470-acre grounds offer unfolding views of the Surrey Hills, and within them hidden gems to uncover. Stroll around the manicured gardens and to the fishing lake; hike through the meadows or bike the woodland trails. From the Victorian Shell Grotto to the adventure playground, there’s hours of exploration for both the big and small.
Indoor facilities include a cosy private cinema (complete with popcorn on tap), cookery school, slick kids’ club run by Sharky & George, and a delightfully different-looking spa. Designed by the contemporary stained-glass artist Brian Clark, the kaleidoscopic-coloured space instantly reinvigorates the senses. While some high-end hotel spas can intimidate with a minimal-meets-clinical aesthetic, The Coach House Spa at Beaverbrook provides a warm welcome indeed.
Inside The Coach House Spa
Drenched in light, with equally sunny staff and a nurturing ethos, The Coach House Spa favours wellbeing over beautifying. Medicinal plants from the on-site apothecary garden are used in treatments and teas; there’s a resident naturopath advising on plant powers for healing, and the products used are from small-batch, British boutique brands who share the spa’s love of botanicals.
All treatments take a top-to-toe approach, starting with a consultation and grounding foot ritual before focusing on the face or body (or both). A pampering favourite is the Therapi Honey Facial, a holistic facial harnessing honey and propolis – a compound produced by bees thought to have anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Honey-based skincare brand Therapi is behind it, whose certified organic products combine nature’s nutritious nectar with active botanical extracts.
Each therapist will put their own slant on a treatment. In my case, Tracey performed drainage massage when working in the products, but less for cheek-contouring effect, and more for the therapeutic benefits of lymphatic drainage and stress reduction while maximising the nourishing potential of the Therapi skincare.
For a unique spa treat, try the Vibrational Sound Bodywork performed in The Meadow Hut – a private, tranquil space located within the spa grounds. A 90-minute ritual, it incorporates energy cleansing with sage and rosemary, a full-body massage, and sound healing combining the use of chimes, gongs, Tibetan bowls and tuning forks.
Soothing and moving, the ancient healing practice of vibrational sound therapy is known to calm the nervous system, reducing stress and inducing deep relaxation – which I can attest to. Head therapist Lino (a talent passionate about pushing the boundaries of traditional spa experiences) is the perfect person to guide the journey, which can prove surprisingly powerful for some.
While these treatments are permenant fixtures, look out for their varied programme of visiting practitioners and curated spa days that celebrate the changing seasons, such as those celebrating the Autumn Equinox or Winter Solstice (both upcoming).
Back inside the spa itself, facilities include six additional treatment rooms, large indoor and outdoor pools, a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber, Beauty Room, Barber’s Salon, and Boutique & Apothecary – a treasure trove of lifestyle products including the Coach House oils, inspired by herbs and flowers grown on the estate. There’s also a modern gymnasium (with vintage memorabilia), The Studio hosting group classes, and The Coach House Deli, serving satisfying superfood fare made with ingredients often grown in the kitchen gardens.
The food and drink
In fact, when it comes to food and drink, Beaverbrook utterly spoils you. The Japanese Grill is an elegant affair. Locally sourced, the modern dishes feature the finest cuts of fish and meat with punchy flavours.
The Garden House Restaurant is more what you’d associate with country retreating. Positioned behind a traditional walled kitchen garden, this rustic, romantic restaurant serves seasonal dishes that are both hearty and healthy. Meanwhile, at Mrs Beeton’s in The Village (named after the beloved Victorian era’s Nigella Lawson), expect a British-inspired menu packed with traditional treats, from scampi and chips to knickerbocker glory).
The opulent, design-heavy Sir Frank’s Bar – named after Sir Frank Lowe, Beaverbrook’s creative director – combines art-deco furnishings with botanical paintings by the Victorian artist Marianne North. Somehow the unique combination is a stellar one, and it draws you into its evocative Gatsby glamour.
The accommodation
When it comes to resting your head, rooms range from the more sophisticated to the simply stylish. Tucked away within the woodlands, The Village (mentioned earlier) forms the newest addition to Beaverbrook’s accommodation, with 21 guest suites, reconstructed on the site of the original workers' cottages. Perfect for families and larger groups, there are features such as bunk beds, private gardens, balconies, terraces and interconnecting options.
Equally peaceful, The Coach House offers 35 suites situated behind the spa complex via private access, while The Garden House – tucked beside the walled garden – boasts 11 charming country cottage bedrooms laced with historical touches.
Within The House, another 18 rooms promise superior sophistication. Some offer views with balconies and terraces overlooking the estate (I can highly recommend) and all offer charm – nodding to the estate’s past yet nailing contemporary hospitality. Throughout, Beaverbrook has struck the perfect balance.
For more information, visit beaverbrook.co.uk
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