Those who read me regularly know that I am quite a fan of a local Spa, Whittlebury Hall.

I have been lucky enough to go there several times and each time has gotten better and better.

A couple of months ago my blog wifey Boo asked if I fancied going to Whittlebury Hall for an overnight stay to celebrate birthdays.

The day arrives…

As her birthday is just over a week before mine, we usually try and do something together. Boo mentioned that she had never been to a spa before, so it was a perfect reason to do it.

She had managed to get us a good deal called ‘Spring into Summer’. The basis of it was a 3pm check in, full use of the leisure club, three course dinner, an overnight stay and then breakfast in the morning. All for the bargain price of £59 each.

Boo messaged to say that although there was availability, they didn’t have a twin room for our chosen date, but we could have a twin club room for £71 each.

Well, that was still a pretty good deal, especially as I knew dinner cost around £26. Bargain really.

So, I arrived at around 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon and I was waiting in the reception area for Boo to arrive.

Waiting at Whittlebury

I was very lucky that when I arrived the receptionist remembered me from  my previous stay and the fact that I was still struggling with my knee and allowed me to park my car right outside the hotel.

Whilst sitting there, I noticed there was a conference going on for the Stagecoach Drama company. I was stunned to recognise the lady walking through the front doors; 80’s icon Floella Benjamin of Play School Fame.

Well I was a little starstruck.

I was even more starstruck when she came over to me and told me that she loved my dress and I looked stunning.

That was a total shock!

The stunning reception area

What was even more of a shock was when Boo arrived and I told her and she looked at me very blankly; being in her 30’s she didn’t have a clue who I was talking about.

After that bombshell, we headed to the Spa and checked in. We were given our robes and towel and went to the changing rooms.

All robed up

Putting on our costumes we made our way to the swimming pool area. Now I have to say that when I have been before it has been mid week and not too busy.

Today it was heaving. There were literally no beds or chairs available. We put our towels and belongings on one of the wooden garden chairs and hit the swimming pool.

Now with the knee I wasn’t able to really swim but I sure as hell could float. We also hit the jacuzzi end of the pool and really relaxed.

All ready for the relaxing

Once we had enough we headed back to the chairs and noticed some large wicker chairs had become available. We dived into them and ordered some drinks; beer for me and J20 for Boo.

After 10 minutes or so we noticed a few of the larger beds were being vacated. We moved our belongings and out came the books. Paperback for me and Boo had her kindle.

Selfie Time

To be honest, I was shattered and could easily have dozed off, especially whilst reading; I find it so relaxing I usually nod off!

After a while we made the decision to head into the bar area where you can order food. Dinner wasn’t for a few hours and we knew we needed to eat before then so chose a portion of chips, onion rings and garlic bread and cheese to share.

I have to say it was delicious. The onion rings were massive and so crispy, the bread gooey and cheesy and the chips were fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Perfect.

After our little snack I suggested that we went upstairs to the quiet area to try out the heated waterbeds and duvets.

Of course, once we got up there we found that they were all in use; as were the swing chairs, chaise longue and giant bean bags.

Swingin’

Luck was again on our side as I spotted a couple who were moving about inside one of the bays. The bays each hold two beds, a rock salt lamp and are surrounded with dark coloured voiles.

I told Boo that one was coming free so we stood and waited. Thankfully we only had a couple of minutes to wait before they left and I ushered Boo into the bay.

Peek-a-boo

It was at this point that Boo confessed that she wasn’t too keen on the idea of a waterbed. I encouraged her and told her that it would be okay and so she lay down.

Well, I say lay down. She lay as stiff as a slab of concrete and looked like she wasn’t even breathing!

I told her that she needed to relax and the water would gently hold her body as her limbs displaced the water. She did eventually relax a little and said she was really quite enjoying it.

Comfy as can be.

Personally I snuggled up into the duvet and could feel my whole body relaxing. It didn’t take long for me to doze, but I was mumbling and talking in my sleep and it kept waking me up.

It was on one of these occasions that I noticed Boo was REALLY relaxed, had moved positions and looked like she was asleep. Success!

All too soon it was time to leave the bay and the quiet area but as it was totally empty now we took our time taking selfies and blog photos in all the chairs.

Strike a Pose

Time was ticking on but as dinner wasn’t until 8pm we chose to go back to the pool area and try the Salt Sauna and the Crystal Steam room out first.

Well, the first one was as hot as Hades. We literally lasted a couple of minutes before evacuating the room. I felt like I was burning.

The second was moist and fresh, very tropical and certainly more our style. We sat for a little while before deciding to check into our room to get ready for dinner.

We had a deluxe club room which was opposite the last room I had stayed in, so I knew exactly where to go. Now I thought the normal rooms were lovely, but the club room was fantastic!

Snacks…

Much bigger, with extra facilities and a lovely large bathroom. I jumped in the shower and used the luxury toiletries as a bit of a pamper.

Lovely Facilities

Lovely bathroom

Boo had brought with her a Unique Vintage order that she had delivered to her. Inside was a beautiful sparkling tulle party dress. Well, it would be silly not to put it on.

We went via several areas of the Hotel so we could get some photographs for our blogs. We did look a bit odd, striking poses.

Pose!

Another one for the blog

We got ready and headed down to dinner which was three courses. Boo being vegetarian went for the Leek and Potato soup, Risotto and Vegan pannacotta.

I went for the total opposite, Chicken Liver parfait with onion marmalade and toasted brioche, Rump of Beef, mustard mash, grilled asparagus, crushed carrot and a red wine jus. I finished off with a deconstructed Eton mess.

Starter course

Main Course

Dessert Course

I chose a cocktail called ‘Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb’ which as its name suggests involved lots of rhubarb based alcohol.

Cocktail Course

The drink was as lovely as the food and we had a right laugh both talking about life and people watching; one of our favourite things to do.

Pretty as a picture

Eventually we headed up to the room got ourselves ready for a good night sleep.

Waking up the next morning I have to admit I was fully refreshed. Considering it was a single bed, it was super comfortable and I had the best night sleep I had in a long while.

Two beauties

Getting up was a lot easier as there was a full breakfast buffet downstairs waiting for us. A full English or cold meats, or fruit and yoghurt and a multitude of pastries.

First of all I needed a good cup of tea and some water to take my medication with. One large cuppa later and I was ready to hit the hot buffet. On offer today; sauteed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, hash browns, fried and scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding and baked beans.

Food Glorious Food

I had a couple of sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, beans, hash brown and mushrooms. I may have been a bit piggy.

As much as I wanted to eat it all, I really couldn’t manage it all. My eyes are always much bigger than my belly. I have mentioned before, that given my size I have a pretty small stomach and never manage it all.

I had to leave some of the hot food as there was no room left at all. Boo was enjoying some toast so we carried on chatting.

Too Good to resist

Fifteen minutes later and I felt the need for something a little sweet so went with some orange, melon and pink grapefruit. Very refreshing.

Dessert

Oh and there might have been a croissant on there too.

Anyway it was soon time to finish the last few items of packing so we went up to the room. There was still a couple of hours until checkout so we sat and watched a bit of Monday morning TV.

We also had a bit of a play around on Boo’s Snapchat. Well, it had to be done, didn’t it.

Love the Pink!

Sparkles and love

Eventually we checked out, admitted to drinking one of the bottles of water from the room.

It was only then that we found out all the snacks, treats and even the bottle of wine were completely complimentary!

Time to go home…

What a time to find out.

I won’t make that mistake the next time!

Till then,

SPSG xx