After our indulgent and late evening at The Lawns Restaurant the night before, Cheryl and I woke up bright and early, and ready for a little more of the same before our further travels across to Heswall and back home again.
We’d slept in a bed big enough for three or four, and deliciously comfortable, shower that gorgeous balance of hot and fierce that I love and luxurious toiletries. The kind that you mourn leaving behind.
Even better, my personal bugbear – Nescafe coffee sachets – were nowhere to be seen- instead a single cup filter coffee option nearly had me dancing an excited jig around the bedroom.
Breakfast was an unhurried affair. For once, no early morning run beckoned, no weights session, so we took our time, packed, and after a buffet that put a lot of five star chain hotels to shame, wandered around the hotel.
The whole building, much as The Lawns Restaurant is, is a combination of traditional and modern. Wandering up and down stairs we discovered more carved wood panelling, vaulted ceilings, beautiful glass skylights.
We felt like children given leave to explore a wealthy elderly relative’s home, much akin to something out of Enid Blyton, or Arthur Ransome. Having exhausted every nook and cranny we dare, and discovering much to our chagrin that we’d been walking to and from our room in two completely different paths, we decided it was time to head to the spa ahead of check out.
The spa is situated a very short walk away from the main hotel, and is used by hotel guests and external members alike. I was immediately delighted to discover that the spa also provided Espa treatments – they’re one of the pleasures that I can rarely afford, so on the occasions I can and have, I get a little excited.
On arrival we were greeted and handed large bags with the requisite towelling robe, slippers and towel, and ushered into a darkened room to disrobe for our back, neck and shoulder massages. With gentle music playing, scented oil was applied to our bodies and they were rhythmically stroked, pressed, and gently pummelled into submission.
Calm, comfortable, our bodies were covered in a towel, and blanket and we were told to relax, rest, enjoy and when we were ready, to put on our robes and slippers. We did as we were instructed, we sighed. And then something unexpected happened.
Clang
The door handle fell off.
The zen-like spell was broken. Cheryl and I, now wide awake, if still relaxed, popped on our robes and were guided to the changing rooms while the door was speedily repaired.
We changed into our incidentally matching costumes, grabbed our towels and headed towards the pools and jacuzzi.
We let the jacuzzis bubbles pummel our bodies (my back was grateful) and we recalled words mentioned by one of the ladies as we entered.
There was a snow cave.
So, after you’ve heated up in the sauna or steam room – got the blood pumping, the heat in your veins and the sweat pouring from your skin, you head straight over to the snow cave (much the same as a cold plunge pool, or iced over Scandinavian lake, if you’re lucky enough) and stand in a very cold room.
How cold?
They don’t call it a snow cave for nothing. Yes, that is snow.
Heated and chilled, we returned to the jacuzzi for one more blasts of bubbles. We knew our check out time was coming. Oh, go on. One for the road.
We couldn’t believe it was time to go. In truth, we didn’t really want to. We could have swum, bathed and steamed until our skin wrinkled and our skin dried out. Could have settled reading the paper on one of the loungers while sipping tea, or wandered back out to the spa for another treatment. But I had an interview to do, and a deadline to meet.
We had a delightful time and the staff were fabulous. We’re so grateful to them for all their time.
We’re already planning on doing it all again.
As with our dinner and overnight accommodation in the previous post, this visit was at the invitation of the The Thornton Hotel & Spa and we’re very grateful for their invitation. Once again, I feel I must, however, add in a couple of apologies. We were late to dinner due to an issue with our check in, and the staff serving us in the bar and restaurant were very patient with us while we dallied.
Additionally, at the end of our stay, we realised we’d made an error. I normally leave a tip for all serving staff, and in the hotel room for the cleaning staff. However, due to the rushed nature of our evening and, as it turns out the beginning of gastric flu, I forgot. For that I absolutely and wholeheartedly apologise. This is not my normal behaviour and I’ve been incredibly disappointed in myself and ashamed by it.
I have been in touch with those who issued the invitation to discover how best to rectify this error, and again, can only apologise to the staff.