During December I headed back to Devon to spend some time with my family over Christmas.
As Devon has so much to offer, I felt there must be a hotel that provides luxury and relaxation for my mum and I before the hectic Christmas period.
Awarded Condé Nast’s ‘Best Destination Spa’ in 2018 and 2020 and Tatler deeming it ‘A Spa Odysee’ alongside many other glowing reports and awards from the likes of; The Times and World Spa and Wellness to name but a few. I knew that Boringdon Hall Hotel was to be the destination to offer the type of short break we needed.
Watch the full walkthrough of my stay here or at the end of this post.
The Hotel
The most unique aspect of Boringdon Hall is the history. Apon arriving through the wondrous sights of Dartmoor the historic building is striking.
“The history of Boringdon Hall stems from the Domesday Book, where one of the earliest mentions of a permanent construction was recorded, The name “Boringdon” comes from the Saxon “Burth-Y-Don,” meaning “enchanted place on the hill.”
Boringdonhall.co.uk
The history tells of nobility and kings and the medieval ancestry can still be seen and felt throughout the property.
The hotel has 42 rooms, ranging from majestic four-posters to newly refurbished, an on-site spa with it’s own dining option, The Spatisserie and two restaurants; The Mayflower Brasserie and the 3AA Rosette Gallery Restaurant.
The Spa
Upon arrival, we headed straight to the spa for some relaxation, the changing rooms were equipped with lockers, changing rooms, getting ready stations (equipped with hairdryers, GHD straighteners and GAIA Skincare) every last detail has been thought of to provide a luxurious feel.
The spa itself provides a luxurious heated pool alongside an indoor hydrotherapy pool. This has various water jets, water massage bed with floor to ceiling windows allowing views of the countryside and an outdoor swim through.
The heat experiences offered are:
- Finnish sauna
- Crystal Salt steam room (my personal favourite)
- Shower experience
- Laconium herbal sauna
- Traditional steam room
In the summer months there are al fresco hot tubs and outdoor seating/lounge areas.
The relaxation areas include loungers from where you can order drinks. There is also a fitness centre within the spa which we didn’t use but looked highly equipped.
The Spatisserie
Offering healthy snack options or fuller lunch items, the Spatisserie is a great place to stop for a bite for lunch if you’re enjoying a spa day. With luxurious drapes and views surrounding the hotel it extends a sense of calm.
We opted for tapas style dishes, which we were told were small dishes, however, if you only want a light lunch, one is plenty! I felt bad having to leave some of the delicious soup and risotto as the food quality is excellent.
The Treatment
I opted for the 90 minute bespoke massage, my therapist was Samantha and she made me feel at ease the entire way through. I told her my concerns for places on my body to concentrate on and I chose a GAIA balancing oil to be used. My treatment started with a refreshing peppermint foot ritual which was very refreshing. Samantha was very gentle throughout constantly asking if the pressure was okay.
The great aspect of this massage is that it includes a scalp massage which in my opinion is the best part. With the 90-minute massage this final stress reliever isn’t just a few minutes thrown in at the end, but lasts for around thirty minutes (if my relaxed sense of time serves me well) which felt incredible. But for those who don’t want oil used in their hair, you can request without.
To conclude the massage I was taken to a relaxation room, where drapes create a soothing lounging space.
The Room
After our day in the spa we headed to the Lady Jane Suite and we were instantly impressed by its elegance . Over two levels the newly refurbished room still retains the character of the hotel yet exudes comfort, it feels like you’re in a home away from home.
Complete with a fuel fire in the separate living area for extra coziness and a freestanding tub in the bathroom to provide something a little special. Complete with Gaia skincare amenities, including bath salts for a relaxing soak.
The Food
Heading to the Gallery restaurant we took in more of the history of the hotel, from grand fireplaces, oak beams and even grander Christmas decorations, it may have been raining outside, but we were in the perfect retreat.
With 3 AAA rosettes, I knew we were in for a treat. Headed up by Head Chef Scot Paton and his signature 5 & 7 course tasting menus, Scott uses only the finest locally sourced ingredients. The gallery has a view over the bar area where you can really absorb the character of the building.
Due to us overdoing it in the Spatisserie earlier in the day, we didn’t opt for the signature 5 & 7 course tasting menus, instead opting for the table d’hôte menu instead. Our server Josh was incredibly friendly when greeting us and presented us with various delicious pre-dinner treats which were all presented very uniquely.
I opted for the aged beef with a side of truffled pomme purée. The presentation was fabulous and I enjoyed every bit. The portion sizes were what you would expect from fine dining, but the taste was big on impact.
Final Thoughts
I truly believe that a hotel that gives those little extras, makes for a truly special stay. From mulled cider on our arrival, to the friendliness of staff, a turn down service, the history, effortless luxury and the quirky mentions of the secret bar behind a bookcase (of which you have to find your own way in) make Boringdon really stand out.
The fusion between 5 star hotel and spa is apparent throughout the hotel including the moment you step into your room. I’m really pleased this retreat exists in my home county. In a cold month like December it restored and comforted to make a very memorable stay. If you are a spa-lover, history buff, food lover or perhaps all three, Boringdon offers a truly special escape.
