It’s fair to expect any spa hotel in Leamington Spa, a Warwickshire town with a long history of harbouring bath houses built around its natural saline springs, to be worth its salt. Nineteenth-century Midlanders in need of some R&R would come to Leamington in search of ‘the cure’ to any number of ailments. Despite rapid development, today the town remains a go-to for weekenders in search of a reviving getaway – and they could do a lot worse than opting for Mallory Court, a palatial yet cosy country manor house and spa on the outskirts of town.
Surrounded by endless countryside, we explored the vast grounds before dinner, strolling past manicured lawns, a rose garden bursting with blooms, a chef’s garden full of herbs and vegetables and an apiary. When the British summertime brought its inevitable drizzle, we were relaxing in the heated, bubbling outdoor vitality pool, so no complaints there.
Completing the spa’s offerings is a Finnish-style sauna, small but ideal if you manage to get it to yourself or your group. The indoor pool with attached jacuzzi managed to be that perfect, just-right temperature, and felt like silk to swim in. The spa experience fell down for us slightly when we couldn’t get the indoor steam room to be as hot or steamy as we’d have liked, but that could’ve easily been our own oversight.
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to treatment options. I opted for the full-body exfoliation (perfect) while my guest went for the drift away massage. She spoke about her masseuse’s focus on her back and shoulders, and the final foot massage left her feeling completely refreshed and relaxed. We both came away raving about the heated massage bed – just one example of how Mallory Court goes the extra mile.
The AA 3-Rosette restaurant is a destination in itself, and could easily lay claim to being the best place to eat in town. From the canapes through to the beef and truffle mash and malt ice cream to close, the five-course tasting menu was every bit the seasonal celebration of the Warwickshire countryside it promised to be, and we were well attended by our waiter Dorian. In fact, the service throughout our stay was exceptional. Whether it was staff bringing out extra cushions for a glass of wine on the terrace, or setting me up in the exquisitely furnished drawing room after checkout time so I could dial into meetings in a quiet environment, we wanted for nothing from the moment we stepped through the door.
