ESPA at Hale Country Club

A prestigious Cheshire members’ club open to spa day guests too, with celebrity-spotting appeal and treatments that deliver (Serene Spy)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

ESPA at Hale Country Club is a purpose-built health club set in the leafy Manchester suburb of Hale in the Cheshire countryside. There’s no accommodation for wannabe overnighters.

The club occupies three floors with the main reception area, changing rooms, pool, bar and Fuzen restaurant on the ground floor; the fully equipped gym and class studio in the middle; and the thermal facilities and treatments rooms on the top.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

We spoke to the concierge via the intercom at the car park barrier, who let us in. A doorman welcomed us into the club, where the entrance is chic and modern, with marble floors, white leather seating and plenty of sparkle. Kara, our spa host, greeted us at reception, checked us in and showed us through to the changing rooms to drop our bags and change into robes. We then met her again in the spa, where we were welcomed with a refreshing juice shot, herbal tea and a protein ball to enjoy while completing consultation forms and pre-ordering lunch.

Changing rooms - with sections of full-length lockers separate by round leather seating - are finished to a high standard. Use your wristband to operate the lockers (which contain a robe, two large towels; one small, a pair of flip-flops and - on our visit - a chocolate brownie and an ESPA product).

There are private cubicles in which to change; large vanity areas with GHD hair dryers and straighteners, and ESPA cleanser and moisturiser; as well as showers containing ESPA Jasmine and Bergamot shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

You’ll find the 20-metre indoor swimming pool – which was the perfect temperature for swimming leisurely lengths – on the same floor as the changing facilities; from here you can swim out to a heated outdoor pool surrounded by plenty of loungers to soak up the sun in the warmer months.

If you have wet feet after using the pool, take the ‘wet lift’ up to the spa which is divided into two sections by a glass door. You’ll find the spa’s own reception, Champagne Lounge and treatment rooms on one side, and the thermal experiences on the other.

The lighting inside the spa is low and moody, complementing the slate grey and white tiling used throughout. Four white marble tepidarium beds have been conveniently placed either side of the statement chrome vitality pool – use the sliding door from here to drift outside and bubble away on a recliner or under a swan neck fountain. The view of Cheshire parkland is enchanting.

Back inside, we began our thermal journey under one of two experience showers, pushing ‘tropical storm’ and enjoying the purple, red and blue light show. The salt sauna has toasty wooden benches and a Himalayan salt wall, while the cooler ESPA herbal room - with its calming essence of lavender - affords longer visits. Heat up again in the steam room - a hotter space equipped with two shower hoses - or the large Finnish sauna with its hot stones in front of juniper logs. Cool off by grabbing handfuls of ice at the ice fountain.

Lovers of the outdoors can make good use of the sporting facilities at Hale Country Club and Spa including tennis courts, padel courts, a football pitch and a mini golf course.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENTS

We tried the LED + Nano Dermabrasion Active Nutrients Treatment (60 minutes, £130).

Shareen, my therapist, showed me through to a treatment room where I took a seat on a throne for a welcome foot ritual. Shereen asked me to choose between two oils (I was drawn to the lemony scent of the Fitness Body Oil) before leaving for me to make myself comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face down.

The facial began with a thorough cleanse using ESPA’s Bio-Active Eye Cleanser and Nourishing Cleansing Balm. Shareen then moved on to the nano-dermabrasion - a gentle yet effective exfoliation using a vibrating device, worked methodically across my face to smooth and refine the skin’s surface.

Shareen applied a mask and treated me to a relaxing scalp massage using the Pink Hair & Scalp Mud - a blissful moment that allowed me to fully switch off. This was followed by a cleanse and tone before a hydrogel face mask was applied.

The highlight of the treatment was the LED light therapy, designed to boost collagen and renew the skin at a cellular level. While the LED worked its magic, Shareen performed a firm hand and arm massage using ESPA’s Fitness Body Oil, suitably shocked at the tension I was holding in my arms.

Mask removed and a facial massage completed the treatment, before a series of Tri-Active™ finishing products were applied. 

The result? A visibly brighter, smoother complexion with that coveted lit-from-within glow - and a wonderfully relaxed state of mind.

FOOD FACTS

Lunch is served in the ESPA Lounge on the top floor where we could comfortably eat in our robes. The menu is divided into sections: Small Plates, Sushi Rolls, Salads and Burgers & Sandwiches.

We opted for the Hale Crunch Roll - a Tempura prawn Sushi Roll - which we enjoyed with a side of the Edamame Beans. Our spa partner tucked into Firecracker Chicken Sushi Roll with fries topped with truffle and parmesan. All our dishes were beautifully presented and tasty.

If you've left room for dessert (we didn’t), there's a separate menu with tempting sweet treats - think Warm Dubai Chocolate Brownie or Vanilla Mochi & Fresh Fruit Salad.

A glass of fizz is served with lunch, or you can choose from a selection of juices and hot drinks.

WE LOVED…

The service: from the doorman to the spa hosts, every member of staff was professional, friendly and welcoming - a lovely touch that elevates the whole experience.

The treatments: an extensive menu with something for everyone; we highly recommend the LED + Nano Dermabrasion Active Nutrients Treatment for both relaxation and visible results.

The Champagne Lounge: the perfect spot to sit back and unwind.

WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded ESPA at Hale Country Club a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its standout treatments, thoughtfully-designed facilities and quality dining.