USP As the name suggests, the Vineyard at Stockcross focuses
on wine. The owner, Sir Peter Michael, owns the eponymous winery in
California but there are no actual vineyards at the Berkshire hotel, just
seriously good wine, and it isn’t only served at the bar. Nope, you can get
it in the spa, too. A comforting glass of Californian red should be drunk
during several of their vinotherapy treatments, while lotions made from
Chardonnay grapes, exfoliation masks made from grape juice, serums from red
grapes and toning creams from Pinoit Noir are slathered over face and body.
The decadence doesn’t end here. There are also chocolate facials where
chocolate mousse is eaten during the therapy, which uses tiramisu serum,
chocolate and vanilla milkshake cleanser and a chocolate mask. And for those
with more of a savoury tooth there is the truffle facial. If you aren’t full
up after your treatment, there’s always dinner at the Michelin-star
restaurant.
AMBIENCE The spa is divided into two parts; treatment rooms
and the wet area which are a staircase apart from each other, which is a bit
odd. There is also a separate gym. However the wet area is lovely, with a
circular pool in a room with glass walls looking out on to the grounds,
wooden loungers, purple bath sheets and copies of INSTYLE dotted
around. There is also a Jacuzzi [strangely colder than the actual pool when
I was there], sauna and steam room, plus great changing rooms with a
powerful shower and Molton Brown products. The treatment rooms are large and
slightly Italianate in decor, the one I was in had a mural on the ceiling.
EXPERIENCE I went for the truffle treatment which kicked off
with a 30-minute back massage. My therapist, Nicola, had hands like warm
hot-water bottles, which made for the most fantastic massage. She targeted
the crunchier parts of my back efficiently and loosened the tense muscles in
my neck effectively. This wasn’t a sciencey facial where they check out your
skin with luminous lights and a magnifying glass. Instead it was done by
flickering candlelight as Norah Jones crooned in the background. Creams
containing lavender, honey, Sangiovese grapes, almond oil, and aloe vera
were put on then wiped off, while wafer thin chocolates were dropped into my
mouth at regular intervals. These were going to combat my internal oxidants,
while the facial combatted the external ones. Apparently. Other foods high
in antioxidants, such as Brussel sprouts or prunes were strangely not on the
menu. Then a black truffle, coriander, star anise and essential oils face
mask was applied, and while it was setting my therapist gave me a head
massage and rubbed a deep conditioner into my hair – bliss. The final touch
was a layer of serum containing truffle, chickpea and asparagus, which they
claim has similar results to Botox, however I retained the use of all my
facial expressions after application, so I’m not so sure.
IN CROWD When I was there the spa areas were reassuringly
uncrowded. Only a couple of young women from the local area were there.
Although I heard the swimming area is popular with families and their
children, so it might not always be so serene.
FOOD There’s a two Michelin-starred restaurant at the hotel,
which provides a Bento box-style light lunch to be eaten in the spa.
WALLET WATCH My hour and 25 minute treatment cost £90, which
I think is quite reasonable. An hour-long deluxe pedicure costs £50 and an
eyelash tint costs £18. A one-night spa break which includes a night’s
accommodation, full English breakfast, three-course evening meal and use of
all the spa facilities, plus half-hour treatment costs £225 per person.
NEED TO KNOW The Vineyard at Stockcross, Stockcross, Newbury,
Berkshire (01635 528770; www.the-vineyard.co.uk)
