For the readers outside Wales; Holm House is a short drive from the capital in the Victorian seaside town of Penarth. Set in the glorious tree-lined and affluent Marine Parade, built in 1926 by JS Neale the son of a fishing fleet magnate; it sits amongst beautiful properties that were built during the Industrial Revolution.
The footprint and DNA of the original property have been transformed into something with a contemporary feel that lends itself to the luxury service that is provided, this is something that flows through to the manicured gardens outside. With views of the pastel-coloured Pier to the left, the hotel commands views across the channel and beyond and you can imagine as you sit in the manicured gardens, the original owners doing the very same thing as they gazed out under sunny skies.
A glorious escape
Making the most of the last rays of autumnal sunshine I started my day of total relaxation with a peppermint tea in the beautiful relaxation area; the glass doors wide open wrapped in a pristine white robe chatting to the lovely spa manager Roberta about the treatments available.
The decor of the spa is a contemporary mix of glorious blues and neutrals reflecting its seaside surroundings. The spa itself consists of a multi-level combination of pool, gym and treatment rooms, as an Elemis Spa the ethos is heavily focused on cruelty-free beauty and natural ingredients.
I chose a facial sculpting treatment with Katie, this is an Elemis-specific facial targeting your cheeks and jawline, this facial helps restore the architecture of the face. The Arjuna and Lupin-infused mask works on elasticity, whilst potent nutrients and stem cells found in Edelweiss and Tiger Grass help support the extracellular matrix.
The structure of the skin is boosted through a unique deep, muscle-toning massage from the scalp to the décolleté. The skin appears plumper and revitalised, creating a sculpted effect.
I have to admit, I’m usually quiet during treatments, but this time it was lovely to talk to Katy about the treatment, it was clear she loved her job and was very happy to be back to normal post-lockdown. My treatment finished with a 30-minute back and shoulder massage, with Elemis products; this was the perfect end to the treatment as it literally melted a lockdown’s worth of shoulder tension (I’d not had a massage of any kind for the whole of lockdown and this in itself was an absolute treat).
Post facial and massage, I was too chilled out to go for a swim, so I opted for another peppermint tea and a sun lounger on the terrace. We opted for a lighter late lunch in the garden, making the most of the unseasonably warm weather with light salads, a pudding to share and a crisp white wine to finish leaving us totally relaxed and wishing we’d stayed overnight.
For more information on the spa and its offerings see online.
Holm House
Marine Parade
Penarth
CF64 3BG
Wales
United Kingdom
