Ad. Press Event. I was kindly invited to try out The Garden Secret Spa in the grounds of Ringwood Hall Hotel in Chesterfield. I know Ringwood quite well as attended a few wedding fayres back in the day there and its a lovely venue but had never visited their spa. In November 2023 when I visited they’d just rebranded and relaunched.
Pricing
The Garden Secret Spa is a small complex and I would say geared more towards a treatment with a spa on top rather than the other way around. The prices reflect this though, with an evening spa which includes a 25 min treatment, hours spa time and a selection of cured meats, olives, breads and dips, costing from £85. Meanwhile a full spa day including a 60 min treatment , spa access until 6pm and a 2 course light lunch (or afternoon tea) is £145-£165.
The Thermal Suite at The Garden Secret Spa
The pool is the star attraction of this area with a curved kidney shape design its small but perfectly formed. There’s two metal spa seats at one end (my faves!) Leading to tiled seating across one edge with optional bubbles, followed by a more jacuzzi type rounded seated area with bubbles too. This part felt a little warmer too but was still part of the same pool. Surrounding this are some loungers, and the three main thermal experience rooms. A large herbal sauna sits on one side of the room and a smaller Himalayan salt sauna to the other. Next to that is the blossom steam room which is also quite small. The Himalayan salt sauna was my favourite as it wasn’t as hot as the main sauna, but it is quite a tight space. As it has a L-shaped seating that sticks out making the gap between the salt wall and the seating fairly narrow. I’d say it would seat 6-8 people max so not one for a large group spa in all honesty. The steam room is also small with one tiled bench down one side , but easier to access. But again I’d say it would seat maybe 6. The larger sauna would accommodate a larger group and was the place we found we could access easily whilst there. On top if that they have two foot spa seats, an experience shower and an ice fountain.
The Treatments
We got a tour of the treatment rooms, and they are very lush! There’s a lovely couples private suite with twin tiled baths and private sauna. You can book this on ‘The Ultimate Odyssey’ Package where you get to have your 120min treatments in there plus an extra hour in the suite and includes food and a luxe gift. Plus all day spa access. It’s £420-£460 per couple but was a stand out experience and was something a little different which we know I like! There’s also a lovely relaxation area upstairs (where the majority of treatment rooms are) which provides more space to relax besides the pool area options.
The Food
There’s a café area within the spa, but we actually ate in the coach house next door so cant give you too much info on this. I will say the food was lush at the coach house! we had nibbles from their Christmas menu and it was so nice! The afternoon tea also looked super lush too so would expect it to be of a similar ilk.
Plus Size Pointers
From a plus size perspective, the loungers and chairs were all sturdy and the cafe area had bench seating which I think always helps with having space around you to sit and eat.
Robe wise there was an opportunity though. All robes were size large. I did get to speak to the spa manager about this and gave them my points. In their defence they had just upgraded the robes and were waiting on more being delivered so said they’d look at other sizes. Even for a man, they weren’t massive. Also they are a grey colour so you couldn’t take your own white one and blend in as such. That said it did close on me but would say past a 24 it would be of no use.
The provided flip flops were also small fitting, even in the men’s room. Luckily they did have some larger sizes when asked so that was good. But to have options would be better than a one size must fit all approach. I do also now take my own flip flops to spa’s and its less noticeable vs. a gown IMO.
What I Wore: Pour Moi
My Bikini choice for the evening was from one of my go-to brands, Pour Moi. The tie waist of the high waist briefs, is one of my favourite styles. The strapped underwired cup is another. The support from this brand is unmatched and for fuller busts it’s the place to go. I wear a 38FF (Bra usually a 40E) and it fits me well. The bottoms are a size 18 and I would like them to be a bit more roomy and would size up if it was available As this review is nearly a year old its now in the sale, but they sell lots of lovely patterned swim styles and I’ve linked my favourites here.
Accessibility
There was a wheelchair entrance to the pool area, and I believe a treatment room on the ground floor. However there’s no pool hoist , steps into the pool and the space between the columns at the back of the pool would make it hard to reach the back. I think it was doable but tight. The smaller sauna wasn’t that accessible even for a walking aid user as it was quite tight unfortunately.
Overall I enjoyed my few hours at The Garden Secret Spa and would recommend it to anyone wanting a hotel break at Ringwood Hall. Or those in the area wanting an affordable spa treat. For a treatment focussed spa day this would tick boxes. All the staff I encountered were really lovely and knew their stuff. We spent quite a while chatting to the spa managers and they were great which always helps too! The pool was the best part for me (as always!) and I liked the various hydrotherapy options it provided. I’d certainly go back on a solo or couples spa day. Follow it up with food at the coach house and it would be lovely.
For more plus size spa reviews why not check out my review of the Nadarra Spa at the Coniston Hotel ?
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