When it comes to short and sweet weekend breaks, the four-star Solent Hotel & Spa has it covered. Having recently unveiled the nautical-inspired results of a six-figure spa renovation, this Fareham-based stay ticks all the boxes when it comes to a modern wellness-led staycation filled with rejuvenating treatments, pool time and simply mastering the art of lounging around. Editor Sophie Ritchie drops her bag and dons a swimsuit to share more
For someone with a busy (sometimes verging on exhaustive) schedule, a little spa time goes a long way. We already know that regular spa visits are good for us in ways that extend far beyond a smug social media check-in – the Finnish for example, have been tapping into sauna culture for centuries.
There are multiple physical and mental health benefits to robing up for a sauna and steam room session – but the most notable is a feeling of relaxation. Your body’s natural reaction to the heat can make you more alert and less receptive to pain. The intense heat relaxes your muscles (which is why many athletes love to make a beeline after an intense workout) all whilst improving blood circulation and reducing joint tension alongside.
Pair this with a refreshing pool session and you’re good to go – swimming is a low impact exercise that has a myriad of benefits for all bodies, regardless of shape or size.
With the busy and inevitably stressful lives we lead, a simple afternoon or morning of TLC (total lounger commitment) can boost our mental health, prevent burnout and even decrease the risk of conditions such as Alzheimers. So yes, I take my spa time pretty seriously. And I know a good one when I see it.
Ideal for a break filled with reclining and unwinding, the Solent Hotel & Spa has recently unveiled their newly-refurbished spa – a gorgeously modern space complete with a large brand-new pool, as well as a swish salt wall sauna, menthol-tinged steam room, bubbling Jacuzzi and storm shower kitted out with colour-changing lights.
Full of cozy meets contemporary spaces that pay homage to the hotel’s coastal location, the new spa is ideal for drifting around from section to section, testing out the facilities and simply having a good ol’ gossip with your nearest and dearest.
It’s impossible not to notice how extremely popular the new wellness facilities are (with both hotel guests and Hampshire locals), so in order to make the most of the areas I’d recommend arriving first thing in the morning or later in the evening if you prefer a swim sans shrieking child.
Its popularity means this might not be the most exclusive of spas – but the fabulously comfortable surroundings are large enough for everyone to enjoy and make an excellent choice for a group or girly getaway with friends. Another reason to beat the rush is an obvious one – many guests prefer to ‘mark their territory’ by draping a towel across one of the many sun loungers, so nab one early to avoid missing out.
The Treatments
Offering excellent value for money, the new refurbishment has also meant a serious makeover for the hotel’s treatment rooms. Partnering with French skin care connoisseurs Caudalie, and the award-winning TEMPLESPA, guests can book a range of fabulously relaxing treatments for a dose of pampering within these coastal-themed rooms.
Highlights include: Resveratrol Lift, a firming, lifting and anti-wrinkle face massage and mask treatment; TEMPLESPA Soul Soother for instant relief of tired and overworked muscles; plus an innovative TEMPLESPA Your Best You Menopause Treatment that aids lymphatic drainage to relieve stress, boost energy and enhance mood, tapping into the female health market.
Both me and my friend try the TEMPLESPA My Kinda Massage – a signature 50-minute long relaxing top to toe massage that offers a choice of three aromatic Mediterranean-inspired oils. My therapist kneads out the knots in my back and shoulders with expert magic within the softly-lit room, using additional CBD light relief to literally expel the stress from my overworked muscles. My only complaint is that the time flew by far too quickly!
Post-massage, I’m led through to a beautiful relaxation room, where water, a selection of herbal teas and sweet treats can be enjoyed at leisure on seats so large I practically need to climb on. For those who can’t resist a little naughtiness, there’s also a complimentary coffee machine within the spa complete with syrups and even the odd plate of brownies. Now that’s what I call balance.
The Fitness
Those who love their getaways with a side of activity can make the most of the hotel’s gym, newly kitted out with TechnoGym equipment, weights and mats. Handy touches complete the space – complimentary towels stored in a cool fridge, plenty of antibacterial spray to wipe down machines and of course, a water dispenser.
Whether you’ve been putting the treadmill through its paces or simply swimming laps, the spa’s contemporary changing rooms feature lavish Temple Spa toiletries, powerful rainshowers, plus GHD hair dryers and straighteners. Check and check.
The Room
Upstairs on the second and third floors await the hotel’s range of rooms and suites. Spacious with comfy beds, standard Signature rooms come complete with sofas, working desks, coffee machines and large TVs. Comfortable enough, these abodes might not quite match the glimmering contemporary beauty of the new spa, but overall they provide everything required for a good night’s sleep in relaxing surroundings.
Guests can also make the most of the hallways’ clever communal water and fresh milk refill stations, making topping up in-room supplies a simple and easy experience.
The Food and Drink
Main meals are served in the hotel’s on-site restaurant FYR, a beautifully-styled Rosette restaurant cooking up feasts on an open flame grill. Showcasing local ingredients on every generous plate, foodies can get stuck into a range of grilled meats, fish dishes and vegetarian delights.
Helmed by a team of approachable and friendly staff, dining here is a delicious experience without an ounce of stuffiness. Look closely and you’ll spot flamboyant decor galore, such as rowing oar installations, fish-shaped lighting and ship-themed artwork.
The Wordrobe Verdict
The Solent Hotel & Spa’s extensive spa refurbishment has transformed this Hampshire hotel into a go-to wellness destination for curious tourists and locals alike. Modern, comfortable and kitted out with everything required to rejuvenate both body, brain and stomach, park up and get acquainted with this wallet-friendly spa space.
Make it happen
Where: Rookery Ave, Whiteley, Fareham PO15 7AJ
How: Find out more and make a booking via solenthotel.co.uk
Wallet: Spa days start from £60pp.
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
