Luxury Family Hotels: The new Spa at Fowey Hall

Arriving at the grand entrance to Fowey Hall, overlooking the Cornish coast, you wouldn’t know it was a family-centred hotel. Chandeliers, antiques, open fires … but within a few steps, you see the baby bottle drop-off point and meet the hotel dog. Friendly receptionists will tell you all about the way in which children are welcomed and encouraged at this lovely place.

We arrived in the middle of a raging storm, a credit crunch, a temporary manager and the first 3 weeks of the new spa’s operation. Despite this, the hotel radiated warmth and calm. Children appear and disappear, off to the delights of the Ofsted inspected nursery, the cinema or the warm indoor pool. Everything has been thought of. There are special early sittings for dinner to avoid the pre-prandial screams of starving children. If parents want to eat gourmet food in grown-up surroundings, sleeping kids will be monitored at reception. Older children can surf, sail, or hang out at the beach hut featuring table tennis, computer games, and outdoor space. It was like being looked after by the most indulgent grandparents possible. No plastic-covered compromises here.

My 12 year old felt immediately at home, ordering her pudding upstairs in our beautiful bedroom overlooking the sea so as not to miss the X factor results. The next day we sampled the spa. The staff had just trained in the use of wonderful new products (including Mamma Mio pre and post natal treatments) and my full body massage was a delectable end before heading home, daughter glowing after her teen facial.

Its not cheap, but I can think of no better treat for frazzled parents. Heavily pregnant mothers with small children in tow would benefit the most from the spa treatments. Look out for midweek offers plus 10% off your stay with Take the Family.