Travel
“Wellness is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity”
Head of Digital, Amy Moore, shares her review of the PoB Hotels Nurture Your Soul retreat.
According to the team at PoB Hotels, ‘wellness is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity’. And I couldn’t agree more.
PoB Hotels – a collection of independent British hotels – has recently launched its dedicated wellness initiative, Nurture Your Soul.
These retreats offer guests the opportunity to slow down, relax and recharge, all in the comfort of luxurious accommodation.
I’m one of the first lucky few to sample PoB’s offering – heading to Bath for an overnight stay of pampering, Pilates and – of course – plenty of delicious wellbeing eats.
Arriving in Bath
I rarely travel to this part of the world (more fool me), but was pleasantly surprised to discover how well connected the city is. I travel down from Sheffield by train (it takes just over three hours, with only one change). My London friends later inform me that it’s even quicker from the capital, with regular trains taking just over an hour from Paddington Station.
The hotel is a short cab ride away through the city centre – and what a place. Exuding elegance from every corner, the honey hues of the city’s architecture positively glow in the spring sunshine.
Luxurious accommodation
The iconic Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is home for the night. Overlooking Royal Victoria Park, the sweeping Georgian building quite literally takes my breath away on our approach.
After a swift check-in, I’m guided to my room. I stay in a spacious Junior Suite – complete with a bathroom, en suite and living area.
The living room is a particular highlight, with terracotta-coloured walls, bright fabrics and sunshine streaming through the windows. The space overlooks the main building and its gardens and is a real suntrap – especially in the afternoon. The perfect spot for kicking back with a cuppa (speaking of which, a kettle, tea, biscuits and fresh milk are conveniently included in the room).
A small corridor separates the living area from the bedroom. Here, I find a roomy king-sized bed, with dressing table and a walk-in wardrobe set off to one side. The en suite is ideal for freshening up after a long journey and features a bath, shower and toiletries from Jo Loves – a real treat.
As if this wasn’t enough, I’m delighted to discover a goodie bag with my name on.
As part of the Nurture Your Soul initiative, PoB has partnered with a number of wellness brands including GAIA Skincare, BAM (save 15% off your order with LIZLOVES) and Healthy Metal. I’m thrilled to unwrap a maroon co-ord yoga set from BAM, along with a roomy pink fleece from the brand’s spring collection. The GAIA beauty treats – a rich moisturiser and an invigorating body oil – help to elevate the spa experience. I store my Healthy Metal safely away to enjoy later when I need a healthy dose of magnesium.
After a quick freshen up, it’s time for the retreat to get underway.
PoB Hotels Nurture Your Soul retreat – our review
Lunch is served in Montagu’s Mews, the hotel’s main restaurant, and offers an opportunity to meet with my fellow retreat-goers. Here, we’re treated to buffet-style fare: bowls teeming with colourful salads and veggies, fresh fruits and a very tempting pineapple panna cotta. Fresh juices are served alongside, with helpful and attentive staff on hand to cater to every whim.
It’s here that we also meet Gemma Merna – actress, wellness entrepreneur and, excitingly, the host of our retreat.
Over the next 24 hours or so, Gemma will be guiding us through mindful meditations, energising yoga flows and a soothing sound bath.
But first on the agenda – Pilates.
Space to rest and relax
I swiftly change into my BAM workout attire and meet the rest of the group in a secluded space on the ground floor of the hotel.
Calming music floats through the air. It’s not long before Gemma puts us through our paces, leading an energising and invigorating class. My worries melt away – my mind focussing only on muscles I didn’t know I had.
As the session winds down, Gemma seamlessly guides us into a sound bath, playing crystal healing bowls, as we relax in the space with blankets, cushions and an eye pillow. Sheer bliss!
Once the class concludes, we have a couple of hours to relax before meeting up again for dinner.
It’s here that I decide to take myself off to the hotel’s spa. This intimate space features a thoughtful design that has obviously taken much inspiration from the surrounding city’s architecture.
Alongside the heated 12m pool (perfect for a few post-Pilates lengths), there is also a Himalayan salt sauna and a vitality pool with massage jets. The herbal steam room – infused with eucalyptus and menthol – leaves me feeling refreshed and ready for the evening ahead.
While I was short on time during this visit, there is an abundance of treatments available for wellness fans to truly unwind here, too. Gym bunnies won’t be disappointed either – the fully equipped gym is perfect for keeping workout routines on track.
Delicious dining
Dinner follows later that evening. Our party is served in a private room, adding an extra layer of luxury to the stay.
We devour an expertly-crafted, seasonal three-course dinner – my vegetarian offering includes a brassica salad starter, with almond and apple. The main course follows, with grilled asparagus, black truffle, artichoke and mushroom. An exotic fruit raviolo, alongside coconut and lemongrass, provides a delicious pud.
Light, delicate and exquisitely beautiful, it’s the perfect end to our day.
A last chance to unwind
The retreat concludes the following morning with a stretchy yoga class with Gemma. It’s just the tonic for eliminating any final lingering bits of tension.
Soothed to within an inch of my being, I float from my mat to the restaurant to indulge in a final breakfast with the group before going our separate ways.
Here, I’m greeted by a plentiful buffet. There is a vast array of pastries, yoghurts, meats, cheeses, and fruits to choose from. There’s also an extensive menu to order hot food from. A big day ahead, I opt for a Full English (vegetarian friendly), with avocado, tomatoes, hash browns, mushrooms and beans.
Well rested and well fed, I’m ready to step back into the real world. A truly special stay for some much-needed R&R!
