A leisurely lunch in a beautiful garden, a luxurious spa and Medik8’s much-talked-about Crystal Retinal facial proved the perfect recipe for an afternoon of relaxation at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, says Jenny Hayes…
Pictured above: The Medik8 Crystal Retinal facial is tailored to each guest’s individual skin needs
School’s out, and it feels as though everyone is jetting off abroad in search of sun and relaxation. But can I let you in on a secret? There’s no need to travel so far to find a slice of heaven – it’s ready and waiting behind the honey-coloured Georgian façade of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath.
I must admit, it was the promise of the Medik8 Crystal Retinal Age-Defying Facial that first piqued my interest. I’d heard the spa at The Royal Crescent Hotel was offering this much-coveted treatment and I really wanted to try it for myself. When I mentioned the plan to my husband, he too felt he deserved some much-needed downtime, so we decided to treat ourselves and book in for a full afternoon of food, spa and pampering.
Arriving at the hotel was a pleasure in itself on a sunny Wednesday afternoon. Who wouldn’t enjoy a stroll through Royal Victoria Park in bloom, before rounding the curve of the iconic Royal Crescent and stepping into the contemporary grandeur of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa? Already, we were a world away from the hurry of everyday life.
Our experience began with lunch at Montagu’s Mews, which offers outdoor dining in the tranquil surrounds of the hotel’s lush, established gardens. We were seated on the terrace, complete with stylish monochrome awning, upbeat background music, and the sort of inviting, squashy cushions that encourage you to settle in and feel right at home.
The serving team completed the welcome, on hand with the kind of attentive, knowledgeable yet genuinely warm hospitality that feels effortless but is only possible through real expertise and care. The menus change with the seasons and make the most of standout local produce, and we took our time deliberating over everything the summer menu had to offer as we sipped chilled glasses of Picpoul and watched butterflies flit through the gardens beyond.
In the end, I followed the expert opinion of our server and started with yellowfin tuna tartare, followed by trofie pasta with mascarpone and basil pesto. My husband enjoyed a confit duck leg rosti, followed by chicken schnitzel with harissa mayonnaise. Across the board, every dish was beautifully presented and vibrant with colour and fresh, seasonal flavour.
“Stepping into The Spa felt like exhaling. A space of calm and retreat”
We could have happily spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden – giving in to the temptation of the dessert menu, or even one of the extremely elegant afternoon teas being served at nearby tables. But the spa beckoned, just a stone’s throw away, so we resisted a sweet course in favour of a different kind of indulgence.
Even now, as I look back, I remember how stepping into The Spa felt like exhaling. A space of calm and retreat, where we were once again welcomed in with such friendly ease that it enveloped us in another layer of relaxation. Over the course of the next hour, I bubbled in the huge jacuzzi, soothed my tight muscles in the sauna, and swam a few leisurely lengths in the limpid waters of the swimming pool, pausing now and then to look out over the garden and enjoy the feel of the sunshine on my face.
When it was time for my treatment, I left my husband happily installed in the steam room and returned to the spa reception to meet Alastair, the therapist who would be doing my Medik8 Crystal Retinal Age-Defying Facial. This was the moment I’d been waiting for – but could one treatment really deliver my beauty holy grail – smoothing fine lines, improving texture, and evening out redness and hyperpigmentation?
“Finally, a skincare routine even I can realistically follow.”
According to the testimonials I’d read, it certainly could. Medik8, a British skincare brand known for its science-based formulas and visible results, is now a globally recognised leader in the industry, and I’ve been seeing its products lauded across beauty pages and online communities alike for some time.
The beauty of the Crystal Retinal Facial, as Alastair explained, is that each treatment is tailored to individual needs. As a result, what followed for me was a carefully balanced combination of invigorating, sculpting lymphatic massage and deeply grounding, knot-unravelling techniques that worked as many wonders on my stress levels as they did on my skin.
The Medik8 products themselves were a dream, smooth and cool as silk as they were applied. Initially, a radiance cleanser, press-and-clear toner and lipid balance cleansing oil all worked in harmony to soothe and prepare my skin. Then came an enzyme mask that created a gentle tingling sensation. Alastair checked in on me at this point to reassure me this was expected and to make sure I was comfortable. Rest assured, I was – in fact it was rather satisfying to know that a little of that Medik8 magic was underway.
Next up was the star of the show – the retinal face mask. True to Medik8’s bespoke approach, the mask is blended from scratch during the treatment, with the Crystal Retinal Serum the golden nectar at the centre of the recipe. Knowing it was being mixed especially for my skin, and the retinal content adapted accordingly, was further testimony to the expert, thoughtfully tailored experience. Once the mask had been applied, Alastair left me to simply lie back and relax while the retinal went to work.
By the end of the hour, my mind was quiet and I was in such a deep state of calm I could quite easily have drifted off to sleep right there on the treatment couch. Fortunately, Alastair was able to revive me with an energising spritz of zesty citrus in the air. When I sat up to look in the mirror my skin was positively glowing (and, almost a full week later, I’m still smiling at my brighter, smoother complexion).
Keen to understand how I could maintain these results at home, I asked a bit more about Medik8 and the philosophy behind the products. Alastair talked me through the simple but effective Medik8 mantra for great skin – vitamin C in the morning, sunscreen during the day, and retinal at night. Finally, a beauty routine even I can realistically follow.
I left The Spa, and my afternoon at The Royal Crescent Hotel, with a spring in my step and serenity in my soul – which, with a hectic job and two small children, is not a feeling I’ve had for quite some time. Needless to say, I’m already planning my next visit, and I’m very tempted to make a full day of it.
So, if you’re in need of a well-deserved break from it all this summer, there’s no need to travel far. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa offers an idyllic escape right in the heart of Bath.
The Medik8 Crystal Retinal Age-Defying Facial is a 60-minute treatment priced at £150. A variety of spa packages are available over summer at The Royal Crescent Hotel, combining treatments, use of facilities and dining, priced from £165.
royalcrescent.co.uk