http://lux.acquisition-intl.com/ 36 LUX - Hotel & Spa Awards 2016 Best Luxury Hotel & Spa 2016 – Lancashire Having only recently appointed a new manager to head up its luxury spa, Stanley House is well placed to build upon its hard-won reputation for excellence, which began with the hotel’s opening in 2005. Sarah Wellfair joins a team of dedicated individuals, bringing her own international experience in delivering luxury therapy and beauty regimes to deliver the star-quality treatment usually reserved for the rich and famous. Discussing the appointment, the general manager at Stanley House, Phillip Wharton said, “Sarah’s unfaltering dedication to ensuring guests have a seamless experience means she is well placed to head up our spa. This will ensure Stanley House retains its place as one of the UK’s top spa destinations. She’s a welcome addition to the Stanley House family.” Indeed, this former manager of the House of Elemis in Mayfair is due to discover the prestige and widespread acclaim that has been piled upon this Country Lodge in recent years. For some, Stanley House is a stylish country retreat, based around a historic Grade II Listed manor house, recently restored to glory, but with enough mod-cons to draw in a steady stream of clientele. These delicate balances of old and new make it ideal as a wedding venue as well as a focal point for a weekend break. For others, Stanley House represents the perfect destination for a spa break. Five spacious rooms offer private experiences that exemplify a diverse range of treatments; a Finnish sauna with panoramic views of the valley contrasts with a hyper-modern open chamber complete with full-length windows and a shallow pool. Promising to deliver a spa like no other to their customers, the staff are unreservedly, unapologetically, keen on pandering to their clientele, though they would not describe it simply as such. With their team of specialists, including Best Luxury Hotel & Spa 2016 – Lancashire Company: Stanley House Hotel & Spa Email:
[email protected] Phone: 01254 769200 Web Address: www.stanleyhouse.co.uk Address: Stanley House Mellor, Lancashire, BB2 7NP HS160036 Pilate-teachers, masseurs and trained facialists, the dedication to their craft is a deeply knowledgeable, almost scientific service. The spa’s signature NATURA BISSÉ diamond facial is perhaps the best example of the care given to this science. The spa itself has been open since 2012, and yet it has flourished to become a centrepiece. It has even received national recognition, with a team of undercover spa spies rewarding Stanley House for providing an experience that is “ideal for serious spa goes who want a spa that is practically perfect in every way.” Beyond the aromatic confines of the spa views, of the Lancashire countryside are one of the most endearing features of Stanley House. Even if one never set foot in the spa, for whatever reason, the atmosphere alone is enough to energise even the weariest of souls. Accrediting this view is the new spa manager herself, saying, ‘I’m well-travelled, so I have seen a lot of the world, but the views at Stanley House really are breath-taking. I’m used to busy city life but I’m loving life in the country; it’s a great environment to live and work in.” This achievement is something that cannot be overstated. Nestled away down a secluded road somewhere between Preston and Blackburn, guests can choose to strike out north, past Longridge, into the depths of the Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A short drive west will connect to the well-travelled thoroughfare that is the M6, and a short journey north will give way to views of the tumbling Lake District. Closer to home, meanwhile, the hotel’s own delights should definitely not be overlooked. This 54-acre stretch of Ribble Valley countryside features two buildings, across which the 30 spectacular rooms are spread, along with a smattering of other pleasant distractions. Within the main manor house, the 12 largest rooms feature unique, individually designed bathrooms, all with commanding views, whilst the rooms themselves are designed to evoke to past glory of the Mellor family. One room embodies a deep-seated fascination with the Orient, with its detailed lacquered furniture complimented by deep red hues, while another displays the delights of English comfort with a four- poster bed. The reception area alone embodies this historic charm, warmed by the beautiful Inglenook fireplace and wood-burning stove. In the Woodlands Rooms, meanwhile, more evocative styles emerge in 18 newer rooms. These 36-square metre spaces boast technological comforts including a media hub, complimentary Wi-Fi, large flat-screen televisions and laptop charging facility. It is these more modern features that allow Stanley House the privilege of hosting exclusive corporate events, across six purpose-built meeting rooms. The imposing backdrop of an 17th-Century manor house are the perfect opportunity for a photoshoot session or product launch. For delegates seeking quick access to other parts of the country, Stanley House’s ideal location easily facilitates transport; its quaint charms will always be waiting to suck clients back into the embrace at the end of a busy day. Likewise, the discerning food connoisseur will find mouth-watering delights in the two stylish restaurants at Stanley House. Mr Fred’s offers classic British food in bite-sized offerings, complimenting a gastro pub-inspired décor, complete with full-length glass windows and a sun terrace. Grill on the Hill, meanwhile, is a rare find in Lancashire; every item on the extensive menu speaks of deep-seated passion, and is presented in smart yet perspicaciously casual surroundings; wide windows offer views of the well- kept lawns, extending way over to the Fylde Coast. Stanley House Hotel & Spa In the heart of Lancashire, set amid the rolling fields of the Ribble Valley, an 17th-Century manor house sticks out like a solitary rose in a grass garden. Contained within its walls is a pleasantly-out- fitted hotel and spa that boasts 30 fully-appointed rooms, a menu offering some of the best local produce, and a sumptuous spa.