Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa

Are you planning to head out on a weekend break within the UK but are unsure where to go? Then I have a suggestion for you. Suffolk. Suffolk is one of the most beautiful and untouched counties in England. And Lavenham is perhaps the most well-preserved and picturesque, medieval village in Suffolk. That brings us to the next question - which would be the best place to stay in Lavenham? And I would say - the Swan at Lavenham.

Photo credit: Swan at Lavenham

Located in the heart of the beautiful Suffolk countryside, the half-timbered, 15th century Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa is beautiful and impressive from the outside. As you step indoors, the oak beamed interiors, open fires and luxurious appointments are sure to impress you further. The hotel was developed by combining three medieval houses. Many of the original features of the houses have been retained and new life has been infused by contemporary styling.

Rooms

The hotel has 45 beautifully furnished rooms - each one different from the other but all styled to perfection and equally comfortable. We stayed in one of the junior suites. The décor and style was reminiscent of a medieval home mainly because the original beams had been retained and this made the space quite magical. The bedroom had a very comfortable bed, a flat screen TV and was well furnished.  The lounge was spacious with comfortable seating, another flat screen TV and all the mod cons one would expect from a 4 star hotel. What I liked the most was the amount of storage space available - the main storage was large with plenty of hangers and there were many drawers which made organization easy. A very useful feature if you plan to stay for longer than a weekend. Free, fast Wi-Fi was available in the room.

Cleanliness is a focal point during hotel stays and the first thing we tend to notice is how clean the room is. We were pleased to find that our suite was in an immaculate condition. The bedsheets were clean and soft. Towels, bathrobes and Temple Spa toiletries were provided and the bathroom though a little small was spotlessly clean.

The Spa

While the hotel has a very traditional setting and feel, the Weavers' House Spa has a modern finish. It is well appointed and facilities include six treatment rooms, two relaxation suites, steam room, hot stone sauna, an outdoor terrace and a vitality pool. There is also an area for manicures and pedicures and a spa boutique which stocks skin care range from Temple Spa.

As I walked into the spa from our hotel room, I was already beginning to relax because of the serene and peaceful environment. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere was pleasant. After a quick check-in at the spa reception, I waited in the main relaxation area which overlooks a small garden and the hydrotherapy pool. Just as I finished filling-in the spa intake form, I was greeted by Chloe, my therapist for the treatment and we headed to the treatment room.

I had opted for the 'My Kinda Skin' treatment which is a bespoke prescription facial lasting for around 60 minutes. Chloe analysed my skin based on its appearance and the information I had provided in the spa intake form. We then had a quick chat about what I was expecting from the treatment. Chloe then chose a combination of Temple Spa products and began the treatment. My facial skin was thoroughly cleansed, exfoliated and massaged. This was followed by the application of a mask and a head massage that I enjoyed a lot. The shoulder massage was also great - got all the knots out. The treatment was finished with moisturisation. The sixty minutes seemed to have gone by in a jiffy, but it was pampering at its best. My skin looked and felt refreshed and rejuvenated. If you are in Lavenham and are looking for an indulgent spa experience with excellent customer service, then Weavers' House Spa is the place to be.

Dining

The hotel has a range of dining options. From afternoon tea in the garden (weather permitting) to fine dining in the AA two Rosette award Gallery Restaurant or relaxed and informal dining in the Brasserie.

We chose to have our breakfast and dinner in the Gallery Restaurant. Dinner was exceedingly good. There was a lot of choice on the menu. The food was beautifully cooked, well presented and the service excellent. The staff are courteous and attentive without being too intrusive. Breakfast was equally fantastic and guests were served at their tables which was a welcome change from the buffet breakfast system. We were impressed with the quality of the food which made even simple dishes feel very exquisite. Add to it the setting of the restaurant - high timbered ceiling, an impressive fireplace and it made for a truly unique and unforgettable dining experience.

The Airmen's Bar offers a very relaxed setting to enjoy your drinks. The bar has a lot of history including WWII memorabilia like signatures of air force personnel stationed at Lavenham Airfield during the war.

Public Areas and Other Facilities

The hotel has a lot of small lounges all of which are beautifully appointed. Here you can enjoy your coffee or other refreshments while reading the wide selection of magazines and newspapers provided. Some of the lounges lend themselves perfectly for a get-together. What we liked the most was the structural aspect of the hotel. Wherever you go, you find old beams, leaded windows, medieval wall hangings or low ceilings (in some places) - it was all very unique and charming.

There are a number of rooms available for private dining and conferencing and the hotel is also licensed for Civil Ceremony weddings.

Local Attractions

There is lots to see and do in and around Lavenham. One of the key attractions is the Corpus Christi Guildhall, right in the centre of the village. Constructed in the 17th century and currently maintained by the National Trust, the Guildhall tells the story of the village and the building through time. You can explore the rooms and browse through the changing exhibition displays. A guided tour is recommended, if you have the time and are interested in learning about the history of the Guildhall.

Lavenham has been the setting for many movies including the Harry Potter film where one of the houses in Lavenham was used as the birthplace of the young wizard. If you love architecture and history then a walking tour of the village is recommended. You can also try the Lavenham Railway walk which is an easy 1.5 mile walk along an old, dis-used railway line.

The market town of Sudbury is nearby. It is home to Gainsborough's House, the birthplace of the artist Thomas Gainsborough, which now hosts an exhibition of Gainsborough's life and work.

Final Thoughts

Lavenham is a beautiful village and the Swan at Lavenham is an unique hotel of remarkable character. It has a classic vintage charm which we feel is its USP. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and I loved my spa treatment. One factor common throughout the hotel (whether it was the restaurant, reception or the spa) was the fantastic customer service. We loved it.

Plan Your Stay

Swan at Lavenham would make for a great hotel for a romantic break or as a base to explore the Suffolk countryside.

The Swan Hotel | High Street, Lavenham, Suffolk CO10 9QA
Phone: 01787 247477

For further information and to book a hotel stay and treatment in Weavers’ House Spa, call 01787 247477 or visit theswanatlavenham.co.uk. B&B starts from £185 per room per night for two sharing in 2016. Dogs are welcome at £10 per night.

Tips

• Lavenham is a very tranquil village, but if you prefer absolute quiet and peace opt for a room facing the garden.
• If you have accessibility issues, opt for a room on the ground floor. You can check with the staff about the different types of rooms on each floor.
• If you plan on getting a spa treatment, it is recommended that you book in advance as the place can be quite busy.
• There are lots of small doorways with low beams. The floor is uneven in places as the building is quite old. So please be careful.
• A visit to the Guildhall is highly recommended.

We stayed as guests of the hotel but all opinions expressed are, as always, our own.