A summer wellness escape: Visiting Ashford International Hotel & Spa - The QHotels Collection

Arrival and first impressions

Four of us drove down for a midweek overnight stay in July during a summer heatwave. Right from the start, check-in at 3:00pm was seamless thanks to the reception team and staff, who were consistently friendly and accommodating throughout our stay.

The hotel building itself is nicely designed and has a real sense of space, offering a wonderful sense of openness and airiness. The reception area and bar are beautiful, and the architecture allows an abundance of natural light to flood the interiors.

Our room was equally impressive and spacious. The plentiful mirrors added to the bright, open feel and made getting ready together as a group easy and enjoyable. The bed was really comfortable, and the air conditioning worked perfectly - a much-appreciated feature during the heatwave!

Fitness and leisure facilities

After checking in, we had some free time. While the girls relaxed with drinks, I headed to the health club. As it caters to local members, it functions as a proper, fully-equipped gym. I love strength training, so I was thrilled to find an extensive array of weights, cardio machines, and plenty of mats for Pilates and stretching. It is bright, airy, and spacious - I loved working out there.

The spa and leisure facilities are again spacious, and ideal for small groups or anyone wanting to pair fitness with wellbeing. It has a swimming pool with an incorporated Jacuzzi, a sauna, steam room, heated loungers, and experience showers. It was ideal as a space to unwind after a gym session and prepare for treatments.

Treatments and therapy

I also had a treatment during my visit. After time in the relaxation area I had a 25-minute neck, back, and shoulder massage. It was a great addition following my workout, completing what felt like a comprehensive fitness and wellbeing journey.

Food and drink

We sat down for dinner at 7:00pm, and it was a really pleasant dining experience. The restaurant had a calm atmosphere without any overwhelming crowds despite the World Cup playing in the background, which added a lovely sense of warmth and conviviality. All four of us enjoyed steak main courses, complemented by starters for some and desserts for others.

Equally, in the morning we enjoyed the breakfast buffet, which featured a full spread of hot and cold continental options. Much like the rest of the hotel, the dining area provided a refreshing sense of calm and space, making it a delightful spot to relax and refuel before heading home.