OUT OF TOWN HOTEL & SPA REVIEW: THE SWAN AT LAVENHAM, SUFFOLK
We had the great pleasure of visiting The Swan at Lavenham last month, a glorious spa hotel in the chocolate shop village of Lavenham, Suffolk. Entering Lavenham is like hopping into an enchanted illustrated storybook depicting a perfect life in the British countryside. The village boasts crooked cottages, cosy cafes and beautiful boutiques - if you’re looking for a memorable and magical winter retreat - look no further.
The Stanstead Room
When we arrived at the hotel, the friendly and welcoming reception staff promptly checked us into The Stanstead Room, a charming heritage room with plenty of character, unique features, an incredibly comfortable bed and a bath with shower (Temple Spa products). The Stanstead Room looks onto the tempting courtyard and outdoor vitality pool of Weavers’ House Spa below.
The Airmen’s Bar
Mr Musings, a Pilot, was particularly keen to head to The Airmen’s Bar at The Swan, which is like stepping back in time to the 1940s. The bar takes its name from the many servicemen from RAF Lavenham and beyond who would gather here together. The walls are an intricate treasure trove of history, adorned with signatures and messages from servicemen; and the entertaining Boot Record, written by members of different UK regiments. The challenge was to drink three and a half pints of ale from a glass boot in record time.
Interestingly, Lavenham airbase was well-known for being the home of the 487th Bombardment Group of the 8th US Army Air Force, ‘The Mighty Eighth’. The 487th flew 185 missions and more than 6,000 sorties whilst stationed at Lavenham during the Second World War. The Signatures Project aims to locate each of the names upon the wall of The Airmen’s Bar and continues to pay tribute to their bravery and camaraderie.
My next stop within the hotel was Weavers’ House Spa for an afternoon Head and Hair treatment. The hotel’s luxurious spa is noticeably clean and well-maintained, run by a friendly and attentive team. There is an extensive treatment menu and facilities include two relaxing spa lounges, a steam room, sauna, outdoor vitality pool and a spa garden terrace.
My Head and Hair treatment with Jordan was divine - I spent 35 minutes cocooned in a luxurious duvet as I enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing head and hair massage. After some raspberry sorbet and a dip in the vitality pool, heated to 38-40 degrees Celsius, I felt like an entirely new person. The spa is a real selling point for the hotel!
The Gallery Restaurant
After working up an appetite, it was time to head to The Gallery Restaurant, a decadent, modern British dining hot spot featuring an incredible beamed ceiling. The popular restaurant is unpretentious with a true home-from-home feel - the staff really make an effort to ensure you are thoroughly looked after.
Seeking some serious comfort food on a cold day, I ordered the Bubble and Squeak Burger with cheese, tomato chutney and spicy wedges - the perfect winter warmer. James opted for the Pan Fried Seabass with stir-fried vegetables, sesame dressing and wasabi mayonnaise, reporting back that he absolutely loved it. We finished off with an artfully arranged East Anglian Cheeseboard and an indulgent Vegan Chocolate Brownie with cherry compote, vanilla ice cream and caramel popcorn. Delicious!
We dined in The Gallery Restaurant again in the morning and we were similarly impressed with the breakfast menu, which includes The Weaver’s Breakfast - smashed avocado, grilled tomato and 2 poached eggs on toast; The Swan English Breakfast - a traditional full English made with local produce; and Local Suffolk Kippers, served with lightly buttered brown bread.
One of many snug areas in the hotel
After dinner, we spent the remainder of our evening chatting with lovely locals in The Airmen’s Bar and by the Christmas tree and fireplace in one of many snug areas on the ground floor. There are so many reasons to fall in love with this charming Suffolk spa hotel and as we reflected on our day over a drink or two, we both agreed that we’d be back again very soon. It’s not often that a hotel stay results in us feeling entirely rejuvenated and genuinely joyous, but The Swan at Lavenham certainly delivered.
Accommodation Tip:
If you’re looking for a little extra room in an ultra special suite for your stay, check to see if The Priory Suite is available. This private suite boasts a cosy lounge area with a fireplace, dining area and kitchenette, private courtyard and more.
Local Recommendations:
Pickles and Lillies, a gorgeous independent baby shop specialising in organic and sustainable children's clothing, toys and gifts.
Posy, a magical little gift shop with an eclectic mix of homeware, original artwork, accessories and gifts.
Chilli and Chives, a delightful cafe serving a wide selection of delicious snacks, lunches, cakes and puddings (we had an excellent soup here).
To book a stay at the Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa and treatments in Weavers’ House Spa, please call 01787 247 477 or visit www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk
Rooms start from around £145 per night for two sharing including a full Suffolk breakfast, dinner from the a la carte menu is from £40 per person for three courses. Overnight guests can pre-book a complimentary hour’s session using the facilities in Weavers’ House Spa.
