July 11th 2024.
Ellie Forbes was in need of a break from the busy city life of Glasgow. She longed for a peaceful retreat by the coast to rejuvenate her tired soul. With the thought of the beach always being a good idea, she decided to escape to The Gailes Hotel & Spa, a picturesque family-owned four-star hotel located in Irvine.
Nestled just a few minutes away from the sandy shores, this hotel is surrounded by three magnificent golf courses and offers a delightful in-house restaurant. But the real star of the show here is the stunning Si Spa. After undergoing a £2 million makeover a few years ago, this spa has become a favorite among even the most experienced spa-goers. And with its convenient location just a short walk from the beach, Ellie couldn't wait to check in and explore all that The Gailes had to offer.
Upon arriving, Ellie was warmly welcomed and shown to her cozy and comfortable room, which overlooked the hotel's charming bandstand where a wedding had just taken place. After settling in, she and her companion made their way to Irvine to visit the hotel's sister restaurant, The Potting Shed, for a delicious lunch. The spacious and trendy restaurant had a lovely outdoor seating area, perfect for enjoying the summer weather. With an extensive menu offering a variety of options from breakfast to sandwiches and loaded fries, Ellie and her companion decided to share the Highlander fries, a blackened cajun chicken sandwich, and a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel.
After a short drive back to the hotel, with a quick stop at the beach, they made their way to the spa. After collecting their fluffy robes and slippers from reception, they were led to the tranquil Thermal Suite, the heart of the spa. This small and intimate space was designed to ensure a relaxing experience, with a limited number of people allowed in at once. The centerpiece of the room was a relaxation area with sun loungers and a large vitality pool, surrounded by a sauna and steam room. The modern changing rooms were also well-equipped and spacious. Ellie and her companion spent an hour luxuriating in the warm waters of the bubbling pool before heading back to the main spa area for their treatments.
The treatment rooms were stunning and spacious, creating a calming atmosphere with soothing music and aromas. Ellie's highly skilled therapist talked her through the range of ESPA and ishga products that would be used for her treatments, both of which were pure bliss. After her treatment, she enjoyed a hot herbal tea and some quiet time in the deep relaxation room before being led to the bright and airy bar area, where guests were still in their robes sipping on refreshing smoothies and cucumber water. Outside, there was a decking area with a hydro pool, perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the coast. It was the ideal atmosphere to unwind and come back down to earth, especially for someone like Ellie who tended to doze off during treatments.
After a quick change back at the room, Ellie and her companion returned to the Coast Restaurant & Bar for dinner. This nautical-themed eatery, headed by SimpsInns' Executive Chef Gavin McGill, offered a menu featuring locally-sourced ingredients. Ellie opted for the seared scallops with pea purée, black pudding, and crisp parma ham, followed by a perfectly cooked fillet steak, and a delicious sorbet for dessert.
The hotel was bustling that evening with a wedding taking place, making breakfast the next morning a busy affair. Luckily, the continental buffet was well-stocked with a variety of pastries and fruit, and Ellie also ordered smoked salmon and scrambled eggs from the hot food menu. However, the true highlight of her trip was without a doubt, the Si Spa. With its fantastic coastal setting and rejuvenating treatments, it was the perfect place to soothe her soul. She was already planning her next visit and couldn't wait to return to the coast and The Gailes Hotel & Spa.
If you're in need of a relaxing coastal escape, be sure to check out The Gailes Hotel & Spa and its sister restaurant, The Potting Shed. And for more reviews and travel inspiration, be sure to subscribe to Scottish Field and read their latest issue.
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