By Teresa Barnett

Set in 400 acres of vibrant green parkland lies a 14th Century Manor House that is now the 4 star St Pierre Marriott Hotel; a wonderfully historic but fully functioning building. St Pierre’s church sits alongside the hotel which you reach through a 16th-century gatehouse that brings you into a courtyard of cottages and then through to the magnificent entrance. The décor is rich in colour, think deep purples and woods and after a swift check-in, I am on my way to one of the cottages.

On entering the room you can see it’s been refurbished it has a contemporary but rustic feel to it, with its large king size bed, flat screen TV and desk. The bathroom has a shower/bath and again has a modern feel with stone tiling and a beautiful marbled green standing sink that has been built in. There is complementary WIFI and throughout the hotel. There are two restaurants – the Welsh inspired Morgan’s and Zest – the Trophy bar and there are five room options to choose from. Add to that two golf courses, gym, swimming pool, whirlpool, children’s pool, sauna, tennis, jogging and fitness trails and St Pierre becomes everything you want it to be, from a relaxing weekend to a full on fitness and wellness week away. Thankfully the resident ghost of the “laughing Gardner” decided not to haunt me during my stay. I heard laughter but it was all mine.



The Spa at St Pierre
After filling in my medical history form Emma takes me to one of the three treatment rooms which was subtly lit, with relaxing background music. Emma explained the stages of the Decléor facial to me as we went along; it consists of a back massage with hot stones and an arms and face massage with treatments – according to the brochure this will leave my skin re-energised, rejuvenated, clearer and fresher, bold claims I think.

Emma expertly starts on my back with the hot stones, it’s the second consecutive day I have had this part of the treatment and believe me I could do this everyday it feels so good. Once my back, arms and neck are done, Emma asks me to turn over so she can get to work on my face.

Following a double cleanse, Emma went to work using Decléor’s Essential cleansing milk, a paraben-free formula contains Neroli Essential Oil to protect, repair and fight dehydration, Essential tonifying lotion. This paraben-free toner contains Ylang Ylang Essential Oil to help purify and balance the skin and Papaya Extract with its exfoliating properties helps to refine the skin, perfect for my combination skin.

Aromessence Ylang Ylang, Velvet mattifying fluid. The treatment ended with a skin scrub gel and Soothing fluid. A warm pack was placed across my eyes and I was told to relax while she went to get me a glass of water. The following day I notice my skin is plumper and less oily, this is a facial worth having after a long week in the city.





St Pierre Hotel and Country Club
St Pierre Park
Chepstow
NP16 6YA
Wales

T:+44 (0) 1291 625261
W: marriott.com/hotels