Stobo Castle is the perfect getaway for a Ladies Day at the races
It's the little touches that make a difference at the hotel that is all about luxury, pampering and relaxing
WITH my mum’s 50th birthday just around the corner I knew I needed something pretty spectacular to mark the occasion.
So without a doubt it had to be Stobo Castle.
Set deep within the charming countryside near Peebles, Stobo is surrounded by private grounds with vast pine forests, a tranquil lake and Japanese Water Gardens.
Inside it is all about luxury, pampering and relaxing.
From the second we checked in and the hotel porter whisked our luggage off to our room Mum said she felt like the Queen – which quickly became her catchphrase for the trip.
And anywhere that lets you walk around in a dressing gown and slippers for the majority of your stay gets my royal seal of approval.
We stayed in one of the hotel’s seven deluxe rooms, the Oriental Suite.
It was bright and spacious, with a separate dressing room and bathroom full of Molton Brown goodies!
But it’s the little touches that make a difference to a spa break, and Stobo Castle seemed to think of everything to make us feel welcome and special.
While booking our trip I let slip it was to celebrate my mum’s 50th birthday.
As a surprise they had a bottle of champagne on ice and a birthday card waiting in the room.
Once Mum had finished cooing over her gift, which took a while, we got into our swim suits and dressing gowns on to explore the spa.
You have unlimited access to Scotland’s only 25m ozone-treated swimming pool, scented steam rooms, sauna, outdoor hot tubs and state-of-the-art gym.
It was a typical chilly February day when we visited so the warm bubbles of the outdoor hot tub were delightful.
That was followed by a quick dip in the pool, then some unwinding in the steam room — the Crystal Room’s menthol scent worked wonders on my cold.
We then bagged a couch in the spa courtyard for a cocktail — a French Martini and Flirtini — and curled up with a couple of books before dinner.
We felt like pampered princesses so it was a struggle to get out of our robes but the meal, and wine, was worth it.
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Everyone at Stobo gets a three-course dinner in the castle’s main dining room.
We opted for some hearty potato and leek soup, mustard chicken and a mouth-watering Baileys and white chocolate torte for dessert.
Completely stuffed, we retreated for what we felt was a well-deserved early night.
After a delicious cooked breakfast, it was back to the spa to try the relaxation suite ahead of our treatments.
I was booked in for the top to toe sugar glow while Mum enjoyed an aromatherapy massage.
Within minutes I had drifted off to sleep as my spa therapist worked wonders on my skin.
I felt radiant as I floated out of the treatment room 40 minutes later.
It’s no wonder Stobo was crowned “The UK’s Best Spa for a Stay” at last year’s Good Spa Guide Awards.
When I found out the hotel was sponsoring a Ladies Day at Musselburgh Race Course with the fabulous Gok Wan and fashion parades in June, I reckon it will be another reason to get myself back to Stobo.
And there’s a perfect excuse too — during the Ladies Day event there’s a competition to win Queen of Style where the winner receives a cash prize — which might pay for another trip to Stobo!
As the end of our first visit my fabulous-at-50 mum and I enjoyed a three-course lunch, as my car was getting some special (and free) Stobo treatment itself with a wash.
Now for that win at the races!
GO: STOBO CASTLE
STAYING THERE: AN overnight stay in The Oriental Suite at Stobo Castle is from £195pp including dinner, breakfast and lunch.
Top to Toe Sugar Glow treatment is £55 and an Aromatherapy massage costs £82.
See stobocastle.co.uk or call 01721 725 300.
Stobo Castle Ladies Day at Musselburgh Race Course is on June 17.
For more info and tickets and packages see musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk.
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