NEW SPA SET TO BE JEWEL IN THE OLD ENGLAND CROWN

The Macdonald Old England Hotel in Bowness-in-Windemere is opening the doors of its new £10 million state-of-the-art spa today (12 November 2007).

The spa development is being hailed by industry insiders as the most luxurious and advanced in The Lakes. It is the perfect addition to the existing hotel, which is already renowned as one of the most popular leisure destinations in the area.

The facilities include a thermal suite, experience and thermal showers, a rock sauna, an infra red sauna and cooling ice room. In addition there will be a relaxation room, an 20m swimming pool with an outside terrace overlooking Lake Windermere, and a techno gym.

For those who love pampering, the spa is equipped with eight treatment rooms and a varied treatment list using Decleor and Jessica ranges, plus a St Tropez tanning facility. Signature treatments and packages include the Ultimate Relaxer Facial, Atlantic Sea Salt and Marigold Petal Body Glistener and the Lakeside Experience Spa Day

Jeannette Jones, managing director of fitness & spa said: “The new spa at the Macdonald Old England is going to create a truly unique experience in the Lake District. It adds a new dimension to the hotel and will be a real attraction for tourists and local residents alike.

Kay Harrison Mann, regional general manager for The Lakes further commented: From the very beginning we had a vision to create a truly outstanding health club and spa that will wow our guests and members. Now that all the work is complete we have far exceeded our expectations. Everything about the spa is first class and we can’t wait to hear what our guests think.

The Macdonald Old England now has 106 bedrooms following the recent completion of its extension, with all existing bedrooms being refurbished to give them a contemporary and luxurious look. All of the hotel’s public areas, including the lounge bar and restaurant, have also been overhauled using stylish and sumptuous furnishings to create warm and welcoming areas for guests to relax and enjoy the unrivalled views of Lake Windermere.

For any spa visits, press trip requests or media enquiries please contact Eve Robertson or Ross Nisbet at:

3x1 Public Relations:
T: 0141 221 0707 / 07974 193 897
E: erobertson@3x1.com/rnisbet@3x1.com

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts Limited operates 48 hotels across the UK and ten resorts throughout the UK and Spain. The company employs over 4,400 staff and operates in excess of 3900 hotel rooms.

First established in 1990 by Donald Macdonald and colleagues, the company was floated in 1996 on the main London Stock Exchange. In 2003, it returned to private ownership and was one of Scotland’s biggest public to private deals at a cost of £620m, which was wholly underwritten by the Bank of Scotland. The Bank now owns 50% of the equity with the remainder held by the management.

The Group’s focus is on developing its strong portfolio of four and five star hotels, with each offering its own character and individuality underpinned with the quality and attention to detail expected of the Macdonald brand. In particular, the company prides itself on the seasonality and provenance of its food within the hotels, from breakfast through to dinner, as well as its wide range of specially selected wines. The Group has recently embarked on a programme of investment and refurbishment that includes properties such as Macdonald Blossoms in Chester, Macdonald Old England in Windermere and Compleat Angler in Marlow. In addition, the Group is creating two new hotels – the Macdonald Portal Hotel and Spa will open in July 2007 on the site of the Portal Championship Golf Course, in Tarporley, Cheshire, and the Macdonald Manchester Hotel, situated in the heart of the city centre, adjacent to Piccadilly Station, which will open in September 2007.