The Spa at Penarth’s five star boutique hotel Holm House is unique. Visitors love its personal, homely and friendly atmosphere. Vale Life takes time out for a relaxing chat with Jodie Souto, Spa and Leisure Manager.
What is your role at Holm House? I am the Spa and Leisure Manager at Holm House. I have recently taken on the role of Assistant General Manager of the Hotel which I am thoroughly enjoying.
FIVE STAR SPA
When did you join the Team? I joined Holm House in October 2014, just before the hotel opened. I am delighted to be part of the original team that set up this beautiful hotel and spa It was a very exciting project and it has been so rewarding to see how the business has grown over its first year. How many staff are employed at the Spa? I employed two fantastic and talented spa therapists, Abigail Beynon and Kate Matthews, when the hotel first opened both are still with us. Their enthusiasm and professionalism has helped to make the spa such a special and unique place. Over the last year the spa has become so popular that we now have another three experienced and talented spa therapists with us. I’m delighted to say they are all very proud to be part of the Holm House family. What does the Spa offer? I take it it’s not just typical spa treatments? Considering we are a small spa in a boutique hotel, we offer quite a wide range of services; from luxury individual treatments, packages and beauty treatments. We also have a small hydro-swimming pool, a steam room; a relaxation room with terrace, and a gym. We offer a membership at Holm House which includes full use of all our facilities. Daily, weekly and monthly guest passes are also available. As a trained Sports Therapist (BSc) and Personal Trainer, I have already built an extended client base at Holm House Spa, where I provide diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation; including gym and water-based exercises.
“ We always have wonderful seasonal spa packages and special calendar events.”
I also provide sports massage, nutrition and personal training. Sports Massage has been very popular with the locals and I’m now known for having ‘magic healing hands’! The gym is a perfect place for one-to-one sessions with clients, it’s a very personal space and the clients who have been training with me have achieved excellent results. Why do you think clients come to Holm House Spa? We’re the complete opposite to a large health club and I believe that’s why guests enjoy coming here. It’s homely, personal and always has a friendly atmosphere. We have a very bespoke product range (La Sultane de Saba), Holm House Spa is, in fact, the first spa in Wales to use this exclusive brand and is one of the reasons why our menu is so appealing and enticing to guests. The setting is also stunning. It is a one-stop place where you can enjoy anything from the spa menu, a nail 58
appointment with our nail technician, a quick wax, or a dip in the pool, followed by a glass of champagne and lazy afternoon in the relaxation room. Are customers mainly local? Holm House Spa is very popular with the lovely local people of Penarth. Hotel guests that live abroad or a distance away are always pleasantly surprised to find our spa facilities and services on arrival. They can’t wait to spend their stay being pampered and relaxing. Our Cardiff and Vale guests really enjoy a spa day, and the seasonal packages we offer. They come to ‘The Garden by the Sea’ (Penarth) to escape from everyday life and to take in the breathtaking views of the Bristol Channel and Somerset beyond from the relaxation area. Many guests have said that on a sunny day with the view from the terrace ‘you could be anywhere in the world’.