One of Crown’s finest-ever fitouts has opened at Saunton Sands Hotel. The £2m Source Spa & Wellness expansion raises the period 4-star destination to a heightened level of provision for guests visiting the popular coastal location.
Elegant, bespoke locker solutions
Leaders in West Country hospitality for more than 50 years, owners Brend Hotel Group brought in the locker specialists to handle spa changing and treatment rooms at its 90-bed North Devon Art Deco era property – a flagship among the 11-site estate Fitted throughout in characterful Grain of Nebraska Oak, clothes lockers include popular RFID Digilocks, while wet and dry vanities are surfaced in crisp white Corian tops, with upholstered seating adding a touch of class, alongside disabled changing area and washrooms.
Crown have fitted out five single and one double treatment rooms to add to the original three, all featuring floor-to-ceiling cupboards, counters and trolley stores.
Hotel guests and those staying in the 12 apartments adjoining the main building can enjoy bespoke treatments from the exclusive Kerstin Florian and IS Clinical brands in the twin-level spa, which includes thermal suite, salt shower, ice experience and sauna. Bifolding doors open on the second-floor relaxation suite to reveal stunning, panoramic views across the five-mile stretch of sand and Atlantic swell beyond.
“The décor features a plain, simple, contemporary feel, with neutral whites, blues and greys, with mood lighting,” states Adrienne Brend, who project managed the spa design and layout.
“We wanted something out of the ordinary and chose a minimalist, clean, sharp feel. Not your usual spa,” she adds. “Natural light floods the interior, while we have maximised our biggest asset – the fabulous sea view.”
Stepping up to the plate
Crown’s adaptability on site came into play during the fitout. “They were able to reposition wash basins in the ladies vanity area to neatly create a slimline hand towels cupboard,” Adrienne explains. “It was a case of adapting as we went along.”
Every locker houses dressing gown, towel and a pair of flip-flops, she reveals. “They are the beginning of the experience and our changing areas are vital in presenting the right first impression for guests, before they progress to the pool and thermal suites.”
“This is a job we can be really proud of,” adds Crown’s project manager Sam Palmer. “The hotel is beautifully situated with great sea views and the new Source Spa & Wellness is a facility to die for. A lovely project to be involved with.”
Established in the 1960s by Percy Brend, the fourth-generation of the family business that claimed AA’s coveted Hotel Group of the Year in 2015 is further building on its robust reputation with a new era of leisure delivery.
“It’s all about blending the indoors and outdoors so that guests can experience the seascape and landscape while relaxing in the vitality spa,” says Group Sales and Marketing Manager Kelly Brend.
“They often stay here to reset their internal compass – to step off daily life and restore a sense of balance as they recharge their batteries.”
“Crown were a delight to deal with throughout,” Adrienne reports. “I was well impressed with their professionalism. Like us, they like everything to be perfect. From start to finish their service was brilliant as is their aftersales service. I couldn’t fault them.”