Pub and hotel Ffolkes has revealed a destination spa that has cost just under £4 million (US$5.41 million, €4.60 million) to build in Norfolk, UK.

Ffolkes is a 22-key hotel and has been owned by Iain and Clair Wilson since they bought the venue in 2016. Twelve of the bedrooms have direct access to the spa.

The owners worked with spa consultancy Spa Creators to bring the spa project to fruition over the past two years.

Spa Creators’ founder, Alistair Johnston, told Spa Business the Ffolkespa concept is focused on fun, targeting the 25-40 demographic, “The all-outdoor social spa is bright, funky and bold. The efforts and expertise of Spa Creators and Ffolks’ visionary operator have resulted in this unique design. The spa is very different to anything that’s already in the market, creating a new category in the “third space” spa market.

Described by the property owners as a far cry from what most spa-goers are used to, there will be a laid-back atmosphere, cocktails, music and also a range of thermal facilities.

Iain Wilson, owner of Ffolkes, told Spa Business, "We have created Ffolkespa because we love spa! After a couple of years of research, a successful spa already running at Ffolkes' sister business, The Pigs, a year of construction and just short of £4m investment, we feel we have created something very special.

"The spa is aimed at a youthful, fun-loving people looking for a high-quality wellness experience," Wilson added.

There are five zones with different thermal experiences. The Ibiza zone has a large hot tub, with a disco ball above it and a sound system for a DJ to play music. There are also four cabanas with heated loungers, four foot spas and a cocktail bar.

The sauna area offers a range of experiences, including an Aufguss sauna for 20 people as well as herbal and Himalayan salt saunas. These facilities will surround a four-sided wood-burning stove.

In a steamroom section, there are thalasso and aromatic facilities in addition to mud rasul and salt scrub areas.

The “chill” zone has a two-person plunge pool, mist shower and ice fountain.

The first floor of the spa is where the four treatment rooms can be found, in the Zen zone. Johnston said that this area has a more muted colour palette to promote an atmosphere of relaxation.

There is a welcome lounge for guests to decompress after the fun of the downstairs facilities and post-treatment, they can continue to relax in the Snooze Room, which has eight waterbeds and fleece blankets.

Treatments

Treatments protocols are by TempleSpa, which also supplies Ffolkes’ sister property The Pigs in Holt, which has treatment rooms, a hot tub, heated loungers and a spa garden.

Ffolkespa’s ​​treatments start from £80 (US$108, €92).

Spa room stays cost from £250 (US$338, €288) per night (based on a room for two people). Half-day spa experiences start at £95 (US$128, €110) per person.

Both The Ffolkes and The Pigs are partnered with a local free-to-join membership programme called Norfolk Passport. Members have exclusive access to perks at businesses across Norfolk. Perks at the sister properties include a 10 per cent discount on food and accommodation.

Sofware company Trybe is used by Ffolkes to manage bookings.

Jobs and training

Ffolkes has created thirty-two new jobs at the spa, with 10 new recruits having been trained to become fully-qualified massage therapists as part of the company’s dedicated Spa Academy programme.

People with no prior experience were trained in eight weeks to become insurable Level 3 CPD Accredited full body massage therapists.

The course cost £500 (US$676, €576) and will be repaid once the team members have worked at either Ffolkspa or The Pigs.

Those receiving the training were guaranteed a full or part-time position at either location.

We first reported on the project’s development last year, here.