Dalhousie Castle, situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is a luxury hotel with 34 rooms - 10 of which are individually themed on events in the Castles 850 year history. The independently owned and operated hotel caters for the high quality conference market as well as a seasonal leisure market - especially Weddings and International Heritage guests. To maintain and grow it's influence in both these segments the owners set about a sympathetic development of a new Orangery and Spa.

The client's brief was clear - to establish a unique and exclusive Spa which offered a whole new experience for hotel guests in Scotland as well as an attractive facility for the local population. The area was very tight, less than 5,000sqft, and the restrictions of working within a listed castle also provided a some unusual challenges. The client had developed plans for a traditional Sauna and Steam Room suite, Spa Pool and treatment rooms. In a Castle, however, that prides itself on creating that special experience the original plans failed to deliver that 'certain something' the owners were looking for. They therefore approached The Leisure Buro for a new direction.

With increasing competition in the Heritage market in Scotland I was looking for a unique facility to distinguish the hotel's spa from other traditional hotel leisure or beauty offers," says Dalhousie MD, Neville Petts. Original plans relied on the treatment rooms to provide that added experience and within such a small area you have only a brief opportunity to create that 'wow' factor. The Leisure Buro felt that a more dramatic statement was required to entice and intrigue guests. The area required a defined concept and identity which clearly provided an experience in it's own right, it needed to convince users that this is more than just another sauna or steam room.

Spascape set about creating a 'European Style' Thermal Suite and Hydro-pool, offering guests a unique range of treatments based on the restorative affects of bathing. The Thermal Suite comprised an Ottoman Steam Bath; Laconium; Kneipp Footbaths; Tropical Rain & Cold Mist Showers. The central feature is a 4 person Hydro-pool, with airbed, multiheight massage jets and neck massage. Two treatment rooms, rest area, hair-cutting salon, plush changing rooms and an Orangery Restaurant complete the scheme which has been carefully designed to maximise the space whilst still giving the user room to relax and unwind.

"Many hotels would think that they need large areas and swimming pools to create an impact, but with new developments from Europe a whole new range of attractions are available which can create a memorable experience for the guest and need not take-up large amounts of space," says Mike Goodman who created the concept.