Posted: 20.04.26
What originally inspired you to get into the spa and wellbeing sphere?
I joined The Body Shop aged 20, in the 1980s, when it was rising to prominence as a beauty industry disruptor. I was drawn to it because of its campaigning – in particular I found Anita Roddick to be inspiring beyond measure with everything she stood for in terms of her values and her vision – a true pioneer.
When they made the decision to enter the spa industry, I was seconded to head up the project, opening the first Body Shop spa in Knightsbridge.
Immediately I noticed the transition from having a nice but brief exchange with someone on the retail floor to enjoying more intimate and transformative interactions with spa guests; I loved seeing the difference to our guests from when they entered the treatment room to when they left and it was here that I fell in love with spa and wellbeing.
How would you explain what you do?
As General Manager at Wildsmith, my role is really to lead and guide an incredible group of individuals on our quest to bring an exciting, different form of science-backed, plant powered skincare and wellbeing experiences to the market.
Where do you usually find inspiration for your work?
You can trace everything we do at Wildsmith back to the profound connection between plants and humans. We take our inspiration from the fragile balance of the natural world’s growth and renewal and then weave in the very latest in scientific innovation to create products and wellbeing experiences to transform skin health.
We have a quote in our office by Albert Einstein which states ‘Look deep into nature and then you will start to understand everything better’ – I think that really sums it up.
We are proud to stock Wildsmith products in all our hotels and Spas.
You have a day away from work, what would be your ideal way to spend it?
Increasingly meaningful connection is important to me and my own sense of wellbeing, be that with friends, nature, or my community. And so, if I do have a day away from work, my ideal way to spend it is to get out of town and head into the South Downs for a fantastic walk with friends or family.
Through my years working in wellbeing and particularly with Wildsmith, I have found there is a sense of peace and freedom in nature that facilitates enjoying much deeper exchanges. Whether about something personal, or reflective, much deeper than you tend to have on a day-to-day basis. Soul soothed; I would head to a really nice pub for lunch.
Best things to do for wellbeing in Brighton?
People sometimes think of ‘wellbeing practices’ as requiring quiet times of contemplation and reflection which can feel at odds with life in a busy town. But I find the sea one of the most exhilarating ways to clear my mind.
I swim year-round along with lots of other women and find it brilliant for my mental health, for friendships, for connection with the space – I adore it. In fact, I recently swam around the Palace Pier and may have finished near the end but was delighted with the achievement.
How to create a sense of wellbeing at home?
Home for me is about cocooning and I am a great believer in the power of creating a space of warmth and welcome. One of the ways in which I do this is to regularly cook for friends and family.
I love finding a recipe in the Saturday papers and heading out to source the ingredients – I am a particular fan of the Sussex Pheasant food trucks and sourcing local ingredients when I can. Then spending the afternoon bringing something delicious together before opening our home to people in the evening – that shared experience is my idea of heaven and wellbeing.
How to enjoy the sun... ☀️
- Late afternoon, post-work or after dinner drinks at The Terrace Bar. Borrow a hat for extra shade!
- Sips on The Rooftop Bar in Margate (now open 7 days a week!), on the terrace or back in your room, on the balcony
- Breakfast or dinner al fresco at @pearlycowyork
Places to escape the heat... 💨
- Cool off in The Bar at Bath with quintessential to unexpected cocktails and some bar snacks
- Work from ours at The Lounge in Margate and keep topped up with iced lattes
- Take a seat in one of many of our spaces at No. 124 for some desk time or to chill
- Not been able to sleep? We`ll help you reset in our soothing Spas
- Stay the night. All of our coastal properties have air-con and many of our rooms at Bath and York too
A new cocktail destination on Great Pulteney Street
Sip refined classics, signature serves and seasonal creations alongside small plates and bar snacks
Our standout serve of the season: The Biscotti Espresso Martini - an indulgent take on the classic with notes of Biscoff, caramel and warming nutmeg. Finished with our signature crunchy No. 15 biscotti
Open daily with The House Hour 8-9 PM, Sunday to Thursday, where all cocktails are just £8
WIN the ultimate summer package ☀️🏖️🌊
Check-in to a coastal or city glow up! We’ve teamed up to give you the chance to win a dreamy @guesthousehotels stay and beach-ready essentials from @dockandbay to match. Keep cool from the rooftop to the shoreline. Pack your bags, get set for summer.
WIN:
£300 voucher to spend on Dock and Bay
A one-night stay for two at any GuestHouse hotel, including breakfast the next morning, and a cocktail each
How to enter:
1. Like & save this post
2. Follow @dockandbay & @guesthousehotels
3. Tag a friend in the comments, each tag in a new comment counts as a new entry
4. Share this post
Competition ends: 22nd July, 11:59pm. Good luck.
T&Cs: UK entries only. GuestHouse Hotels stay: for two people sharing a guest room, valid Sunday–Thursday, subject to availability. Excludes July, August and 23rd December-3rd January. Must be taken by 25th March. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for money or alternative items.
Copper Cove Experience - our signature treatment at @fieldtripspa
Switch off, slow down and share a little time together
Our signature copper tub soak and magnesium salts set the scene, followed by side-by-side massages to melt away any lingering tension. Tailor your finish with a bespoke facial or foot ritual, both grounded in a restorative scalp massage
Unhurried, peaceful, and entirely yours
@margoinmargate’s Summer Residency at No. 42 Margate by @guesthousehotels
Very excited to announce our partnership which brings 12 beautiful artworks by Margo to the hotel. You’ll find them from the ground floor leading all the way up to The Rooftop Bar
To celebrate, we’ve created a Kiss Me in Margate cocktail too. Sip a glass and enjoy 10% off all prints by Margo
And, if you see a piece you particularly like from the collection, turn left out of the hotel and you’ll find Margo’s gallery just a few doors down and can arrange bringing one home!
The Margate Coast is full of coastal culture. Here’s why we think it’s a pretty special place...
@visitengland, @VisitEnglandbiz @visitthanet #AllOnTheCoast
Your front-row seat to Brighton Pride with the drag icon that is @michaelmarouli 🌈🎭🎤
On Saturday 1st August, we`re throwing open the doors to our Pride Party at The Terrace Bar, Brighton
Think front-row parade views, DJ sets from 10am with @coops.png, a live performance from Drag Race UK star Michael Marouli, exclusive Pride cocktails, oysters, tacos and all the sunshine (we`ve ordered it already)
Your £95 ticket includes £75 to spend on food and drinks, so you can celebrate your way
Come for the Pride. Stay for the atmosphere. Leave with a camera roll full of memories
Plus we have just a handful of rooms left for Saturday, so why not make the most of the celebrations and stay the night?
Last year`s party sold out, so don`t wait. Tickets available via the link in our bio 🌊✨
Details in York...
A sweeping central staircase to welcome you
Our model train that makes a journey around The Rhubarb Bar every 30 minutes
Do not disturb because we all have those moments
Games in the Marmalade Lounge for you to pass time
Record library - take any up to your room
Help-yourself pantry
Write down your thoughts from your stay in our GuestBook
Check-in series #9
No. 15 Bath - Pulteney Suite with @ettinger.london
The jewels of our townhouses. Most boast super-high ceilings and grand sash windows framed by shutters and drapes. Dog friendly and family friendly too. Plus, if you’re looking for somewhere to escape the heat, these rooms have air-con to keep you cool.
And if you stay before the 28th August, Sunday-Thursday, there’s £150 spa credit, per room, per night for you to spend as you wish
Meet @tessa__layzelle, the creative behind the hand-sewn tapestries in some of our newly refurbished Guest and Bigger Guest Rooms at No. 15 Bath.
Tessa is a designer/maker specialising in ‘practical paintings’ and her quilts sit in the crossover between artwork and homeware. For our in-room pieces, she nods to mysticism found throughout the city and the sense of the ethereal is further expressed through handmade celestial-themed bedside lampshades and delicate glass-domed pendants
Stay with us in Bath to see the beautiful pieces in person
If you’re booked in to stay in our Large Guest Rooms with Sea View or a Lookout Suite at No. 124 Brighton this weekend, here’s what your sunny stay might look like...
Put your bags aside, unpack and cool down ☀️
A peek of our Lookout Suite!
Your own balcony to soak up the rays and feel the sea breeze 🌊
The beach is right at our doorstep! Just cross the road for a refreshing dip 🐚⛱️
Return to your room to escape the heat. Put on the records, watch tv or read a book 📕 🎶
And then it’s back out for a drink or two at The Terrace Bar! P.s if you’re staying with us now until Thursday, enjoy 50% off cocktails 4-5pm and 9-10pm with our Two Tides offer 🍹
And on Fridays we have our DJ evenings. Borrow one of our hats to keep cool 👒
And maybe one nightcap up in your bedroom? 🍸
Lights out, tucked in 💤
Go coastal 🌊
Pack your bags and make the most of the heatwave with a beach getaway to Brighton or Margate
Check-in to sea-air and check out a couple more reasons to book...
Stay & Spa - a stay with breakfast the morning after and £150 spa credit per room, per night
Two Tides - 50% off cocktails Monday - Thursday 4 – 5pm & 9 – 10pm
Don`t forget your sunnies 😎
Happily ever after in York 💍
📸 1-2 Jess and Luke @meghantaylor_photography
📸 3 Kate and Liam @meghantaylor_photography
📸 4 Sophie and Mark @iam.ivanaking
📸 5 Ben and Gabi @sophiemortphotography
📸 6 Katy and Piaras @mariawphoto
📸 7 Eleanor and Alex @ellieniamhphotos
Spa credit, topped up for Summer
£150 spa credit per room, per night on stays before the 28th August
Our best-value break: a beautiful boutique room, breakfast, and spa credit to spend exactly as you please - plus, as always, the right to raid our pantry
Long golden evenings exploring the streets balanced with long, unhurried hours in the spa. Scroll for all the details and get ready to grab that glow
Book via the link in our bio
A bar that moves with the tides ☀️🌊🥂
And we`ve matched the summer energy out on The Terrace now with 50% off cocktails Monday - Thursday, 4-5pm and 9-10pm
If you`re still searching for something to celebrate the father figure in your lives, a stay away, a dinner at Pearly Cow or cocktails in The Bar at No. 15 may be a good idea...
Weekend plans when the sun`s out, the GuestHouse way ☀️
Head up to The Rooftop Bar at Margate. Or The Terrace Bar if you`re in Brighton!
GUESTS WHO...
chase sunsets
mark a special occasion
make the most of the sun
stay in and self-care
Which guest are you?
We host the kind of birthdays that your guests will be asking you for details about 🥂
Celebrated the night away with a very special bespoke birthday bash with @indiaamoon. Sparkles, sips and some everlasting memories ✨
If you`ve got a special occasion coming up, drop us a message and we`d love to plan with you
Check-in series #8
No. 124 Brighton - The Hideout Suite with @charlotteemilyprice
The most private of rooms in our beachfront beauty. You`ll have your own private entrance, private pantry and private hot tub. There`s a separate lounge with space for two children and a super-king bed. Check-in and enjoy your home away from home
Re-introducing some of the things that just make sense at GuestHouse
Help-yourself-pantry 🍬🍿
Well wouldn`t it be fun to go on a stay and pick out your own snacks to enjoy whilst reading a book, watching a movie or to satisfy the late night munchies 👀 So that`s what we`ve decided to bring to our hotels. Available to all of our guests, wherever you stay!
