The Edinburgh College Spa and Club has excellent facilities. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it belongs to a college; it is a premium spa with a wonderfully luxurious pool complex and beauty therapy suite.
As we walked into The Club complex in the foul rain and wind one day earlier this year, the friendly reception staff couldn’t have been more welcoming. We were taken on a tour of the gym and pool facilitates. From the crystal clear waters of the immaculately kept pool to the brand new gym equipment and changing room facilities, we were thoroughly impressed! We arrived early so had time to pop on our dressing gowns and slippers and head to the pool for a swim and soak in the bubbling jacuzzi. The pool complex was quiet and calm, the whole feel of the place was aimed at tranquil relaxation. After our relaxing pool session we headed to the 3rd floor to the restaurant EH15, for lunch. This restaurant is a modern and has great views of Arthur’s Seat and over the Forth. The restaurant is run by hospitality students who work in rotation between front of house, waitressing and in the kitchen, experiencing all aspects of the hospitality industry.
The simple, seasonal menu the students had put together using local produce had some tempting options. Holly had the Chicken Ballantine Caesar Salad to start with followed by the Roast Beef with seasonal vegetables and horseradish potato croquettes, a comforting and well cooked meal. I had a homemade Potato Scone with smoked salmon and a poached egg to start as I hadn’t actually had any breakfast – this was delicious. For my main course I opted for pork wrapped in pancetta served with bubble and squeak mash- this was both cooked and presented beautifully. For pudding Holly chose a rhubarb cheesecake and I had an apple tart tatin with homemade vanilla ice cream. All in all this was a perfectly lovely, well presented and tasty lunch from a team of students who are learning on the job.
After lunch we were spoiled by the club, as we had been booked in for facials at Bliss Bar and Beauty. We enjoyed our wonderfully relaxing facials by two qualified beauticians, but there is also a price list and timetable for student treatments. Prices for these treatments are very affordable and based on the students’ levels of experience. This included a hot stone back massage for £10 or a nail file and polish for £5- lots of affordable tempting treatments on the student list.
All in all this was a little gem. The club offered exceptionally clean, tranquil and relaxing health and beauty facilities. The facilities have been custom built and are very well kept and presented by the friendly staff.
When you dine at the restaurant you have to remember that they are all students and they are learning. That said the food and service was good and the prices were very reasonable, reflecting that the restaurant was very much a learning environment.
I can’t recommend this place highly enough as a health club – it really was first class. I would also urge you to dine in the restaurant and sample the cuisine produced by the students who will shortly be snapped up for positions all around the city where their food will be on sale at twice the price!
The Edinburgh College Spa and Club, 24 Milton Road East, Edinburgh T 0131 344 7373
