Steel Town To Spa Town in 10 Minutes!

The lady sitting next to me at breakfast was dressed in flamboyant, vibrant colours with more than a little African fashion flair.

I couldn’t help myself. “I have to say, you look fantastic,” I said, watching as her pearly white teeth stretched the width of her face. “Why thank you,” she said.

But, before my curiosity could interrogate further, her follow-up sentence explained everything. Gesturing to a few other people in the room she added: “We are all African medics working in the UK and are having our annual conference here. The hotel is perfectly located and has great spa facilities!”

I was sold! Her confirmation had just set the scene for my stay at North Lincolnshire’s Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, a short ride from the ‘steel’ town of Scunthorpe, but, more to the point, not a furnace or industrial building in site: simply a haven of four-star luxury nestled in 190 acres of beautiful Lincolnshire woodland!

Excellent transport links give easy access to this property, which, apart from being close to a number of major motorway networks, is also a member of the QHotels Collection: 20 hotels and resorts, some individual, others branded - including DoubleTree by Hilton, Delta by Marriott and Accor - located across the UK.

At first consideration it may seem like an unlikely first choice as a spa weekend – being just down the road from ‘Scunny’ - but you might surprise yourself if you book a stay for a night or two because the Forest Pines is in a quiet, stunning setting, offers a good quality budget product, and has an award-winning par-73, 27-hole championship golf course that attracts people from far and wide.

There were a queue of buggies waiting to tee off in the early hours when me and Mrs H set out for our early morning constitutional one morning and I am advised that Muntjac deer have been known to visit from the nearby woods!

After a round you can pore over your scorecard with a drink in The Pines Bar, which overlooks the 18th hole!

Boasting 188 spacious bedrooms and an excellent indoor pool and spa, its restaurant – The Grill – also welcomes guests for a la carte and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

I must have appeared as though I was daydreaming. “Sir, have you remembered to enter your car registration into the tablet,” said the welcoming receptionist. Failure to do so could result in a £60 charging notice: I had been warned.

We were given swipe card keys and made our own way to a lovely, clean room with two large double beds.

I relished the prospect of having my own bed for the night in light of the fact that my tiny wife has the ability to move around a mattress with all the dexterity of shifting snow, leaving me perched precariously most mornings, with just six inches between me and a fall to the bedroom floor!

“Are all these free?” she quizzed, pointing to the well-stocked drinks fridge. “Afraid not,” I replied, “so don’t go wild,” I added!

The Rooms
Classic and Deluxe rooms have all your essentials while Superior rooms offer extra perks like Nespresso machines and ELEMIS toiletries. However, if you want to go all out in the relaxation stakes, the spacious Suites will take you to another level.

Like some other QHotels Collection Hotels I have visited, the Forest Pines is an older property and, whilst a little frayed around the edges, I have to say that it is perfectly clean and, because of its perfect location, is just a short drive away from the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Lincoln Castle and its Gothic Cathedral as well as the lovely towns of Brigg, Boston and, for those into spectacular structures, the Humber Bridge and its near neighbour, the pretty town of Barton-Upon-Humber.

You will not want for day trips out. We decided to visit Normanby Hall country Park & golf Course which was excellent.

However, for those less inclined to partake of the local geography or historical attractions, you can simply relax in the hotel’s spa and enjoy head-to-toe pampering.

Whether you want a quick pick-me-up, a day of taking it easy with your friends or a full-on spa break with your partner or friends, the hotel has everything you need for a blissful spa experience to remember.

There’s also a fully equipped super gym after which you can engage in an ironic twist: afternoon tea where you are guaranteed to pile back on those calories you have just lost!

ABOUT THE QHOTELS COLLECTION
Members of The Green Tourism Scheme, The QHotels Collection is committed to a sustainability programme which focuses on: People, Places and Planet – encouraging this through the engagement of its employees, guests, suppliers, and investors.

North Lincolnshire’s Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort sits in the shadow of one of the country’s steel cities, but don’t for a minute think that you will be visiting an industrial wasteland!

The setting is idyllic, road access is second to none, there’s golf and some amazing places in the vicinity to visit so steel yourself for a good time!

AVAILABLE BREAKS
There is currently a spa break sale on from £135 pp. Details here: https://www.forestpineshotel.co.uk/offers/spring-awakening-spa-break/

However, normal booking prices start from around £100 but it can be date/room dependant so do your homework first.

LOCATION / CONTACT
Forest Pines Spa Golf Resort is part of The QHotels Collection and is located on Ermine St, Broughton, Brigg DN20 0AQ.

Website: www.forestpineshotel.co.uk. For more information about the hotel group visit: www.theqhotelscollection.co.uk