Castle will Knock your socks off

Calm and relaxation is the norm at this hotel, says Steve MacDougall

Being first-time parents of an 18-month-old toddler, my wife and I were longing for our first short break away together. Somewhere we could relax, rekindle and, most importantly, sleep. Knock Castle Hotel and Spa situated in the historic market town of Crieff, only 20 miles from our front door, seemed a comfortable distance to venture.

Named after the wooded hill that stands over Crieff, Knock Castle makes an impressive statement as a building that is equalled if not surpassed by the decadent interior.

As soon as we stepped into the entrance hall and on to the parquet flooring, our daily stresses melted away. The view before us was one of beautiful wall panelling and chandeliers and an exquisite grand piano set beneath a sweeping staircase. There is a modest reception desk, above which a collage of smiling staff pictures gaze down and at the top, oddly, is a portrait of the owners’ dog Bailey, although we never did find out what position he holds.

I catch a glimpse of an oval structure further down the hall and I am informed that is The Egg Relaxation Capsule; of course it is. How intriguing.

We are then shown to the Drummond Suite on the upper floor, a truly extraordinary room.

The small entrance hall leads to a rosy, curved room adorned with vivid wall hangings by colourist Sir John Damari and complete with four-poster bed and antique pine furniture. The room is immediately comfortable and immediately calming and all but perfect, save for the blemished carpet. And yet for all the splendour of the main room, the real star of the show is the bathroom. Hands down, it is the most grandiose washroom either of us have had the pleasure of using. Located in the turret section of the castle, the bathroom is vast and fully fitted with a mix of modern and vintage amenities. But the crowning glory is the extravagant sunken pool-sized bath that overlooks the front of the hotel. Clearly designed for a romantic

thecouriermagazine getaway, with the “love” wall hanging to the candles and complimentary bath salts, it is perfect, except perhaps for the single net curtains covering the picture windows. Not one for the modest romantic.

Not long after check-in, my wife was booked in for a spa treatment, The Knock Experience: 90 minutes, starting with a full-body exfoliation, followed by Swedish back neck and shoulder massage, and finished off with a scalp massage. It was obvious to me just how happy my wife was with the treatment as she floated back to the room and

It was obvious how happy my wife was with the treatment as she floated back to the room and confirmed it was exactly what she needed

confirmed it was exactly what she needed.

I had used my wife’s spa time to explore the grounds of the hotel and I eventually found myself back at The Egg Relaxation Capsule and for £10 you get 15 minutes in the pod, no egg timer required.

The capsule is designed for people with a busy schedule to provide the benefits of a full-body massage quickly and while remaining fully clothed. Once inside you lie on a contoured bed, the door closes and the wispy music, herby scents and vibrations begin. And although the experience involved clunking sounds and vibrations that seem to focus on the upper-thigh/ lower-back area, it did feel relaxing and overall rather pleasant. There is something nurturing about spending a few moments in a cocoon-like environment that I certainly responded to; although probably best avoided by the claustrophobic among us.

In a more tranquil headspace