A Lake District hotel is set to open a new spa facility, which honours its origins of being at the forefront of Victorian health tourism.
Bowness-on-Windermere’s The Ro Hotel opened in 1881 as the Windermere Hydropathic Establishment.
The Hydro, as it soon became known, offered spa breaks and water cures for health-seeking guests travelling from all over the country by the new railway network.
Like many large establishments, it was requisitioned as a hospital during World War One, and boys’ boarding school during World War Two.
Overlooking the town and the lake, the reopened Hydro Hotel gradually fell into disrepair, eventually going into administration.
After a multi-million-pound refit, it reopened in 2021 as the 87-bedroom Ro Hotel.
It has now opened the Hydro Wellness Club, named in honour of the hotel’s original hydropathic services.
Its grand opening is scheduled for Easter weekend.
Ro general manager Adam Washbrook said: “While hotel guests will love the wellness facilities, we know the restoration of this historic element will feel extra-special to many locals.
“It’s important to us that this becomes an accessible, welcoming facility for our local community. That’s why we’ve designed a range of inclusive day passes, monthly and annual memberships, including cheaper off-peak rates; easy to take advantage of if you live in the area.”
Building up to opening, the Hydro Wellness Club has already created three new jobs.
Adam added: “The Ro is such an iconic building, at the heart of Windermere tourism, jobs, economy and community for over 130 years, reinstating the Hydro feels like the missing piece of the puzzle. Although we won’t be reinstating the original practice of passing electric currents through the pool – we promise!”
