Headland Hotel

Overlooking the stunning views of Fistral Beach, the Headland Hotel sits on a clifftop above Newquay in Cornwall, offering guests a beautiful backdrop to their luxurious hotel experience. The hotel, which is known for its part in the 1990 film The Witches, recently undertook a large-scale upgrade which involved a brand-new spa and swimming area. Tile and stone protection experts Schlüter-Systems supported Lilly Lewarne Architects in the design and specification of the Aqua Club, a stunning swimming and wellness centre. Along with providing waterproof elements to the whole area, the firm also assisted in the creation of innovative bespoke features to give a truly five-star experience.

The impressive project involved multiple indoor facilities including a hydronic pool and a children’s pool, alongside a stunning outdoor area which offered even more spa amenities. Creating these elements required the use of durable products underneath the tile and stone finishes, to ensure a long-lasting installation that offered both style and substance.

Creating curved waterproof walls the easy way

One eye-catching element which enhanced the look of the spa was a serpentine wall clad with River Stone. Due to the versatility required, one of the key products used was the popular tile backerboard Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD in the variation KERDI-BOARD-V, created specifically for curved areas. Not only did this provide a stable yet sculpted surface to tile over, it also made the installation process far easier as the waterproofing step was already taken care of. When used with sealing components Schlüter-KERDI-KEBA and Schlüter-KERDI-COLL, a fully waterproof system can be achieved effortlessly.

Below the tiles: the trusted original of uncoupling mats

By the very the nature of the project, reliable waterproofing of the pool and spa areas was of high priority. The uncoupling mat Schlüter-DITRA 25 (now DITRA) handled this with ease thanks to the waterproof properties it provides. The barrier created by the membrane protects moisture-sensitive substrates from water exposure, a crucial requirement when it comes to a swimming pool. The use of Schlüter-DITRA also served to deliver crack-bridging and vapour management to the floor and wall areas, as well as in the male and female changing rooms.

With the peace of mind that comes with using tried and trusted products such as DITRA, there is no doubt that the waterproofing properties will keep the spa and pool areas in great condition for years to come. This, paired with the creative freedom offered with KERDI-BOARD, meant that the design elements could be finished with style.

The creation of the Aqua Club involved Schlüter’s products and expertise from start to finish and the facilities have made a great addition to an already impressive hotel.