By Melissa Corkhill
08th January 2011
In need of a little indulgence and an escape from the daily grind? A visit to a spa or healing retreat can enliven you and leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle anything family life throws at you. We have selected our pick of the best spa breaks around the country.
BEST FOR ECO LUXURIATING The Titanic, Yorkshire
Located near Huddersfield, this eco spa is stuffed full of treats for visiting couples from mud therapy rooms, dual treatment areas so you can indulge in the extensive range of massage, wraps and more together and plenty of relaxation space. With solar panels on the roof, natural spring water to drink and a Combined Heat and Power heating system, this converted mill aims to be Britain’s greenest spa. We love the chlorine free bathing experience and attention to detail. Fabulous Fridays start at £139 per person and include an overnight break, lunch and dinner, use of the pool and hydrotherapy facilities, a mud chamber session, massage and taster facial. For more info see www.titanicspa.com
BEST FOR HEALTH Grayshott Hall, Surrey
A pre-Christmas stay here had me believing that I had discovered heaven. Everything has been thought of at this gorgeous appointed country house, set in 46 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside, from the exceptionally skilled therapists down to the fresh fruit platter awaiting you on arrival. Understated elegance abounds and delicious, healthful meals, a gorgeous hydrotherapy area and sumptuous bedrooms leave you with a desire to set up residence here. A two night Body and Soul Retreat package starts at £420 and includes health consultation on arrival, reflexology, full use of the spa, specially prepared nutritional meals and a blissful treatment, called Oriental Wisdom. For more details see www.grayshottspa.com
BEST FOR EDIBLE TREATS Senspa at Careys Manor, Hants
The hydrotherapy area at Senspa is excellent, the rooms at Carey’s Manor very comfortable and the therapists skilled and attentive, but one of the best things about this spa set in the heart of the New Forest, is the wonderful thai restaurant. At lunchtime, you can glide straight from the spa to Zen Garden for a feast of light thai snacks and lunches, or if you are feeling extremely virtuous, a delicious coconut or banana based smoothie. A luxurious Valentine’s Spa break costs £319 per person and includes many indulgent treats such as champagne on arrival, candlelit dinner, rhassoul mud treatment for two and more. See www.senspa.co.uk for details.
BEST FOR A DAYTRIP: Ayurveda Shymala Spa, London
Entering into the world of the Ayurveda Shymala spa is a truly wonderful experience. From the moment you step in from a busy Holland Park Avenue you feel transported into another world. One that is calm and serene and in which the spirit is nurtured and your body is pampered. The centre offers Ayurvedic treatments throughout the whole range from facials and anti-ageing to massage for activating energy channels and circulation improvement. Their aim is to treat the whole body for beauty and health and spiritual benefits. This is what makes this clinic unique, you are treated as a body containing a soul. A sauna and steam room with luxurious showers are available for clients after their treatments in which the decor is ultra modern with Molten Brown products on tap. Most one hour treatments cost approx £100. Find out more at www.shymalaayurveda.com.
