Spa turns
We all deserve a little me-time now and again and late autumn is the perfect time to book into a spa hotel before the busy festive season kicks off and winter sets in. We round up a selection that take you to pamper heaven.
The four-star Runnymede-on-Thames hotel in Egham, Surrey, is a great destination for an inexpensive weekend away. The hotel has two restaurants, bars, lounges and terraces, and an award-winning spa. There is a swimming pool, sauna, eucalyptus steam room and whirlpool bath, gym with the latest equipment, and a dance studio offering a full itinerary of classes, including Aerotone, yoga and stretch, Pilates, ballet sculpture, ChiBall, WaterFit and Bhangra Bollywood. The top-to-toe treatments include facials and massages, scrubs and wraps, manicures and pedicures, all with top brands including Guinot, ESPA and Clarins.
Treat yourself Book the Aquitaine spa suite for eight people and have a bespoke pampering party, from £270 per person. Includes a 45-minute aromatherapy facial, 45-minute aromatic back, neck and shoulder massage, dinner, use of spa facilities, English breakfast and one-night stay. 01784-220960, www.runnymedehotel.com
National Trust-owned Hartwell House, near Aylesbury, is an 18th-century, Grade I-listed stately-home hotel in 90 acres of lush parkland and gardens adorned with a lake and historic statues. The spa is housed in an orangery-style building with huge, arched windows, indoor pool, spa bath, steam room and sauna and dining area.
During December and January, double rooms cost from £170 per person, including breakfast and use of the spa. The Hartwell Spa Indulgence Day, from £100 per person, includes an 85-minute aromatherapy treatment (plus 10 per cent discount on additional treatments) and a twocourse lunch.
Treat yourself The spa now uses luscious Aromatherapy Associates products. The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience (£58 for 55 minutes, or £74 for 85 minutes) is a massage that releases tension throughout the whole body, leaving you deeply relaxed. Or the Skin Solutions Facial (£58 for 55 minutes) regulates problem skin, leaving a bright and radiant glow. Pride of Britain Hotels: 0800-089 3929, www.prideofbritainhotels.com
Fine-tune your body in the spa at Hartwell House
Cedar Falls Health Farm and Spa in Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, Somerset, is set in more than 40 acres of beautiful countryside. The 17thcentury, red-stone mansion has 32 bedrooms, tennis courts, golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, and a range of classes. The extensive spa menu includes facials, massages, body treatments, complementary therapies, pedicures and manicures. Look out for the special Treatment of the Month.
Treat yourself New on the menu is the Signature Ritual Treatment, exclusive to Cedar Falls (£180 for 180 minutes). This exquisite pampering includes a full-body exfoliation and mud wrap infused with a tailored blend of oils, with a soothing scalp massage, followed by a full body aromatherapy massage and 60-minute facial. Bliss!
Prices start from £69 for a Spa Day Experience (£89, Friday or Saturday), including lunch. Check the website for overnight package rates, from £99 midweek (£119, Friday or Saturday), including meals. All guests enjoy use of the spa facilities, with pool, Jacuzzi and steam room. 01823-433233, www.cedarfalls.co.uk
Five-star luxury hotel resort The Grove in Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire, is set in 300 acres of private parkland. It has a championship golf course, three restaurants, lounges and bars, a walled garden and woods. One of the Leading Hotels of the World chain, it is home to the state-of-the-art Sequoia Spa. There are 13 treatment rooms, including a VIP suite for couples, a black mosaic indoor pool, heat experience rooms and a relaxation room.
Treat yourself There are two new signature treatments by ESPA. The Rose Ritual (from £165 for 110 minutes) begins with a rosehip seed and rosewood body-smoothing scrub, followed by a full Balinese body and scalp massage with fragrant warm oil.
Meanwhile, the English Rose Spa Day (from £325 for 240 minutes) includes the Rose Ritual, a welcome foot ritual, deluxe manicure and pedicure, two-course lunch and freshfruit smoothie, juice or herbal tea on arrival and full use of the spa facilities. 01923-807807 or spa reservations: 01923-294294, www.thegrove.co.uk
The four-star Runnymede-on-Thames hotel in Egham, Surrey, is a great destination for an inexpensive weekend away. The hotel has two restaurants, bars, lounges and terraces, and an award-winning spa. There is a swimming pool, sauna, eucalyptus steam room and whirlpool bath, gym with the latest equipment, and a dance studio offering a full itinerary of classes, including Aerotone, yoga and stretch, Pilates, ballet sculpture, ChiBall, WaterFit and Bhangra Bollywood. The top-to-toe treatments include facials and massages, scrubs and wraps, manicures and pedicures, all with top brands including Guinot, ESPA and Clarins.
Treat yourself Book the Aquitaine spa suite for eight people and have a bespoke pampering party, from £270 per person. Includes a 45-minute aromatherapy facial, 45-minute aromatic back, neck and shoulder massage, dinner, use of spa facilities, English breakfast and one-night stay. 01784-220960, www.runnymedehotel.com
National Trust-owned Hartwell House, near Aylesbury, is an 18th-century, Grade I-listed stately-home hotel in 90 acres of lush parkland and gardens adorned with a lake and historic statues. The spa is housed in an orangery-style building with huge, arched windows, indoor pool, spa bath, steam room and sauna and dining area.
During December and January, double rooms cost from £170 per person, including breakfast and use of the spa. The Hartwell Spa Indulgence Day, from £100 per person, includes an 85-minute aromatherapy treatment (plus 10 per cent discount on additional treatments) and a twocourse lunch.
Treat yourself The spa now uses luscious Aromatherapy Associates products. The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience (£58 for 55 minutes, or £74 for 85 minutes) is a massage that releases tension throughout the whole body, leaving you deeply relaxed. Or the Skin Solutions Facial (£58 for 55 minutes) regulates problem skin, leaving a bright and radiant glow. Pride of Britain Hotels: 0800-089 3929, www.prideofbritainhotels.com
Fine-tune your body in the spa at Hartwell HouseCedar Falls Health Farm and Spa in Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, Somerset, is set in more than 40 acres of beautiful countryside. The 17thcentury, red-stone mansion has 32 bedrooms, tennis courts, golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, and a range of classes. The extensive spa menu includes facials, massages, body treatments, complementary therapies, pedicures and manicures. Look out for the special Treatment of the Month.
Treat yourself New on the menu is the Signature Ritual Treatment, exclusive to Cedar Falls (£180 for 180 minutes). This exquisite pampering includes a full-body exfoliation and mud wrap infused with a tailored blend of oils, with a soothing scalp massage, followed by a full body aromatherapy massage and 60-minute facial. Bliss!
Prices start from £69 for a Spa Day Experience (£89, Friday or Saturday), including lunch. Check the website for overnight package rates, from £99 midweek (£119, Friday or Saturday), including meals. All guests enjoy use of the spa facilities, with pool, Jacuzzi and steam room. 01823-433233, www.cedarfalls.co.uk
Five-star luxury hotel resort The Grove in Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire, is set in 300 acres of private parkland. It has a championship golf course, three restaurants, lounges and bars, a walled garden and woods. One of the Leading Hotels of the World chain, it is home to the state-of-the-art Sequoia Spa. There are 13 treatment rooms, including a VIP suite for couples, a black mosaic indoor pool, heat experience rooms and a relaxation room.
Treat yourself There are two new signature treatments by ESPA. The Rose Ritual (from £165 for 110 minutes) begins with a rosehip seed and rosewood body-smoothing scrub, followed by a full Balinese body and scalp massage with fragrant warm oil.
Meanwhile, the English Rose Spa Day (from £325 for 240 minutes) includes the Rose Ritual, a welcome foot ritual, deluxe manicure and pedicure, two-course lunch and freshfruit smoothie, juice or herbal tea on arrival and full use of the spa facilities. 01923-807807 or spa reservations: 01923-294294, www.thegrove.co.uk