Wellness Magazine Summer 2016

Wellness 12 www.goodspaguide.co.uk | Summer 2016

Making the most of your spa time

ways to make life changes

SPECIAL

PICTURE PERFECT

PEDICURES

SPA FESTIVALS

WHAT YOUR THERAPIST WON'T TELL YOU INSIDE

THE PRODUCT BIBLE

24 top spa brands

Maldives The best sun-drenched Maldivian spas

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To find your nearest DECLÉOR salon visit: www.decleor.co.uk

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DISCOVER GLOWING SKIN FROM DAWN TILL DUSK AURABSOLU Our 1st Awakening Range to capture skin’s morning aura Enriched with Jasmine Absolute

Restore radiance to tired looking skin with our three NEW products and innovative professional mask utilising hydrogel technology.

Boost your complexion with our NEW Glow Power Boost facial, a 30 minute ritual to awaken the look of lacklustre, fatigued complexions.

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Summer 2016 | issue 4

CONTENTS Editorial Editor-at-large

Daphne Metland (Sybaritic Spy) Editor

Caitlin Dalton (Summer Spy) Deputy Editor

Lucy Etherington (Savant Spy) Contributors

Rose Ingrams (Scarlet Spy) Anna Hubbard (Supreme Spy) Karen Hockney (Stylish Spy) Design

Lucy Reid

Published by Good Spa Guide Rouen House Rouen Road Norwich NR1 1RB info@goodspaguide.co.uk +44 (0)1603 692296 www.goodspaguide.co.uk

Follow Good Spa Guide online The Good Spa Guide Good Spa Guide @GoodSpaGuide For all advertising enquiries, please contact Lucy Bendall.

Email: Lucy.Bendall@ archantdialogue.co.uk Tel: 01603 772246

Cover image Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire www.lucknampark.co.uk

O N T H E COV E R

10 Making Lasting Changes

12 Confessions of a Spa Spy

18 Spa to the Music

14 Choosing the Right Skincare

Soak up the summer festivals in style

22 The Product Bible 24 top spa brands

72 Step into Summer

80 What Your Therapist Won’t Tell You

F E AT U R E S

Seven spa stays in paradise Picture perfect pedicures

Our spa therapist gives good gossip

The good, the bad and the painful!

How to make the most of your skin type

61 Scrub-a-licious

46 Spa Spotlight on the Maldives

Tried and tested body exfoliators

64 Discover Health Through Water

Thalassotherapy in Tuscany

68 Spa en Famille

Could you – should you – spa with your family?

70 Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Matt Worswick shares his recipe

4 Spa Trends

74 Spa Etiquette

6 Come Home Renewed

77 The Bubble Ratings

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Using nudge theory to make your life better

What’s new this summer Use your spa time to make a fresh start

We answer your spa questions Who won what?

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CONTENTS

"These days you don’t have to trek up the Himalayas to experience emotional and spiritual transformation." p6

6 THE PRODUCT BIBLE

An A-Z of spa brands

72

18

p22

10

46

64 p80

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SPA TRENDS

SPAtrends

A few of our favourite things this summer

HIGH ALGARVE "The lifestyle and spiritual workshops are Canyon Ranch signatures."

We recently visited a brand new, five-star resort high in the beautiful Serra de Monchique mountain range in Portugal’s Algarve. Macdonald Monchique Resort and Spa is incredibly stylish and boasts an adult-only Sensorial Spa with indoor and outdoor pools, thermal suite and ESPA treatments. What makes it special – beside the panoramic views – are the local ingredients, including honey and spring waters, used in treatments and products. Great for families, nature lovers or those simply wanting to relax and recharge. More at: www. macdonaldmonchique.com

“Great for families, nature lovers or those simply wanting to relax and recharge.”

TURKISH RIVIERA Legendary wellness destination Canyon Ranch has opened its first resort outside the US in Kaplankaya, near Bodrum, dubbed the Turkish Riviera. It might seem a risk, given recent events in the country, but the 141-bedroom ultra-modern resort with three private beaches and a 107,500 square foot spa with 40 treatment rooms is a pretty confident statement. The lifestyle and spiritual workshops are Canyon Ranch signatures – its first resort in Arizona was launched in 1979 – while treatments, activities, food and facilities are steeped in the stunning locale.

More at: www.canyonranchdestinations.com/kaplankaya

GO BOHEMIAN

We can’t wait to try the new Ava Spa which opens this summer at the neo-classical Four Seasons Prague, not least because of the Czech inspired treatments and facilities – apparently blossom from the local Linden tree is involved, as well as the region's famous thermal waters from towns such as Karlovy and Vary.

The treatment menu is provided

by Swiss Perfection, Sodashi and Omorovicza, which includes Hungarian moor mud – all this while enjoying “breath-taking views of Prague Castle.” More at: www.fourseasons.com/prague

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SPA TRENDS

PARIS CLASSICS Marrying two beautifully French brands, our hearts were all aflutter when we found out a Chanel Spa was opening at The Ritz in Paris. Indeed, it makes perfect sense to open Chanel’s first ever spa here on so many levels, especially as Mademoiselle Chanel made the original hotel her Parisian residence for 34 years. The entire hotel has had a facelift costing somewhere between $200m and $400m, slightly more than estimated as a major fire caused the roof to collapse, hence the hotly anticipated launch has been in a state of flux. More at: www.ritzparis.com

SUMMER MUST HAVES Chic, French marine based skincare brand Thalgo is set to transport us to exotic climes: Tropical Island cream made with water from Polynesian lagoons will keep your skin fresh and hydrated, while their new Defi Cellulite cream might actually work – only one way to find out!

Finally, something that produced happy smiles in the Good Spa Guide office – ESPA's Nourish Lip Treatment with Indian Gentian leaves, an award winning ingredient which is said to reduce the risk of lipstick bleeds.

It just might be our new handbag essential.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR When people ask me what I do for a living they always exclaim – you do what?

How did you get that job? Well, it’s a little serendipity and a lot of hard work.

Most of us Spa Spies are experienced journalists, who have worked in health, travel or beauty. You’re as likely to find me with my head in a spreadsheet as you are in a steam room. My desk is full of page proofs and my inbox full of press releases.

But, if you do see someone trying to surreptitiously take a picture of warped or stained wood in a sauna, you may have rumbled me. You don’t want to know how we check the cleanliness of a steam room!

My highlights this year so far have been running on the beach outside Kohler Waters Spa at The Old Course – picture the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire, that’s the one!

Having Rockliffe Hall’s Spa Garden to myself for a blissful hour early one spring morning. The most decadent massage at Bulgari Spa in London – if your wallet can take it get to Bulgari, it’s fantastic. I won’t tell you about travelling in the Maldives (page 46), but it’s unbelievably beautiful.

We’re become much more savvy with what we expect from a spa. Ten years ago Good Spa Guide mostly had phone calls from people wanting to go to a spa, but were unsure of what to expect. Now it’s phone calls from people saying I’ve been to this spa and this spa, where should I go next?

I love the fact that we’re getting pickier. I love the fact that people are questioning. During a recent survey we asked our readers to tell us about their best and worst experiences in a spa. The negative comments were heart-breaking; a woman told us “I am disabled and need help from time to time. On a couple of occasions therapists have just looked at me without asking if I need help.”

"A couple of years ago my therapist stopped our treatment to be sick on me. "

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Another said: “I hate being treated as if I don’t matter because I’m older”.

Spa is a place of acceptance for me. We each visit a spa for our own reasons, and generally they’re introspective; we want time to ourselves, we want to relax etc.

We wander a spa with blinkered vision, drifting from experience to experience -- our fellow spa goers are a happy interlude.

When that’s broken it really does jar.

A couple of years ago my therapist stopped our treatment to be sick on me. I’ve refused to get in a hot tub because there were so many broken tiles.

If you do encounter a problem – speak up!

Tell your therapist or the spa manager. The spa managers I’ve met (and sometimes I’ve had to give them very hard feedback) are interested, open and – as long as it’s constructive – are very happy to hear what we have to say.

Thankfully the negative stories are getting rarer and rarer. As more spas open in the UK and overseas, the very best are rising to the top. If you want to see what we consider the very best, check out page 77 for a listing of our Five Bubble Luxuy spas; they have to score 95% or higher on our already pretty tough audit.

We love to have your feedback too – you can have your say and leave a comment on any of our review pages online (www.goodspaguide.co.uk).

Tell everyone if you had a great or terrible experience. We’d love to have eyes everywhere, but sometimes we’re busy with spreadsheets and magazine layouts!

Here’s to a happy and healthy summer. WM Caitlin

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COME HOME...renewed

Come home

renewed Feeling like you’ve come to a crossroad in life? Or do you have a niggling doubt that’s holding you back?

Savant Spy says a visit to a spa will help you take back control and feel like you have a fresh start.

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COME HOME...renewed

✺

'FIND ING Y OURS HA MORE S BECOMEELF' AS ES ACCEPTAB OUR SENTIAL T LE HEA O WELL LTH AND BEING

oing away to ‘find yourself’ was once considered a bit of a posh lifestyle fad, the kind of thing Edina and Patsy did in Ab Fab, the preserve of the rich and selfindulgent. One thinks of Gwynnie heading to The Ahsram in LA for a bit of chakra cleansing, mountain hiking and a ‘guided journey back to the self’.

Now, however, it’s become more acceptable as essential to our health and wellbeing. And these days you don’t have to trek up the Himalayas to seek guidance from the Dalai Lama to experience emotional and spiritual transformation.

Many UK spas are now offering life-changing retreats, bringing in life coaching, meditation, workshops and yoga experts so that you can use your spa time to really examine your life, explore what you need and come home equipped to make any necessary changes.

Spa plus life-coaching

Gorgeous country house hotel and spa Lucknam Park, near Bath, now runs a range of wellness retreats that mix spa with life-coaching, meditation, yoga and holistic treatments.

‘We did it because some of our guests suggested it,’ spa director Sharon Rooney says. ‘The hotel, spa and the beautiful surroundings have an instant de-stressing effect, and we wanted to promote the wellness aspect. Getting in a life-coach adds that extra dimension.’

With the success of celebrity therapist Fiona Arrigo’s pricey retreats in Somerset, there is clearly a growing market for stressed-out working women who want something more nurturing than the male oriented boot-camps for burnt out execs.

Although, as Sharon tells me, wellness

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retreat clients come from all walks of life.

‘Yes there are professionals, but also mums who don’t work, or just people who are curious, who aren’t stressed but want direction,’ she says.

Sharon feels that the small, intimate space of Lucknam’s Wellness Centre, plus carefully selected holistic treatments such as dry floatation or the ila Prima Vitality massage, create a safe and nurturing space for self-exploration and revelation.

"These days you don’t have to trek up the Himalayas to seek guidance from the Dalai Lama to experience emotional and spiritual transformation. " One of the earliest retreats was Burnout to Brilliance author Jayne Morris’s Rebalancing Weekend (www.janemorris. com), which was piloted last year.

‘I thought: what if we had someone to work with our guests and help clarify their goals,’ says Sharon. ‘I’d read Burnout to Brilliance and thought: this is perfect. We Yoga at Lucknam Park

were a bit nervous when we tried it out, but it was a huge success. Jayne has continued to work with us and there are lots more retreats planned.’

Spa to change your life

Ockenden Manor Hotel and Spa in Sussex were also a little sceptical about running such retreats, but author and transformational coach Katie Phillips managed to convince them there was a market for self-exploration.

At first Katie ran workshops at the Sussex hotel along the lines of the retreats she hosts at a villa in Portugal (see more on www.daringandmighty.com). When Ockenden saw how popular they were, they decided to go for it. Katie’s retreat, based on the principals she outlined in her book The Self Love Affair: A Women’s Guide to a Daring and Mighty Life, is called Learn to Love Yourself.

‘It’s a pretty bolshy title for England,’ Katie laughs. ‘In LA, I don’t even have to explain it!’

Guests will enjoy four days of gentle workshops with Katie, plus guided meditation, yoga, treatments and spa, during which, Katie says, they may discover surprising things about themselves, but in a gentle and holding spa environment.

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GETT IN WITH G IN TOU CH Y AND OUR BODY F E E LINGS IS ESS E FINDI NTIAL TO N G WHA T YOU OUT WAN REALLY T

"There are an awful lot of people out there who don’t know who they are... it makes them sad that they haven’t seen their true self for so long."

‘My aim is to move people into a place where they can ask: ‘what do I want from life?’ To reconnect with desires, and come up with an action plan for life,’ she says. ‘I’ve witnessed people create massive changes in less than two days.’

Soul searching

Champneys Spa Resorts run a range of holistic retreats for those wishing to get their lives back on track through attending to all aspects of the self. There’s a two-night Attitude is All retreat with the flamboyant Tanya Wheway, where you can learn to live creatively and make an action plan for success, and a Make Life Easy retreat where you can ‘rediscover your passion for living’.

Sandi Clark has run the Bring Yourself Back into Your Life break with husband Mike Mayes for two years.

‘There are an awful lot of people out there who don’t know who they are,’ says Sandi. ‘I often see the real person behind all the roles they’ve taken on, and it makes them sad that they haven’t seen their true self for so long.’

Sandi and Mike train people to get in touch with their own ability to see and sense energy and begin to understand how their mood is affected by people, information and colour.

‘We teach them they’ve got choices,’ says Sandi. ‘It’s really so simple, but so empowering.

You don’t have to stay friends with someone if every time you see them, you feel drained. You don’t have to like everyone, and not everyone has to like you. Let them get on with it!’

"My aim is to move people into a place where they can ask: ‘what do I want from life?’... I’ve witnessed people create massive changes in less than two days."

DIY Renewal

While these retreats have the advantage of specialist advice and guidance, you can achieve renewal in various ways during an ordinary spa day. The spa itself offers the security and nourishment to support your journey. It may also have useful treatments or classes to open up your mind to self-exploration.

Champneys

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One example: Sinéad De Hόra (www.sineaddehora.com) is an intuitive therapist who works at the Akasha Spa beneath the Café Royale in London.

Sinéad reads your body and provides it with what it needs at that moment, then feeds back to you what she has learned.

The things she picked up from me were impressive and invaluable: she saw I needed to declutter my life, take time for myself and access my creativity through being in nature.

Beautiful! I went away and did just that.

Or you could just book in for a mindfulness meditation class as part of your spa stay. Getting in touch with your body and feelings is essential to finding out what you really want: not a new car/hairdo, but a genuine need for deeper fulfilment.

As Sandi pointed out, when you’re at a spa you’re not being bombarded with information. You can really take the opportunity to look inward as well as reconnect to your senses: make sure you take a notebook to scribble down any thoughts that arise. WM To help you achieve your goals, read our article 12 Ways to Make Changes overleaf.

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MAKING CHANGE

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here’s an old joke: how many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but they really, really have to want to change.

We all want to change our lives; to be fitter, healthier, happier. Recent developments in behaviour change theory have shown us effective ways to make changes. The key is ‘nudge theory’.

You make small changes and lots of them to ‘nudge’ you towards your goal. Each change rewards you and makes the next change easier. This theory is now so popular that the government has set up a Behavioural Insights Team (www. behaviouralinsights.co.uk). The aim is to ‘use insights from behavioural science to encourage people to make better choices for themselves and society’.

Many of these insights can be used at a personal level.

BJ Fogg runs the Stanford Persuasive Tech Lab (www. captology.stanford.edu) at Stanford University. He suggests breaking the change process down into three key steps; Spark, Signal, Trigger.

SPARK This stage gives you the information you need and inspires you. Reading about healthy eating, or the long term health problems a lack of exercise brings can act as a spark. Often we ignore these things because they are just too scary. If you think about this information gathering as a completely separate thing to actually making changes it is not so intimidating: ‘I am just finding out’.

SIGNAL This is the planning phase. Working out what you want to do and how you can go about it. Take your time here.

Good planning gives you time to really think things through and makes all the difference to the next stage – the trigger.

TRIGGER This is about setting a start point and doing it. Find a date and time that matters to you; a birthday, an anniversary, an event, and use this as a trigger to start your plan. By the time the event comes round, you will have achieved what you set out to do.

easy changes to make your life better

Nudge yourself to

change

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MAKING CHANGE

3

WAYS TO KEEP ON KEEPING ON

➸ VISUALISE YOUR END GOAL Think about how you will feel once you have reached your goal.

Visualise yourself in that nice new outfit, or running that mile. ➸ SMILE OFTEN It’s called the ‘facial feedback hypothesis’.

The theory that smiling actually helps lift your mood goes back to Charles Darwin.

He wrote: ‘The free expression by outward signs of an emotion

intensifies it’. In other words, the more you smile, the happier you will feel. It took another couple of centuries to prove that smiling releases neuropeptides that help fight off stress.

These neuropeptides include ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters dopamine, endorphins and serotonin. They can also lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

Some studies have shown that the brain areas related to emotion are less active in people

TRY OUT OUR TWELVE POINT CHANGE PLAN The change you want to make may be small (drink more water, give up biscuits) or large (lose weight, run a marathon, get a new job).

Our change plan can be used on all of them.

Before you begin, work out exactly what is stopping you. On the right-hand side of a piece of paper write a list of why you don’t run every day, eat healthily, or what stops you looking for a new job.

Maybe your trainers are uncomfortable, or you don’t know where to start job hunting. On the left-hand side write solutions to each of the problems. Now you have built in solutions to the obstacles that are stopping you achieving what you want.

1

ONE THING AT A TIME

Instead of making drastic changes, break things down and do it in stages. If you want to lose weight, maybe start by working on that snacking habit. Replace sugary snacks with healthy ones. Then move on to reducing calorie intake.

2 IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS

Keep a diary for a week to help identify what triggers behaviours you want to change.

Mid-afternoon chocolate snack perhaps?

Sleeping late stops you running? Then plan replacements for those triggers.

3 MAKE POSITIVE PLANS

You are not giving up things but doing new things. This is called ‘gain framing’. So don’t see it as giving up cakes and crisps, but eating more fruit and vegetables.

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remember to take them in the morning.

Place your car keys on top of a box of healthy snacks to remind you to take them to work. who have had Botox and therefore cannot frown…

You have been warned!

➸ PLAY THE DAILY GRATITUDE GAME Before you fall asleep make a mental list of three things you are grateful for. And three things you did well today.

Make your going to sleep thoughts positive.

4 GET EQUIPPED

Download a fitness app to your phone, get a notebook to keep a food diary, throw out the junk food, sign up to a jobs website. This acts as a signal to show that you are getting into the right mind frame to make a change.

5 BREAK IT DOWN INTO SMALL STEPS

Work out the steps involved in getting to your target and then start with the smallest step. Maybe walking for ten minutes a day, or just reading the job vacant pages each week. Taking the first step is the hardest.

Get that done and you are underway.

6 WRITE YOUR PLAN DOWN

This is a promise to yourself. Put the plan where you will see it often; on the fridge, on your phone or computer. Give it a clear headline: ‘in eight weeks I will fit into my too-tight favourite dress’ or ‘in six weeks I will be able to run for 20 minutes non-stop’.

7 RECORD THE ‘NOW’

Take pictures, record your weight, keep a work diary, note how long you can run for.

Once a week update your record.

8 REWARD YOURSELF

No, not with cream cakes! Find good rewards and use them once a week, not just at the end: a new running top or lipstick, a trip to the cinema.

9 TAG IT

Adding your new habit to something you already do is called tagging. Put your vitamin pills next to your toothbrush so you

10 MAKE IT REGULAR

Habits are inbuilt. You remember to clean your teeth because you do it every day. So your new good habits need a regular slot. If you want to ride your static bike every day, do it at the same time. After a while you will do it automatically.

11 FIND A BUDDY

It’s much easier to keep to a plan if you have a friend on board; they don’t even have to do it with you. Studies of the effectiveness of giving up smoking using mobile phone messages found that adding a ‘buddy’, who smokers could text when they were tempted, made them more successful at giving up. Which friend would you call?

12 MAKE NEW HABITS THE NORM

This is called ‘choice architecture’ in behaviour change jargon. It's simple. In canteens, studies found that customers chose healthier foods if these were placed at the front of the display. So arrange your own ‘choice architecture’. Store only healthy snacks in your cupboards. Make getting changed for your run quick and easy by having your gear out and ready.

SMART GOALS In business using SMART goals (specific, measureable, achievable, realistic, timely) is a well-established technique. The same principles are useful in our own lives.

SPECIFIC. This is the headline of what you want to achieve: feel fitter, get a new job, or give up smoking.

MEASURABLE. Have a figure in mind; loose 10lbs, run for 20 minutes...

ACHIEVABLE. Nothing succeeds like success. Once you've realised your first achievable goal, you can set another.

REALISTIC. If the goal is too much at this time in your life, go for something do-able, or look at prioritising.

TIMELY. New habits take about six weeks to become established. If you want to lose weight the rule of thumb is to aim for is 1-2 pounds a week. Half a stone is going to take 1-2 months.

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SPA SPY

Confessions of a

SPASPY

As those of you who follow us on twitter @goodspaguide will know, as well as reviewing spas in the UK, our Spies have been on a global mission to hunt down the best spas worldwide.

T

his summer, we have been to Algarve, the Maldives, Austria for a strict detox at the Mayr, Ibiza to a Yoga Rosa retreat, grotto diving in Tuscany and others I’ve neglected to mention (she said, trying not to sound too smug, and failing).

I suppose I do feel a little bit guilty leaving the kids and husband at home while I jet set across oceans. I try not to rub it in, emphasising the “work” aspect of the job: the meetings (chatting to fellow professional spa-istas, usually over a lovely meal overlooking some beautiful pool/lake/ ocean), the note-taking (like writing a diary, but with more facts, less feelings), the travel (snoozing between watching movies and reading).

And of course missing my darling family, which I do, deeply – although after a week back at home doing the school run and feasting on baked beans I find myself craving the fresh seafood and lonely sun-drenched loungers far away. It does feel a little treacherous and perhaps suspicious to the outside world being the only one in my family with an exotic suntan.

To be fair, spa-ing abroad does come with the odd tedious peril – for example, how to explain without a word of Maldivian to your non-English speaking therapist that the product feels like it’s burning your skin. Also, if you have read our online blog, you will know that a trip to paradise often comes at a price and, as though the gods are having a large laugh at our expense lately, on two recent occasions this has taken the form of colonic irrigation.

There is also the jetlag to negotiate: some of us have mastered the art of sleeping on planes, others (myself included) take three days to get used to a strange bed, and when on a working trip, three days is usually all you’ve got. Then as soon as your body clock

has managed to reverse itself, it’s time to go back home. But at least all you have to do when deliriously tired is lie on a beach having a four-handed massage, as opposed to performing brain surgery or teaching a class full of hormonal teenagers.

The good news in regard to our overseas exploits is that luxury seems to be spreading, and it is this tide that we are attempting to ride.

When I was young, spa-ing abroad was another matter entirely. While visiting Eastern Europe as a teenager, I remember the ‘treatment rooms’ being basically hospital beds divided by curtains. Scrubs seemed to involve Brillo pads rather than fine grains of apricot and pomegranate as per our feature on body exfoliation (page 61).

I also had a rather emotionally scarring “Watsu” in a public swimming pool with a man in overly tight and tiny speedos.

It put me off spas for a while, although isn’t it funny how we often turn deeply disturbing experiences into our life’s work!

In Istanbul, in the romantic old Turkish Baths in the heart of the city, I recall being dragged across a floor by my hair by a female Sumo wrestler, scrubbed with nail brushes, hosed down with a fierce water jet, then jumped on by a masseur on a marble slab while looking into the compound eyes of a large cockroach. Having said that, I emerged lobsterpink, feeling insanely well (or just gratefully alive).

Recently in Thailand, I had a jungle steam bath in a chicken coup, followed by a mud bath on the banks of a fast flowing river. Sometimes hardcore rustic spa-ing can be so ridiculously beautiful, you can’t begin to capture it, even in the poshest eco resorts.

Later this summer, I’m heading to Arizona. One of the things I am looking forward to is heading to a Native American Sweat Lodge for a guided meditation session – I can see that’s going to be a whole other story to tell... Wish me luck! WM

"The good news in regard to our overseas exploits is that luxury seems to be spreading, and it is this tide that we are attempting to ride."

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SPA SPY

The

SPAspies

SUMMER SPY Summer is most likely to be found dipping her toes into spa water facilities and trying out alternative treatments. She’s so laid back she’s almost horizontal... until it comes to bad customer service!

“I love trying new and interesting treatments,

A Spa Spy is a committed, professional journalist or spa expert experience rooms and spa classes. Give me a little bit of luxury, good food and at The Good Spa Guide who is passionate about all things spa. helpful, friendly staff and I’ll be From Jacuzzis to the gym, massage to mud wraps, there is nothing your fan for life.” they won’t try to find the pinnacle of pampering perfection. We’re all different shapes, sizes and ages, with our own expertise and interests, but work together to find spa nirvana.

SYBARITIC SPY Luxury, luxury, luxury. As a founding member of The Good Spa Guide, Sybaritic Spy has had more spa experiences in the last few years than most people have in a lifetime.

“Spa to me is synonymous with sensuality. I want to hear, smell, feel and experience everything. Fragrances to intoxicate, warm treatment beds and unexpected treats make me happy!”

SERENE SPY As a busy travel writer and new mum, Serene Spy takes her rare downtime seriously. For Serene a spa day is all about reconnecting with her inner butterfly.

“I love spas that are like cocoons: secluded, warm and soothing. I appreciate gorgeous scents and oils, strong massage, robes that feel like hugs, and healthy food. Let me retreat from the world for a few hours and emerge feeling lighter and prettier.”

SUPREME SPY With a wealth of spa industry experience, Supreme Spy has high expectations for customer service, treatment excellence and a customer journey that naturally flows from one stage to the next.

“I love a warm welcome and a tour of the spa, knowledgeable therapists that personalise the treatment and those little touches that make your experience memorable. I don’t want to feel like I am on a spa conveyor belt!”

SAVANT SPY A journalist, writer and mother of two teenagers, Savant Spy recently retrained as a psychotherapeutic counsellor, which feeds her love of knowledge, books and deep, philosophical conversation.

“Perfect spas for me are samples of paradise where you can drift off into a state of bliss.

As someone who lives in her head, I relish a full-body massage, hydrotherapy, heat treatments, and aromatherapy to emerge glowing and thoroughly interconnected.”

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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SUAVE SPY Our singular male spy, Suave Spy ensures we don’t neglect all things male.

Suave is always on hand to try whatever treatment, product or experience is reserved as “Just for Men” (although his hair colour is all his own, you understand).

“When it comes to the world of spa, I want truly great treatments and flawless customer service. I like to be greeted well and seen off in style. If I miss out on the proper theatrics of a spa experience, I leave disappointed.”

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BEAUTY

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CH THE OOSING CARE RIGHT SKIN TREA AND FACI TM AL HEL ENTS WIL YOUR P CAJOLE L SK HYDR IN INTO RADIAATED NCE.

Not many of us are blessed with ‘normal’ skin. If you find your skin is dry, oily or even combination, choosing the right lotions and potions can keep breakouts and dry spots at bay.

Choosing the right

skin care

hen we talk about skin types, you’ll probably recognise the dry, normal, combination and oily categories. You might already know if your skin is sensitive or dehydrated.

If not, you can test your skin type at home: when you wake up in the morning, wash your face but don’t apply a serum or moisturiser. After a couple of hours your skin should be in its natural state.

Oily skin will have noticeable oil on the surface, dry skin may look dull and feel tight, normal skin (we’re so envious) will be, ahem, normal, and if you see a mixture of the above you’re probably combination. Most people will be a mix; your skin might be oily in some areas and dehydrated in others, or sensitive in some and dry in others.

Once armed with your skin type, choosing the right skin care and facial treatments will help control, comfort and cajole your skin into hydrated radiance.

With more potions and facials than we care to admit, the Spa Spies give their tips for managing your skin.

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DRY

Sybaritic Spy

My skin has always been dry, and the older I get, the dryer it becomes.

Great when I was a younger and all my friends were complaining of oily skin, but not so good now that wrinkles are the main issue.

Soap and water, foaming cleansers, even just swimming leaves my skin horribly tight and sore. Rich moisturisers used to leave a greasy film on the top of the skin, but thankfully skin care has evolved beyond that now.

I cleanse and moisturise twice a day.

When I wake up in the morning my skin is dry and can be a little irritated, so morning is as important as night. I use a cream cleanser, facial oil, serum and moisturiser. During a recent ‘no holds barred’ conversation with a therapist, she insisted that the time had come to step it up to three layers of hydration.

I have been doing this super intensive programme for a couple of months now and it really works.

Twice a week I use an overnight mask and also carry a spritzer in my bag to make my skin feel softer and more pliable.

It gives a hit of moisturiser when it’s cold or dry outside.

MY GO-TO PRODUCTS ARE:

The best light yet rich cream I have tried is Temple Spa’s Skin Truffle. It's like whipped cream in texture and sinks into my skin easily.

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BEAUTY

NORMAL Supreme Spy It’s a pleasure to have normal skin as looking after it is very simple.

It doesn’t mean that I don’t have bad days; sometimes I get dry or congested areas, and if I use too much product it can be overstimulating.

Most of the time, with a little TLC my skin takes care of itself.

I use a cleanser, a serum and a moisturiser every morning and night, though if I’m not wearing makeup I sometimes just cleanse with water rather than a product.

The biggest changes to my routine are influenced by the environment or if I stay out in the evening and have a glass of wine or two! In the cold weather I go with a nourishing oil instead of a serum, and in the summer I’ll switch to a lighter lotion, or even just use a serum by itself.

As I don’t have any specific problems with my skin, I tend to go for mid-range products and then choose a texture and scent I like. Generally,

anything that’s labelled radiant, light and luminous, or even for hydrated skin works well.

MY GO-TO PRODUCTS ARE:

Liz Earle’s Cleanse & Polish™ – it’s so easy to use, it goes on everywhere (even around the eyes). It’s got a great scent and a reasonable price. I like the feeling of water on my face and the routine feels very spa-like.

I use ESPA’s Optimal Skin Pro-Serum at night and if my skin needs a bit of an extra treat. It’s in-between a serum and an oil so is very versatile. It smells like spa and just gives an extra kick, especially in the winter.

It’s a big splurge, but Natura Bissé’s C+C Vitamin Complex feels and smells beautiful on the skin. It’s a light lotion that’s rich in vitamin C, collagen amino acids and Rosa Mosqueta oil. I apply it morning and night and it leaves my skin looking radiant and glowing.

COMBINATION Savant Spy

"During a recent 'no holds barred' conversation with a therapist she insisted I start using three layers of hydration."

The ingredients really seem to work; the coco butter softens and moisturizes my skin, while the black truffles and diamond powder brighten my dull skin and make it look radiant.

My favourite face pack is Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask. I apply it as the last step in my skincare routine and then leave it on all night. The next day my skin is glowing and plumped up with not a dry spot in sight.

The Pure Argan Oil from Maison D’Argan is rich in linoleic acid, vitamin A and E, so when my skin feels irritated it gives the ahhh feeling. It’s versatile in that it works for my face, body and even hair, therefore ideal for travelling overseas, too.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Combination skin is different for everyone, so you will have to map out your own oily, dry and normal zones.

The most helpful thing I found was having a facial with a really in depth consultation. That way I learned which parts of my skin were oily (t-zone), which were dry (forehead) and where I was prone to dehydration (around my eyes).

I also learned how complex my skin really is (I guess that comes with age, living in London most of my life and having too much sun and wine!).

I'm prone to want to try every new product going, but now I make sure I use the right product on the right area: anti-aging and restorative moisturisers and serums on my dry/normal areas, and lighter creams on my t-zone. You might have seen pictures of people applying different coloured masks to different areas: I basically work on the same principle.

I cleanse every day using a light gel cleanser, then apply a serum and cream after. If I get a break-out, I avoid overmoisturising that area.

Some product houses do have ranges specifically for combination skin, and these should mange oil levels without being too drying. Then if you are prone to dryness in one particular area, you can zone in on it with a hydrating cream or serum. It’s worth trying – your skin is unique, it might just work for you.

MY GO-TO PRODUCTS ARE:

I’m always on the lookout for a good moisturiser but have to be careful not to overdo it, otherwise I look shiny.

Germaine de Capuccini's Time Expert C+ (A.G.E) is great for my combination skin: hydrating and non-oily, and it smells deliciously citrusy.

On dry areas I'll add an underlayer of Katherine Daniels Concentrate for Dry Skin, which contains hydrating phytosqualane and triglycerides, as well as seaweed peptides to protect against aging and the environment. It also gently hydrates and plumps the skin around my eyes. For my dry and aging lips, ESPA's Nourish Lip Treatment is a must.

My daily cleanse is with Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel and for a treat, Oskia Renaissance Mask, which has the same effect as a good facial.

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BEAUTY

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L THER ET YOUR A IF YO PIST KN SKIN U HAVE OOW AS IL BE AB THEY MI Y OUT P LE TO SW GHT A R CHAN ODUCTS OP GE A STEP. R

"It took me years of trial and error to realise that I needed specialised skin care to beat the excess oil and breakouts."

OILY Summer Spy Genuinely oily skin is a difficult one to work out. It took me years of trial and error to realise that I needed specialised skin care to beat the excess oil and breakouts.

But on the positive side, anecdotally, oily skin tends age better than dry skin, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

I’ve found the key part of managing oily skin is cleansing: I religiously cleanse twice a day. If you feel a cream cleanser doesn’t cut it, you might want to consider an ingredient like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acid. They sound scary, and if you have sensitive skin it’s worth just trying a tiny amount before you invest in a product, but it worked wonders for me.

Salicylic acid is my friend.

I also use a treatment serum then a moisturiser.

It’s tempting not to apply moisturisers if you already have oily skin, but every skin type needs moisture to look its best – it’s about finding the right one for you. I use one which is oil-free and includes an SPF. There are lots of extras out there for oily skin.

Medicated cleansing pads, blotting paper to use during the day, even a handheld machine which shines blue light on your skin. It all depends on how much money and time you have to spend.

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Quite a few companies say that using a ‘good’ oil in the place of your skin’s sebum will help keep your skin clear, so you’d cleanse and then immediately apply an oil: I’ve never been able to get it to work. Another thing I have issue with is the suggestion that a product is “good for all skin types”; my experience says the opposite!

Choosing the right facial is also important to me. If I’m paying good money, I really don’t want it to bring me out in spots. I look for radiance facials or facials designed to cleanse oily skin.

Let your therapist know if you have oily skin as they might be able to swap out products or change a step.

SENSITIVE If your skin reacts to products, food or even just the environment you might have some sensitivity. You might find your skin stings, burns, is very red or tight, breaks out in pimples, or it might even be very dry. Lots of brands have sensitive skin ranges, but it's always a good idea to do a patch test if trying a new product, either on the inside of your elbow or behind your ear - somewhere it won't show. Keep it simple: products with too many chemicals might cause your skin to overreact, so try organic brands such as Spiezia (below). However, bear in mind that 'natural' doesn't mean harmless: a lot of herbs and plants have powerful active properties, which is why they are used in skincare as well as medicine. Always let your therapist know and, where possible, patch test before committing to a product. If anything feels like it’s not right, trust your instinct and ask them to take it off immediately.

If you have very sensitive skin it may be worth seeing a dermatologist – sensitive skin reactions could be a sign of another disorder.

MY GO-TO PRODUCTS ARE:

La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel. I find the cleanser works just as well as its pricier counterparts, plus it’s hypoallergenic so great for sensitive skin. It’s just the right balance of cleansing without being too harsh.

I love to moisturise, and Murad’s Anti-Ageing Moisturiser for blemish-prone skin ticks all the boxes for me. Most oil-free moisturisers I’ve tried tend not to have that instant feel of softer skin, but this one gives the feeling of treating my skin without the negative side effects.

This one always splits the Spa Spies because it’s quite active, but I use Ishga’s Exfoliating Face Mask every week. It’s a little pungent – it’s made of seaweed harvested in the Hebrides – but is exfoliation and deep cleansing in one. Easy. WM

DEHYDRATED There’s a big difference between dehydrated and dry skin, and treating one when you have the other could make the problem worse. In dehydrated skin there is a lack of water (or moisture) in the stratum corneum, the top layer of your skin. Dry skin normally points to a lack of oil in the skin.

Dehydrated skin normally comes and goes and can be affected by things like climate, diet, lifestyle (love to swim or sauna? – that might be the culprit), even your genetics. The good news is that you can add the hydration you need. Steer clear of cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight and harsh, and scrubs or brushes. Try humectants including aloe and hyaluronic acid to get your skin back on track.

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FESTIVALS

Spa music to the

KAREN HOCKNEY explores the trend for pop-up spas at some of the UK's major summer festivals.

T

here was a time when heading off to a summer festival meant a mud-encrusted weekend with no sight of a shower, bar the odd downpour.

But the cash-strapped teenagers of the 1980s and 90s have morphed into aspirational and high achieving 30 and 40-somethings who are completely over slumming it, preferring to pay a little extra for some luxe creature comforts while listening to their favourite headline acts.

In the last few years, pop-up festival spas have become as de rigueur as a halloumi burger. It’s a trend which companies like Wild Wellbeing have tapped into, providing mobile spa sanctuaries at Bestival, Wilderness, the London Wellbeing Festival and Green Man in Wales.

Latitude’s Yurtel experience comes complete with a cocktail bar, à la carte 18 | Wellness |

restaurant and kids’ cinema as well as its own eponymous spa.

The stakes have been raised even further at Glastonbury where Camp Kerala, a Vogue favourite, boasts Shikar tents from Jaipur offering boutique style accommodation as well as a chic chill out area with resident mixologist. Fluffy white embossed bath robes, a full range of skincare products and a browse through the treatment menu while sitting on an overstuffed pink sofa with an Aperol spritzer in hand – a far cry from the 50deep queue for a cold shower next to the dreaded Portaloos!

Not to be outdone, the Somerset Festival’s neighbouring Pop-Up Hotel also tempts with Elemis-trained therapists and a quirky line in milkshake hair conditioning treatments – albeit at eye-wateringly expensive prices. The less well known festivals on the circuit are the savvy choice for luxe at a fraction of the cost.

PORTABLE PAMPERING

Former boat-builder Martin Dean founded Kernow Springs Roaming Eco Spa with his wife Nicola two years ago having noticed that festival goers were choosing to party hard and pamper even harder.

The Cornwall-based father of two built a couple of wood-fired hot tubs for his garden and word rapidly spread, sending demand soaring to the point where he established a travelling spa sanctuary to cater to the West Country’s local festivals.

‘I built the first few hot tubs as a hobby and for us to use as a family, and people started asking me to build more,’ says Martin. ‘We love going to festivals and I felt Cornwall really needed this so we developed the Roaming Eco Spa.’ The spa offers two large wood-fired hot tubs, a six-person wood-fired sauna yurt, hot and cold showers, male and female changing yurts and a Bedouin Moroccan chill out lounge where people can relax after their spa treatment.

At £20 for a two-hour session, the slots – which are reserved and paid for online

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FESTIVALS

– sell out well in advance to a clientele encompassing five to 75 year olds. You can also book a hot tub for your own exclusive use for £100. ‘Some couples do that as a treat,’ Martin adds.

This year, Kernow Springs’ relaxing water therapies are on offer at the Masked Ball, Tunes in the Dunes, Wonder Fields, Boardmasters, Rock Oyster and the Port Eliot Literary Festival, where guests can relax in blissful surroundings with a glass of bubbly in hand.

‘We don’t employ therapists, although the therapists who also work at the festivals often use our facilities,’ Martin says.

"It’s hard to imagine what could be more decadent than lying in a yurt enjoying a relaxing hot stone massage as you listen to the birds singing, knowing that your favourite band is a mere hop and a skip away. "

"The festival crowd has really moved on from the days of slumming it in the mud, and so have the organisers."

‘The festival crowd has really moved on from the days of slumming it in the mud and so have the organisers. We regulate our water quality, monitor the chemical levels every two hours and we clean and sanitise the tubs, refilling them with clean water after 10 hours of use.’

A private 50-metre area is fenced off with bamboo and clients sign in for their spa time at the reception tent manned by Martin’s wife Nicola.

‘We have had some wonderful spots on the cliffs overlooking the sea and in the sand dunes,’ says Martin. ‘When you reach reception, you hear lounge music and step away from the festival craziness into our relaxing domain. People enter another world for a couple of hours and leave it feeling totally refreshed.’

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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FAMILY FRIENDLY

Nigel Greenwood is another spa massage, convert. His outdoor events company aromatherapy, SO Sussex gave birth to the Elderflower shiatsu and Fields Family Festival in 2012. Partnered reflexology, guests first check in at the

by Green People Organic, the May colourful welcome tent where they can weekender is held in a protected sit on a hay bale and chat to the therapist woodland habitat in the idyllic setting of about what they want. Adds Nigel: ‘It’s a Pippingford Park, East Sussex. Together very wild, natural and relaxing place with with Woodlands Spa, Nigel has created the sound of birds in the trees.’ the perfect indulgent and family friendly With around 150 treatments on offer day out. over the three-day event, ‘The spa aspect was slots sell out fast and this "It’s a very wild, very much part of the year, Woodlands increased first festival we ever natural and relaxing its programme to include held,’ says Nigel. ‘If kids place with the sound of fitness and yoga sessions. are happy, their parents It’s reassuring to know birds in the trees." can let loose too. We that at a very reasonable £45 thought long and hard for a 60-minute treatment, about what parents might want from an escape from festival madness doesn’t a festival. have to break the bank.

‘Our crowd is not typical festival ‘We have some very good therapists goers. They used to go when they were who charge more in their own practise younger but are now 40 or 50-something, but are happy to lower their price here often with young kids and are looking because they don’t get the volume of people they get with us,’ explains Nigel. for something a bit different to a rave-y ‘A spa is the obvious choice when you drunken, mud-splattered time. have the time to relax.’

‘They want something more It’s hard to imagine what could be comforting and safe. The majority enjoy more decadent than lying in a yurt a certain lifestyle and their expectations enjoying a relaxing hot stone massage as have moved on. They use spas and book you listen to the birds singing, knowing treatments as part of their everyday life.’ that your favourite band is a mere hop and With six teepees offering Swedish a skip away. KH massage, hot stone massage, deep tissue

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The Good Spa Guide Good Spa Guide @GoodSpaGuide

SPA DIRECTORY Find the right spa in the right location. Spas with the "GSG recommended" stamp have all been road-tested by the Spa Spies™; our in-depth spa reviews tell you why they’re all thoroughly deserving of that status.

OFFERS We love getting the most out of our spa pound, but we're not willing to compromise on quality. Our offers include spa days and spa breaks at the best spas in Britain, and they're worth every penny.

FEATURES Confused about spa etiquette? Want to know more about Ayurveda? Our articles cover the A-Z of spa.

COMPETITIONS Enter our free prize draws to win luxury spa days and stays, or gorgeous skincare goodies.

AWARDS Our annual Good Spa Awards shine a light on the best spas in Britain. Nominees and winners are selected by our expert panel of Spa Spies, and by our readers.

FIND US ONLINE If you want to find out more about what the Good Spa Spies get up to, you can also read our blog, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

If you’ve got a question, or you’d like to chat to us about all things spa, get in touch!

SUMMER 2016

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE How would you choose between a Murad facial and an Ishga facial?

Should your massage use oils from Tri Dosha or Neom? Are you looking for sustainably British or airlifted straight from the mountains of Tibet? Each product house used in spas will have its own history, ethos and a bias to natural and organic or lab-based science. Our product bible will help you decide what products and treatments work for you.

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE

Anne Sémonin Hero products: Exfoliating Mask (75ml, £42), Botanical Milk (125ml, £33) Eye Express Radiance Ice Cubes (254ml, £43) all available at: www. annesemonin.com Standout treatments: Made to Measure Facial (60 minutes, £99) at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire. Le Vintage (25 minutes, £40) at Spa Verta, London. Back, Face and Scalp Therapy (55 minutes, £70) at The Langdale Spa, Cumbria.

The French company was founded in 1986 by Madame Anne Sémonin who developed a series of treatments representing a personal and holistic approach to beauty. In 2003, Parisian Aline Marcadet took the helm and has been the driving force of the brand ever since. A Sorbonne graduate with a passion for the arts, Aline formed Anne Sémonin’s image as an “Haute Couture” spa and beauty brand. Aline also maintains the original Anne Sémonin ethos of made-to-measure treatments to cater for each woman’s unique beauty needs.

The product range is extensive, as you would expect from a company which uses ‘tailorable’ as a key word. The products are developed in collaboration with top French laboratories and address facial skincare and body treats.

There isn’t a specialist range for men, but particular products are recommended for masculine skin. There are also lots of lovely gifts for people who have been especially good this year!

They say:

“At Anne Sémonin, we believe that a woman’s beauty, just like her experience in life, is unique.”

We say: A high-end, quality brand that delivers great results across the product lines. The Express Radiance Ice Cubes are a miracle worker if you’ve been burning the candle at both ends. Claim a piece of Parisian chic in your skincare routine.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Aromatherapy Associates Hero products: Nourishing Face Oil (15ml, £45), Overnight Repair Mask (50ml, £62), Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil (55ml, £45) available from: www.aromatherapyassociates.com Standout treatments: The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience (60 minutes, £75) at Carbis Bay Hotel and Spa, Cornwall. Rose Prescriptive Facial (55 minutes, £70) at Calcot Spa, Gloucestershire.

Aromatherapy Associates was founded in 1985 by Sue Beechey and Geraldine Howard, aromatherapists who trained and practised at the Micheline Arcier clinic in Knightsbridge.

They felt that a professional brand was needed to support aromatherapy treatments in spas, as such a concept was lacking at the time. Over the past 30 years, the product range has grown to encompass facial skincare, body and bath, home ambience and a men’s range from The Refinery. Aromatherapy Associates products are made in the UK using natural plants and herbs that have been ethically sourced from around the world. They are against animal testing, screen out chemicals such as parabens and GM crops, and believe every ingredient has a role to play, so use bases such as Damask rose water instead of plain water.

They say:

“It is our mission to share with people the amazing results we have seen and experienced through using essential oils in our products and treatments over the last 30 years, and to practice real aromatherapy.”

We say: The Aromatherapy Associates products we’ve tested were as gorgeously scented, as you would hope from a dedicated aromatherapy range! The products work really well on sensitive skin, dry skin and those who are lucky enough to have normal skin.

A unanimous thumbs-up for Aromatherapy Associates from The Spa Spies™.

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE

"The products have a sumptuos herby aroma that we found addictive and uplifting."

Bamford Hero products: Geranium Body Cream (200ml, £35), Botanic Sugar Polish (200ml, £35), One Morning Body Splash (245ml, £75), all available from: www.bamford.co.uk Standout treatments: Jade Hot and Cold Stone Treatment (75 minutes, £110) at Bamford Haybarn, Gloucestershire. Bamford Body Signature Treatment (120 minutes, £150) at Herb House Spa at Lime Wood, Hampshire. Deep Tissue Massage (55 minutes, £110) at The Berkeley, London.

Babor Hero products: HY-ÖL (200ml, £22), Enzyme Cleanser (75ml, £19), Derma Cellular Collagen Booster Cream (50ml, £94) all available from: uk.babor.com Standout treatments: Collagen Infusion Facial (60 minutes, £69) at The Imagine Spa, Thames Valley. Detoxifying and Clarifying Back Treatment (30 minutes, £33) at Ufford Park, Suffolk.

Babor was founded in 1955 by German biochemist Dr Michael Babor. The company started with one product, HY-ÖL, and has dramatically expanded with ranges for facial skincare, body care, make-up, sun care and a range for men. Babor has an interdisciplinary team, including researchers, dermatologists, biochemists, physicians and geneticists, to bring new products and treatments to market.

Sustainability and ethics play a central part of the company ethos. Babor say they do not (and will not) conduct animal testing. They also ship products in a carbon-neutral way.

Good for your skincare and good for your conscience.

Babor have won 15 international skincare awards over the past five years and we can see why. This is skincare supported by science, but with green credentials.

The British clothing and beauty brand Bamford was born from the founder’s passion for sustainable and holistic living. Lady Carole Bamford’s family manage organic farms in Gloucestershire and Staffordshire, along with several farmshops and cafes — you may have encountered Daylesford Organics in Selfridges Food Hall. Lady Bamford launched the high-end Bamford brand in 2006. The beauty range centres around soaps, body washes and bath oils formulated with high quality, mainly natural ingredients. Bamford operates three spas, with products available to buy online and through several stores and retailers. If you want the true Bamford experience, head to Bamford Haybarn; a haven of holistic living from the food, treatments, products and clothing range.

They say:

“The purest bodycare from organic and botanical ingredients.”

We say: We love the classy packaging and green credentials. The products we have tried had a sumptuously herby aroma that we found quite addictive and uplifting, just like being in a high-end, trendy spa or a Notting Hill yoga studio. The products felt luxuriously rich and silky on the skin, while there’s something straightforward, fresh and honest about them too.

They say:

“Since the very beginning, we have set our standard by achieving a lasting, healthy skin tone and the satisfaction of our customers.”

We say: The packaging is very basic, giving you no clue about the incredible products on the inside. The HY-ÖL and Enzyme Cleanser are used in tandem and get the skin seriously clean without stripping your natural oils. One of our most experienced Spa Spies uses them and was extremely impressed with the results, which are instant and will leave you with clear skin for days.

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Caudalie Hero products: Premier Cru The Elixir (29ml, £49), Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (30ml, £45), Eye & Lip Cream (15ml, £26), all available from: www.caudalie.co.uk Standout treatments: Divine Body Massage (50 minutes, £60) at Caudalie Boutique Spa, London. Premier Cru Facial (60 minutes, £95) at Manor Grove Spa, Northamptonshire.

Carita Hero products: Fluide de Beauté 14 (100ml, £45.50), Diamond of Beauty (50ml, £430), Carita Eau de Parfum (50ml, £65), all available from: www.carita.co.uk Standout treatments: Cinetic™ Lift Expert Facial (90 minutes, £150) at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire. Elite Skincare Holistic Facial (55 minutes, £79) at Champneys, Tring. Ultimate Relaxing Facial (55 minutes, £75) at The Mere, Cheshire.

Founded more than 60 years ago by two sisters, Maria and Rosy Carita, this French brand began as a hair salon in Toulouse. The sisters moved to Paris in 1943 and launched their first beauty products 13 years later. The brand was bought by Shiseido in the 1980s and has gone from strength to strength. Treatments are now available in spas across the UK and abroad, and they have a wide range of face, body and hair products.

Carita is definitely a luxury brand, with its premium range priced from £260, and it has fully embraced modern technology. The CINETIC™ Lift Expert Facial, for example, uses micro-currents, ultrasound and LED technologies to lift, tighten and tone skin. The facial is adored by skincare experts and celebs alike.

Caudalie was founded in 1995 by husband and wife team Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, who were inspired by the antioxidant qualities of grapes. Their first ‘Vinothérapie’ spa was opened in 1999. Today, Caudalie is still a family-run business focused on harnessing the power of natural ingredients.

Ethics, or ‘Cosm’ethics’ as Mathilde says, is at the heart of the brand. Caudalie is against animal testing, and uses recycled or plant-based materials for containers and packaging where possible. The brand shuns parabens, sodium laureth sulphate, phthalates and other synthetic ingredients. At least one per cent of sales is donated to environmental organisations, which has led to reforestation projects in the Amazon, Brazil and Indonesia. The range includes a very impressive collection of facial skincare, body products and suncare.

They say:

“I created Caudalie because I believe in beauty products that are not only effective, but also natural and luxurious.”

We say: Caudalie is an affordable luxury, and our more mature Spa Spies noticed visible results after using the serums and eye creams. The fragrance is clean and fresh – must be the grapes – and the creams we tried were light and milky, without being oily or tacky. Elegant, ethical and très chic, ideal gifts for the discerning Francophiles in your life.

They say:

“The anti-aging specialist based on cutting-edge, avantgarde technology.”

We say: The classic French pharmacy packaging suggests Carita will produce professional results. A lot of research, expertise and technology has been packed into each jar, and no animal testing — hence the price. We love the scents and sensation of the creams.

Results are noticeable, especially for mature and dry skins. Check first if you have sensitive skin or are prone to break-outs.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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"Caudalie is an affordable luxury."

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[ comfort zone ] Hero products: Skin Regimen Juvenate-Pro Booster (30ml, £69), Body Strategist Scrub (200ml, £36), Skin Resonance Cream (50ml, £51), find out more at: www.comfortzone.it Standout treatments: Aromasoul Elements Massage (60 minutes, £90) at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham. Skin Resonance Facial (60 minutes, £75) at Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa, Cumbria. New Life Pregnancy Massage (55 minutes, £75) at Spa Verta, London.

Comfort Zone was launched in 1996, as a sister company to the Italian haircare brand Davines. It is owned by the Bollati family, and current chairman Davide Bollati’s pharmaceutical background is evident in the brand’s commitment to technological innovation and research.

All products are developed and created in Parma, Italy.

Comfort Zone believes in using natural ingredients where possible and is committed to sustainability – 100 per cent of the energy used in the laboratory is from renewable sources.

The brand has also invested in reforestation projects to offset other carbon emissions.

Clarins Hero products: Beauty Flash Balm (50ml, £30), Huile Tonic (100ml, £40), Double Serum (30ml, £56), all available from: www.clarins.co.uk Standout treatments: Clarins Men’s Muscle Ease Body Massage (55 minutes, £60) at Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire. Aromatic Balancer (50 minutes, £69) at Sopwell House, St Albans. Radiance Reviver (70 minutes, £77) at Eden Hall, Nottinghamshire.

Founded by Jacques Courtin-Clarins in France in 1954, Clarins has since become a global brand. However, it is still very much a family business, with Jacques’ two sons now at the helm.

Clarins favours plant-based extracts and where possible sources them locally, or from fair trade growers, but also manages to combine their natural ethos with innovation and scientific research. Clarins has its own laboratories, collaborates with leading ethnobotanists and works with several research centres and universities.

The majority of Comfort Zone spas are based in Italy, but the brand has partnered with other spas to offer treatments across the globe, from Australia to South Korea.

They say:

“We seek to promote a holistic, healthy and sustainable lifestyle, based in science and strengthened by passion.”

We say: A good all-round spa brand used in some top Five Bubble spas, so we expect good results from Comfort Zone as well as impeccably designed packaging (they are Italian after all). If you go to a spa that has Comfort Zone products in the changing rooms, make sure you use their shampoos and conditioners as they are fabulous.

The brand is involved with several charitable endeavours, including supporting the construction of schools in Vietnam and Madagascar.

The product range is one of the most extensive in the spa world with everything from facial skincare, make up, body treats and men’s ranges, They say:

“Research and development without limits, technical expertise and an innovative spirit are the signatures of Clarins formulas.”

We say: It’s a failsafe classic – you can’t really go wrong with Clarins. Their products are tastefully and comfortingly reliable rather than “wow!”, like a good friend. And if that good friend happened to buy us some Beauty Flash Balm for Christmas (Clarins’ cult creation) we would be very happy.

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE

"The products smell delicious and feel divine."

Darphin Hero products: INTRAL Toner (200ml, £28), 8-Flower Nectar (15ml, £95), Aromatic Cleansing Balm (40ml, £33), all available from: www. darphin.co.uk Standout treatments: Extreme Hydration Facial (70 minutes, £80) at The Vineyard, Berkshire. Pure Delight Exfoliation (45 minutes, £55) at The Chester Grosvenor, Cheshire. Expert Facial (55 minutes, £89) at Stobo Castle Health Spa, Scottish Borders.

In 1958, a Parisian kinesiotherapist named Pierre Darphin launched his first line of skincare products. Fast forward more than 50 years and Darphin has become a global brand, recognised for the quality of its ingredients.

Now part of the Estée Lauder Group, Darphin offers a wide range of skincare products, aimed at specific skin concerns, from sensitivity to uneven skin tone. However, the brand is probably best known for its essential oil elixirs, which are formulated with high quantities of plant extracts. They also offer body care products, but in a much more limited range than facial skincare.

The Darphin Institute in Paris delves into facial massage techniques including the Deep Massage which claims to be a natural facelift. If you don’t have the time to go to Paris, you can try the massage-inspired facials at some of our favourite UK spas.

They say:

“We fuse the finest botanical ingredients, innovative technologies, professional expertise and specialized, sensory techniques.”

We say: Darphin is a classic French brand that’s often associated with beauty, not just spa. The products smell delicious and feel divine on the skin. They’re slightly harder to find in the UK so if you see them, snap them up!

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Decléor Hero products: Aromessence Neroli Oil Serum (15ml, £45), Hydra Floral Hydrating Light Cream (50ml, £40), Phytopeel Exfoliating Cream (50ml, £27.50), all available from: www.decleor.co.uk Standout treatments: Divine Nutrition Facial (75 minutes, £64) at The Woodland Spa, Lancashire. Aroma Expert Lift Facial (70 minutes, £80) at Titanic Spa, West Yorkshire. City Detox (55 minutes, £79) at Aqua Sana Elveden Forest, Suffolk.

Decléor launched as one of the earliest aromatherapy skincare companies over 40 years ago in Paris. Back then it was known as “cleor” (the Clé Or being the golden key that opens the temple of beauty). Its philosophy was “be more than skin deep” and each initiative was designed for the wellbeing of the body, skin and spirit – a holistic perspective that was cutting edge for 1974! The original team included a beautician, doctor, shiatsu teacher, aromatherapist and physiotherapist, and their expertise helped them create plant-based energy treatments for beauty salons. Today, Decléor still use natural plant-based ingredients, are cruelty free, vegetarian/vegan, and environmentally aware. At the heart of their brand and philosophy are Aromessence Oil Serums, concentrated elixirs of essential oils for the face or body. Their extensive range includes face, body and men’s products.

They say:

When you use Decléor, you are treating yourself to the very best that science and nature has to offer.”

We say: Decléor offers instant results, quality ingredients and products that feel really good to use. The essential oils smell delicious and the fact that each product is packed full of them explains the actually quite reasonable price tag. We also find that with most Decléor products a little goes a long way, so it’s good value for money.

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Elemis Hero products: Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (105g, £40), Pro Collagen Marine Cream (50ml, £80), Frangipani Monoi Body Oil (100ml, £35) all available at: www.elemis.com Standout treatments:

Elemental Herbology Hero products: Cool & Clear Facial Cleanser (30ml, £29), Hand Nutrition Intensive Hand and Nail Repair Cream (75ml, £16), Tree Of Life Multi-Purpose Balm (100ml, £22), all available from www.elementalherbology.com Standout treatments: The Elemental Massage (60 minutes, £95) at The Spa at Pennyhill Park Hotel, Surrey. Bio-Rejuvenating Facial (90 minutes, £85) at The Secret Garden Spa at Congham Hall, Norfolk.

Skincare expert Kristy Cimesa founded Elemental Herbology in 2008. With a background in Chinese medicine and acupuncture, her vision was to create a range that balanced the elements which have a significant effect on the skin – seasonal, lifestyle and hormonal change. Products are created with patented, bio-active ingredients, along with essential oils, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Elemental Herbology supports responsible harvesting and production of all raw materials, and works with projects that regenerate the environment and local communities. They ensure their products are 100 per cent free of synthetic fragrance, artificial colour, sulphates, parabens and preservatives, and are not tested on animals.

They say:

“Elemental Herbology takes a holistic approach and for us lifestyle and nutrition are all part of a good skincare regime.

We are more than just great products: we believe in looking after your skin both inside and out.”

We say: This is a classy and beautiful range that delivers impressive results as well as a clean, green conscience. We love the seasonal ranges and anti-aging serums, and have had amazing results from their facials. The products also smell gorgeous – if you have a massage with Elemental Herbology oils, you won’t want to shower afterwards.

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Advanced Customised Facial (55 minutes, £65) at Moddershall Oaks, Staffordshire. Body Nectar Nourishing Frangipani Wrap (60 minutes, £65) at The Headland Spa, Cornwall. Face and Body Sensation (55 minutes, £75) at Norton House Hotel and Spa, Edinburgh.

British brand Elemis was founded in 1990 by Séan Harrington, Noella Gabriel and Oriele Frank. It clearly set out to be a beauty force to be reckoned with and is now ubiquitous worldwide, with a British Airways contract and an ever-expanding product range. You’ll find products for facial skincare, body, bath, candles and a range just for men.

Elemis uses ethically sourced, natural ingredients which are developed in labs to produce visible results. Creating a natural aroma is also an important part of the brand ethos. The face that launched the brand was Rachel de Thame, a TV horticulturist and now one of their in-house ‘experts’ (she designs the window boxes at House of Elemis day spa in Mayfair).

They say:

“Elemis was born out of the vision to bring together the power of nature, science and aromatics.

To harness the dynamism of the highest-grade actives and create a skincare line that would transform the frontline of the beauty industry.”

We say: Elemis is so commercial and huge – it’s worth around £75 million – but there’s no escaping the fact that their products are very good.

They deliver what they claim to do, and that’s the reason they’re so successful with an almost cult-like spa following.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE

"Probably the best cleanser in the world."

ESPA Hero products: 24 Hour Replenishing Moisturiser (55ml, £42), Restorative Body Oil (100ml, £32), Optimal Skin Pro-Serum (30ml, £48) all available at: www.espaskincare.com Standout treatments: Back, Face and Scalp Treatment (90 minutes, £95) at The Spa at Bedford Lodge, Suffolk. Lifestage Intensive Lift Facial (90 minutes, £175) at Sequoia Spa at The Grove, Hertfordshire.

Personalised Facial (60 minutes, £125) at ESPA Life at the Corinthia, London.

Vogue writer Susan Harmsworth created ESPA in a time when the industry was beauty, rather than skincare focused. A move to Toronto opened her eyes when she met a group of Eastern European therapists who trained in medicine, leading her to think holistically about using a scientific approach to harness natural ingredients. She also understood the need for luxury, as well as the psychological effects of smell and sensation. ESPA launched in 1993 and today has over 450 spas in 50 countries.

The product range is extensive, innovative, luxurious and results-driven, the ingredients are a combination of aromatherapy, plant and marine extracts. They’re also 99-100 per cent natural and do not use animal testing. You’ll find a full set of spa products including facial and body care, bath treats, candles and men’s products.

They say:

“Using only the very purest extracts, ESPA biochemists distil active ingredients into products that keep their promises. For instant, lasting results every day.”

We say: This is a classy, respected beauty product, perfect for anyone who wants a mini spa experience every time you tend to your skin.

The active ingredients produce great results while the products themselves feel and smell luxurious. A top tip from our ESPA fan Spa Spy: their hand-poured candles smell divine.

“A mini spa experience every time you use it”

Eve Lom Hero products: Eve Lom Cleanser (100ml, £55), TLC Cream (50ml, £55), Rescue Mask (100ml, £55) all available from: www.evelom.com Standout treatments: Eve Lom Experience (90 minutes, £140), Eve Lom Cleanse (60 minutes, £100) both at Agua at Sanderson, London.

Over 25 years ago, Czech-born skincare legend Eve Lom launched her famous fuss-free range with her award-winning cleanser, which remains a cult product. Now in her sixties, Eve is a multi-millionaire and one of the hottest facialists in the world. She is also an expert in anatomy, nutrition and massage, and has developed a unique massage technique designed to be performed by her trained therapists during the facial.

Refreshingly, Eve has no truck with the pseudoscience that dominates the beauty skincare market. She says the problem today is we put too much on our skin, which stops it functioning, so her focus is on simplifying and minimalizing through cleansing and exfoliating, while using massage to detox and calm internal organs and mind.

They say:

“We believe that flawlessly clean and gently exfoliated skin is the perfect canvas for skincare to perform.”

We say: According to Vogue, the Eve Lom cleanser is “probably the best in the world.” And like most beauty editors, having tried it, we are addicted. The cleanser comes with its own ritual; you smooth it over your face and follow very specific facial massage instructions in order to reap the full benefits. You then place a soaked muslin cloth over your face for five seconds to activate the essential oils – and repeat three times. This is followed by circular exfoliation and a cold water cloth to close the pores. Is the effort worth it? Absolutely.

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE

Germaine de Capuccini Hero products: Multi Regenerating Rosehip Oil (30ml, £36.50), Illuminating Detox Eye Formula (15ml, £46.50), X.Cel Retinage Filler (50ml, £96.50) all available at: www.germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk Standout treatments: Black Diamond Facial (60 minutes, £95) Chuan Spa at The Langham, London. Time Expert Age Reverse Facial (90 minutes, £90) at The Garage Spa, County Durham.

Spanish luxury spa and skincare company Germaine de Capuccini was formed in 1964 by Carmen Vidal, a beauty therapist who created her own product range in the tiny kitchen of her beauty salon. Now 43 years later, her little laboratory has expanded to over 18,000 square feet.

The company employs a large team of scientists and dermatologists to develop new ingredients, using the latest technology and ethically sourced plants, vitamins and minerals.

The philosophy behind the brand is to treat the mind, body and soul to an ‘experience’ rather than a treatment. Their cutting edge approach to skincare means they launch 40 new products and treatments every year and specialise in the anti-aging sector. Products cover body, face, hair, tanning, cosmetics, supplements and a range for men.

They say:

“Specialising in anti-aging, all treatments have the ‘wow factor’ and always deliver very real visual results.”

We say: An exclusive product aimed at the top-end of the beauty and spa industry. Treatments feel very special and sometimes involve machines to generate that wow factor. We’re not the kind of girls to be impressed by the size of someone’s lab, but we truly admire Germaine de Capuccini’s boundless creativity.

The products and treatments make us look and feel special.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Guinot Hero products: Age Logic Yeux (15ml, £77.75), Longue Vie Cellulaire (50ml, £92.50), Masque Essentiel Nutrition Confort (50ml, £27) all available at: uk.guinot.com Standout treatments: Hydradermie2 – The Star Treatment (55 minutes, £60) at Chakra Spa at The Felbridge Hotel, West Sussex. Aromatic Facial (50 minutes, £55) at Tre-Ysgawen Hall, Isle of Anglesey.

This legendary French brand began in 1963, when chemical engineer Rene Guinot designed the first skin care device using galvanic current. This defined the procedure for cathiodermie, which has now morphed into their famous Hydradermie treatment. In 1972, current CEO Jean Daniel Mondin took over. The son of a plastic surgeon with a scientific background, Mondin offered exclusive Guinot treatments in his VIP rooms at the Hotel George V in Paris. Although Guinot believe their treatments are far more effective than creams, their brand Guinot Paris is popular around the world. Three specific categories are targeted in the line: face, body and sun. Guinot products are not tested on animals, contain no parabens and are eco-friendly.

They say:

“The effectiveness of a one-hour beauty treatment is incomparably more effective than merely applying a cream or serum.”

We say: Guinot is the royal family of beauty products and still going strong, although perhaps more so in Paris and America. Their Hydradermie facial remains a trusted favourite among treatment fans. Rightly, Guinot place importance on the beauty therapist, who will be able to match product to skin type, rather than marketing and packaging. Products tend to be rich and rejuvenating, therefore good for mature and dry or sun damaged skins.

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"Seaweed is increasingly popular as it's so rich in minerals." ishga Hero products: Anti-oxidant Marine Face Cream (50ml, £70), Regenerating Face Serum (50ml, £60), Invigorating Body Lotion (100ml, £35) all available at www.ishga.co.uk Standout treatments: Ishga Seaweed Bath (30 minutes, £55) at Seaham Hall, County Durham. Ishga Hot Stone Massage (55 minutes, £87) at The Spa at Blythswood Square, Glasgow.

ila Hero products: Orange Blossom Candle for Higher Energy (200g, £40), Face Oil for Glowing Radiance (30ml, £75), Bath Salts for Inner Peace (500g, £49) all available at: www.ila-spa.com Standout treatments: Ananda Face Therapy (60 minutes, £99) at Chewton Glen Spa, Hampshire. Ku Nye Massage (90 minutes, £150) at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire. Shining Jewel Vital Energy Treatment (85 minutes, £85) at Stanley House Hotel and Spa, Lancashire.

Ila is a British brand with international flavour — Ila means ‘earth’ in Sanskrit. The products are made in the Cotswolds, mostly from certified organic ingredients, with the rest sourced from plants and minerals from the most remote, unpolluted parts of the world. Founder Denise Leicester is a nurse, aromatherapist and yoga teacher. Her belief in the power of healing energy fills the products, which have holistic aims; we love the Bath Salts for Inner Peace, and ancient pink rock salt crystals from eastern Pakistan.

Ishga (derived from the Gaelic name for water) was developed on the Isle of Lewis by Malcolm Macrae, director of Hebridean Spa Ltd, and his wife Joanna, a Clarins beauty therapist. The Hebrides has some of the cleanest waters in the world and this is where Ishga hand harvests the seaweed for their skincare range. The seaweed is treated with spring water and a slow heating process to produce the pure seaweed extract. It is said to plump and tone skin, and stimulate circulation. Other ingredients include thistle oil, which is rich in omega 3 and 6, jojoba and apricot kernel. The product range is bijou and straightforward – cleansers, toners, oils, creams, body lotion and scrubs – all with natural and organic ingredients and essential oils, and products for men too.

They say:

“Harnessing the natural anti-oxidant, healing and anti-aging properties provided by the purest organic Scottish seaweed.”

We say: Seaweed is increasingly popular in spa therapies as it’s so rich in minerals and anti-oxidants. Ishga feels as Scottish as Fairisle jumpers and single malts. Products are creamy without being too oily and great for combination skin. The ingredients are very active, and some of the more powerful products may cause redness – don’t panic if this happens. It should quickly calm down, leaving the skin feeling very smooth and creamy, with a robustly healthy Hebridean glow.

The product range is a little smaller than some, but this is made up for in the quality. There’s facial and body skincare, bath treats and candles available. We love the essentials range if you’re looking to step up your shampoo, conditioner and body wash from chemist basics.

If you love the sound of Ila, you can visit their retreat in Mustique and dive wholeheartedly into the ethos.

They say:

“ila’s vocation is to bring purity, energy and balance into everyday life through the creation of luxury organic products that are as effective as they are ethical.”

We say: If organic is your must-have, Ila will give you effective, eco-friendly products that inspire, smell divine and feel beautiful on your skin.

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Katherine Daniels Hero products: Concentrate for Dry Skin (£30, 35ml), Dry Skin Cream (50ml, £35), Gentle Oil and Salt Exfoliator (200ml, £25) all available at: www.katherinedaniels.com Standout treatments: Bespoke Skin Treatment (45 minutes, £55) Antara Spa at The Chelsea Health Club, London. Velvet Skin Face and Body Combination (50 minutes, £55) Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire.

Katherine Daniels was created by Donna Tait and Kirsti Shuba - who have 60 years’ experience in the beauty industry between them - and launched in November 2013. The tagline is ‘a beautifully British skincare concept’ and the mission is to de-mystify skincare, producing luxury but affordable products and treatments. The brand appeals to busy women who feel their skin has been affected by lifestyle, environment and climate, who may also have aging concerns, yet have little time to think deeply about skincare.

With this in mind, they keep the product range as simple as possible, to help you create an easy, stress-free skincare regime. Products target specific concerns with four colour coded steps: essentials, boost, defence and treat.

Active ingredients are from plant, marine, collagen and biotechnology sources.

They say:

“Simplicity and elegance on the outside with the best that science and nature has to offer on the inside.”

We say: The packaging with its pastel hued Union Jack would fit perfectly into the kind of chi-chi boutique gift shop you see in leafy London high streets. The products we tried smelt and felt lovely; delicately creamy on the skin with a clean, fresh feeling. Our skin felt nourished and silky to the touch, looked smooth, plump and glowing. Peachy! Savant Spy (a busy working mum no less) has declared this one of her new favourite products.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Kerstin Florian Hero products: Multi-Vitamin Day Crème (50ml, £50), Rehydrating Neroli Water (100ml, £32), Turkish Body Scrub With Eucalyptus (828ml, £42) all available at: www.kerstinflorian.co.uk Standout treatments: Kerstin Florian Sensitive Skin Facial (60 minutes, £70) at PH20 at Park House, West Sussex. Lavender Field of Dreams Massage (80 minutes, £125) at The Spa at Coworth Park, Berkshire. Bespoke Facial (60 minutes, £105) at The Dorchester Spa, London.

Kerstin Florian is an American brand with a Scandinavian influence. Named after the founder, the company's “Outer Beauty, Inner Health” philosophy spills into a lifestyle focus for the brand. Effective natural and botanic ingredients used in the products are rich in algae, herbal extracts and essential oils.

The range of products is impressive with specialist lotions and potions for each skin type. There are also body treats, suncare and products for men.

The treatments draw on the natural theme: we defy anyone from not getting a good night’s sleep after the Lavender Field of Dreams Massage.

They say:

“Kerstin Florian promotes the philosophy of outer beauty, inner health and inspires a sense of wellbeing through naturally-sourced spa products, technically-advanced ingredients and professionally designed spa services.”

We say: Kerstin Florian is an on-trend mix of Swedish practicality and Californian holistic wellbeing. The packaging is extremely elegant – you feel like you’re getting a high quality product that is confident about delivering results. The products are effective and luxurious in feel and subtle in scent. The targeting really works, the Spa Spies love both the Clarifying and Rejuvenating ranges.

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Moroccanoil Hero products: Intense Hydrating Mask (250ml, £24.75), Original Hand Cream (125ml, £27), Original Body Soufflé (110ml, £43) find out more at www.moroccanoil.com Standout treatments: Moroccanoil Scalp Ritual (40 mins, £49) at The Spa at Dolphin Square, London. Hot Stone Sensation (75 minutes, £75) at The Club & Spa at Doubletree Hilton, Chester.

The concept of Moroccanoil was born when one of the founders, Carmen Tal, had a really poor colour service for her hair and was rescued by an oil treatment. This treatment became the kernal of the brand. Moroccanoil took off and is now one of the leading haircare brands loved by Hollywood starlets and stylists alike. The brand has since branched out into ultra-nourishing body products and treatments with beautifully inspired scents. The Fleur de Oranger and Fleur de Rose ranges are both fantastic.

In 2014, Moroccanoil launched a campaign about inspiring women, following the journeys of six women, from an animal rights activist to entrepreneurs and an art therapist. We love the supportive and positive messaging from the brand.

They say:

“At Moroccanoil, our passion is empowering beautiful transformations”.

We say: Moroccanoil came to our attention several years ago when the treatment product started popping up in spas around the UK. Apply the treatment before using the thermal experiences and hey presto – perfectly hydrated hair. The product range has grown to include body treatments but they are still easy to use, and nourish the hair and skin beautifully.

Murad Hero products: Hydro Dynamic Ultimate Moisture (50ml, £55), Invisiblur Perfecting Shield (30ml, £55), AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (200ml, £34) all available at: www.murad.co.uk Standout treatments: Advanced Murad Method Facial (80 minutes, £135) at Urban Retreat, Harrods. Murad Taster Facial (25 minutes, £38) at Thonrton Hall, Merseyside. Murad Method Facial (50 minutes, £70) at Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire.

Murad is the brain child of Californian dermatologist Dr Howard Murad, whose vision is to create skincare products and supplements to help people look and feel healthy and beautiful. Since it launched in 1989, Murad has been at the cutting edge of skincare science and was one of the first to use glycolic acid.

The Murad range is broad and tailorable. Each product range works with a specific skincare concern including age reform, redness therapy for sensitive skin, age-proof sunscreen and Murad for men. As part of Murad’s “Inclusive Health” philosophy (including topical skincare, internal care and your sense of self) there are also supplements and body care products. There’s even a buy-back promise if you’re not happy with the product results!

They say:

“With Murad, it really is possible to get great skin at any age.”

We say: Summer Spy swears by Murad to help with stressed out skin. Going beyond the standard dry, combination, oily skin ranges, the products allow you to properly tailor your skincare routine, whether you’re looking for blemish prone and anti-aging, or trying to protect your skin from the pollutions of city life.

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE

"A British brand committed to using botanically sourced ingredients from the UK." Natural Spa Factory Natura Bissé Hero products: The Cure Sheer Cream (50ml, £146), Glycoline Extreme Peel (30ml, £199), Diamond Extreme Eye Cream (25ml, £160) all available at: www.naturabisse.com Standout treatments: Citrus Sculpt (80 minutes, £120) at Sequoia Spa at The Grove, Hertfordshire. C+C Vitamin Facial (60 minutes, £65) at Stanley House Hotel and Spa, Lancashire. Diamond Experience Facial (90 minutes, £190) at Pennyhill Park, Surrey.

Spanish skincare company Natura Bissé was founded in 1979.

Ricardo Fisas Mulleras rooted the company firmly in science and research, using pharmaceutical grade ingredients for targeted results. In the 1990s, the company expanded into the US market, taking its range to Hollywood, which embraced the results-driven products and treatments. In the UK, you’ll find Natura Bissé in select high-end spas offering facial and body treatments. We’ve tried two or three different Natura Bissé facials and each time the Spa Spy has come back glowing and waxing lyrical about the difference it made. We’re impressed!

The product range is mostly around very effective facial skincare, but there are also body treats available.

They say:

“Natura Bissé is a pioneer in the development of highly effective products based on formulas that use the latest trends and technologies in aesthetic medicine.”

We say: Natura Bissé products and treatments are an investment but they are worth it. The Diamond Expert Eye Cream will make your eyes look like you’ve had a full 8-hour sleep, even when you’ve been burning the candle at both ends. The Sheer Cure Cream is a god-send when you want beautiful skin without having to wear full make up, and we love the professional feel of the Glycoline Peel when you can’t squeeze in a regular trip to a facialist.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Hero products: Gel Cleanser with Rose Honey Oil (50ml, £22.50), Honey Massage Tin Candle (£8), Fig & Vanilla Body Lotion (250ml, £15) all available at: www.naturalspafactory.com Standout treatments: Gold Champagne Facial (60 minutes, £85) at The Spa at The Grand, Brighton.

Rhassoul Mud Room (45 minutes, £45) at The Headland Spa, Cornwall.

Started by a husband and wife team in 2009, Natural Spa Factory is a British brand committed to using botanically sourced ingredients from the UK. Packaging is ‘gender neutral’, while lotions and potions are free from nasties like parabens and SLS, and they’re not tested on animals – perfect for happy skin! Ingredients are concocted with creative flair; choose from the whiskey and honey, chocolate, or wild rose salted body scrubs! There’s a full range of products for facial skin care, body care, products for men, expectant mothers, even bright and bold designs for children.

Try the high-end gold range which includes champagne, pearl and caviar extract, or the gorgeous amber noir candle to illuminate the long winter nights.

They say:

“[We] create beauty products that are inSPArational, natural and innovative”.

We say: From the website and press coverage, you will get a sense that this is an innovative, media savvy company with a bold sense of style and concept. There is a For Men range, but we love that they push for men and women sharing beauty products, and celebrate natural beauty (check out the Liquid Bush Balm… we’ll say no more). Products are pleasant to use and delightfully scented. We also recommend trying a rasul experience: the Natural Spa Factory muds are packed with skin-glowing and fun goodies. Wait until Halloween and you might even see a blood red mud!

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Neom Hero products: Tranquillity Scented Candle (420g, £45), Daily De-stress Face, Body and Hair Oil (100ml, £32), Great Day™ Body Scrub (332ml, £34) all available at: www.neomorganics.com Standout treatments: De-Stress Treatment (60 minutes, £70) at Neom Organics Wimbledon, London. Sleep Treatment (55 minutes, £69) at Middlethorpe Hall and Spa, York. Energise Treatment (60 minutes, £90) at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham.

Journalist Nicola Elliott made her own aromatherapy oil blends while working at a national magazine to help alleviate stress and boost energy levels. She teamed up with business partner Oliver Mennell, their initials forming the name, and launched Neom in 2005.

Now, 10 years later, Neom offers a select range of home fragrances and bath and body products. All use natural ingredients and essences designed to have a positive effect on your mood, whether you choose to light one of their famous candles to relax at the end of a hard day, run a bath to help you sleep, or lift your mood with a luxurious body oil. Products are 100 per cent natural, contain high levels of organic essential oils and are cruelty-free.

Neom opened treatment rooms in it's signature store in Wimbledon in 2015, and offers four wellbeing treatments; Happiness, Energise, Sleep and De-stress.

They say:

“Scent to make you feel good.”

We say: Neom is a great British brand, which offers high quality aromatherapy products. The Tranquillity Bath and Shower Oil really helps you to unwind after a day in the office, and the candles make gorgeous gifts… if you can bear to part with them!

Nimue Hero products: Sun C SPF 40 (60ml, £36), Cleansing Gel (140ml, £26.50), Night Fader (50ml, £38) all at: nimueskin.com Standout treatments: Rejuvenation Facial (75 minutes, £42) at Escape Day Spa, Essex. Bio-Active Advanced Facial (60 minutes, £60) at The White Rooms, London.

This successful South African range was initially developed in 1994 for pre- and post-plastic surgery. When surgeons noticed that patients who applied the creams recovered quickly and had better results, the range was then crafted for homecare use as well as professional treatments. The result is a product that delivers advanced results-oriented skin rejuvenation. Ingredients include concentrations of pharmaceutic grade nutrients, antioxitdants, phytoceuticals, peptides and other powerful actives, combined with delivery systems that attempt to get deeper into the skin. The products are perfume and paraben free.

They say:

“Cutting edge technology with exceptional ingredients combined with scientifically proven delivery systems, used and loved by both therapists and doctors.”

We say: The Spa Spies have tried and tested the Sun C range from Nimue on our various excursions overseas and been unanimously impressed. The product feels light, creamy and pleasant to use, and has effective SPA and SPF. We were particularly impressed with the Tinted SPF 40: light enough to use daily. Its early days for the UK invasion, so to try the products go to www.nimueskin.com and look up your nearest outlet on the salon finder.

"We were particularly impressed with the Tinted SPF." 36 | Wellness |

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

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THE BEAUTY EDITOR’S SUPERIOR LEG CARE LINE

HIGH PERFORMANCE LEG CARE Formulated with powerful contouring and drainage properties to enhance leg shape and comfort, Legology is dedicated to leg health and beauty.

Perfect pre and post pedicure, during long haul flights and pregnancy, after a day on your feet or a night in heels.

ACTS ON CELLULITE AND FLUID RETENTION HEAVY, ACHING LEGS

LIGHTENS AND COOLS

PUTS A POSITIVE SPRING BACK IN YOUR STEP

WWW.LEGOLOGY.CO.UK

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE

Nuxe Hero products: Huile Prodigeuse® Spray (100ml, £28), Crème Fraîche® de Beauté Masque (50ml, £18.50), Rêve de Miel® UltraNourishing Lip Balm (15ml, £9.50) all available at: uk.nuxe.com Standout treatments: Prodigeuse Treatment (80 minutes, £135), Radiance Facial (50 minutes, £80), Nuxellence Treatment with Flowers & Precious Plants (80 minutes, £135) all at Agua at Sanderson, London.

Entrepreneur Aliza Jabès discovered Nuxe, a small formulation laboratory in Paris in the early 1990s, and decided to make it the springboard for launching a beauty brand which would bring together nature and luxury. Years later, she’s scooping up business and consumer awards left, right and centre, while being compared to Penelope Cruz in Paris Match.

The product range targets most skin types, anti-aging (Nuxellence®and Nirvanesque®), sun damage and men.

The philosophy is a balance of natural active ingredients, performance driven patents (the company currently has many patents and is expanding every year) and sensual textures and aromas.

They say:

“When nature’s brilliance meets glamour. Nuxe thinks that all women are incredible.”

We say: One of our Spa Spies is helplessly addicted to the Huile Prodigeuse®, which she discovered after a Nuxe massage at Agua at the Sanderson, currently the only Nuxe spa in the UK. This dry oil sprays on, dries quickly and smells so good (if you like a musky, warm, nutty fragrance) it inspired Prodigeaux® le Parfum. The Rêve de Miel® lip balm is nourishing without being greasy and tastes of honey and grapefruit. It’s affordable too.

"One Spa Spy is helplessly addicted to Huile Prodigeuse"

Oskia Hero products: Renaissance Cleansing Gel (100ml, £29.50), Super 16 Pro-Collagen Super Serum (30ml, £82), Renaissance Mask (50ml, £49.50) all available at: www.oskiaskincare.com Standout treatments: Rejuvenating Facial (55 minutes, £105) at The Berkeley, London. Ultimate Luxury Facial (60 minutes, £95) at The Pig on the Beach, Dorset. Glow on the Go (45 minutes, £75) at One Aldwych, London.

Food journalist Georgie Cleeve founded London-based skincare brand Oskia having witnessed the benefits of its main ingredient, MSM (Methyl Sulphonyl Methane) aka ‘The Beauty Mineral’. Her father originally introduced MSM as a joint supplement for race horses. But when Georgia took it to help repair serious damage to her cartilage after a skiing accident, she also noticed its extraordinary effects on her skin, nails and hair. Thus the concept of the brand was born.

In addition to MSM and essential cell nutrients, vitamins and minerals, Oskia products also contain a host of actives including Swiss apple stem cells, peptides, as well as prebiotics, hyaluronic and Immortelle Bleue, which help combat aging and environmental damage. Oskia is all about harnessing natural ingredients from around the world to boost skin cell health — their Super 16 Pro-Collagen Super Serum contains bakuchiol, for example, derived from an Indian seed traditionally used to heal head cuts.

They say:

“Oskia products are nutritionally-designed to improve the skin’s condition from both inside and outside.”

We say: Although we take all skincare ‘science’ with a pinch of organic sodium, the lovely effects of Oskia products are hard to argue with.

Each product does what it says on its beautifully elegant label.

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE

"Anything that’s good enough for Angelina is most definitely good enough for us!"

Pevonia Hero products: Ligne Lavendou (30ml, £58), Power Repair® Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream (50ml, £68), Ligne Spéciale Enzymo-Sphérides Cream (50ml, £35) all available at www.pevonia.co.uk Standout treatments: Prescriptive Facial (60 minutes, £50) at SK Clinic, Suffolk.

Reviver Facial (30 minutes, £40) at The Club and Spa Hotel at The Cube, Birmingham. Aroma Stone Calm (60 minutes, £60) at Dreams Day Spa, Cumbria.

Husband and wife Philippe and Sylvie Hennessy launched Pevonia in 1991 and grew the company to corner over 50 per cent of the professional skincare market in the USA. The name comes from a mythological flower filled with a magical essence that can cure all ills, and thus Pevonia products are packed with pure, eco-friendly, plant-based ingredients, free from nasties.

Pevonia’s home collection offers over 75 products that incorporate the active ingredients found in professional treatments. Each line targets specific concerns and is peppered with trademark symbols.

As well as the skincare range, you’ll also find products for men, teens, even spa-inspired diffusers and accessories.

They say:

“An extensive product and treatment line of holistic, botanical products containing the latest ingredient discoveries in precise, yet effective formations. Celebrity fans of Pevonia Botanica skincare include Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Matthew McConaughey, Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes and Rachel Weisz.”

We say: Anything that’s good enough for Angelina is most definitely good enough for us!

Pinks Boutique Hero products: Sweet Orange and Neroli Body Balm (90g, £32.95), Rosehip Face and Body Scrub (60g, £32), Anti-Ageing Deep Cleanse Melt (60g, £42) all available at: www.pinksboutique.com Standout treatments: Full Body Massage (55 minutes, £60) at Tempus Spa at The Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire.

Pinks Boutique has unusually cerebral beginnings for a beauty product. Co-founders and husband and wife team Luke Sherriff and Kirstie Allen first met at Oxford University – he was a human scientist, then a professional rugby player, she was studying history. Their shared love of travel, particularly Asia, and organic food and products developed into Pinks Boutique organic skincare range, which in the early days they used to blend at home.

Now their ranges for face, hands, body and feet are all made in England using natural ingredients accredited by the Soil Association. Each range is inspired by research of traditional Asian spa cultures.

Pinks Boutique products are not tested on animals and are all vegetarian friendly. The company also uses enviromentallyfriendly packaging.

They say:

“Every aspect of the Pinks Boutique – from our organic products to our responsible business practices – are driven by our ethical values and strong belief in beauty, nature and truth.”

We say: Pinks Boutique are a luxury spa brand with a passionately organic heart and Asian-inspired flourishes. Their use of essential oils and herbs makes the products robustly and sumptuously aromatic, instantly transporting you to an Asian spa. A lovely, gentle, globally-inspired feast for mature, dry, combination and easily irritated skins.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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"If you do have the guts to do Bee Venom and Placenta, this is a good step to take before going under the knife."

Spiezia Organics Hero products: Facial Cleansing Balm (50ml, £29), Rose and Vanilla Face Oil (50ml, £39), Restorative Body Balm (100ml, £45) all available at www.spieziaorganics.com Standout treatments: Head in Heaven (90 minutes, £75) at The Walled Garden Spa, Cornwall. Rose Indulgence Body Treatment (50 minutes, £100) at Brown’s Hotel, London.

Created in Italy by Dr Mariano Spiezia and his wife Loredana, this range was transformed into a major name in organic skincare by its English MD Amanda Barlow. All products are now handmade in Truro, Cornwall using local herbs and flowers wherever possible. Spiezia also helped pioneer Soil Association accreditation for beauty products in the UK, and were the first company to achieve 100 per cent organic certification across the range in 1999.

Spiezia products are notable for their bright purple, pink and turquoise jars. They cater for women, men, babies, and people with problem skin. Zara Phillips allegedly had the Relax and Rejuvenate Facial in the run up to her wedding.

Rodial Hero products: Dragons Blood Advanced XXL Sculpting Serum (30 ml, £125), Stemcell Superfood Cleanser (200ml, £32) Glamoxy Snake Mask (50ml, £68) all available at: www.rodial.co.uk Standout treatments: Sculpt (60 minutes, £68) at The Boutique Spa, Kent.

Based in London, Rodial wanted to offer a convincing alternative to plastic surgery, focusing on instant results skin care and make-up. Beauty journalist Maria Hatzistefanis founded the company in 1999, and clearly has an eye for headline-grabbing sensationalist product names and descriptions – Super Fit Boob Job Gel, Bee Venom and Placenta 24 Carat Gold Ultimate Crème (a mere £750 that one) and so on. Rodial have had their knuckles rapped over the years by the Advertising Standards Industry, although that hasn’t stopped them. You have to admire their sass.

They say:

“At Spiezia we believe that nature does it best. We’ve developed a unique process which uses solar and lunar energy to make the most of the air-dried herbs used in our products. Spiezia products are not only great for your skin, but also for the environment.”

We say: Spiezia products look and smell good enough to eat – and they come with a free halo thanks to the brand’s eco and ethical conscience (MD Barlow also founded the Made For Life Foundation to support those diagnosed with and recovering from cancer). Their cool funky jars don’t exactly scream organic until you open the lid, unleashing the essential oils. The products we tried were waxy rather than creamy and felt soft and smooth once applied.

The brand has also embraced modern skincare and beauty channels — there’s a Rodial sculpting app which will teach you to highlight and lowlight your way to make up perfection, and youtube channel MrsRodial with make up tutorials.

They say:

“A tightly edited range of luxury products that sculpt and define the face for a flawless finish.”

We say: The hero products we tried produced pretty impressive, albeit short term results. We’d need to take out a second mortgage to invest in the long term. It clearly takes attitude and cash to be a full time Rodial client, but then if you do have the guts to do Bee Venom and Placenta, this is a good step to take before going under the knife. We like the humour and the fact the products dare to be different, slightly wary that the 'face' of Rodial is US reality TV star Kylie Jenner...

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Temple Spa Hero products: Skin Truffle Total Face Rejuvenation (50ml, £85), Repose Aromatherapy Resting Cream (50ml, £39), Be Strong Skin Serum (30ml, £35) all available from www.templespa.com Standout treatments: Repose Aromatherapy Facial (75 minutes, £90) at Weavers’ House Spa at The Swan at Lavenham Hotel, Suffolk. Skin Investment Facial (60 minutes, £90) at Dormy House Hotel and Spa, Worcestershire. Drift Away Massage (55 minutes, £88) at Bailiffscourt Spa, West Sussex.

An English brand inspired by the Mediterranean healthy lifestyle, developed in laboratories on the lakes of Geneva and Italy, and seasoned with herbs from Suffolk. Temple Spa is owned by husband and wife team Liz and Mark Warom, who developed The Body Shop Colourings range and Virgin Vie for Richard Branson.

The wide range of Temple Spa products are age, sex and lifestyle appropriate, results-driven, but eco-friendly too, drawing on botanical actives from Southern Europe. They range from the sublime, such as the award winning Skin Truffle range, to the slightly more reasonable shower gels and shampoos. Ingredients are cruelty free and mostly vegan. Good for your skin and the environment — what more could a girl ask for?

They say:

“Your body is a living temple. Honour it, enjoy your life and live it to the full.”

We say: Temple Spa products are used at some of our favourite spas. The products we have tried look sophisticated, smell deeply of fresh herbs and essential oils (it’s tempting to wax lyrical here about sun drenched meadows). And they feel luxuriant, with visible smoothing and firming effects. Temple Spa gets the Spa Spies’ unanimous approval.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Thalgo Hero products: Thalgo Pure Velvet Cleansing Cream (150ml, £24.95), Thalgo Hydra-Marine 24h Cream (50ml, £39.50), Thalgo Freshness Exfoliator (50ml, £26) all available at www.thalgo.co.uk Standout treatments: Frigi-Thalgo Leg Wrap (25 minutes, £45) at Champneys Tring.

Thalgo Prescriptive Facial (60 minutes, £95) at Chuan Spa at the Langham, London. Polynesia Spa Ritual (85 minutes, £95) at Donnington Valley Spa, Berkshire.

As French as Jacques Cousteau, Thalgo Laboratories have been creating marine products since 1964 and work closely with renowned phycologists (algae experts) conducting marine exploration and research. Their Oceanic range includes wraps, creams, exfoliants, bath products, teas, supplements and candles. Each product targets specific concerns, including anti-aging, slimming, anti-cellulite, sun protection and detoxifying. They also have products specifically for men. We love the gift sets, perfect if you have a friend in need of pampering.

They also have a cosmeceutical range if you like your spa treatments with a kick. Try the Mceutic Rénovation Radicale for “visible effects on the skin with proven and measured results”.

They say:

“Each product is a genuine concentrate of marine effectiveness.”

We say: Thalgo products represent really good value in the high-end spa world. The results are notable especially on mature skins. And it’s ever so chic, something we imagine Catherine Deneuve would have on her dressing table. The ranges work well across problem skin too — the Hydra Marine Cream is perfect even on oily skin.

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"Adopt a more holistic change to your skin care."

Voya Hero products: Get Glowing Marine Face Mask (50ml, £32), Me Time Facial Moisturiser (50ml, £51), Lazy Days Seaweed Bath (500g, £16) all available at www.voya.ie Standout treatments:

Tri Dosha Hero products: Calm Face Cream (60ml, £36), Skin Softening Wash (250ml, £16.50), Palmarosa and Grapefruit Cleanser (200ml, £21) all available at: www.tri-dosha.co.uk Standout treatments: Shiodhora (30 minutes, £95) at SenSpa, New Forest, Hampshire. Mukabhayanga Facial Massage (30 minutes, £45) at The Scarlet Spa, Cornwall. Marma Abhyanga (55 minutes, £80) at Utopia Spa at Rowhill Grange.

Tri Dosha specialises in ayurvedic products and treatments.

Founder Sunita Passi trained in Ayurveda in India and has spent the past 10 years researching meditation and holistic health. You and your therapist will tailor or choose your treatment around your dosha, or energy type.

Because Ayurveda is so deeply entwined with the brand, if you’re at a spa which uses Tri Dosha you’re likely to find holistic programmes, ayurvedic literature and nutrition advice too. The products are natural and organic with many wild crafted and therapeutic herbs.

The product ranges are tailored by your dosha type, including facial essentials, oils, shampoo and conditioners. We also love the balms; the Miracle Balm is perfect if you have dry or irritable skin and the Pain Balm is an ayurvedic remedy to warm up muscles, soothe aching joints and even clear your airways during a cold.

Stimulating Seaweed Body Buff Scrub (60 minutes, £65) at PH2o at Park House, Sussex. Marine Radiance Facial (55 minutes, £65) at St Brides Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire.

Voya’s big selling point is the use of organic, hand-harvested Irish seaweed and algae in its products and treatments. Being family owned and proud of its local and green credentials adds to its charm. It was founded by Irish triathlete Neil Watson, a convert to the healing properties of seaweed baths. He and his family decided to revive this local tradition and in 2000, opened the Voya seaweed bathhouse in their home village Strandhill, County Silgo. The name means voyage, as customers likened the treatments to a sea journey. In 2006, Neil’s brother Mark and sister-in-law Kira launched the product range, which covers everything from baths and wraps, to scrubs and facials.

Most use seaweed as well as other organic and non-organic ingredients (enough to earn them a Soil Association certificate).

They say:

“Organic beauty from the sea.”

We say: The Spa Spies have noticed positive results, particularly from the scrubs and lip balms. The dried seaweed bath we tried at home was surprisingly pleasurable, if not for the squeamish – the packaging warns “may contain crustaceans”! The oils produced by the algae left our skin feeling soft and smooth. The fragrance is natural and subtle, and the packaging is smart, so men would like it too. Perfect for those with dry or aging skin and a love of organic and sustainable products.

They say:

“Everything has been lovingly created to deliver real tangible results with a touch of luxury.”

We say: The products are fresh, soothing and as good for the environment as our skin. Because the products are so based on herbs they can be stronger smelling than others! If you want to adopt a more holistic change to your skincare routine, Tri Dosha is the way forward.

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THE PRODUCT BIBLE

SPA OWN BRANDS

More spas are developing their own products, either to sell through major retail outlets, or to give a bespoke experience that the client can take home. Here are just some of our favourite spa brands.

IMANTARA BY THAI SQUARE SPA Hero products: Royal Rachawadee Body Oil (250ml, £34), So Sen Uplifting Jasmine Body Lotion (240ml, £16.95), Siamese Sole Foot Lotion (100ml, £12.95) all available at: www.thaisquarespa.com Founded in 2010, Thai Square Spa is dedicated to bringing authentic Thai experiences to the UK. The luxurious basement spa area in a grand building offers a selection of rituals, ceremonies and regal treatments such as the Siamese Courtiers Remedy through to the Traditional Floral Foot Soak. Their decadently packaged product is born of centuries of Thai tradition, using the rich aromatherapy ingredients intrinsic to Thai culture, including Thai Jasmine, Jasmine Ambac and Plai essential oils. The name iMantara comes from the Hindu ‘mantra’, meaning sacred words repeated in mediation or prayer: iMantara being the ‘botanical equivalent of a verbal mantra’.

SENSPA Hero products: Relaxing Body Butter (200ml, £6.95), Nourishing Body Wash (200ml, £5.95), Lava Clay Hair and Scalp Masque (300ml, £6.95) all available at www.senspa.co.uk There was much excitement in Spa World when SenSpa – a luxury, multi-award winning spa retreat at Carey’s Manor Hotel in the New Forest – launched its own product in Waitrose in 2013. The result: SenSpa, an organic skin care range offering chemical-free, natural products for men and women. The SenSpa body range has been formulated to be as clean as possible, 97 per cent natural, with no chemical nasties, and combines Eastern healing with Western science. The SenSpa signature scent uses nine essential oils blended to create an Eastern spa ambience. The products are based on three main fragrances and intentions: Relaxing, Nourishing and Detoxification. It’s a lovely product range and an absolute bargain.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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CHAMPNEYS Hero products: Summer Dream Rewarding Salt Scrub (300ml, £10), Barefoot Beauty Restorting Foot Butter (125ml, £8), Citrus Blush Enlivening Shower Mousse (200ml, £6.50) all available at www.boots.com Champneys innovative health resorts have become famous partly due to their celebrity clientele. But with the quality of their treatments, their wellbeing and health expertise, and the strength of the brand

name, it made perfect sense to launch their own skincare range. In 2004, Champneys hit Boots – no doubt you’ve enjoyed their beautifully presented gift sets at Christmas.

There’s a wide range to choose from with names like Heavenly Days, Cloud Nine, Summer Dream and Nature’s Treat. There are also reed diffusers, candles, wash bags and accessories such as body massagers so you can give yourself a home spa treat. The Detox range was launched in 2016, with the Detox in a Box offering a scrub, firming mud, body butter and a massager for £20.

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RAGDALE HALL SPA RANGE Hero products: Fresh Blossom Body Butter (200ml, £9.50), Cocoon Nourishing Hand Cream (100ml, £6), Active Spa Massage Oil (125ml, £8.50) all available online at www.marksandspencer.com In 2012, Marks and Spencer teamed up with this Five Bubble spa to create five skincare, bath and body collections: Wellbeing, Relax, Cocooning and Active Spa, as well as a new Sleep and Pamper range. The result is everyday good value spa experiences for your skin. There are also reed diffusers, candles, massage oils and scrubs, so you can recreate the Ragdale Hall experience at home. We’ve tried the Softening Hand and Cuticle Cream and Fresh Blossom Foot Cream, both were beautifully scented treats.

GREEN AND SPRING Hero products: Repair and Restore Candle (235g, £29), Miracle Nurturing Balm (50ml, £16), Revitalising Exfoliating Body Wash (300ml, £22) all available at www.greenandspring.com Green and Spring was created by the owners of achingly hip Cowley Manor in the Cotswolds. The product range uses herbs and flowers native to the British Isles; think of a garden full of lavender, camomile, rosemary, elderflower, peppermint and rose. We’ve tried and love the Miracle Nurturing Balm which is a god-send for rough hands and the Repair and Restore Candle to evoke a blissful

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massage at C-Side Spa at Cowley Manor.

Products use 100 per cent natural botanical materials, are hand blended in the UK and are free from parabens, SLS, synthetic colours and fragrances. They’re also stocked in Liberty and SpaceNK.

GAIA AWAKENING COLLECTION Hero products: Awakening Body Wash (200ml, £15), Awakening Body Scrub (240g, £38), Awakening Body Cream (220g, £38) all available at www.gaia-spa.co.uk This luxurious new spa at Boringdon Hall, Plymouth was opening as we were going to press and is the most talked about spa event of 2016. Named after the ancient goddess of nature, the spa has created its own signature blend to reflect its philosophy. The collection contains grapefruit, tangerine, peppermint, ravensara, geranium, petitgrain and rosemary, mixed with luxurious and nutritious oils and jojoba. Ingredients are chosen for their physical and psychological benefits, blended to capture the essence of Mother Nature.

COWSHED Hero products: Quinoa Hydrating Daily Mask (40ml, £32), Baby Cow Organics Frothy Hair and Body Wash (200ml, £8.50), Dirty Cow Freshening Hand Wash (300ml, £16) all available at: www.cowshedonline.com You probably know the products better than the spas, but the two were born

simultaneously – in a Cowshed at Babington House in 1998. Cowshed now have spas in Soho House locations everywhere from Berlin to Miami, London to New York, hence the brand sits happily on the shelves of urban media types and hip young parents. Ingredients deal with moods, so if you’re feeling burnt out, try the Knackered Cow range with lavender and uplifting eucalyptus, or if you’re irritable, there’s Grumpy Cow with red mandarin and bitter orange extracts to banish bad moods. There are also products for Spoilt, Horny, Lazy and Wild Cows as well as Bullocks and Baby Cows.

AQUA SANA Hero products: Black Amber and Citrus Body Wash (25ml, £8.50), Black Amber and Mandarin Hand Wash (250ml, £8.50), Black Amber and Mandarin Hand Lotion (250ml, £850) The impressive spas at Center Parcs offer Elemis and Decleor treatments, but in 2015 they launched their own product range which you can experience in their spas: the candles and reed diffusers are used in the relaxation rooms, while the shampoo, body wash and hand-creams are available for use in the changing rooms.

The spa group’s signature scent of black amber runs throughout the range, with hints of mandarin, citrus blossom, vanilla, rose or geranium. There are seven products for hand, body and hair plus scented candles and diffusers which will enable you to take home the memory of your spa day. These are only available to buy at Aqua Sana spas. WM

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Wax

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SPA SPOTLIGHT ON...

The

Maldives Sun-drenched beaches, Asian massage, captivating coral reefs; The Maldives has it all. We sent Summer Spy and Supreme Spy to find the best spas in this far-flung paradise. f you think of white sandy beaches, remote islands and turquoise waters, you’re probably summoning up an image of The Maldives. The chain of 1,190 islands (188 inhabited) that form the Maldivian archipelago are separated into groups of islands called atolls. Addu atoll is the furthest south, Haa Alif is the northernmost and the centrally located Malé is called the King's Island.

The white sand of the Maldivian islands is made of ages-old coral, with a jungle of coconut, Indian almond and banyan trees. Resort islands tend to be small, only a kilometre or two long; you’ll find villas dotted in the middle of the tree line, and often a wing of overwater residences. It feels a little odd to be on a tropical island with no monkeys: instead you’ll find white-headed gecko, pelagic birds even flying fox bats as your island mates.

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PAGE BADGE SPOTLIGHT ON...

Dip below water and there are over 2,000 species of fish in the Maldives, from the kaleidoscopic parrot fish to the leviathan whale shark. If you’ve travelled all that way to snorkel or dive, you’re in for a show.

Much of your resort’s personality will rest on the shoulders of the local staff. The language, Dhivehi, has similarities to Sri Lankan’s Sinhalese, and the culture is influenced by Sri Lanka, India and Africa. Bodu Beru drumming has roots in East Africa, and the rhythmic Bandiya Jehun dance originated in India. The Maldives is a Muslim state, so while resorts serve alcohol, it is banned for locals. Outside of western resorts it’s recommended you cover your shoulders and knees.

If you speak to visitors to the Maldives, they’ll tell you about meeting a shark or a ray while snorkelling, speedboat or seaplane transfers over the impeccably turquoise waters, beach BBQs and overwater bungalows – but also the unswerving heat; even in the middle of

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the night the temperature still sits in the high 20s.

Deciding where to visit in The Maldives is also incredibly important. Atolls are the equivalent of our counties, so each has its own history, personality and resorts. Some may be better than others for snorkelling, some may have bigger islands with more beach. Can you cope with a connecting flight or long boat journey when you hit Malé (the capital and home to the main airport), or do you just want to get your toes straight in the perfect, pristine sand?

It’s also worth knowing that there’s a dry and a wet season. The Iruvai Monsoon which runs from December to April is the dry season, and the Hulhangu Monsoon from May to November is the wet season. You’ll still have stretches of clear sunshine in the wet season, but they may be balanced out by rainy and overcast days. Decide what’s important to you.

We’ve scouted the island from the very top to the very bottom to find the most spa-inspired resorts. It’s a hard life…

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SIX SENSES LAAMU Laamu

First impressions

Six Senses Laamu is on one of the southern-most atolls in The Maldives, a 50 minute flight from Malé and a short speed boat ride from the local airport. The peace and quiet of the island absolutely make the extra hop, skip and jump worthwhile.

We stepped off the boat, were asked to take off our shoes and were handed home-made lemonade and pieces of fresh coconut to nibble on. We had arrived in a small corner of paradise.

Olhuveli Island, home to Six Senses, has 96 villas which fan out from three jetties. Half the island and its attractions are over the water and the rest – including the spa – are on land. Pull up your bike (you’ll find two waiting for you at your villa) and explore.

There are dive and water sports centres, a kids club, daily excursions and just off shore you’ll find Yin Yang – a break first surfed by legendary American surfer Pat O’Connell.

It’s the finishing touches at Laamu that make it stand out. Six Senses is an eco-friendly company and focuses on the footprint the resort has on the ocean.

Wherever possible they don’t use plastic; you’ll find hessian and linen instead. On

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greens and oranges to bring the colours found in nature, inside.

Six Senses is all about barefoot luxury.

All staff walk barefoot around the island and you are encouraged to do the same.

What’s on offer

"Think honey-coloured wood, white linen and infinite ocean views.

Six Senses is all about barefoot luxury. " arrival, we put our shoes in a cotton bag labelled ‘down to earth’.

The traditional Maldivian resort – think honey-coloured wood, white linen and infinite ocean views – also uses bright, happy colours. We saw splashes of blues,

The spa is a few minutes walk from the reception, but very discreetly placed behind the island's natural vegetation. As you step out of the trees, you’ll be greeted by the calming scent of burning incense.

There are nine treatment ‘nests’ scattered around the spa area, including two for couples. Ours quite literally looked like a nest, a semi-circular structure built of branches entwined around each other.

Post treatment you can take a seat in the neighbouring juice bar which has an undisturbed view of the beach. Choose a water, ginger tea or a juice from the menu, all served with almonds and dried coconut.

I choose the Green Machine with apple and spirulina – fresh and delicious.

The whole spa is a hideaway, so discreet you would hardly know it was there, yet the views allow you to see out to the world beyond.

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Main: Six Senses Lamuu Far left: A water villa bathroom view Centre: The main pool Right: A water villa with pool Bottom: A treatment nest

"Six Senses is all about barefoot luxury. All staff walk bare foot around the island and you are encouraged to do the same."

You’ll find steam rooms in the private changing rooms and the gym and studio above spa reception, where daily fitness classes take place.

Tell us about the treatments

We started our spa journey with a 15-minute Ayurvedic consultation, where one of the resident experts sat with us to determine our ‘dosha type’ and in turn select the right treatments for us. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian philosophy of life that the treatments embrace. Your ‘dosha type’ will be a combination of fire, water, earth, ether and air, all of which you need to keep in balance. Couples have their consultation in the same room, one after the other where physical and emotional characteristics are spoken about openly.

In our couples treatment nest, I had an Oriental Massage (60 minutes, $175) and my spa partner had a Holistic Massage (60 minutes, $160). The nest was open at the sides so we happily relaxed to the sound of the birds singing and trees gently moving in the breeze. My massage included lots of stretching, joint rotations and pressure point work. I enjoyed the deep pressure,

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modern Japanese food, Longitude has a good mix of international flavours, Sip Sip offers poolside dining.

Don’t miss the ice cream studio. It has 42 flavours including a selection of sorbets and a sugar-free option. They are all organic and made on the island. Your inner child will love it.

Who would like it?

which apparently my water element needed. The Holistic Massage was much softer with a gentle touch, ideal for those looking to switch off, relax and balance their fire. At the end of the treatment we were gently brought back to earth by a Tibetan singing bowl. The bowl makes a noise as a baton is swirled around the centre and is believed to send positive vibrations into the air.

Food Facts

Laamu has five restaurants, two on land and three are over the water. We ate in the Chill Bar looking out at the ocean: the Vietnamese menu has lots of fresh fish in warm and rich spices. The Leaf restaurant stands on stilts at the centre of the island.

Local food is cooked in the centre of the restaurant in an open kitchen – save time and space for the four course meal with wine pairing. It was unforgettable.

With three other restaurants to try you won’t run out of options; Zen serves

• Honeymooners and romance seekers will love the sheer peace and quiet of Laamu. The island puts a new meaning to the word ‘remote’, making it a great place to reconnect with one another.

• Waterbabies will enjoy being able to eat three meals a day with views over the water. We never tired of looking out over the ocean.

Don’t Miss

• The Laamu Water Villas – ours took our breath away. The room was filled with beautifully quirky touches and the bed, which was at the centre of the room, had undisturbed, panoramic views of the ocean.

• The Ayurvedic treatments. Very few UK spas offer proper Ayuvedic treatments, so if you have not tried one before, do. They have the elements of relaxation we tend to crave at a spa, but with some thoughtful flourishes.

Find out more at:

www.sixsenses.com/resorts/laamu/ destination

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"You’ll have a personal lifestyle concierge to fetch your snorkel and mask, order lunch or book you in for any spa sessions."

COCO BODU HITHI North Male Atoll

First impressions

Coco Bodu Hithi is a smaller boutique resort in the North Malé Atoll. It’s a 40-minute boat ride from the airport so easy if you want to step off the plane and get straight to the beach. It still feels very isolated; the only close land you can see from the island is Coco Privé, the resort’s sister property and private island which you rent in its entirety. There may have been a few Hollywood A lister names dropped during our stay.

Arrive at the main pontoon and you’ll walk past the beach area, pool and restaurant – Air. The accommodation is made up of different villas; island villas are spread over the land but there’s also two sets of overwater villas. The Escape Water Residences each come with a private infinity pool, and steps down into the turquoise ocean. The Coco Residences are off a long pontoon; this is the more exclusive end of the resort. You’ll have a personal lifestyle concierge to fetch your snorkel and mask, order lunch or book you in for any sessions. Choose from seaplane tours, diving, dinner on a nearby sandbank, or even a private cinema

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showing on the beach. But since we’re all about the spa…

What’s on offer

The spa is also set in overwater rooms.

There are six treatment rooms with floor to ceiling windows looking out over the ocean, and two treatment rooms with mats for Thai massage. The wooden sauna and slate-lined steam room are at the centre of the spa space – ask your therapist to activate the steam room before you head in. Both steam and sauna are very well kept and maintained. Just beyond are loungers and cabanas, a Jacuzzi and cold plunge pool. With the outside temperature at 32 degrees, the plunge pool was a clear winner! There’s also a mani/pedi space and spa boutique if you fall in love with the Thermae Paris products in your treatment.

Make time to take a yoga class, too. The yoga and meditation pavilion looks over the beach; your sun salutations will never have felt so good. The glass-walled gym is also in the spa area. The treadmill looks out of the ocean; if you’re aiming to get some miles in, it’s a very focusing way to do it.

Tell us about the treatments

We had two treatments; Journey to the Maldives (110 minutes, $330) and an

Abhyangan Massage (80 minutes, $140).

The first morning we had the Journey to the Maldives; which was much nicer than our actual journey! My therapist, Suci washed my feet with warm water and explained that the treatment would include a full body massage, exfoliation and then a floral bath. I settled on the wide treatment bed, gazing out at the ocean. Suci used traditional Asian and European massage techniques (think deep tissue massage, stretching and lighter lymphatic drainage) to massage my legs, back, stomach, arms and décolletage.

Once my body was properly relaxed she

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Far left: Coco Bodu Hithi Main image: A villa pool Bottom left: A Coco Spa treatment room Bottom right: Sun loungers at Coco Spa

relaxing I nearly fell asleep a couple of times.

Treatments at Coco Bodu Hithi include Oriental and Asian massages, a tea ceremony (thanks to the tea-inspired Thermae product line), after-sun care, facials, manicures and pedicures and reflexology.

Food Facts

Once you’ve worked up your appetite, head to one of the four restaurants or order in-room dining. Aqua is the fine dining seafood restaurant, with fish so fresh you can still taste the ocean.

The tables sit out on the water’s edge, so watch the sunset and moonrise with a glass of your favourite tipple. Air is the main restaurant which serves breakfast and dinner. Tsuki serves modern Japanese food and Stars offers an à la carte seafood menu.

Who would like it?

"Suci drew the bath, sprinkled petals and lemon slices into the water to create an aromatic delight and left me a coconut drink while I revelled in the bliss."

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applied the powdered exfoliant. As the ingredients worked their way into my skin she massaged my scalp and face.

I had a quick shower to rinse off; Suci drew the bath and sprinkled petals and lemon slices into the water to create an aromatic delight. She also left me a coconut to drink from while I revelled in the bliss. After 15 minutes she returned to the room and applied a finishing body lotion. Spa Spy heaven.

Suci was my therapist again for the Abhyanga Massage. Abhyanga is traditionally a much lighter massage, keeping the body warm so the skin absorbs the oils. Suci used a gentle base oil (instead of a prescribed one as per traditional abhyanga), and massaged from my toes to scalp. She used a little pressure point work but mostly took long flowing movements, sometimes very quickly, warming my muscles. The massage was so

• Couples, honeymooners, romantics.

Because the accommodation is in villas we saw mostly couples on the island.

• The well-curious. Take a yoga class, work out in the gym. Coco Bodu Hithi is also a great place to eat healthily; there’s lots of fresh fruit, grilled fish and veg.

If you’re coupling the Maldives with adventures in Sri Lanka or India, the resort is easily accessible but you’ll still feel a world away from, well, pretty much everything.

Don’t Miss

• There’s a relatively shallow and pretty coral garden just off the beach: you don’t need to dive in order to enjoy the sea life here. It was spectacular with different types of coral and a rainbow of hungry reef fish.

• Sunrise and sunset yoga classes. We took yoga classes each day and felt virtuous and balanced. There’s nothing like morning yoga to banish the jet lag.

Find out more at:

www.cocoboduhithi.com

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"The Baa Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the only place in the Maldives to have this recognition [...] the resort itself has a 360-degree reef. " DEVARANA SPA AT DUSIT THANI MALDIVES Baa Atoll

First impressions

If you’re a fan of Thai travel, the Dusit Thani is an enclave of gracious hospitality on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll – a 25-minute flight from Malé. The resort is made up of 94 villas, three restaurants, two bars, a water sports and a diving centre, a gym, a kids club and a traditional Thai spa. Phew!

Villas are either on the water, or hidden in the tree line along the beach. An interior designer spent eight months living on the island during construction, and all of the rooms, restaurants and the spa are finished to a very high standard. Crisp clear whites, light greens and blues give a cooling, calm finish that blends with the trees, ocean and sky. From family-sized villas with two bedrooms, a large dining area and living room, to single room villas with a beautiful outdoor bathroom, each feels private with a very sheltered garden looking out onto the beach and ocean.

Snorkelling takes centre stage at Dusit Thani. The Baa Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the only place in the Maldives

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to have this recognition. The Biosphere Reserve status shows the credential for sustainable development; managing biological and cultural diversity with economic and social development. The resort itself has a 360-degree reef – it surrounds the whole island. Check out your snorkelling equipment from the water sports centre and marvel at the colours and abundance of marine life. There is a current, so be careful when estimating how far and how long you swim for.

Much gentler swimming can be found in one of the largest infinity pools in the Maldives, just near the Sea Grill. The Lagoon is also perfect for less confident swimmers; it’s a sheltered body of water which is much shallower than the open sea.

The spa is at the centre of the island with treatment rooms atop the coconut trees.

What’s on offer

Devarana Spa – Devarana is derived from the Sanskrit meaning ‘a garden in heaven’ – really is a piece of Thailand transported to The Maldives. All of the therapists are Thai and you’ll find a mixture of very traditional Thai treatments and more accessible treatments which use Western or a blend of Eastern and Western techniques. Six

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Therapists have to have a minimum of five years’ experience and government certification in Thailand before they can apply to work with Devarana. Our therapist was skilled, confident and very polite.

Tell us about the treatments

treatment rooms sit atop stilts in the woodland each finished to a very good standard with wide treatment beds, fret work dividers and Thai art. They also have individual changing areas, showers and bathrooms. There are two more treatment rooms at ground level which have traditional Thai mats rather than treatment beds.

There’s a shallow pool, a very hot steam room, traditional wooden sauna, a Jacuzzi and cold plunge pool if you overheat! As with the hotel, the finishing touches are beautiful. Just through the entrance there’s a circular pool of water which cools and calms as you leave the jungle and find a sense of peace. Silver artwork from carefully constructed leaves to larger abstract pieces give the eyes a reason to rest and admire.

When you arrive at the spa you will be given a cold Roselle tea, and taken to an airconditioned consultation room – a welcome reprieve from the constant heat.

Devarana is a Thai brand that works with Dusit – so you’ll find Devarana Spa in different Dusit hotels around the world.

We had a Mangosteen exfoliation and Devarana Signature Massage (90 minutes, $180) and the Harmony of Tad Si – Traditional Thai Medicine (120 minutes, $210).

My therapist for both treatments was Surupa. She met me in the consultation room, took me up to our treetop treatment room and asked me to settle on the wide and comfortable treatment bed. Below the head hole there was a bowl of cut oranges and limes arranged in the shape of a flower – the citrus smell was very refreshing and a beautiful finishing touch. The Mangosteen exfoliation was prepared fresh for me; straight out of the fruit. Surupa covered my skin in oil and then used the Mangosteen to exfoliate my skin. I quickly showered off before we moved onto the massage.

Surupa placed a hot towel onto my back, warming and relaxing my muscles.

She used a mixture of strong thumb pressures, deep tissue massage with her elbows and forearms, and stretching moves to massage me from head to toe. At the end of the treatment she asked me to sit up and worked her way up my spine, pressing either side of each vertebrae. I felt relaxed and comfortably stretched.

The next day, we used a traditional Thai treatment room with large mats on the floor. The Harmony of Tad Si starts with hot herbal compresses dipped in oil best suited for your body type. After consulting a calendar, mine is apparently Earth so Surupa used jasmine oil. She pressed the hot compresses into my skin, allowing it to soak up the rich herbs and oils.

I changed into a pair of Thai pyjamas (wide, loose trousers and a plain cotton top) and settled onto the mat. Thai massage is very different to European massage – if you’re looking for relaxation you’re in the wrong place. I laid face up on the mat and Surupa moved my legs into different stretching positions, sometimes straight, sometimes crossed and sometimes curled up. She used her thumbs, elbows, knees and feet and moved along either side of my spine, up both arms and then worked on my flat back.

She stretched high up into my neck and face before moving my legs into some final stretches; picture laying on the floor in different yoga positions but with someone assisting you into a deeper stretch. I sat

"Devarana is derived from the Sanskrit meaning 'a garden in heaven' and the spa is heavenly."

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up and Surupa finished by using thumb pressure along my spine.

My body felt a little tender but much looser than a normal Swedish or relaxation massage could achieve.

Food Facts

Choose from The Market restaurant which serves breakfast and a themed buffet each night, the Sea Grill for lunch and dinner with a menu that includes everything from very fresh fish to pizza, or The Benjarong which hangs over the water and serves authentic Thai cuisine. As part of its commitment to limiting its environmental impact, there’s a chef’s garden on the island which grows herbs and vegetables for use in the food – there’s less to import from overseas.

Main image: The main pool Far left: A tree-top treatment room Top centre: Reception at Dusit Thani Bottom centre: The pool at Devarana Spa Bottom right: The Sandbar

Who would like it?

• Families. There’s a kids club available from 10am-6pm (with a break for lunch) and we saw all staff members engaging happily with the children. Even better, there’s no charge for children under 12.

• Those looking for a very serene stay.

The villas are so well equipped, and each has a butler. You could stay in your villa, snorkel off your hidden beach and spend a very peaceful time here.

Don’t Miss

• The Thai spa treatments. Brave Thai massage if you want to try something new and unusual, if not go for the signature massage and soak up the relaxing Thai vibes.

• The very fresh fish in the Sea Grill.

There’s a board at the entrance with the freshly caught fishes of the day – this is what the Maldives is famous for.

Find out more at:

www.dusit.com/dusitthani/maldives

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AMILLA FUSH Baa Atoll

First impressions

Amilla Fushi is on Baa Atoll, a 25-minute flight from Malé. As with many Maldivian resorts, there’s plenty of pristine beaches, coconut groves and a beautiful and lively reef, but there the similarities end. Amilla Fushi opened in March 2014 and is a contemporary take on Maldives living, it is full of personality. Rooms are dubbed houses: instead of being welcomed to the resort you are welcomed ‘home’, there’s even a fish and chip shop if you crave some English food. You shouldn’t – the food here is great.

The heart of the resort is around the infinity pool – the longest in the Maldives.

Here you’ve got bars and restaurants, a long white beach with cushion loungers, a jetty out to the dive school, the kids club and the water sports centre. There’s a general store if you forget anything from home. All of the staff speak good English,

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you can order drinks, snacks and ice cream and soak up the sun.

The ‘house reef’ sits at one end of the beach; borrow a snorkel and fins and head out to the coral. You can, of course, dive too. Dive Butler International provide one to one tuition with a local guide and a PADI qualified instructor.

Rooms come in the form of beach or over-water houses. The smallest resort room is a single bedroom lagoon house, the largest a two-bedroom beach house. Each room is decorated in simple, cool whites, greys, blues and greens. There are also tree houses built high up in the tree line; more on these later.

If you’re looking for more space or privacy, head over to the residences; a small gated community of houses which are used by the well-healed and famous. Kate Winslet visited en famille and loved them.

What’s on offer

The spa has coconut and almond trees to one side and the ocean front to the other. The large open reception area has comfortable sofas. Every guest is entitled

to one 50-minute treatment gratis. Each of the 10 treatment pods are wood clad so merge into the trees and leaves. There’s a bathroom, shower, deck area and either a sauna or steam room in each treatment room – they’re set up with two beds too, so you can spa with your loved one.

There are male and female thermal facilities with a vibrant green-lit steam room, a traditional wooden sauna and an unheated plunge pool. These areas look out over the beach and the multi-coloured ocean. There are also two hammams, one for men and one for women.

The gym has cardio and weights machines looking out over the beach view, as does the Bodyism private training room. Bodyism is a system of exercise and diet to lose weight, aiming for a ‘long and lean’ body. HQ is in London’s Notting Hill.

The glass-walled studio at Amilla has all

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Main: The main pool at Amilla Inset far left: A Wellness Treehouse Left: The spa cafe Left inset: The manicure/pedicure lounge Below: Over-water houses at Amilla Fushi

Food Facts

the equipment for a Bodyism ‘movement’ session: think medicine balls, TRX and resistance bands. James, the Bodyism performance specialist we trained with was positive, helpful and very knowledgeable.

If you visit Amilla Fushi looking for a healthy break, the Wellness Treehouses

by Bodyism will give your own private spa-space where you can eat, swim, train and sleep high above the world. The private houses are raised 12-feet into the air with trees growing around the structure. There’s a master bedroom, lounge, bathroom and treatment room inside. Outside there’s a sun deck, infinity pool and training area. The mini-bar is stripped of alcohol, and clean and lean snacks are delivered twice a day. Your Bodyism trainer will offer a consultation when you arrive and work through your movement sessions each day.

Tell us about the treatments

We had the ila Couples Connect treatment (120 minutes, $400), a Pure Face Massage (50 minutes, $155) and a QMS facial (50 minutes, $155).

The ila Couples Connect is a ritual to enjoy with your partner. Our therapists met us at reception and took us to our treatment room. My therapist, Asih, told us to spend the treatment thinking about each other and explained our therapists would spend the time wishing us a long life together. Cute!

The treatment started with a body scrub using Himalayan sea salt. Asih used an oil on my skin and then gently rubbed in the salt.

I stepped outside to the open air shower

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to rinse off, then settled back for the next step of the treatment; a gentle kundalini massage. Asih used her hands and hot herb poultices to gently and rhythmically massage my body. Unusually, she often used just the gentlest touch on different areas of my spine rather than constant contact. It was so relaxing I caught myself falling asleep…

The final part of the treatment was Shiodhara. Asih cleansed and massaged my face, then poured warm oil over my forehead, or 'third eye'. The oil trickled into my hair which she massaged into my scalp.

It was one of the most tranquil treatments I’ve ever had.

All the spa's brands offer a ‘results driven’ element. The Pure Facial Massage was a god-send for sun-parched skin and the QMS facial left my skin looking radiant.

"Asih poured warm oil over my forehead or 'third eye' – one of the most tranquil treatments I've ever had."

The food at Amilla Fushi stands out both in choice and quality. The Bazaar is the island's social hub: here you’ll find the Fish and Chips shop, Joe’s Pizzeria, Bazaar Wok and Bazaar Grill. Lonu by Luke Mangan offers fine dining at the end of a long pontoon.

The restaurant and bar overlook the sunset point: perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail.

The Emperor General Store serves as both convenience shop and a light lunch spot. Choose from freshly made salads, grills sharing platters and desserts. As part of the wellness concept with Bodyism, the spa coffee shop serves Clean and Lean meals.

There’s also a healthy table at breakfast and you can order coffee and protein packed smoothies around the island.

Who would like it?

• Health and fitness enthusiasts.

Wellness seeps through every element of Amilla Fushi from the treehouses to the Clean and Lean coffee (it’s not bad).

Bodyism personal training while looking over a beach makes exercising a pleasure.

• Sybarites. The Wine Cellar has 8,000 bottles of wine to try: we’re not suggesting you try them all at once!

• Active honeymooners. There’s lots to do here including water sports and fitness.

A sister resort, Finolhu, has just opened on an island 30 minutes away: spend the night on their party beach before getting a boat back to your peaceful private house.

Don’t Miss

• Dining in Lonu. The food is very good and the sunsets spectacular. Order your cocktail of choice and watch as the sky turns a myriad of colours.

• It goes without saying, but the spa and fitness centre. It feels like a little piece of Notting Hill in the Maldives; take a fitness session, re-stock with a clean and lean smoothie and head for a massage.

• The friendly and helpful staff. Everyone from the kateebs (butlers) to the waiting staff to the resort manager are open and knowledgeable. Everyone asked how our day was going and we felt they genuinely cared about our answer.

Find out more at:

www.amilla.mv

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Below: Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru Centre: The pool at Landaa Giraavaru Inset: An Ayurvedic treatment

FOUR SEASONS Landaa Giraavaru

First impressions

Landaa Giraavaru has the whitest sand and bluest waters – it is as close as you will get to paradise on earth. Take a sea plane from Malé or sister property Four Seasons Kuda Huraa if you are splitting your visit between the two resorts.

Everything about the resort is subtly, comfortingly grand. With high ceilings, private cabanas and personalised treatments: this is living, lazing space.

Travel around the island on a bike with initialled plates or call for a golf buggy.

The spa is at the centre of the island and is very much the heart of the resort. All of the staff speak of the spa with warmth and excitement as you mention what treatment you will be having during your stay.

What’s on offer

The spa is split into two parts with the reception in the centre. Western treatments are carried out in over-water treatment rooms next to the hair studio and manicure and pedicure suite.

The other side of the reception is a walkway lined with a Tibetan prayer flag that leads to the Ayurvedic consultation room and spa garden. The garden grows plants and herbs that are used in the treatments. The eastern treatments take place in wooden huts around the garden where you can hear the birds chirping during your treatment.

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On arrival we had a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor. We filled in a form to determine our doshas but, without looking at it, the doctor took my pulse, closed his eyes and very specifically told me who I was in Ayurvedic terms and what health concerns I had. After half an hour, I knew what treatments to have throughout my stay; I should swim, walk and do yoga (with pleasure). He also advised me on my diet, fluid intake and general wellness. I felt like I had been given a massive hug! He carried on to do the same for my husband and then linked the two of us together telling us how we complimented each other. It is a wonderful way to start your stay at Landaa Giraavaru.

Yoga is practiced around the resort with one of the resident yogis; morning aqua yoga is in the salt water swimming pool, anti-gravity yoga (traditional yoga poses done hanging from a silk) is done in the pavilion by the spa, and you can even do a yoga energy trail around the island with a Tree Pose over the lagoon.

"You can even do a yoga energy trail around the island with a Tree Pose over the lagoon. " Tell us about the treatments

The Ayurvedic treatments here are authentic. Therapists use raw oils and powders, singing bowls, Tibetan symbols and chants.

My first treatment was Elakkizhi (120 minutes, $330): two hours of herbal poultice heaven. Beginning with a grounding foot ritual, two therapists worked simultaneously to deliver an elegant full body massage with warm herbal bags. Once my body was relaxed and warm, I finished with a ten minute private steam.

Our second treatment was the Omkara Ritual for Couples, (180 minutes, $785).

We each had one male therapist and one

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"Landaa Giraavaru has the whitest sand and bluest waters – it is as close as you will get to paradise on earth."

Who would like it?

• Those seeking wellness. The spa team have such expertise in Ayurveda and yoga: after just two days we left feeling brand new.

• Couples looking to reconnect. The Omkara treatment was incredibly special, and the treatment alone was worth visiting the Maldives for.

• Well-travelled spa lovers. Landaa takes spa to a new level and there is a treatment on the menu for everyone.

Ila treatments feature in the Western menu or choose a more holistic option

of acupuncture performed by the onsite Chinese doctor.

Don’t Miss

• The manta on call service – you’ll be given a mobile phone when you check in which will ring when manta rays are spotted near the resort. Once you get the call, swiftly make your way to the main jetty where you will be taken to see these beautiful creatures.

Find out more at:

www.fourseasons.com/maldiveslg

FOUR SEASONS Kuda Huraa

First Impressions

female therapist who worked together to balance our Yin (female) and Yang (male) energy. The treatment is all about reconnecting as a couple as well as rebalancing yourself. It includes everything: foot ritual, massage, facial massage, frangipani and hibiscus flower bath and private steam. The treatment ends with the therapist chanting and tying a red bracelet around your right wrist for you to wear until it falls off. It was a truly unforgettable experience.

Food Facts

Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru has four restaurants with influences from around the globe. The over-water Al Barakat serves traditional Arabic food, Blu is an Italian gourmet’s delight, Fuego Grill offers fresh fish and prime cut meats from an open kitchen, and Café Landaa is more informal with Asian and regional specialities.

All of the menus at Landaa have the dosha symbols so you continue to balance yourself away from the spa.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Four Seasons Kuda Huraa is the sister resort of Landaa Giraavaru, just a speed boat ride away from Malé. You arrive to the sound of a beating drum and welcome cheers from the staff. You'll be whisked into the dark-wood reception where the whole floor is made up of individual mosaic tiles setting the tone for the classic, upmarket resort. The island is very well kept and has a rich array of colourful flowers.

The Island Spa is just a minute’s boat ride by dhoni (a traditional Maldivian wooden boat) from the main island. Walk along a wooden platform and enter the spa reception which is very much the hub of the spa. There are seven treatment rooms including overwater couple’s suites with glass bottom floors so you can peek at the fish during your massage.

Every journey to the spa starts with a cold infused towel, ginger tea and dried fruit. The Four Seasons service is outstanding.

We had the Night Spa Experience, Secrets of the Sea (150 minutes, from $600). The treatment starts when you are collected from your room by a therapist who puts a flower garland around your neck before whisking you off to the spa. The spa is solely yours for the evening and, weather permitting, the treatment is carried out under the stars.

Relax to the sound of the ocean while being massaged on a water mattress.

It takes your full weight and makes you feel as though you are floating on the sea. The frangipani and seaweed

bath at the end of the treatment completes it perfectly. It is a unique and extraordinary spa experience.

If you can drag yourself away from the spa, head to the Marine Discovery Centre. See the work of the marine conservation team who look after over a dozen turtles, of all ages, to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild. Or take a late afternoon Dolphin Cruise with a resident marine biologists, to learn about the different types of dolphin and why these mammals have an affinity with humans. We spotted a large pod of spinner dolphins dancing in the sea.

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SPA SPOTLIGHT ON...

"The island is a crescent shape; a very sheltered lagoon runs along the inside, a life-full reef the outside" HIDEAWAY BEACH RESORT AND SPA Haa Alifu

First impressions

Hideaway is in the northern part of The Maldives; some 40 minutes’ flight from Malé. But the distance buys you size and isolation. The island is 1.6 kilometres long, and the space is used between the villas which have large gardens and woodland screening each residence off. There’s also more to do, with pool bars, an on-water inflatable obstacle course and a photolab – an adult dressing up box!

Take the boat from nearby Hanimadhoo domestic airport and you’ll arrive at a picture perfect Maldivian island. The island is a crescent shape; a very sheltered lagoon runs along the inside for swimming and watersports and there’s a life-full reef on the outside of the crescent where you can snorkel to your heart's content. There are two pools which edge onto white beaches, both with a nearby restaurant and bar so you can order cocktails and snacks. If you fancy exercising in the Maldivian heat there’s a sports centre with gym, tennis courts and football pitch.

Book in at the Meris Dive Centre for PADI tuition or just rent equipment and a guide if you’re already qualified. You can use Tender Hearts, the kids club, formally or as informally as you like: check your little ones in for an hour or a day.

The island has 103 villas from overwater bungalows to a three bedroom ‘palace’. The style here is traditional Maldivian so expect bungalows on stilts, large wooden furniture and quite decadent bathrooms. Ours was larger than many London flats!

What’s on offer

The spa is at the far end of the island.

It’s all about privacy here so you’ll find steam rooms and Jacuzzis in most of the 12 large treatment rooms. The therapists are all Balinese, and much of the décor stems back to Bali; intricate wood work, peaceful trickling water and lots of flowers. The relaxation area has swinging seats, curl up post treatment and have a refreshing cold ginger tea. There’s also a manicure and pedicure room and a hair salon.

Treatments use German brand Dorissima for eight holistic rituals, including Empowerment, Uplifting or Harmony. You’ll find more results driven treatments from Natura Bissé, perfect if your skin is a little congested in the heat.

Skilled masseuses also give Balinese, Thai and even four-handed massage.

"The Dorrissima ayurvedic-inspired rituals and the Natura Bissé facials are really very good."

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Dorissima Uplifting Ritual (120 minutes, $220) and The Royal Citrus Experience (140 minutes, $300).

Suraya was my therapist for each of my treatments. She met me in the comfortable seating in the reception and took me through to our open air treatment room.

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The Dorissima rituals draw on Ayurvedic traditions so include dry exfoliation, long flowing massage and – joyfully – scalp massage. Our treatment began with a foot cleansing ritual and then Suraya gave me an affirmation card: “I let go, I relax, I become strengthened with new energy”.

I settled on the treatment bed and Suraya used a dry, very fine powder to exfoliate my back, legs, arms and décolletage.

The powder absorbed into my skin, so I didn’t need to take a shower before Suraya moved onto the stretching and lengthening massage. She used long and quite strong movements, spending a lot of time on my legs and upper back. Finally, she moved up to my neck, face and scalp using acupressure points on my forehead and around my eyes then on my scalp and upper neck. I felt relaxed but also very engaged: I wasn’t tired but blissfully at peace.

The Royal Citrus Experience is one of my favourite treatments so I knew I was in for a treat. At Hideaway it includes a scrub and wrap, a floral bath, a bamboo massage and then a results-driven facial – phew! Suraya started the treatment by again washing and exfoliating my feet.

I moved onto the treatment bed and she began by exfoliating my skin from toe to neck and then painted on a rich hydrating mask. She wrapped me tightly in a cotton sheet and then cleansed and exfoliated my face. Suruya explained that it was time to shower off the product so

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SPOTLIGHT ON...

Above left: A treatment room at Hideaway Spa Left below:A relaxation space at Hideaway Spa Main: A villa at Hideaway Right: The Spa at Hideaway

she left me in the room while I took a quick shower and settled into the floral bath for 25 minutes. There were many, many local flowers in the bath so I soaked in the heat and the scent.

Suraya returned to the room for the next parts of the treatment. First was the bamboo massage using a hollow bamboo stick as a massage tool. She used the length of the stick to massage, almost like a rolling pin. The massage was stronger because of the brittle bamboo, but not unbearably so. The final element, the facial used Natura Bissé’s C+C range, rich in vitamin c. She cleansed my skin and applied a bitter orange mask. Once the mask had worked its magic Suraya cleansed and applied a finishing moisturiser and eye cream. I smelt and felt absolutely delicious, my skin was glowing and all the citrus scents were very uplifting.

I also had a Four Handed Massage (50 minutes, $220). My therapists worked along the length of my body using very flowing movements which stretched up my legs, through my back all the way to my neck.

The continuous flow was very relaxing and unusual. Absolutely one to savour.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Who would like it?

Food Facts

There are four restaurants on the island, so there’s plenty of choice. The main restaurant is Matheefaru where you’ll have breakfast and dinner. It’s a large restaurant sitting on the edge of the water, the cathedral ceiling reaching high up into the rafters. Meeru Bar and Grill serves fresh fish, pizza, even burgers and steak. The Sunset Pool Café serves lighter sandwiches and salads and cocktails: swim up to a lounger and order your tipple of choice.

Samsara is a pretty spectacular Asian fusion restaurant out on a jetty over the lagoon.

There’s a teppenyaki bar and Indian and Japanese specialities.

• Divers. So many places in the Maldives offer breath-taking diving but being a little further north means it’s quieter. The local guides are great too – some of the staff are from neighbouring islands so they know their stuff.

• Younger couples. Older couples and families would be happy here, but most of the people we saw during our stay were young honeymooners.

• Those looking for peace and quiet. The extra space gives you more privacy.

Don’t Miss

• The house reef is easily accessible, even to not so confident swimmers.

• The spa treatments. There’s a really good balance of holistic and effective here: both the Dorrissima ayurvedic-inspired rituals and the Natura Bisse facials are very good.

• You can’t really miss it, but the customer service is excellent. Our butler seemed to know instinctively when we needed him.

Find out more at:

www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com

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SPA SPOTLIGHT ON...

NEED TO KNOW CURRENCY: Officially it’s the Maldivian Rufiyaa, but most resorts use US Dollars.

TIME ZONE: +5 hours GMT.

Other spas to try SONEVA FUSHI One of the original eco-chic resorts in The Maldives, Soneva Fushi sits within the beachfront jungle on Kunfunadhoo Island, a 25-minute flight from Malé. The resort is all about barefoot luxury, so don’t expect designer labels or caviar flown in from Dubai, think top level customer service, yoga on the beach and very good spa treatments instead. The Six Senses Spa has a mix of Asian and Oriental treatments; try Abhyanga or Shiodhara, Reiki or Balinese massage. You can even book in for Nature of Humanity Packages where you can assist horticulturists, snorkel with a marine biologist or get involved with local community work.

ANANTARA VELI The Sundari Ayurvedic Spa at Anantara Veli offers something a little different in South Malé Atoll. Book in for a consultation with their Ayurvedic doctor who will advise you on food choices, treatments and even resort experiences that are best suited for your dosha, or body type. You can also skip the Ayurveda, choose to experience more European spa treatments and relax on one of the resorts beaches and pools – your holiday, your choice. In the spa there’s a sauna, steam room and hot and cold plunge pools in the lush green spa garden.

PER AQUUM HUVAFEN FUSHI There’s a pretty impressive world first at

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Per Aquum. You can relax, pamper and preen in the world-first underwater spa treatment rooms. Gaze out at the coral and visiting angelfish as your therapist exfoliates, soothes and moisturises. Make time for the heat facilities, yoga on the overwater pavilion or head across to Lona Veyu – a salt water flotation pool. There’s also a cutting edge treatment menu with medi-spa brand Intraceuticals or more holistic body and face treatments from Temple Spa. ONE&ONLY REETHI RAH Reethi Rah is a grand dame of Maldivian luxury. It opened to much ado 10 years ago and fans have been flocking to this corner of paradise ever since. The One&Only Spa is nestled on the shore with treatment rooms overlooking the ocean. There are more facilities than you’ll find at most Maldivian resorts; a sauna, steam room, vitality pool, Watsu pool, experience showers and even an ice fountain. Book in for a two to five day wellness retreat or keep it casual with ad hoc ESPA treatments. We love the Sun Spa, where you are given guidance on how to protect your skin from the tropical sunshine; therapists are even on-hand to re-apply sunscreen during the day.

MEERA SPA AT GILI LANKANFUSHI The motto at Gili Lankanfushi is "No news, no shoes". When you arrive, you're encouraged to remove your footwear and make your way around the island barefoot.

We’re sold. The Meera Spa is in its own separate villa, over the water, where glass panels beneath the treatment beds allow

LANGUAGE: Dhivehi. The Maldives was a British protectorate until 1965, so English is widely spoken.

GETTING THERE: British Airways run direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (Malé) from October to March.

The most established changing routes are with Emirates via Dubai or Qatar Airways via Doha. Other contenders on the scene include SriLankan Airlines flying via Colombo or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.

you to be hypnotised by the fish darting in the sea below. Be adventurous and try music therapy, bamboo massage or ocean therapy. The tone of the spa is natural, with wooden floors, open verandas for relaxing, and natural, organic products on the treatment menu.

COMO MAALIFUSHI Como Shambala is a wellness brand with its name derived from “a sacred place of bliss” mentioned in Buddhist texts. The concept of holistic wellbeing spills over into the Como Resorts – Como Maalifushi on Thaa Atoll opened in 2014. As well as the standard accoutrements you’d expect from a luxury Maldives resort, the Como Shambala Retreat has eight treatment rooms, an open air yoga pavilion, steam rooms and treatments from an integrated massage specialist and a naturopathic doctor. Expect cool, calm, white interiors, overwater massage and nutritious, locally sourced cuisine. WM

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EXFOLIATION

Scrub -a-licious

BS : U R SC ICELY N t UP Produc s iew Rev

Summer’s here – time to get your body ready for increased exposure. Before you splash out on any creams or fake tans, the first thing you need to invest in is a really good body scrub.

Here are the Spa Spies' tried and tested body exfoliators.

KATHERINE DANIELS GENTLE OIL AND SALT EXFOLIATOR RRP £25, 200ML www.katherinedanielscosmetics.com

KEY INGREDIENTS: Sea salt, lavender, cypress, geranium, rosemary, camomile and lemon essential oils.

WHAT'S IT LIKE? Katherine Daniels packaging – pale white box with name – is elegant with a little pastel-hued Union Jack at the bottom. The scrub comes in a large white tube that feels substantial.

I squeezed a globule onto the palm of my hand that was more gel-like than oily, and the salt crystals gleamed prettily.

It smells very refreshing as you rub it into your skin. It’s quite

harsh, so great if you love a vigorous scrub. As the oil sinks in quickly, the salt tends to fall off a bit, so you will want to stand in a shower or on a towel. It washed off very easily in the shower.

RESULTS: ‘Gentle’ is a bit misleading – invigorating would be nearer the mark.

I loved the smell and tingly sensation and it was really easy and fun to apply, even if some salt particles fell off. My skin went healthily pink – all those blood cells coming to the surface to work miracles – and felt wide awake. Afterwards it felt incredibly soft and smooth, with a delicate layer of the oil remaining on my skin.

[COMFORT ZONE] SACRED NATURE BIO-CERTIFIED GOMMAGE RRP €47, 200ML www.comfortzone.it/en

KEY INGREDIENTS: Buriti oil, butterfly bush extract, shea butter, jojoba spheres and orange distilled-water. www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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WHAT'S IT LIKE? As one would expect from Italians, the packaging is elegant and identifiably [comfort zone]. The tube is cream with a wooden lid and carries the ECO CERT logo. Squeezing into the palm of my hand, a long coil of cream with tiny jojoba particles appeared. It smells of jojoba and orange. When I rubbed it in, the effect of the scrub was evident but not invasively so. It rinsed off easily and the smell remained on my soft skin.

RESULTS: I could feel the return of elasticity in my skin and a very natural softness. It’s the most gentle and easy to use of the body scrubs: it felt very nourishing without being overwhelming. I love [comfort zone] products but they’re not easy to find – if you see them snap them up!

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EXFOLIATION

ISHGA HEBRIDEAN SEA SALT SCRUB RRP £15, 50ML www.ishga.co.uk

KEY INGREDIENTS: We

think the title says it all… Also jojoba, thistle and almond oil, seaweed extract, rose, lavender, geranium, juniper berry and lemongrass.

are quite petit so it was soft against my skin.

The product was very easy to rinse off, but the smell lingered…

RESULTS: My skin was very soft and very well hydrated – I even skipped moisturising as my skin didn’t really need it.

The scent is quite sweet, so maybe not one for you if you prefer citruses, but it really was effective at leaving my skin soft, supple and moisturised.

WHAT'S IT LIKE? The product

is packaged in a bright turquoise box with ishga’s signature seaweed artwork. The scrub itself is in a small, neat jar with a turquoise inner and silver lid. The ingredients separate a little in the jar with salt on the bottom and oil on the top. It smells of lemon drops; sweet and zingy. I stirred the ingredients quickly with my finger to create a light salty sludge, then scooped out a small amount with my fingers – it is quite runny, although the salt flakes are large – and applied it to my arms and chest.

RESULTS: The large flakes weren’t too

scratchy although very invigorating, and rinsed off easily leaving a sheen of oil. My skin felt softer and more hydrated with this than the other products and smelt wonderfully citrusy. You just have to buy into the ishga romanticism: these are real products, hand harvested and handmade.

THALGO EXOTIC ISLAND BODY SCRUB

RRP £38, 270G www.thalgo.co.uk

KEY INGREDIENTS: Tahitian vanilla, white sand from Bora Bora, sea salt, coconut shell, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, algomonoi sargassum (a blend of monoi oil and sargassum algae).

WHAT'S IT LIKE? The scrub comes in a grey and slightly glimmering box. Inside is a glass jar with a white lid and a plastic scoop.

The product separates into white and black kernels at the bottom and oil at the top.

It’s part of the Polynesia range so smells like a warm summer day in exotic lands. I mixed the product and took a scoop into the palm of my hand.

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ESPA INVIGORATING SALT SCRUB RRP £36, 700G www.espaskincare.com

KEY INGREDIENTS: Sea salt, sweet almond oil, menthol, orange, grapefruit, lime, pepper and ginger.

WHAT'S IT LIKE: It’s huge! I opened the purple box and heaved out the magnificent glass jar. Unscrewing the marble-style lid, the scent of spa sprung out – herbs, citrus and mint. Inside the salt and oil had separated. Mix it up then scoop out a dripping palmful and smooth it on. The scent was fresh and uplifting, the menthol made my skin and senses zing.

As I rinsed it off, I noticed some redness (maybe due to my zealous scrubbing) but it soon vanished. There was an oily sheen on my body and hands.

comes in a dark green box containing a lightweight glass jar with a plastic lid. Lifting the lid you'll find a pale beige and grainy paste that smells freshly sharp and sweet.

The scrub itself a little sticky so it stays held together and is easy to apply. The buff felt gently abrasive when rubbing in and was great for sloughing off dry skin. It rinsed away easily, leaving nothing unpleasant in the shower, RESULTS: My skin really did look renewed: smooth and noticeably youthful, with a soft and not too oily sheen. I was rather impressed. The fragrance that remained after the sharper, invigorating scents had been washed away was warm and comforting, like a cashmere blanket.

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES REVIVE BODY SCRUB RRP £34, 200ML www.aromatherapyassociates.com

KEY INGREDIENTS: Corn cob and bamboo for the kernels, grapefruit, rosemary and juniper essential oils, and shea and cocoa butter for hydration.

WHAT'S IT LIKE: Packaged in a vivid turquoise box, the scrub comes in a simple and classic white tube, which stands on one end. It flips open and you can hold the product and apply with the other hand, unlike the larger screw-on pots.

The scrub has a white cream base. The exfoliating particles are quite large and strong, I had to massage the product in gently. It’s thick, so doesn’t drop or spill, it also goes on smoothly and washes off very clean. The scent is very reviving!

"Unscrewing the marble-style lid, the scent of spa sprung out – herbs, citrus and mint. "

RESULTS: When I stepped out of the shower and dried off, my skin felt like I’d just had an ESPA body treatment: zingy, alive, glowing and massaged with deliciously scented oils. No need for body moisturiser and the effects really lasted.

TEMPLE SPA SUGAR BUFF MEDITERRANEAN SUGAR SCRUB RRP £16, 255G www.templespa.com

KEY INGREDIENTS: Olive oil, grape seed oil, fig, clove, pomegranate, vitamin E, bitter orange, frankincense, myrrh WHAT'S IT LIKE? The sugar scrub

RESULTS:

The Revive Scrub is a bit polarising, it’s quick, easy and really does wake you up. It doesn’t feel as luxurious or hydrating as an oil based scrub, but if you don’t like the feeling of an oily residue, it’s a good choice. The scrub is great post-exercise – especially if you use it with the Revive Gel. WM

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THALASSOTHERAPY

Discover health through

water

For centuries water has been used for its healing properties.

The Romans instilled a level of decadence and perhaps even gave spa-ing its name: ‘salus per aquam’. Supreme Spy looks to Italy and two very different interpretations of health through water.

GROTTA GIUSTI Grotta Giusti is in the Tuscan hills; green landscapes meet pale stone houses meet olive fields. Dating back to the nineteenth-century, the house was first owned by poet Giuseppe Giusti and enough original features remain to picture the satirist composing verses here.

The entrance hall sets the scene; high ceilings, dramatic flowers and original art.

The 64 hotel rooms are decorated with emerald green, gold and yellow with dark wooden shutters on the windows. The restaurant has floor to ceiling windows on several sides, flooding the space with Tuscan light. The

menu is very inclusive; you can eat a four course meal whether you are vegan, vegetarian, have a gluten allergy, are on a low calorie diet or prefer fish to meat. The bar is decorated with floral frescos paled with age.

Below ground you’ll find something very special - unique even. The hotel is built around an underwater spring, full of mineral water rich in calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate. History has it that in 1849 two farmhands discovered the thermal grotto hidden by a boulder. One was lowered into the dark to find the 130 million year old grotto, full of stalagmites, stalactites and a lake of warm water. In 1853, it was turned into a health experience, one that is still used today.

The 900-metre deep cave is a short descent from the hotel,

History has it that two farmhands discovered the 130 million year old thermal grotto in 1849.

The warm waters in the cave been used as a health experience ever since.

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THALASSOTHERAPY

Below left: The outdoor pool Below right: The thermal water in the grotta Bottom left: The Terme Spa Bottom right: The grotta entrance

"The grotta is a 900-metre deep cave beneath the hotel full of rainwater and lined with salt rock, stalagmites and stalactites." the heat in the pathway is intense. Our guide stopped us on the journey to carry out breathing exercises inhaling the salt in the air. When we reached the water it was beautifully clear and blue. We climbed down a metal ladder, and into the cooling water – a welcome respite from the heat.

We then clung to the uneven salt rock like tree frogs moving around the cave, alternating arm over arm, swimming underwater to pass jutting rocks. Our guides turned off their torches and it became completely dark, still and quiet.

Our guide stood on a large rock and, in turn, held and moved us through the water for a ‘floating experience’. It was otherworldly and deeply de-stressing.

You’ll find more conventional treatments and pools back above ground in the hotel’s spa. Focussed on water and health, the spa has a medical approach to wellbeing; think white minimalist. They use www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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own brand products as well as the equally Italian [comfort zone].

The outside pool is very large at 750m2 (a 25-metre pool is about 575m2) with 40 different hydro jets running the length of the pool. There are four circular walled jet areas where many people sat soaking up the sun.

We sat and watched the neighbouring hills, revelling in the quiet.

There’s a second quieter pool and a hydro pool just for use by hotel guests. It’s heated to 35 degrees, private and the perfect suntrap. A place to sit and gather your thoughts pre-treatment.

We tried the Detox Body Treatment (60 minutes, €75). In the treatment room I changed into my disposable panties and laid on the bed, feeling rather exposed. I was about to be covered in dark green mud by my therapist Alisandra, but the slightly prudish British person within me screamed with embarrassment!

The mud brought me back into a relaxed state, it was beautifully warm and felt smooth and comforting on my skin.

Alisandra applied the wrap from knee to bust, then wrapped me in soft, thin linen.

Next, she cleansed and toned my face and painted a cooling mask onto my skin. I felt warm and cocooned, happily relaxing for twenty minutes while Alisandra left the room. On her return I showered off the mud and I lay back on the bed to have oil massaged onto legs, back, arms and stomach. I felt relaxed but uplifted too and my skin was very soft.

Grotta Gusti made us feel truly invigorated. There is something very special in the natural waters and the resort handles them in a beautiful and accessible way.

Find out more about the hotel, spa and grotta at: www.grottagiustispa.com

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THALASSOTHERAPY

BAGNI DI PISA Less rural but rather grand is Bagni di Pisa, originally built as a summer residence for the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1743.

In the comune of San Giuliano Terme, between Lucca and Pisa, the hotel looks out over the rolling Tuscan countryside; you might even catch a glimpse of the Tower of Pisa.

The town is steeped in spa history, from the revival of Pisa in 1112 to the Medici family in the 16th Century. Byron, Shelley and the famously extravagant King George IV visited the villas. The Etruscan and Romans used the natural elements from the area; archaeologists found evidence of baths built of the pure white marble quarried nearby.

In 2004, Bagni di Pisa was renovated to its 18th Century glory; you’ll find frescoed ceilings, extraordinarily high ceilings and long marble corridors. A central staircase sweeps up from the reception to the 61 bedrooms. Our suite was quite breathtaking with a four poster-bed, frescos on the ceiling and a decadent bathroom. We were tempted to claim it our own and refuse to leave.

The Dei Lorena restaurant has a full and flexible menu, carefully crafted by the resident dietitian.

The restaurant offers, among others, wellness programmes which are low in calories but high in vegetables, fruit and fish. Take your pre-dinner drinks in the Shelley Lounge. Some say the writer had the idea for her Frankenstein character while staying at the resort.

The Levante Spa is at the far end of the hotel and is more compact than the immense Grotta Guisti, its sister hotel at the Italian Hospitality Collection (www. italianhospitalitycollection.com). The spa also uses mineral-rich thermal waters, though in a more personal way. The main thermal pool – the Percorso Bioaquam – is

at the centre of the building with a glass roof allowing the sunshine to stream in. At about 8-9 metres long, it’s for bathing rather than swimming lengths. In the Thalaquam there are two smaller pools, one with saltwater and a second with natural water and strong hydro jets. The Salidarium next door is lined with warm salt crystals. On the rootop there’s another thermal pool where you can take a dip in the sunshine.

At Bagni di Pisa, the grotta is an individual experience. The Hammam dei Granduchi is a small natural cave with thermal water trickling in through a waterfall. The water heats the room; breathe in the salt air from the bath dug into the rock.

The room seats four, but it would be much more comfortable (and romantic) with two.

The treatments feel much more personal and tailored, too. We tried the Time Massage (50 minutes, €85) and Antioxidant Facial (90 minutes, €125).

Adel was my therapist for the massage – one of the best I have ever had. She started with her hands on my sternum. She asked me to take three deep breaths and each time I breathed out she applied a slow pressure to my chest, slowing my breathing. She used a rich and smooth cream for the massage;

"The Hammam dei Granduchi is a small natural cave with thermal water tricking in through a waterfall, heating the room."

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Above left: L'Hammam dei Granduchi Above right: The Minverva Bath at night Bottom left: Bagni di Pisa Bottom right: The Minerva Bath

stretching, stroking and pummelling my arms, legs and torso. Her hands seemed to know exactly what my body needed, and she checked the pressure and techniques to make sure I wasn’t uncomfortable.

The Antioxidant Facial was equally indulgent with three different masks.

My therapist, Miara, cleansed and toned my skin, then brushed on a tingly mask.

She cleansed, lightly massaged around my eyes and applied a cooling mask.

Then she used a deep cleansing machine in long sweeps over my face. To finish, Miara applied a mud mask and massaged my hands and arms while it set. She then cleansed again and applied a moisturiser.

The facial had instantly visible results – my skin felt and looked wonderful – but it was also very relaxing.

Make time after your treatments to head up to the rooftop pool. The scenery is beautiful with views over the town and surrounding hill tops. Drift in the thermal waters, lap up the heat and indulge in salus per aquam. WM Find out more about Bagni di Pisa and the Levante Spa at: www.grottagiustispa.com

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+ SPA

family

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring close-knit family - in another city.”

F

George Burns

amilies can be wonderful, but they’re also great for raising stress levels: whether it’s your competitive siblings, demanding toddlers, moody teenagers, or indeed your own inner teenager when your mother tells you how well her friend’s daughter is doing compared to you…

So why on earth would you want to take your family to a spa? And how can you possibly relax and still get the most out of your spa time?

In fact, there are so many positive reasons to spa en famille.

One, the neutral, relaxing environment is the perfect ‘safe’ space for a family get-together.

Two, you can always escape to your treatments every time you can feel your blood beginning to boil, massage away any tension, and return a nicer, calmer person.

As Oscar Wilde said, “After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations.” The same can be said of a good massage.

And three, if you are young parents learning that a “holiday” with toddlers 68 | Wellness |

is about as relaxing as training for the Olympics, you absolutely need spa time for the sake of your own sanity and your family.

In this instance, thankfully there are plenty of resorts and hotels that have activities for the kids as well as an adult-only spa where you can escape and recharge. If it has a kids club even better: you can book in for a couple’s treatment and remember what it’s like to relax together!

If that makes you feel guilty, just remember that a healthy marriage makes for a happy family. Tell yourself when you’re blissing out in the rasul or sitting in a Jacuzzi sipping bubbly together: you’re doing this for the team.

PERFECT FOR ALL AGES Calcot Spa | Gloucestershire Calcot Manor (www.calcot.co/calcot-spa/) is a 14th Century Cotswold stone boutique hotel in a huge countryside estate with stacks of outdoor activities, a children’s play zone with a wooden pirate ship, nature trails and – in a quiet corner of the grounds – a lovely, light and modern spa. The highlight is the gorgeous lavender lined outdoor hot tub which has its own log fire. Just apart

from the spa is a 16-metre pool and toddler pool with a cathedral ceiling and countryside views. There’s also a steam room and sauna, plus in summer a heated outdoor pool, and a host of treatments on offer, including Aromatherapy Associates massages, Elemis and CACI facials, plus treatments tailored for men, cancer patients and mums-to-be.

While you skip off for your me or we-time, your children and/or grandchildren will be well looked after in the Ofsted registered crèche or, for eight and older, there’s the Mez, with PlayStations, Xboxes, books and games. Then after, you can gather together to enjoy cycling, tennis, walking or the fabulous on-site restaurants.

"There are plenty of resorts and hotels that have activities for the kids as well as an adultonly spa where you can escape and recharge."

MUM AND DAD TIME The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, Lancashire Ribby Hall Village’s (www.ribbyhall.co.uk) adults-only spa is the perfect playpen for grownups. Book into a holiday cottage with some friends (some with their own hot tubs) – the kids can enjoy the animal experiences, woodland trail, archery, swimming pool, adventure playground and other outdoor pursuits while the parents indulge in the spa’s fantastic aqua journey and a range of treatments from Elemis, Neom and Ishga. There are two AA Rosette restaurants on site, plus Blackpool and Manchester nearby.

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SPA + FAMILY

Left: Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa Right: Ribby Hall Village Bottom right: Ribby Hall Village

GREAT FOR BABYSITTING Sequoia Spa at The Grove, Hertfordshire The utterly luxurious Sequoia Spa (www. thegrove.co.uk/spa) attached to a fabulous hotel has so many advantages for those spa-ing with young families. First it is moments from Harry Potter World.

Secondly, there are 300 acres to explore, on bike or foot, with a walled garden ‘beach’, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a football pitch plus golf for all ages. Most usefully, the hotel provides a trusted babysitting service, and there’s an on site day nursery to keep the little ones amused while you (and your over-12s) head for the black tiled swimming pool in the spa, or enjoy Natura Bissé and ESPA treatments.

FOR TINY SPA-ISTAS Lucknam Park, Wiltshire Lucknam Park (www.lucknampark.co.uk) is super for young families, with lots to do. There are pools, bikes, nature trails, and adventure play, plus a cookery school, pony riding for all ages, and spa minitreatments for ages eight and over. The fine dining restaurant is open for children over five, but if you fancy some alone time there is a nanny service, too. Escape to the fabulous spa and enjoy its indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pool, thermal cabins, fireside swimming pool, and wellbeing classes.

FREE-RANGE KIDS The Well Spa Retreat at Bluestone, Wales Relax in The Well Spa (www. bluestonewales.com) with its six thermal rooms, rooftop hydrotherapy pool and

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natural treatments while your kids run wild through 500 acres of stunning woodland, building dens and swinging through the trees. There are activities and clubs from ages 0-12, while 4-9 year olds can have their nails and hair done. There are no cars on the resort so the air is extra clean, and food is locally sourced. You can bathe in forest lakes, in The Blue Lagoon – which is heated by a biomass fuel system – or head for one of the nearby award-winning beaches. There’s a waterpark, 60 foot zip wires and an indoor adventure centre for when the weather turns foul.

MINI HIPSTERS C-Side at Cowley Manor, Gloucestershire Cowley Manor (www.cowleymanor.com) is chic manor house in 55 acres of Grade II listed gardens, and is for the seriously laid back and groovy. The hotel is fitted with modern art paintings, sculpture and contemporary furniture handmade by British designers. Children can use the spa facilities between 9am and 5.30pm each day including the 17-metre indoor and 15-metre outdoor pools. Adults can also use the sauna, steam room and gym.

BABY BUCCANEER Windjammer Landing Beach Resort, St Lucia If Pirates of the Caribbean has taken your little one’s fancy, Windjammer Landing (www.windjammer-landing.com) will teach them their port from their starboard while you let our your sails and relax for an afternoon. The new spa takes wellness seriously with a skincare collection handharvested in St Lucia and developed with the spa’s naturopath. Perfect your boat

pose on the outdoor yoga deck, soak up the flora and fauna in the relaxation lounge and garden or book yourself in for a jet-lag busting massage. Children from 4-12 can join the Jacquot Fun Club from 10am to 4pm and 6.30pm to 10pm – better make that an extended spa afternoon.

JUNIOR JET SETTERS Four Seasons Resort Bali, Jimbaran Bay While you enjoy your massage on the beach at Four Seasons Bali (www. fourseasons.com/jimbaranbay), your kids will be well taken care of. There’s a kids' club for younger ones, with crab hunting, treasure hunts, and coconut bowling, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, and the all essential Xbox and Playstation games.

Older children can enjoy a variety of activities, from canoeing to windsurfing and kayaking, or simply chill in the infinity pool. The amazing spa offers beachside yoga and meditation, visiting wellness gurus, sacred Balinese rituals, spiritual healing, as well as ila face treatments, body scrubs, wraps and massages.WM SUMMER 2016

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RECIPE

S U M M E R SA L A D Tomato and mozzarella

This brightly coloured salad is summer on a plate! It’s a simple but refreshing combination of favours and colours. It can be made in advance and served cold. Ideal on hot days. Serve as a starter or main course.

INGREDIENTS Serves 4

10 ripe red cherry tomatoes 5 ripe yellow cherry tomatoes 4 sprigs basil roughly torn up 100ml rapeseed oil 4 spears of asparagus 200g fresh mozzarella cut into slices Whole basil leaves and chive flowers to garnish 70 | Wellness |

First peel the red cherry tomatoes; put them in boiling water for five seconds, then plunge them into iced water. The skin will shrivel which makes it easier to peel off. Place the skinned tomatoes on a baking tray, drizzle the rapeseed oil over them. Sprinkle the torn basil leaves on top and season well with salt and pepper. Leave to stand for an hour.

Slice the yellow tomatoes in half, and grill until charred on the top. Allow to cool.

Peel and slice the asparagus. Plunge it into boiling salted water for about two minutes. Drain and put it in cold water to chill.

Arrange the tomatoes and asparagus on the plate and add the slices of mozzarella.

Garnish with the whole basil leaves and chive flowers. MW

MATT WORSWICK is head chef at ‘Matt Worswick at the Latymer’ at Pennyhill Park in Surrey. Matt appeared in last year’s Great British Menu where he won the regional heats in the North West and Master Chef Professionals in 2010. Matt was awarded a Michelin star during his time at Glenapp Castle, and has worked with David Everritt-Matthias at the two Michelin star Le Champignon Sauvage.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

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Spirit of Excellence Hand crafted, small batch, single estate botanical gin.

Made in Blighty by world champion gin distiller John Walters.

Created to be the best.

find out How To Land A Spitfire here www.youtube.com Spitfire Heritage Gin

www.spitfireheritagegin.com Available from Wine Rack and quality wines & spirits outlets

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FOOT CARE

Step into summer Put your feet first and skip footloose and fancy-free this summer. elcome to summer, when you can finally put away wellies and boots, and bring your sandals out of hibernation at the back of the wardrobe.

But nice as it is for your toes to soak up the sun, are your feet fit to be seen? Even if they seem fine to begin with, summer footwear can quickly cause abrasions and cracked heels without proper care and attention, especially if they are lacking hydration.

Never fear! Here’s how to prepare your feet for summer - and keep them beautiful all year round.

"You can finally put away wellies and boots, and bring your sandals out of hibernation at the back of the wardrobe."

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CHOOSE A FOOT CREAM If you’d like your feet to be ready for summer at a moment’s notice, you should keep them regularly moisturised even outside of beach season. Luckily there is plenty of choice in foot cream products; you just have to find the right one for you.

If you’re lucky, you may have fairly supple feet that only need a light

moisturiser to keep them in tip top condition. Or you may suffer from dry areas, in particular on the heels and the balls of your feet, which may even have become rough or cracked if left untended.

In this case, the moisturiser you choose will need to be heavier and able to rescue and soothe damaged skin.

Then there’s personal preference; do you like products that are oily or quick to absorb? Are you allergic to any ingredients?

Do you prefer some scents to others?

WHAT TO LOOK FOR If your feet are generally healthy, consider moisturisers with oil-based ingredients such as vegetable, olive or coconut oils to keep them in their soft condition.

For relief of rough or hard skin, look for glycerine or petroleum jelly and paraffin wax, all of which will help seal and repair.

Prone to infection? Rosewater, honey, and Indian lilac (neem) are antibacterial and full of vitamins. Moisturisers containing these will help prevent infections and promote overall healthy toes.

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FOOT CARE

by a thorough scrub, attention to your cuticles, and trimming and shaping of your toenails. Afterwards creams and aromatherapy oils are massaged into your skin, and high quality toenail polish (in your chosen colour!) is applied as a finishing touch. The overall treatment time will vary depending on whether the pedicure is enhanced with extra massage techniques or another treatment, but typically lasts between 30-90 minutes.

Afterwards you should feel ready to show off your toes -- you may even feel you’re walking on air!

T CO U N TO D O W NE C T PERF H B E AC FEET THREE MONTHS BEFORE ‘Treat yourself to a spa or salon pedicure, and follow this up with a dedicated routine of home treatments to prolong the incredible results.’

Margaret Dabbs recommends using a file and an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and deeply moisturising foot cream.

‘Use the foot file twice a week on dry skin, remember to be careful not to over file, and always follow on by applying a moisturiser for the best possible results.’

She also advises using a daily moisturiser even on the days you don’t file to help improve the condition of the skin and strengthen broken nails.

TWO MONTHS At this point it’s important to continue with the routine, but to jazz it up a little with new products.

‘Adding new, lighter products is a great way to shake up your routine,’ Margaret says. ‘Find an exfoliating foot scrub or mousse to apply one or two times a week after filing, coupled with a lighter and refreshing lotion that you can use daily. You can now reduce the heavier foot cream to just four nights a week.’

ONE MONTH Margaret claims: ‘Your feet should now be thoroughly transformed! All you need to do now is maintain the results.’

She recommends using the foot file followed by the exfoliant just once a week at this point, and the lighter moisturiser daily. Your feet should now look and feel fantastic for your holiday!

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PEDICURE TREATMENTS Keeping your feet healthy with a foot cream is one thing, but you may feel you need to do more to get your feet feeling and looking beautiful. Treating yourself to a pedicure every now and then can help beautify.

A pedicure will aim to remove dead skin, soften hard areas, plus shape and treat your toenails. Reasons to have a pedicure range from the obvious of tidying up your feet and leaving them prettier and healthier, to helping you with your posture and daily walking comfort.

Plus, some pedicures are therapeutic and can soothe and relax you with massage and scented creams!

WHAT TO EXPECT It can be a heavenly experience having a good foot treatment, but pedicures feature varying techniques from the type of polish used, to the massage or bathing rituals accompanying them.

A traditional pedicure starts by soaking and cleansing your feet in warm and scented water. This is then followed

EXPERT ADVICE In anticipation of the sandal season, we spoke to Margaret Dabbs, a professional podiatrist and founder of the Margaret Dabbs London footcare brand. We wanted to know the best way to get our feet looking healthy and beautiful after the winter.

"You would not consider exfoliating the face without following with a face moisturiser: the same applies to the feet."

Margaret recommended regularly filing your feet when they’re dry, and to file before a shower and not afterwards.

‘The reasons for this are quite simple,’ she said. ‘Firstly, a foot that has been bathed masks the areas that need to be treated – you simply cannot see the dry skin or callus in the same way. If a foot is prone to cracks, bathing will weaken the tissues, making the crack more likely to open up. Finally, products do not adhere as well to wet skin and so will not be as effective.’

Margaret added that as well as filing you should have an intense moisturising routine: ‘You would not consider exfoliating your face without following with a face moisturiser: the same applies to feet.’ WM The Margaret Dabbs London Fabulous Feet range features a professional foot file, foot hygiene cream, exfoliating foot mousse and intensive hydrating foot lotion. Find out more at: www. margaretdabbs.co.uk

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Q&A

&

Isn’t it funny that an experience aimed at ultimate relaxation is already causing you to break out in a sweat? Don’t worry, pre-spa anxiety is perfectly normal. Here we address some common concerns in the hope that we can put your mind – and body – at rest.

Tipping and stripping: Spa etiquette What do I wear at a spa?

DAY Overall, a long towelling robe which pretty much all spas provide. What you wear underneath depends on whether you are using wet or thermal facilities, and what makes you feel most comfortable.

Swimwear is good if you’re planning to dip in and out of pools, Jacuzzis and water therapies. (Take two costumes, so you have a dry spare). For body treatments, your everyday underwear will do. If these

involve mud or oils, you will probably be given a pair of dinky paper knickers so you don’t spoil your own. (Note: not all spas provide these for men, so perhaps pack two pairs of trunks just in case). On your feet, towelling slippers or flip flops are the general order of the day, but check beforehand whether the spa provides them. Add your gym clothes, trainers and a fleece if you’re planning exercise or outdoor walking.

EVENING

Smart casual is the general rule for spa restaurant suppers, so ditch the tiara/onesie.

How early do I need to arrive?

Most spas suggest that you arrive at least 15 minutes before your treatment time. Spas have a chilled-out ambience, but behind the scenes therapists are under pressure to keep to their schedules and can’t always honour, or have to shorten, appointments with latecomers.

Losing even two minutes of a spa appointment can impact on the treatment or make the therapist run late all day. Arriving early also gives you a chance to become familiar with the spa, get changed, have a drink and, most importantly, relax so you’re as receptive as possible to your treatment.

Why do I need to fill in a health questionnaire?

Does my therapist really need to know that?! Possibly not all of it. But it’s important to disclose pregnancy, allergies, recent injuries and health issues – for your wellbeing as well as the spa’s.

The questionnaires prevent harm, but also allow for positive action. If your therapist knows you wear contact lenses, they will understand that your eyes might be sensitive. Or if they are aware of your migraines, they can be careful not to wave strongly scented oils under your nose!

Will I need to change for lunch?

In 90 per cent of spas, towelling robes are worn at lunch. The rest should tell you if that’s not the case.

Some hotel spas share the restaurant with other hotel guests so it’s worth checking before you wander unclothed into the throng.

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Q&A

Photo: Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa

What do I do with my belongings?

You’ll have a locker or, if you’re at a residential spa, a room. Most robes have a large pocket for your locker key, hankies etc.

As to mobile phones, it’s suggested that you leave them in your locker. In reality some people carry them around to take photos or check emails. Loud phone conversations in the relaxation room are obviously a no-no.

Will I have to strip off?

Not if you don’t want to, and let’s face it, there isn’t a person alive who doesn’t have some kind of body issue.

The golden rule is: do whatever makes you feel comfortable. For a full body massage you can opt to keep your pants on, or go completely in the buff. Some treatments, such as reiki and shiatsu are done through your clothes. You’ll find most therapists are skilled at protecting your modesty with an arrangement of towels and blankets.

Will I be able to have a female masseuse?

Generally, yes, as long as you request one beforehand (ideally when making the booking).

Does a ‘full body’ massage mean all of my body?

‘Full body’ includes arms, legs, hands and feet, neck and back. Your therapist should ask if you want your stomach and buttocks massaged too. If you don’t want certain areas touched or uncovered, say so. Ultimately, it’s your body, your rules. If you’re at all unsure, try a ‘back, neck and shoulder’ massage first.

"There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t have some kind of body issue. The golden rule is: do whatever makes you feel comfortable."

Should I say if my treatment isn’t what I want?

Lots of people can be bashful about speaking out, perhaps not wanting to offend or upset the therapist. But they genuinely want to hear if something isn’t right. Better to speak out than feel disappointed in your spa experience and complain about it later.

Feel free to guide your therapist in advance.

Maybe you don’t like your feet being touched, or you’d like the massage to focus mostly on your back. In a treatment setting, good communication is both welcome and valuable.

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This is well-founded advice. Spas usually have a humid environment so it’s important to keep hydrated, especially when using a sauna or heat treatment rooms. If you have had a massage or another body treatment, your lymphatic system will be working hard and this accelerates the speed at which your body loses water. You don’t want to pass out! Good spas will have drinking water readily available, and remind you to drink plenty.

Should I tip my therapist?

Yes. However, it’s not practical to carry loose change around a spa, hence you don’t have to tip direct. You can add a gratuity to the overall bill, or leave cash in a little envelope at the spa reception desk on your way out.

A suggested rate is between 10 and 20 per cent of the treatment cost. Of course, if you don’t feel you had good service, have a quiet word with the spa manager.

I’ll be really embarrassed if I fall asleep in my treatment.

What should I do?

It’s ok to fall asleep during a treatment.

In fact, it’s a compliment to your therapist if you manage to drift away. Just as a chef is pleased to see a clean plate, therapists are happy when their clients are so relaxed they fall asleep. Snoring, dribbling… therapists have seen it all, so don’t worry.

People keep telling me to drink plenty of water… Is this important?

"It’s ok to fall asleep during a treatment."

Finally, if you have any concerns, talk to your therapist or spa manager. Their aim is to make you feel great, not awkward or short-changed. WM

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BUBBLE RATINGS 5 Bubble Luxury

From jaw-dropping faclities to good value spas, we award bubbles not stars! Here's a list of UK spas rated by the Spa Spies®.

The Spa at the Midland

North West

South West

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

North West

West Midlands

The Spa in Dolphin Square

London

Galgorm Resort and Spa

Northern Ireland

The Thai Spa at Lough Erne Resort

Northern Ireland

Pennyhill Park an Exclusive Hotel and Spa

South East

The Woodland Spa

North West

Rockliffe Hall

North East

Utopia Spa at Alexander House Hotel

South East

Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall

North East

East of England

The Bulgari Spa

London

Weavers House Spa at The Swan at Lavenham Hotel

The Vineyard Spa

South East

Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes Hotel

East Midlands

Chewton Glen Spa Dormy House Hotel and Spa

4 Bubbles

5 Bubbles Agua at Mondrian London

London

Agua at Sanderson London

London

Antara Spa at the Chelsea Health Club

London

Aqua Sana Woburn Forest

East of England

Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa

North West

Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel de France

South West

Bailiffscourt Spa

South East

Barnsley Spa and Skincare Centre

South West

Calcot Spa

South West

Carbis Bay Hotel and Spa

South West

Champneys Tring

South East

Chuan Spa at The Langham London

London

C-Side at Cowley Manor

West Midlands

Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa

South East

Eden Hall Day Spa

East Midlands

Eforea Spa at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Liverpool

Appleby Manor Hotel and Garden Spa

North West

Aqua Sana Elveden Forest

East of England

Aqua Sana Longleat Forest

South West

Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest

East Midlands

Aqua Sana Whinfell Forest

North West

Carden Spa at Carden Park

North West

The Spa at Cameron House on Loch Lomond

Scotland

Champneys Henlow

East Midlands

Fawsley Hall

West Midlands

Gomersal Park Hotel

Yorkshire and the Humber

Grand Jersey

South West

Lion Quays Hotel and Spa

West Midlands

Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel and Spa

North West

Mill Wheel Spa

North West

Spa by Kasia at The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel

North West

North West

Spa Sirène at The Royal Yacht

South West

Spa Verta

London

Hale Country Club and Spa

North West

Spread Eagle Spa

South East

Headland Spa

South West

The Clearing Spa at The Cornwall Hotel

South West

K Spa at K West Hotel and Spa

London

The Club and Spa at Cadbury House

South West

Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel

Scotland

The Day Spa at Whittlebury Hall

East Midlands

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa

South West

The Goodwood Hotel

South East

Moddershall Oaks

West Midlands

The Grange Spa

East Midlands

Norton House Hotel and Spa

Scotland

The Lake Country House Hotel and Spa

Wales

Ockenden Manor Spa

South East

The runnymede-on-thames

South East

PH2O at Park House

South East

South West

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa

East Midlands

The Spa and Bath House at The Royal Crescent Hotel

Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa

North West

The Spa at Cotswold House Hotel

West Midlands

SenSpa at Careys Manor

South East

The Spa at Kings Head

West Midlands

Sequoia Spa at The Grove

London

The Spa at Roe Park

Northern Ireland

Spa at Blythswood Square

Scotland

The St David’s Hotel and Spa

Wales

St Brides Spa Hotel

Wales

The Well Spa Retreat at Bluestone

Wales

Stanley House Hotel and Spa

North West

Thermae Bath Spa

South West

Stobo Castle Health Spa

Scotland

Thoresby Hall Spa

East Midlands

Stoke Park Spa

South East

Utopia Spa at Rowhill Grange

London

The Belfry Spa

West Midlands

Wildmoor Spa and Health Club

West Midlands

The Mere Golf Resort and Spa

North West

Wynyard Hall

North East

The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel

East of England

The Spa at Ramside

North East

The Spa at Suites Hotel

North West

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3 Bubbles Spa 6 at Cotswold Water Park Hotel

South West

The Haven Spa

South West

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COMPETITION

Win a Polynesia Spa Break for Two at Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa Including a Thalgo Polynesian Ritual and the Polynesian product range!

Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa is a modern country retreat, near Newbury. The surrounding Berkshire countryside makes it a quiet but accessible retreat. The spa is tucked away from the hotel with leisure facilities downstairs, a calm and quiet spa area upstairs.

During your spa break, take a dip in the 18-metre pool, work your way around the steam room, sauna and aroma room, or chill out on loungers in the modern bright pool space with bold artwork on the walls. The spa area is much more relaxed in cool, earth tones.

Have a manicure or pedicure, read a magazine in the relaxation room or get lost in a dreamy spa ritual.

When you head home, you can continue your spa experience using the entire Thalgo (www.thalgo.co.uk) Polynesia range. Re-live your blissful spa time with the exotic and sensual scrub, sacred body oil, bath pebbles and scented candle.

THE SPA BREAK PRIZE INCLUDES: • An overnight stay in an executive room • Dinner and breakfast • A welcome smoothie in the spa • A Bento Box Lunch or Afternoon Tea • A glass of Pimms served poolside • A Thalgo Polynesia Ritual Treatment (85 mins) • Use of the spa facilities • A complete set of Thalgo’s Polynesia homecare products worth £105!

ENTER NOW AT:

www.goodspaguide.co.uk/competitions

Find out more about Donnington Valley at: www.donningtonvalley.co.uk or call: 01635 551199 www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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W H AT Y O U R T H E R A P I S T WO N ’ T T E L L YO U Ever wondered what is really going on in the mind of your spa therapist? We convinced one professional to spill all…

W

hen I talk to people about my job as a spa therapist working in five star resorts across the globe, the first question I’m always asked is ‘Have you treated any celebrities?’ and when I answer yes, the next questions is ‘Who? And were they demanding?’

One particular person always comes to mind, as when I mention him, my story often disappoints. He isn’t how most people would expect him to be.

About ten years ago I was working in a five star hotel in the south of England and Simon Cowell came to stay. It was a hot summer’s day and he arrived at the spa in aviator sunglasses, a bathrobe and slippers, having walked down from his hotel room.

He took a seat on a lounger on the sun terrace with his companion, and relaxed for half an hour before his treatment.

He was the talk of the hotel – everyone was dying to know what he was like. The general manager insisted that he had to be escorted to each destination as he moved around the hotel – so he wasn’t disturbed by other guests.

I was only twenty and to say I was nervous to meet him was an understatement. As with any VIP, we scattered rose petals around the treatment room and in the foot ritual bowl water.

Simon was booked in for a 60 minute full body massage and we always started by cleansing the guests feet while doing a consultation.

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Satisfied that the room looked fit for a Pop King, I walked to the male relaxation room. I was only to call him ‘sir’ in public so not to draw attention to who he was – of course, wearing aviator sunglasses indoors wasn’t drawing attention to him at all!

I walked in and introduced myself to ‘sir’ and asked whether I could get him water or tea or… before I could finish, he placed his hand on top of mine and said ‘sweetheart I can help myself’: and he did, to a fruitinfused water from the display in the room.

"I ALMOST FELT A BIT EMBARRASSED BY THE SEA OF ROSE PETALS ALL OVER THE ROOM; I THINK HE WOULD HAVE FOUND THAT UNNECESSARY. " We walked to the treatment room at his slow, chilled out pace, and he took a seat as I did the foot ritual. All he wanted was a relaxing massage. I could choose any oil I thought was right for him and he had no tension. No tension? We’ll see…

Then he proceeded to ask me lots of questions about where I was from, how old I was, what dreams I had for the future. I said I wanted to travel and work abroad so

we talked about different countries he liked – Simon said he loved the sun.

It was official; Simon Cowell was a lovely man, a gentleman in fact.

He genuinely took an interest in me and had no intention of talking about himself.

He looked me in the eye the whole time we talked too. I almost felt a bit embarrassed by the sea of rose petals all over the room; I think he would have found that unnecessary.

When it came to the massage, he kept to his low maintenance demeanour. A light relaxing massage and somehow he did not have any tension. He did however, have ticklish feet!

After the treatment I offered him a glass of water and walked him back to his sun spot on the terrace. He seemed to enjoy the treatment but was he just being polite?

He must have had a lot of treatments all around the world, and probably had a private masseuse judging by the fact that he had no knots.

The next day, the general manager came to find me. He had seen Simon Cowell while he was having dinner to check on his time in the spa. Much to my relief and elation, Simon said his massage was world class… he didn’t leave me a tip though! WM

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

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Thalg

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A HAND BLENDED FACIAL IN A JAR RADIANCE NOURISHMENT ANTI-AGEING

T E M P L E S PA . C O M

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