Wellness Magazine Autumn 2016

Wellness www.goodspaguide.co.uk | Autumn 2016

9

Making the most of your spa time

ways to come home stronger

SPA

celebrations

CELEBRATE SPECIAL OCCASIONS SPA-STYLE

INSIDE

COMFORT & JOY

Eat yourself well this autumn

WHAT YOUR THERAPIST WON'T TELL YOU

SPOTLIGHT ON

ARIZONA

MINDFULNESS IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH WEST

THE TREATMENT BIBLE

Your complete guide to all things spa

In good

company

Top tips for spa-ing with loved-ones

Autumn 2016 | issue 5

CONTENTS Editorial Editor-at-large

Daphne Metland (Sybaritic Spy)

42

Editor

Caitlin Dalton (Summer Spy) Deputy Editor

Lucy Etherington (Savant Spy) Contributors

Shelley Hazlewood (Scarlet Spy) Anna Hubbard (Supreme Spy) Karen Hockney Harriet Mellor Design

Lucy Reid

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

Follow Good Spa Guide online

O N T H E COV E R

4 Spa Trends

What’s new this autumn

6 Come Home Stronger

Spa ideas to boost your physical and emotional strength

10 Comfort and Joy

Eat yourself well this autumn

The Good Spa Guide

12 Confessions of a Spa Spy

Good Spa Guide @GoodSpaGuide For advertising enquiries email: advertising@goodspaguide.co.uk

Cover image Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes Hotel, Bedfordshire www.yspa.co.uk

What do you buy for the Spa Spy that has everything?

14 A Silent Spa Night

Enjoy the festivities with a little spa help

18 Nail those Nails

Try this season’s hottest nail trends

F E AT U R E S

22 The Treatment Bible

A complete A-Z of all things spa

42 Spa Spotlight on Arizona

Discovering mindfulness in the American South West

54 Love your hands

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

Four ways to keep your hands soft and supple

58 Spa Etiquette

We answer your spa questions

60 Luxury with a Clear Conscience

Two eco-luxe resorts in Thailand

64 Spa + Celebrations

Celebrate special occasions spa-style

68 Hot Stone Massage

The perfect winter pick-me-up

72 In Good Company

The Spa Spies share their tips for spa-ing with loved-ones

74 Brilliant Bright Eyes

Creams that add a little sparkle to your eyes

76 Autumn Root Rosti

Becki Douglas shares her recipe for a nutritious spa lunch

78 The Bubble Ratings

We reveal the bubble scores

80 What Your Therapist Won’t Tell You

Ever wondered what’s really going on in your therapist’s mind?

CONTENTS

"Amid the desert landscape are palaces of wellbeing. It feels obvious to talk about mental wellness in the USA, but we don’t tend to find much in terms of mental health support in UK spas. " p43

6 THE TREATMENT BIBLE

An A-Z of all things spa

64 18

p22

60 14 p80

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AUTUMN 2016

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SPA TRENDS

SPAtrends The latest launches in the world of spa

TOP OF THE LAKES The Brimstone Spa, opening November 2016 on the Lake District’s Langdale Estate, brings the landscape that inspired Wordsworth et al right into the midst of its sensory spa journey.

After steaming in Himalayan salt and the lava grotto, swim from the natural-chic interior to the wild outdoors in the infinity pool.

Here in the woods you’ll find a covered al fresco space with a wood burning stove, relaxation beds and sauna. For ultimate romance, book a Spa Suite at the Langdale Hotel, and private couple’s treatment in The Bubble, with its own thermal suite and Venik treatment using local birch twigs.

More at: www.langdale.co.uk

'Here in the woods you’ll find a covered al fresco space with a wood burning stove, relaxation beds and sauna.'

MINDFUL BARBADOS

The new Waves Hotel and Spa in Barbados, which opened in August 2016, is riding the wave of mindfulness with complimentary spa treatments and ‘mindful movement’ sessions. The all-inclusive resort is on a beachside cliff on the west coast of Barbados with a full range of water sports as well as stand-up paddle boarding, outdoor yoga, Pilates in the Zen Garden and Mediterranean-inspired food at Seascape. The spa has eight treatment rooms offering facials, body treatments, massages and even a frangipani massage using extracts from local flowers.

More at: www.waveshotelandspabarbados.com

'Enjoy panoramic views of the Jurassic coastline from the glass-fronted pool and sunbathing deck.'

DEVON RIVIERA

The luxurious Cary Spa opens in December 2016 as a rather glamorous addition to the five star (dog-friendly!) Cary Arms hotel on Babbacombe Bay. Enjoy panoramic views of the Jurassic coastline from the glass-fronted pool and sunbathing deck, or wallow in the experience shower, aromatherapy jets, sauna and steam room. Treatments come from elegant Parisian botanical and aromatherapy brand Yon-Ka – Yon is the river of living, Ka is the eternal in Egyptian mythology. The spa opening follows the unveiling of the new Beach Huts and Beach Suites with terraces jutting over the water offering views across Lyme Bay to Portland Bill.

More at: www.caryarms.co.uk

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

SPA TRENDS

MOORISH MOROCCO Three decades after the first Banyan Tree resort was built in Phuket – they now have 36 plus in Asia and the Middle East – the famous eco-luxe brand has just opened its first all-pool villa resort in Africa. Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay is on the northeast coast of Morocco. The spa design pays tribute to the cultural and natural local heritage with Moorish arches, desert stone and patterned mosaics, but keeps their award-winning brand favourites, such as the Rainforest Experience hydrothermal journey and Asian-inspired treatments, all with a focus on holistic physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

More at: www.banyantree.com/en/em-morocco-tamouda-bay

SPA-INSPIRED PRODUCT LAUNCHES GOLD, BLACK TRUFFLES AND CHAMPAGNE MASK

It sounds like an invitation to a Venetian ball rather than the key ingredients for Temple Spa’s most indulgent face mask, Trufflesque Ultra Hydration and Radiance Mask (75ml, £50). It contains gold pearlescent pigment for a shimmery effect, black truffles to brighten and smooth skin tone, diamond powder for even more luminosity and to reduce fine lines, champagne extract … just because. Go out and shine, or stay in and give your face a party.

OCEAN CLEANSE

French marine-based skincare company Thalgo have launched a new everyday range Éviel À La Mer which has high concentrations of their exclusive marine solution Sève Bleue des Océans.

This uses sea water that has pass through layers of pink granite, and is thus enriched with essential minerals.

The daily Cleansing Ritual range has five products, including an Express MakeUp Remover (125ml, £17.50) that is particularly gentle on the skin, yet melts waterproof mascara, and a foaming Micellar Cleansing Lotion (150ml, £125).

EAST MEETS WEST A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

Add a touch of sparkle to your nightly routine with Spanish brand Natura Bissé’s Diamond Extreme Night Dual Treatment. During the night, the skin cells go into repair mode and absorb active ingredients at a higher level. Apply a few drops of Diamond Extreme Oil (30ml, £127), next massage the face with the High Definition Massage Tool (tutorial video on www. naturabisse.com) then apply the Diamond Extreme Mask (75ml, £87) and leave on overnight. Use every night for two weeks to restore skin to optimum brilliance.

Ytsara, a luxurious Asian skincare brand is launching a new product range in to the UK which fuses ancient eastern rituals with French bio-science. There are more than 30 products in the range using two skincare technologies: Elixir Originel and Living Water. We love the sound of the Urban Shield (50ml, £55) which ‘boosts the skin’s protective functions’. As the temperature drops, it will help keep your skin soothed and hydrated.

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BEE IS FOR BEAUTIFUL

If you’re looking to make a dramatic difference to your skin, winter is the perfect time to try Heaven by Deborah Mitchell’s newly launched Bee Peel. The natural peel uses Abeetoxin® – also found in the cult-favourite Bee Venom Mask – as well as coconut oil, raw cane sugar and apple pectin to blur the fine lines and marks on your skin.

The makers promise it will help even out skin tone, plump and soften, and reduce scarring and sun damage. Real results without a needle or scalpel in sight? The Spa Spies are forming a queue.

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COME HOME...stronger

Come home

stronger Take a spa-inspired approach to boost your physical and emotional strength this winter.

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

COME HOME...stronger

✺

SALT C STEAM AVES OR ARE H ROOMS POP UGELY MOD ULAR IN ERN S PAS

aby it’s cold outside, and most of us would rather be snuggled up on a sofa drinking hot chocolate watching Scandi dramas instead of working out in the gym. And quite rightly – regular bouts of indulgence are vital for relaxing and recharging: those hibernating hedgehogs are definitely onto something...

Yet winter is also when we really need to build up our strength – not just physically but emotionally too, one feeding and boosting the other.

We need physical strength to battle through the elements on our daily commutes and school runs, or for hailing cabs in little black dresses after Christmas parties, for standing around bonfires in the rain or leading kids dressed in Halloween costumes around the dark October streets.

We need emotional strength to cheer us through the long dark nights, never mind coping with family dramas at Christmas, or year-end stress at work.

The cold can sap our energy levels making us feel tired and unable to cope, while being forced to share heated space with fellow humans carrying cold viruses means our immune system needs to be functioning to full capacity, too.

So how can spas help us build some winter resilience? And what ideas can we take home with us?

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE

This sounds more unattractive than it actually is. Rather than a plumbing procedure, it is a therapeutic massage that uses long, gentle, rhythmic strokes to increase the flow of lymph in your body.

The lymph system is part of the immune system and helps fight infection. Lymph itself is a fluid transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells, flushing nasties through

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the lymph nodes. Lymphatic drainage massage is said to reduce the chance of suffering from a cold, increase your ability to fight infection and speed up healing and recovery from illness.

At home, use a body brush before you shower. This gets the circulation moving, improves lymphatic drainage, rejuvenates the nervous system and may reduce the appearance of cellulite.

GET PLENTY OF SLEEP

Sleep seems like the only cure if you come down with a cold or 'flu; your body goes into an automatic self-healing shut-down while you gather your defence armies. But sleep can also decrease your chances of coming down with a virus in the first place. According to a 2012 study called Sleep and Immune Function, there is evidence that sleep and the circadian system (that’s your sleep cycle) exert a strong regulatory influence on immune function.

"There is strong evidence that sleep and the circadian system (that’s your sleep cycle) exert a strong regulatory influence on immune function."

After a relaxing, stress-free spa day, we tend to sleep better, but there are things you can do at home to help you get the ideal 7.5 hours (which translates as five 90-minute sleep cycles). Lighting a spa candle before bed is richly atmospheric, triggering happy memories of relaxation.

Inhaling its heady fumes slows your breathing, creating yogic calm.

Studies have found that soaking in a hot bath for half an hour helps you achieve a deep sleep. This happens

because our body temperature drops rapidly when we get out of the bath, mimicking the drop of temperature that occurs when we begin to fall asleep. Some scientists say the hotter the bath, the deeper the sleep. Try this two hours before bed time for the best results.

MINE A SALT CAVE

In 1843, Polish physician Dr F Bochkowsky discovered that salt miners rarely suffered from respiratory diseases.

Salt therapy – aka halotherapy – has been popular in Eastern Europe ever since, being used to treat allergies, asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis and eczema. The salt cave or steam room is now hugely popular in modern spas. Cooler than most steam rooms, you can stay in them for longer and really feel the benefits. If you cough apparently that’s a good sign, as it means your lungs are clearing.

At home, use salt crystals in your bath and inhale the salty steam. It’s also great for stressed winter skin.

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COME HOME...stronger

✺

BRAVE THE BUCKET SHOWER

Alternating hot and cold treatments has long been used in sport therapy to accelerate healing. One medical study found the effects of sauna bathing – alternating hot and cold treatments – increased the number of white blood cells and stimulated the immune system. Every self-respecting Scandinavian has a sauna and some snow or a lake to leap into after.

We Brits have to make do with going to a spa every so often, either that or a childhood spent at a particularly sadistic boarding school.

STEAMY SOLUTIONS

"People who are able to be kind to themselves rather than harshly selfcritical tend to have better mental health and higher life satisfaction."

In a six month study, Australian researchers found people who had a sauna twice a week caught half as many colds as those who didn’t. Although steaming doesn’t cure your cold, it does clear your head. Not many of us are fortunate to have a steam room at home, but we can have steamy showers and baths, and annoy everyone else in the household by lingering for longer than usual in order to get the steamy benefits.

Adding aroma oils, such as eucalyptus, can help open the airways and encourage deeper breathing.

GET ACTIVE

Improving your circulation gets your immune cells moving around the body, meaning they are more likely to be up and running and in the right place at the right time when infection hits. Also, exercise reduces levels of stress hormones (see below) which attack the immune system

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REDU EXERCISE STRESCES LEVEL WHIC S HORMO S OF N H IMMU ATTACK T ES AND NE SYSTE HE AFFEC M T SLE EP MAKE THE MOST OF THE DAYLIGHT Although Seasonal Affective Disorder is a recognised mental disorder, the theories behind it can affect all of us: the lack of sunlight means a drop in levels of serotonin, the happy hormone, and raises sleep-inducing melatonin, increasing feelings of lethargy. Try to get some daylight at least once a day – a lunchtime stroll if you can, or even just making sure you stand or sit near a window when you’re indoors. The NHS recommends this too, combined with taking plenty of regular exercise.

We’ve noticed that spas that make the most of natural daylight are instantly and affect sleep – see how all these uplifting. Even those that are deep in a things link up to create one whole, basement feel positive if they are bright healthy system, aka YOU. and airy. Although the tendency in winter You might want to avoid gyms and is to cocoon in dark corners, light and public pools, believing they are breeding colour play an important part in our grounds for viruses and are therefore psychological health. unhealthy. However, there is a strong argument that exposure is good for building immunity: what doesn’t kill us…

EMBRACE HYGGE Wrap up warm and take a brisk walk The Danes think they’ve got winter instead, or start the day with four sun happiness all sewn up in one little word salutations – join a yoga class to learn – Hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”). It basically how if you don’t know already. We don’t means cocooning up indoors with friends want you doing and family, preferably with lovely spa your back in candles, expensive hand-woven blankets while attempting or cashmere throws, and (ideally) Netflix. downward dog and According to research published by the spending the rest American Psychological Association, of the week in bed! surrounding yourself with people has been shown to help the body heal quicker. People with strong relationship HUG TREES ties are 50 per cent more likely to survive Or, if you don’t feel health problems than those who do not. like getting that Helen Russell, author of The Year of intimate on your first Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets date, just stare at them. A Japanese study of the World’s Happiest Country says, found after people gazed at forest scenery “Hygge seems to be about being kind to for 20 minutes, their cortisol stress levels yourself – indulging, having a nice time, dropped 13.4 per cent below people looking at cityscapes. Cortisol inhibits not punishing or denying yourself immune function, compromises short anything.” term memory, and shuts down the body’s Apparently, Danes, unlike Brits, do not systems so that it can focus on getting overindulge at Christmas then attempt your body ready to deal with threat or punishing detox regimes in the New Year, danger. Lowering cortisol allows and the conclusion is that they are happier everything to flow. You know how your for this more balanced approach. stomach sometimes gurgles in a massage?

“Research shows that people who are When you relax, your digestive system able to be kind to themselves rather than works better. harshly self-critical tend to have better Spas have embraced the concept mental health and higher life satisfaction,” of ‘Forest Bathing’ or ‘Forest Therapy’ says Dr Mark Williamson, Director of either with floor-to-ceiling forest views, think tank Action for Happiness (www. or with giant scenic pictures bringing the actionforhappiness.org). That sounds like outside in. the perfect excuse for a spa day! WM

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

NUTRITION

Comfort &JOY Eat yours

e l f we l l t h i s w i nt e

r

What kind of diet is best for winter? Can what you eat prevent colds or cleanse your body of too many mince pies? With more and more spas putting nutrition at the centre of their wellness packages, we attempt to sort the wheat-free from the chia. ome winter, expect to see an increase in diets, superfoods and strange green powders that claim to ‘boost your immune system’ and ‘prevent colds’.

Then in January, it’s all about ‘detoxing’ our bodies of all the naughty food we packed away over Christmas and New Year.

But can what we eat actually help us prevent winter illnesses? And will a juice fast erase the effects of over-indulgence?

The short answer is: it’s not that simple.

While it is tempting to want to believe that taking echinacea or drinking wheatgrass will stop you catching a cold, especially at this time of year, it’s not backed by science.

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

The notion of a ‘detox’ has been roundly rubbished by the scientific establishment – we have liver and kidneys to remove harmful substances from our bodies. Even abstaining isn’t the answer – population studies have shown that teetotallers and those who drink alcohol excessively have a shorter life expectancy than people who drink moderately and in small amounts.

Our bodies’ immune function involves so many different elements, including some (the microbiome) that we’ve only just begun to explore, so the idea of having concrete dietary advice to ‘boost’ it is a little far away.

Scientists don’t yet know whether a certain plant – or any substance – that can raise levels of antibodies in the blood will do anything to enhance overall immunity.

According to the NHS and Harvard Medical School, a healthy diet, exercise and

maintaining a reasonable body weight are cited as some of the best way to keep your immune system strong and healthy. A recent report in Harvard Health Publications said that your immune system can function better when bolstered by eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in saturated fats.

All well and good, unless you listen to advocates of the paleo diet, who believe grains are unhealthy because our digestive tracts haven’t developed to digest them, or certain beautifully maturing celebs who say that coconut oil will make you young and thin and prevent Alzheimer’s.

With so many different – and often conflicting – notions of what a healthy diet is, it’s hard to know who to listen to. Before you decide who to believe, let’s look at where the information is coming from.

NUTRITION

✺

GLOSSARY OF HEALTH FOOD EXPERTS SCIENTISTS – especially

gastroenterologists, physicians and microbiologists studying the human microbiome, the trillions of microorganisms that live on and inside people and are said to influence our physical and mental health.

Key words: gut bacteria, helicobacter, faecal transplants, microbial dysbiosis.

DIETITIANS – are the only

nutritional professionals to be regulated by law and governed by an ethical code. You will usually find them in hospitals and their advice and research is evidence based.

Key words: gastroenterology, malnutrition, allergy, deficiencies, dietetics, genetics, FODMAP.

NUTRITIONIST – a nutritionist

tends to work outside the medical profession, although they can work alongside dieticians. They are not regulated, but you should make sure yours has an accreditation and is registered (check on www. assocationfornutrition.org).

Key words: PH balance, liver support, pro-biotics, supplements.

NUTRITIONAL THERAPISTS – don’t have to be accredited or registered. Recommend diet or lifestyle changes to alleviate or prevent ailments often based on alternative medicine.

Key words: detox, colonic irrigation, fasting.

NATUROPATH – naturopathy embraces a wide range of alternative medicines and practise is based on a belief in the body’s ability to heal itself.

Key words: holism, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ayurveda.

BLOGGERS – a varied term. Some have no professional food-related qualifications and promote non-evidence based and often restrictive food lifestyles online.

Some claim to have cured themselves of diseases through cutting out evil foodstuffs.

Key words: Clean Eating, gluten/soya/ wheat/dairy free, vegan, raw food, orthorexia (obsessive phobia of ‘unhealthy’ foodstuffs).

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How spas can help Any study into the health benefit (or deficit) of a single substance or one-size-fits-all diet is difficult to verify as there are so many variable factors: genetics, environment, physical and psychological states etc. In order to discover what works for you personally, you have to kiss a lot of proverbial frogs so to speak – try things out, talk it through with someone qualified in nutrition, notice how your body reacts to various ingredients.

Many spas have made healthy eating an important facet of their wellness philosophy, and as such are at the forefront of many of the latest nutritional trends. Some have employed reputable diet experts to develop their spa menus, and others have on-site nutritionists offering tests and consultations. What better way to talk about what works for you?

The over-riding consensus seems to be that the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest across the board – by which we mean fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and fish. Most of the spa food we love has a Mediterranean diet as its foundation, but each spa adds their own unique twist to enhance good health.

We spoke to five UK spas known for their innovative and intelligent health food menus and asked them what food we should introduce to our winter diet.

ALKALINE DIET Chewton Glen, Hampshire We love the spa buffet at Chewton Glen, mainly because it tastes and looks so good. The theory, based on the body’s PH balance, is that alkaline foods are easier for the digestive system to break down, meaning vitamins and minerals are more easily absorbed. Plus, the seeds and nuts are rich in essential fats which improve skin tone.

A classic alkaline diet includes lots of beetroot, kale, fennel, nuts, broccoli and spinach (raw, as once cooked it becomes acidic) and seeds.

Pasta, wheat, dairy, coffee, tea, sugar and alcohol are out.

Key winter ingredient: “We have a Walled Kitchen Garden, and in the spa we use a lot of kale from there in smoothies and salads – kale being supremely rich in vitamin C, K and A, and minerals including potassium, iron and zinc. Our tip for healthy eating is growing your own, then you know exactly what’s been sprayed on it and where it has come from.”

AYURVEDA Ayush Wellness Spa, Jersey Ayurveda is an ancient Hindu holistic approach to medicine, for which food is a vital part of the

MA MADE NY SPAS H A AN IM HEALTHY E VE P A OF TH ORTANT F TING ACET EIR W PHILO ELLNESS SOPH Y

healing process. Ayush is one of the few UK spas to offer a traditional Ayurvedic menu along with treatments. Resident Ayurveda physician Dr Prasanna Kerur MD (Ayur) will diagnose your ‘dosha’ or body type – vata, pitta or kapha – and these are indicated by v, p and k signs on your menu. A typical menu includes creative, flavoursome salads (the balance of spices and herbs being important) with proteins, nuts and seeds, fermented and cooked vegetables.

Key winter ingredient: Cleansing mung bean soup has been used for thousands of years across the Asian continent as a healing medicine – and it helps balance all three doshas. Mung beans are in the same plant family as peas and lentils and are a high source of many nutrients, protein, fibre, antioxidants and phytonutrients.

FASTING Champneys Tring, Hertfordshire Detox queen Amanda Hamilton runs regular juice detoxes at Champneys. Amanda discovered fasting as a way to feel physically better when she was studying at an Ayurveda retreat in India. The revelation was that fasting produced a notable increase in energy levels – the weight loss, shiny and stronger skin, nails and hair were happy side effects. Her book Eat, Fast, Slim containing various fasting plans – 5:2, skipping breakfast, juice detox – is a best seller.

Key winter ingredient: Dark chocolate (70 per cent cocoa or above) contains the phytonutrients flavonol and polyphenol that are known to be natural anti-oxidants. On top of that, it’s a natural aphrodisiac and boosts mood and energy.

RAW FOOD Weaver’s House Spa, Suffolk The Wellbeing Menu at this lovely 5 Bubble spa was developed by nutritionist Maggie Franks of Delicious Nutritious and head chef Justin Kett. The theory is that fantastic natural ingredients have all the nutrition your body needs: why boil or bake all the goodness away? The menu looks much like the alkaline diet – watercress, nuts, avocado and seeds – but you can also have meat, fish, cheese and butter. Also fermentation and slow cooking are okay as they enhance the nutrients.

Key winter ingredient:Fermented food such as raw sauerkraut in the winter, is hugely supportive to gut health by encouraging beneficial bacteria. Maggie recommends taking two tablespoons a day.

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SPA SPY

Confessions of a

SPASPY

What do you get a Spa Spy for Christmas? Sorry to blow one’s own trumpet, but it’s a bit like the question, what do you get a girl who has everything?

I

could give you a list of products that I covet – I do spend far too much time hanging around boutiques in spas, working out how I can offset a pot of Temple Spa’s Skin Truffle against my daily wage.

This is the trouble with living the lifestyle of the rich and famous without actually being either, you start to believe in your own spa persona. The Japanese have a saying “the mask that eats the face”, which sounds like they’ve been reading The Bad Spa Guide quite frankly. Or perhaps they’re referring to a particularly strong chemical peel. As a Spa Spy, you forget the only people on the planet who have massages every day are celebrities, bankers and the odd despot.

I wouldn’t scoff at a spa day voucher in my stocking. There are tonnes of spas I wouldn’t mind re-visiting as a genuine punter. True, I would still be scrutinising all the facilities for stray hairs, photographing evidence on my mobile, and mentally making notes of what the therapist is doing rather than drifting off…

It would be a new and interesting experience to actually relax in a relaxation room, rather than go around with my notebook checking they have drinks, magazines, the right kind of lighting and mood music.

What I do need, however, is an array of designer bikinis, preferably two for every day of the week.

There’s probably no other job (outside swimsuit modelling) where you do the majority of your work in a bikini – especially not over the age of 25 and at least a

third of us Spies are a decade or two beyond that.

One of the shocks of my job was having to conduct meetings wearing a damp cozzi, no make-up, often with insane post-facial hair. When you’re faced with a perfectly turned out and fully clothed spa manager, you can’t help but feel at a sartorial disadvantage. It’s a bit like the Amazon delivery man catching you in your PJs on a Saturday morning: “I normally get up at 6.30 you know”!

Having said that, I read somewhere that one emperor (don’t ask me which) liked to receive royal visitors while sitting on the loo as a sign of his absolute disdain and superiority. On the other end of the social-nicety scale, there’s Buddha, Ghandi and Jesus, all of whom liked to conduct important meetings and indeed change the world in robes.

Even so, perhaps dear Santa you could bring me a power-bikini – something so out of everyone’s price-range that it demands respect, while also drawing attention away from stretch-marks, mad lady hair and Donald Trumpred skin. Something that would help me pass for one of the regulars at Corinthia instead of an obvious interloper on an average wage sporting a slightly worn two-piece.

Ideally, I would also need a power-robe, perhaps in black with sharp lapels and an inside pocket for Spa Spy gear (notebook, pen, underwater camera for snapping Jacuzzi grouting). I think the post-facial hair might be a bit of a lost cause – I’m fairly certain one can’t quite carry off a spy fedora in a spa. Still, if chanteur La Roux can get away with an alarming fringe...WM

"I wouldn’t scoff at a spa day voucher in my stocking. There are tonnes of spas I wouldn’t mind re-visiting as a genuine punter."

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

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

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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SPA AT CHRISTMAS

Ever longed for a stress-free Christmas? Karen Hockney discovers a way you can enjoy the festive season without lifting a beautifully manicured finger…

A

silent spa or many of us, Christmas is the most stressful time of the year as we struggle to keep all the baubles in the air and ensure that everything from the turkey and the Nordic spruce through to the party canapés and gift wrapping is prepped by the time witching hour on Christmas Eve comes around.

A number of spas have recognized the need to de-stress before the big day, tailoring packages and treatments designed to ensure that not only do you look party perfect in the lead up to Christmas and New Year, but also feel relaxed, calm and most importantly, in the right frame of 14 | Wellness |

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

mind to enjoy the celebrations ahead.

As an early Christmas present, here is our at-a-glance guide to ensuring that you remain in the festive spirit come what may.

DECK THE HALLS Dormy House, Cotswolds How does the idea of roaring log fires, carol singing, long walks, a relaxing spa and Christmas lunch with all the trimmings sound to you? Dormy House, on the 400 acre Farncombe Estate in the heart of the Cotswolds, could be the answer. A quintessentially English experience, this boutique hotel and spa offers you the chance to find your inner peace this festive season.

The fun starts on arrival on Christmas Eve with carol singing and Midnight

Mass in Chipping Campden, setting the scene perfectly for a relaxing Christmas morning. A Champagne reception is followed by a five-course traditional Christmas lunch. On Boxing Day, you can try your hand at a host of country activities including clay pigeon shooting and archery. Or simply take time out to relax in the House Spa, which offers a range of treatments by Temple Spa as well as a Champagne nail parlour and use of a 16-metre infinity pool. There is also a hydro-pool, thermal suite, six treatment rooms, a rasul mud room, spa lounge, gym and a personal training studio should you feel the urge to start working off any Christmas excess.

The three-night Christmas break at Dormy House (pictured above) starts from £1,035 per person and is based on two people sharing an Intimate Room. The price includes breakfast, Christmas lunch and all evening meals. Brunch on Boxing Day is also included. Treatments at House Spa are at an additional cost.

To book, visit: www.dormyhouse.co.uk

SPA AT CHRISTMAS

Cowley Manor

Seaham Hall

A MID-WINTER’S GLOW Pennyhill Park, Surrey There’s a huge amount on offer at this elegant destination set in 123 acres of rolling countryside. As Pennyhill Park’s spa manager Darren Dixon says: ‘Everyone loves a sprinkling of snow at Christmas and we are no different. We’ve taken our love of snow and created a festive programme in homage to the humble snowflake – the possibilities are limitless and it’s truly one of a kind.’

The jewel in the crown has to be the spa’s unique Snow Bubble – a Natura Bissé Oxygen Bubble to be exact. ‘Imagine having a facial inside an oxygen tank,’ explains Darren.

‘The 99% pure air level is great for body, mind, lungs and skin.’ This is followed by a couple’s massage and a Jessica manicure and pedicure before you head off fully rejuvenated to enjoy an evening in the hotel, which won the Best Spa for Luxury award at the 2015 Good Spa Guide Awards.

Additional festive offers include two or three night packages, a spa day experience and a black tie dinner dance at the awardwinning Latymer restaurant, as well as Martini masterclasses and a jazz lunch. And on Christmas Day, what could be nicer than escaping the carnage at home with a family splash at the hotel’s beautiful pool open from 10am – midday?

that lovely luminous glow during the party season. The best option for those who have been to a few too many parties or are stressed from Christmas shopping is our Scientific Organics Detox Facial, which will de-stress and detoxify the skin.’

During the winter months, people are looking out for body treatments that are warming, indulging and restorative. ‘Our Repair and Restore Ritual is an enveloping ritual that works to repair the body and mind,’ adds Lara. ‘A warm herbal compress is applied and gently worked into the nerve pathways, clearing blocked energy and ensuring all ingredients are absorbed. Using a combination of techniques to boost micro circulation, skin elasticity and release tension, the body is then cocooned while the face receives a rejuvenation massage, followed by an enriching mask to clear toxins and boost circulation.’

The emerginC Glow Force Firming Facial is £100 for 60 minutes and the Scientific Organics Detox Facial is £95 for 60 minutes. Other party prep treatments include the Anti-Ageing Apple Stem Cell Treatment (£120 for 60 minutes) and Scientific Organics Blue Poppy Enzyme Brightening Facial (£50 for 30 minutes.)

"During the winter months, people are looking out for body treatments that are warming, indulging and restorative."

For further information, check out: www.pennyhillpark.co.uk

SPARKLING SKIN Cowley Manor, Gloucestershire Cowley Manor’s newly launched advanced facials use emerginC (a UK spa exclusive), which already enjoys critical acclaim in America and Scandinavia thanks to the use of peptides and stem cells which produce immediate results. They are ideal for a preChristmas party prep for tired faces that have been burning too much midnight oil wrapping Santa’s goodies.

The hotel’s C-Side spa manager Lara Lympaney reveals: ‘Our guests are looking for treatments that are results driven, like our Glow Force Firming Facial, to help them get www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

For further information, check out: www.cowleymanor.com

SPA AT TWILIGHT Seaham Hall, County Durham You’ve finally ticked off the last item on your Christmas shopping list so what could be nicer than unwinding with Serenity Spa’s

twilight offer? A welcome drink is followed by full use of the spa facilities; a 20-metre pool, hammam, steam room, sanarium with crystal light therapy, outdoor hot tubs, a hydrotherapy pool, even an ice fountain until 10pm. You can also enjoy a two course meal at the Pan Asian restaurant Ozone (from £55 per person).

Alternatively, opt for a Half Day Spa, with full use of the spa facilities, a two course lunch plus a 45 minute Serenity Signature Massage or Sundari Prescriptive Facial (from £85 per person).

The Christmas Eve Exclusive (£75 per person) includes full use of the spa facilities plus a relaxing 45 minute massage to alleviate any last minute anxieties. An indulgent two course lunch is followed by a glass of bubbly to kick off the festive fun in style. If you prefer to unwind after the craziness of Christmas Day, you can enjoy a Boxing Day Dip on the same basis.

Two or three night Christmas packages from Christmas Eve are £575 per night.

For further details, check out: www.seaham-hall.co.uk/specials

A DAY OF PEACE Chewton Glen, Hampshire Throughout December, Chewton Glen’s sumptuous award-winning New Forest spa runs a Spa’rkle Spa Day which includes breakfast, two 25 minute spa treatments of your choice, a glass of fizz and lunch. They also offer seasonal spa days and breaks which can be tailored to the your desires, as well as cosy breaks at the five-star country house hotel throughout the Christmas period.

To find out more, visit: www.chewtonglen.com

Happy holidays! KH

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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 at: info@goodspaguide.co.uk AUTUMN 2016

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NAILS

Nail those nails Vamp, zombie or artist – get creative this winter

n winter, one instinctively reaches for rich, dark colours – always elegant, especially when reflecting the flames of an open log fire, or clasping a fake fur stole. You can’t go wrong with a deep plum: it even works on Sundays with chunky jumpers and end-ofweek chipping.

But even though the nights are drawing in, one is not always in a sombre mood. Indeed, if the skies are darkening, a jaunty splash of nail colour emerging from your cuffs, or springing from your woollen gloves can be a small ray of sunshine.

Nails are where we get to play, to express ourselves and, with nail art becoming more fine art and graphics-inspired rather than bling, still maintain an aura of sophistication. If you’ve played safe with the rest of your outfit, especially at work, your nails hint that there’s more to you, even if it is just a suggestive little metallic dot. For those days where we feel more playful, like kids let loose on our older sister’s dressing table, there are plenty of gorgeous colours this season (try Essie’s Tokyo inspired Kimono-Over) for some fun colouring-in, as well as clever twists on traditional talons.

As usual, winter 2016 sees trends filtering down from the catwalk onto the fingertips. One thing seems clear: from the understated, to the classic shades and the outright ridiculous, your nails are meant to be seen this season.

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPA TIME

NAILS

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NAILS

THE CLASSICS

Talons are out. For classic nail shades, keep the length short, the shape round and the gloss high.

If you’re feeling that your wintry vamp is ready to emerge, you’re in luck. Jessica’s Into The Wild collection is a delightful array of moody shades, all named like titles of a breathy series of fantasy fiction: Tangled in Secrets, Mysterious Echoes, The Luring Beauty. For those racier days, try Enter if you Dare. Pair the colours with a good base coat to prevent staining and opt for a high gloss top coat or GELeration treatment to nail this trend.

If you’re in the mood for something lighter without going too pink, nude is still in. It’s safe, but on-trend.

Brands are not only playing around with traditional colour, but also adding a splash of adventure. Your nails this winter will be taking their inspiration from far-away places. Look at Essie’s Go-Go Geisha: a rich blush, like pink cheeks after a brisk winter

walk. Playing Koi is a deep burnt orange calling to mind Tokyo in autumn, but rich enough to become fiery in winter, and their Now and Zen is a timeless sage grey which will go with anything.

COLOUR CHART

You know when you can’t decide between the trillions of hues available? Well try narrowing it down to five. Paint each nail with a different shade of the same colour – start with the deepest shade on your thumb and work your way through the collection on your fingertips. The Margaret Dabbs Dark Navy collection is perfect for this as the shades are all deep and rich, but subtly different. You may want to draw everyone’s attention to your nails with lots of hand waving and gestures so they notice just how gorgeous they are.s….

SPARKLE AND SHINE

Glitters haven’t been banished to the history books this Christmas; they’ve

"Paint each nail a different shade of the same colour start with the deepest and work your way out."

undergone a modern twist. Go nude on the nails and apply a touch of glitter on the tips for a chic take on the French manicure. Or to be loud and bold try a stiletto; a bright, glittery nail with negative space as found on CND for The Blonds.

While glitter is still cool, metallics are the most talked about trend this year. Mirror nails are having their five minutes of fame online and, while they look stunning, it’s not an easy look to try at home. Speak to your manicurist and opt for a set of gel nails as these will be more forgiving. With a bit of prep you can go metallic at home with Ciate’s Oil Slick, a mesmerising duo-chrome. In the mood for something a little more subtle? OPI’s pretty pewter Take a Right on Bourbon will be right up your New Orleans boulevard.

MINIMALISTIC AND BARE

This autumn you can be en vogue without even trying. Bare un-manicured nails were a big hit at fashion week. Add a simple dot of metallic polish by your cuticle or a stripe down the nail if you have time. This is the perfect trend for in between manicures or for the days where you need a good strengthening treatment like Butter London’s 999 nail system. Bare, healthy looking nails are certainly a trend we can get on with!

THE OUTRIGHT RIDICULOUS

Say hello to nails with frostbite or fur! Long fur covered nail were the talk of the town after the Libertine show in New York. Think stiletto shaped nails with feather stuck on them. Completely impractical but it did get everyone talking. Frostbite nails and the antimanicure were also popular on the catwalks.

Hood by Air showed nails ravaged by frostbite (black polish seeping over the cuticles smudged all over a drastically short nail) and the models at Vivienne Westwood walked with polish down their fingers. Somehow we don’t see this catching on, but on a bad nail day you can always exaggerate the carnage and cite Dame Vivienne as your inspiration.

PREPARATION IS KEY

Unless you want the frostbite look without paying for it, dark, bright and metallic shades are the worst culprits for showing up imperfections on your nails. Neat cuticles and strong smooth nails are important.

Always buff and file your nails before protecting them with a strengthening base coat. Give you cuticles some love with cuticle oil and treat your hands well with a good moisturiser to protect them for the harsh winter weather. For a DIY manicure most brands have a range of at home kits, but the best way to start the season – we feel – is with a manicure at the end of your spa day. WM

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Do you know your algotherapy from your balneotherapy?

What is champissage? Would you enjoy craniosacral therapy? The Spa Spies have pooled their knowledge to create The Treatment Bible.

THE TREATMENT BIBLE

The A to Z of all things spa

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THE TREATMENT BIBLE

A ABHYANGA An herbal oil massage. The oil is created for each client’s dosha type.

See also Ayurveda; Dosha

ACUPRESSURE This ancient Chinese holistic treatment works on the ‘meridians’ or energy paths that form an invisible map across the body.

The Qi (say ‘chee’) or life energy flows along these meridians. Acupressure applies fingertip pressure at strategic points along the meridians to remove blockages and improve the flow of energy around the body, which is said to improve self-healing.

Proponants say if your Qi flows free, the happier and healthier you will be.

GOOD FOR Migraine; muscular and joint pain; overcoming addictions; weight loss See also Reflexology; Reiki; Qi; Meridians; Thai massage; Tui Na

ALGOTHERAPY A general term for spa treatments that involve algae, seaweed or other marine ingredients. These might be slathered onto or around your face and body, or added to a bath or pool. It’s not a medical treatment but the algae, when activated and absorbed by the skin, is said to have healing properties. The most common type of treatment involves wraps and scrubs followed by a massage. It doesn’t necessarily smell all that great.

GOOD FOR Sweating out toxins; improving the tone of skin; refreshing; relaxation See also Wraps; Seaweed

AROMATHERAPY Aromatherapy uses warm essential oils.

The oils are massaged into your skin, dropped into water for you to bathe in, or

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blended with other oils or steam for you to inhale. The powerful oils used in aromatherapy are extracted from plants, shrubs, flowers, bark, peel, resin, grasses, fruits, roots, trees, petals, stems or seeds.

GOOD FOR Stress; anxiety; sleeplessness and a bad temper!

See also Aromatherapy massage; Baths; Massage; Phytotherapy

AYURVEDA An ancient Hindu practice based on the idea that the body, mind and spirit must be treated together. The treatment is personalised to suit your ‘dosha’ or body type. Every human being has a unique blend of energies and therefore a different dosha. The dosha is made up of three elements: • vata – blood, circulation and healing • pitta – heat and metabolism • kapha – your spiritual and philosophical make-up.

GOOD FOR Detoxing; cleansing; boosting the immune system; making changes to lifestyle See also Indian head massage; Marma; Reflexology; Acupressure; Chakra; Qi

B BALINESE MASSAGE Balinese massage uses a combination of gentle stretches, acupressure and aromatherapy oils to stimulate the flow of blood, oxygen and ‘Qi’ around your body.

GOOD FOR Strained muscles and joint pain; boosting circulation; sleep problems

Ayurveda is based on the idea that the body, mind and spirit must be treated together.

BANYA A Russian bath house which traditionally encompasses a steam room, a washing room and entrance room. Banya temperatures will often exceed 90 degrees Celsius and special felt hats are worn to protect the head from such intense heat. If you are having a banya bathing ritual you’ll enter the very hot steam room, lay down, and your ‘banschik’ or bath attendant will lightly hit you with ‘banny venik’ (bunches of twigs), often eucalyptus, birch or oak, dipped in water. In Russian outdoor banyas, you would roll around in the snow or dive into the river to cool down, but in traditional indoor banyas, you may have a plunge pool or ice bucket to drastically reduce your body heat.

GOOD FOR Circulation; boosting immune system and metabolism; releasing serotonin or happy hormones See also Sauna; Steam room

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THE TREATMENT BIBLE

natural waxes, oils and butters. The candle wax melts quickly, turning into a warm, aromatic massage oil.

CATHIODERMIE A skin treatment that uses a very low electrical current to help boost circulation and cleanse your pores deep down.

GOOD FOR Deep cleansing See also Ionithermie

CHAKRA

BODY TREATMENT A blanket term for a whole range of holistic procedures aimed at helping you achieve something specific for your body.

You might be: · massaged or scrubbed with a specific oil, cream or mineral · wrapped or enveloped in mud, seaweed or even plastic · immersed or soaked in liquid, from water to algae · stroked, treated with or exposed to materials such as stones, brushes, magnets, or electric current or lights.

GOOD FOR Soothing muscles; relieving stress; detoxing; boosting circulation See also Wraps; Scrub; Hydrotherapy; Massage

BALNEOTHERAPY A fancy term for a warm mineral bath. The body is massaged by strong jets of hot and cold water.

GOOD FOR Boosting circulation; cleansing the skin; soothing tired limbs

BOTOX Botox is an artificial substance, and a brand name for a laboratory-produced chemical called botulinum toxin. It relaxes and ‘freezes’ facial and other muscles.

Botox is used to get rid of lines and wrinkles. Its effects last a few months and develop slowly over a week or so after it is first injected.

GOOD FOR Relieving tension; bringing emotional and physical relief

GOOD FOR Reducing lines and wrinkles but remember: your face should still move...

Usually part of a facial treatment, a chemical peel is an exfoliation using a chemical solution to remove dead skin.

Often applied as a face mask, containing mild alpha or beta hydroxy acids (AHAs or BHAs) such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid. Facial peels in a spa should be gentle, and should not cause much discomfort, redness or irritation, although you might feel a bit of a tingle. Peels reveal sensitive new skin, so skin should not be exposed to the sun or any harsh skincare products immediately afterwards.

BOWEN TECHNIQUE This is a gentle massage-and-release technique that intermittently uses light, rolling pressure and then rest. No oils are used and you wear loose-fitting clothing.

GOOD FOR Improving circulation; posture; recovery from injury

C CANDLE MASSAGE A massage using the warm, melted wax of a specialist massage candle as a lubricant.

Massage candles are made of a blend of

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A Sanskrit word referring to the energy system in the body. Many forms of massage focus on the chakras by applying pressure to the chakra points.

See also Acupressure; Ayurveda; Dosha; Marma; Shirodhara; Qi

CHEMICAL PEEL

GOOD FOR Ageing skin; acne; reducing sun damage and hyper-pigmentation

CHROMOTHERAPY Another term for colour therapy, this holistic therapy claims to harness the energy in coloured light or objects in order to rebalance your Qi. GOOD FOR Some people believe that it promotes healing or improves mood

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

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LIGHTENS AND COOLS

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THE TREATMENT BIBLE

D DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE Uses slow, firm strokes and pressure.

GOOD FOR Unknotting and loosening muscles

DOSHA

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY A gentle and non-invasive massage that uses light touches to ‘listen’ to your body’s discomforts and help release pent-up tension and fear.

GOOD FOR Headaches; back pain; long standing physical or emotional problems; traumatic or difficult births for newborns

CRYSTAL THERAPY A healing practice dating back to ancient civilisations such as the Incas and Mayans.

Quartz crystals and other stones are placed at strategic points on your body and around the surrounding room to stimulate vibrations and release energy blockages.

GOOD FOR Releasing tension; facilitating healing See also Acupressure

CUPPING This traditional Chinese medical practice temporarily leaves raised, red ‘wheals’ on your skin, as nobly exhibited by several celebrities. A heated cup is placed on your body and a vacuum created, sucking up your skin. The immediate effects are a bit alarming (see Gwyneth Paltrow) but it is a deeply relaxing treatment.

GOOD FOR Draining excess fluids; stimulating the nervous system; increasing blood flow

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Your dosha, or body type, is a unique mix of energies known as “vata”, “pitta” and “kapha”. According to Ayurvedic practitioners, a person’s dosha determines the kind of lifestyle that is balancing and healthy for them.

See also Ayurveda

E EXFOLIATION The removal of the top layer of dead or tired skin cells to reveal your lovely fresh peachy layer underneath. Often a scrub, or achieved with special gloves or brushes.

GOOD FOR Improving your skin tone and texture See also Hammam; Scrub

F FACIALS Facials use a mix of products, massage techniques and equipment to give you cleaner, healthier, more radiant-looking skin. Whichever type you choose, you can expect all facials to include the basics of cleansing, toning and moisturising. Often the difference between facials is the process and how many products are used.

Types of facials: · American facial Results-focused and usually features ‘manual extraction’.

The American facial can feel more like a procedure than a treat(ment) but the results can be quite dramatic. · Anti-ageing facial Aims to improve the look and feel of skin that has visible signs of ageing. Depending on the brand, these facials may include specialist equipment, a peel, or massage techniques to stimulate the facial muscles and lift and firm skin. · Brightening facial Recommended for dull skin, or skin with uneven pigmentation, brightening facials will usually include a thorough exfoliation, and an application of a specialist serum or cream to reduce redness and encourage that gorgeous post-facial glow. · Cathiodermie A skin treatment that uses a very gentle electrotherapy to help boost circulation and cleanse your pores deep down. A ‘hands off’ treatment, the therapist will run two mini rollers over your skin. · Deep cleanse or balancing facial Most often recommended for combination, oily or spot-prone skin, the aim will be to intensively cleanse the face, unblock pores and balance over-oily patches. · Nourishing or hydrating facial Great for dry skin, but can also be recommended if your skin is temporarily dehydrated.

A nourishing or hydrating facial should boost the moisture in your skin making it feel soft, smooth and glowing. · Prescription facial Tailored to your skin type, a prescription facial should include a consultation before the treatment begins so the therapist can have a look at your skin and choose the skincare products that meet your needs.

Facials use a mix of products, massage techniques and equipment to give you cleaner, healthier, more radiant-looking skin.

THE TREATMENT BIBLE

Floatation is a deeply relaxing body treatment that allows you to experience some degree of weightlessness, and is often described as returning to a womb-like state. · Sensitive skin facial A facial for sensitive skin will include gentle, calming skincare products. If your skin is very reactive, your therapist should be able to give you a patch test to check your skin doesn’t react to the skincare ingredients.

FACIAL OR DERMAL FILLER This refers to cosmetic or spa treatments and beauty products that literally fill in the wrinkles and lines in your skin. The term covers creams and injections, and is described as a ‘non-surgical procedure’. (although injecting chemicals into your skin sounds pretty surgical to us).

GOOD FOR Reducing the appearance of wrinkles and even quite deep lines See also Botox; Chemical peel; Facial; Medispa; Microdermabrasion

FANGOTHERAPY ‘Fango’ is Italian for ‘mud’ and fangotherapy is a common treatment in Italy, often used in baths or heat packs. The mud is rich and

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thick, sometimes mixed with other minerals and essential oils. It’s slathered on and left for 10 or 15 minutes, after which you’ll be hosed down and usually led to a mineral bath.

GOOD FOR Soft skin; soothed muscles See also Hammam; Mud; Parafango; Rasul

FLOATATION Floatation is a deeply relaxing body treatment that allows you to experience some degree of weightlessness. Floatation tanks or beds allow privacy and quiet, which is why this treatment is often described as returning to a womb-like state.

GOOD FOR Deep relaxation; relieving stress on joints and muscles

FRIGI-THALGO A cold wrap designed to eliminate excess water from body tissues.

g GOMMAGE An unusual spa treatment that uses a mixture of clay, oils and herbs to exfoliate your body. Smoothed onto your skin in long, stroking movements, the gommage cream, gel or paste is then allowed to dry for a few minutes like a face mask. The therapist removes it with a gentle rubbing motion and, as it rolls up off your skin, it takes the skin’s outermost dead skin cells with it. The word gommage comes from the French verb ‘to erase’.

GOOD FOR Depending on the ingredients of the gommage, it can be used to exfoliate; draw out toxins; smooth skin See also Exfoliation; Wraps

GOOD FOR Activates circulation; relieves aches and pains; promotes skin suppleness See also Wraps

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THE TREATMENT BIBLE

h HAMMAM In the Middle East and Morocco, a hammam can be either a single, tiled steam room or a suite of steam rooms and pools for communal use. In UK spa terms, a hammam treatment usually includes a ‘tellak’ or hammam attendant washing your skin with traditional black soap, rinsing you off with cool water, rigorously exfoliating from top to bottom as you lie in a hot room, and then giving you a final rinse off. Your skin will be left super smooth, soft and zingy. It’s worth noting that you normally have a hammam in the nude, but you can opt to keep your swimsuit on if you are feeling modest.

GOOD FOR Chilling out in a deeply sensuous environment; deep cleansing; invigorating See also Serail; Rasul

HOT HERB POULTICE A tightly-packed mixture of herbs, covered with muslin, which is heated and used to massage along pulse points on your body during a treatment. It feels similar to hot stones, as it is pressed and rolled along your skin. This is a deeply relaxing and unusual treatment that smells soothing and feels very comforting, particularly when padded onto the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands.

GOOD FOR Relaxation; coping with jet lag See also Aromatherapy; Phytotherapy; Pressure points; Reflexology

HOT STONE MASSAGE Also known as thermotherapy, hot stone massage uses heated basalt stones laid or rolled onto parts of your skin.

GOOD FOR Relaxing muscles; warming up on a cold day See also Lava Shell massage; Massage

HYDRO MASSAGE Hydro massage is a water-based spa treatment which uses high pressure jets of water to massage your skin and

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A hot herb poultice is a deeply relaxing and unusual treatment that smells soothing and feels very comforting, particularly when padded onto the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands. stimulate your circulation. A hydro massage is much more powerful than a Jacuzzi or a whirlpool bath, and the water used will be hotter.

GOOD FOR Cleansing; relaxing See also Vichy Shower

HYDROTHERM MASSAGE Hydrotherm is a massage system which places warm water-filled pads on top of a regular therapy couch. Your entire massage is carried out while you are faceup, on your back. Your therapist will slide their hands between you and the pads to give you your massage.

GOOD FOR People with limited mobility

I IONITHERMIE A spa treatment that uses mild electrical currents to stimulate the nerves in your body. Using pen-like instruments, the therapist applies very short bursts of current, which tingle a little. It’s odd, but not painful. Often a feature in algotherapy, slimming, detoxing and shaping spa treatments.

GOOD FOR Reducing cellulite; tightening up muscles in ‘problem’ areas See also Cathiodermie

THE TREATMENT BIBLE

k KNEIPP Herbal and mineral baths of different temperatures. The Kneipp system combines these with a purifying diet, exercise and spiritual practices.

GOOD FOR Improving general health, fitness and moods; detoxification; stimulating circulation

KO BI DO A Japanese facial massage technique using acupressure along the facial meridians.

GOOD FOR Preventing wrinkles See also Acupressure; Ayurveda; Facial; Meridians; Qi

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Also known as the ‘loving hands’ or Hawaiian massage, ‘lomi lomi’ translates to ‘rub rub’ in Hawaiian, and reflects the broad, flowing strokes made with the therapist’s fingers, thumbs, palms, arms and elbows.

l LAVA SHELL MASSAGE Tiger clam shells (found in the Philippines) are filled with a sachet of minerals and

activated – or heated – using a saline solution. The hot shells are then used for massage and generate heat for an hour and a half after activation. The shells have two edges; the rounder edge where the shells join together is used for general massage strokes, and the sharper edge is used to penetrate the muscles. Used with oil to help the shells glide across the skin.

GOOD FOR Boosting circulation; soothing aches and pains

LOMI LOMI MASSAGE Also known as the ‘loving hands’ or Hawaiian massage, ‘lomi lomi’ translates to ‘rub rub’ in Hawaiian, and reflects the broad, flowing strokes made with the therapist’s fingers, thumbs, palms, arms and elbows. Macadamia, palm and coconut oils are usually used to keep the strokes smooth, and to moisturise and nourish the skin. The long, continuous

THE TREATMENT BIBLE

Marma points are similar to pressure points in acupressure, acupuncture and Shiatsu. Your therapist will focus on unblocking marmas with gentle massage, usually using essential oils.

m MANICURE A beauty treatment for your hands and nails that often includes the application of nail polish. Tools, creams, oils, waxes and massage techniques are used to clean and shape your nails and care for your hands.

Types of manicure: · American A very natural looking manicure that shapes the nails to your finger tips.

strokes of the massage are designed to help the body let go of its old patterns and behaviours, which can cause stresses and strains in the muscles. A traditional massage will begin with a prayer.

GOOD FOR Releasing muscular and emotional tension; assisting lymph flow; eliminating toxins

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE A therapeutic massage treatment that uses gentle pulsing motions to encourage the flow of lymph, a clear fluid that carries white blood cells around your body.

Lymphatic drainage massage uses very light pressure, as well as long, gentle, rhythmic strokes and soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Your therapist will probably work her way up from your feet to your face.

GOOD FOR Puffiness and water retention; energising; relaxing; balancing

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MARMA Marma points are similar to pressure points in acupressure, acupuncture and Shiatsu. In ancient Vedic times they were called bindu (meaning ‘secret dot’ or ‘mystic point’) and are thought to be pockets of life force energy. Each of the 107 marma points also correspond to specific organs. The therapist will focus on unblocking marmas with gentle massage, usually using essential oils. The Hindu healthcare system uses marma massage as a preventitive medicine.

GOOD FOR Maintaining healthy balance; improving digestion; pain; arthritis

· French This classic manicure uses clear or ivory-coloured polish on the body of the nail, and whitens the tip. The nail is cut more or less square.

See also Ayurveda, Acupressure; Chakra; Dosha; Meridian; Qi; Reflexology

· Reverse French (“moon manicure”) the tips of the fingernails are coloured, while the moon-shaped area of the cuticle is painted white.

MASSAGE

· Gel manicure A manicure with a special gel polish applied. This is then dried under a UV light. It lasts much longer than ordinary polish. · Hot stone manicure Includes a hand massage and uses hot stones to soothe muscles. · Japanese manicure Artificial nails are applied, then painted with polish and decorated with gems. · Paraffin wax Warm wax is rubbed into your nails, hands and wrists to moisturise and soften. · Luxury Usually includes a hand massage, softening with paraffin wax and heated mittens.

GOOD FOR Improving the texture of nails and skin; leaving nails polished and perfect; special occasions See also Hot stone massage; Pedicure

Massage is a treatment that uses different kinds of physical contact to relax, revive and heal the body. It may involve stroking, kneading, warming, rolling and pressing of skin and muscles depending on the aim of the treatment. Some focus on soothing muscle pain; others on increasing energy levels; some aim to improve a specific physical condition; others simply to help you relax.

See also Deep tissue massage; Hot stone massage; Lymphatic drainage massage; Relaxation massage; Swedish massage; Thai massage

MEDI-SPA Medi-spa covers the more results-driven treatments that border on the medical, but can be booked at your spa instead of a cosmetic clinic. You might also hear them referred to as non-surgical procedures, ie, not plastic/cosmetic surgery. The

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term covers cosmetic injections and chemical peels. Some, such as Botox can only be administered by a doctor, even in a spa, while microdermabrasion can be carried out by a specially trained and certified therapist as well as doctors.

Not all medi-spas are qualified or have an in-house doctor. If you are going for cosmetic injections or a chemical peel that goes deeper than glycolic acid, check your practitioner is on the Treatments You Can Trust Register (www. treatmentsyoucantrust.org.uk), which is supported by the Department of Health. It is also wise to ask about their qualifications and experience.

See also Botox; Chemical peels; Dermal fillers; Microdermabrasion

MEDITATION Meditation is a personal practice of selfinduced quiet contemplation. Meditation is believed to promote calmness, heighten self-awareness and develop and maintain focus. Some studies have suggested that meditation can also reduce stress and deliver positive changes to your metabolism, blood pressure and other bodily processes. Many spas offer meditation classes designed to help you learn how to access the quiet spaces in between your thoughts.

GOOD FOR Relaxation; de-stressing; gaining focus See also Mindfulness; Yoga

MICRODERMABRASION Exfoliation using a device that blasts fine crystals onto the skin and vacuums them up, together with any dead skin and dirt.

Microdermabrasion is often a feature of an exfoliating or radiance facial.

GOOD FOR Really fresh, radiant skin in a short amount of time See also Exfoliation; Facial

O MINDFULNESS Mindfulness is a philosophy based on the Buddhist idea of being awake, and the existential belief that the present moment is the only reality. The basic aim of mindfulness is to develop an awareness and non-judgmental acceptance of the present moment, to live now rather than worry obsessively about the past or future. Regular mindful meditation can help reduce depression and anxiety.

See also Meditation; Yoga

MUD Mud and spas have a long history. Ancient bathers would slather themselves with mineral rich muds or clays, letting them harden in the sun before rinsing off in the springs or rivers. The best known are Dead Sea Mud and mineral clay from the Atlas Mountains used in Moroccan rasuls, but these days spas are getting more creative with the slimy stuff. Muds used in modern spas usually contain minerals, essential oils and other goodies, such as algae. The mud can be applied like a mask or massaged into the face, body, or scalp. Sometimes applying a wrap or using steam from a steam room will intensify the mud’s beneficial properties.

GOOD FOR Arthritis; slimming; detoxifying; skin problems such as eczema; improves circulation; soothes aching and tired muscles; smooths wrinkles; exfoliates skin See also Fangotherapy; Rasul; Serail; Hammam; Parafango; Wraps

Muds used in modern spas usually contain minerals, essential oils and other goodies, such as actives or algae. The mud can be applied like a mask or massaged into the face, body, or scalp.

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ONSEN A Japanese hot spring used to bathe.

Onsens are traditionally used for public bathing, but some may have private amenities. Some are relatively plain and indoors, others have glorious views over mountain ranges. You will be expected to thoroughly clean yourself in the public showers before entering the very hot water, entirely nude. Not one for the fainthearted!

p PARAFANGO The word ‘parafango’ is a portmanteau of paraffin (as in wax) and fango (mineral rich mud), which are the two main ingredients of this body wrap treatment. The paraffin is there to maintain heat and intensify the detoxifying effects of the sea mud. Most popularly used to target specific areas of cellulite, fat cells, fluid retention, and to sculpt the body.

GOOD FOR Fighting cellulite; inch loss; toning; circulation See also Wraps

PHYTOTHERAPY Meaning ‘plant’ therapy, this is a term for healing treatments using botanical products (plants, herbs, seaweeds and essential oils). Commonly used for baths, massage, wraps, inhalation and even tea.

GOOD FOR General health; soothing and detoxifying the skin See also Aromatherapy; Ayurveda; Hot herb poultice

THE TREATMENT BIBLE

Phytotherapy is a healing treatment using botanical products such as plants, herbs, seaweeds and essential oils.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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Rasul is a traditional Arabian body treatment involving steam and mud.

You will sweat out toxins and be left feeling both relaxed and wide awake.

This is an unusual and deeply sensual treatment.

Photo: © Galgorm Resort and Spa

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PILATES Pilates is a body-conditioning technique that strengthens muscles and improves balance and posture. Like yoga, Pilates involves you learning a series of poses and stretches and helps tone and strengthen your muscles; unlike yoga, Pilates does not usually involve meditation and is not an aerobic exercise. Devised by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, Pilates aims to teach you how to use your muscles properly to protect and support you, preventing injury and strain.

See also Yoga

PIZZICHILI A two-therapist massage using warm herbal oils.

See also Ayurveda

which correspond with all the organs, glands, tissues and muscles. This helps improve circulation of blood, oxygen and 'Qi' around the body, relieving stress and healing pain in other parts of the body.

See also Acupressure; Reflexology; Traditional Chinese Medicine; QI

Qi is believed to be an energy force which flows along the meridians that map the body. When Qi is flowing properly, you are balanced, well and healthy in mind, body and spirit.

q

PRE-NATAL MASSAGE A specialist pregnancy massage which helps ease aches and pains, and boost your mood. Carried out by an expert practitioner, you may find that you are massaged on a treatment bed with a gap for your bump, a large cushion or on a treatment mat on the floor. Your therapist is likely to use Swedish massage techniques, as this form of massage employs gliding strokes and gentle kneading designed to improve your blood and lymphatic circulation, soothe your muscles and make you feel more relaxed.

QI

PRESSURE POINTS

Qi (say ‘chee’) is believed to be an energy force which flows along the meridians that map the body. When Qi is flowing properly, you are balanced, well and healthy in mind, body and spirit. Get a blockage and you’ll feel unbalanced, emotionally and physically. Massage can help the Qi flow by putting pressure on key points – a bit like joining-the-dots of your body’s energy paths.

Pressure point manipulation is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Your therapist will apply pressure to a range of particular points around your body

See also Acupressure; Ko bi do; Reflexology; Shiatsu; Thai massage

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r RASUL A traditional Arabian body treatment involving steam and mud. Mineral-rich muds of various colours are applied to the skin. You sit in a tiled steam room for around 15 minutes, then the mud is washed off with cool water. You will sweat out toxins and be left feeling both relaxed and wide awake. This is an unusual and deeply sensual treatment.

GOOD FOR Warming and soothing muscles; softening the skin; respiration See also Fangotherapy; Hammam; Serail; Steam room

REFLEXOLOGY This alternative therapy works on the principle that certain points on your feet (and hands) correspond to all the organs, glands, tissues and muscles in the rest of your body. By applying informed pressure to these points, practitioners claim to be able to treat and heal medical conditions from migraines to breathing difficulties, and unblock Qi. GOOD FOR Back and muscle strain; sports injuries; stress; anxiety; depression See also Acupressure; Qi; Reiki; Shiatsu; Thai massage

GOOD FOR Unlocking pain and knots in the muscles; relieving tension in the spirit!

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s SALT THERAPY

RELAXATION MASSAGE A long, luxurious full body treatment, involving soft music, subtle lighting and aromatherapy oils. Your therapist will use all kinds of techniques, including long strokes, gentle kneading and rolling and rhythmic rocking.

GOOD FOR Indulging; relaxing; encouraging blood flow

REIKI Meaning ‘universal life-force/spiritual energy’, Reiki is a gentle, holistic form of healing therapy based on the idea of balance and Qi. It is done in normal clothing. The practitioner channels their own Reiki into your body by laying their hands on or near you.

GOOD FOR Believers consider that it helps with stress

ROLFING Named after its creator, Ida Rolf, this bodywork technique aims to improve balance and flexibility. Uses assisted stretches and other gentle manipulations of muscles, with treatment usually mapped out over ten sessions.

GOOD FOR Balance and posture See also Massage

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Also known as halotherapy ("halo" is the Greek word for salt), salt therapy involves simply breathing in salty air. You can experience this natural treatment in a spa in a salt-steam room or salt cave, where the steam is infused with salt, and sometimes essential oils.

At some spas in the UK you might also find yourself swimming in a salt-water pool. Salt water is gentler on your skin than bathing in a chlorine-regulated pool, and it doesn't sting your eyes.

GOOD FOR Hayfever; bronchitis; asthma; eczema See also Steam room; Sanarium

SANARIUM A sanarium is somewhere between a sauna and a steam room, with temperatures somewhere between 40 to 60 degrees celsius, and around 50 per cent humidity: it should feel like a nice day on a beach. Aromatherapy oils may be added for a more pleasant scent.

GOOD FOR Boosting circulation and metabolism; cleansing and toning; boosting the immune system

– temperatures are usually between 85 to 95 degrees celsius – using hot rocks either in an exposed grate or ‘oven’. You can usually regulate the temperature by scooping water from a bucket over the hot rocks using a ladle. Saunas are traditionally associated with mountainous regions and you would complete your sauna treatment by rolling around in the snow to return your body to its normal temperature. Most spas offer experience showers, plunge pools or ice fountains instead. Different types of sauna include Tyrolean, Finnish/Swedish, rock, infa-red, plus banya and laconium.

GOOD FOR Boosting circulation, relaxing muscles See also Banya; Sanarium

SCRUB Also known as a body polish, a scrub is a whole-body exfoliation treatment.

Abrasive products – usually salts, sugars or ground rice or seeds – are massaged into or brushed over the body, often mixed in warm oils. The scrub is showered off at stages throughout the treatment.

A body scrub may be used in other treatments, perhaps to prepare the skin for an even tan or to open the pores ready for a wrap.

GOOD FOR Moisturising skin; boosting the circulation; improving skin tone

See also Sauna

See also Body treatment; Exfoliation; Phytotherapy; Wraps

SAUNA

SEAWEED

A sauna uses dry heat to trigger a low grade fever response, boosting your circulation and immune system which provides faster relief from muscular tensions, aches and pains. They offer a more extreme, dry heat than steam rooms

Seaweed is a traditional ‘sailor’s cure’ for cuts, aches and pains dating back to ancient Polynesia, while seaweed baths have been a part of French thalassotherapy (aka marine treatments) since the 19th Century. Seaweed may

THE TREATMENT BIBLE

Salt therapy involves simply breathing in salty air. You can experience this natural treatment in a spa in a salt-steam room or salt cave, where the steam is infused with salt, and sometimes essential oils.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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look slimy and unappealing, but it is rich with minerals drawn from the sea, and reacts to protein to form a gel emollient.

GOOD FOR Dry skin; cuts and abrasions; aching muscles See also Thalassotherapy; Wraps

SHIROABHYANGA An Ayurvedic massage focusing on the shoulders, neck, head and face. Using a warm herbal oil, your therapist will gently massage your skin, unblocking marma points or pockets of life force energy.

GOOD FOR Calming and relaxing; nourishing the scalp and hair See also Ayurveda; Marma

SPORTS MASSAGE A strong and deep massage that can be quite physically challenging. Designed to release tension, prevent or treat injury, and enhance sporting performance, it’s not for the faint-hearted.

GOOD FOR Relaxing your muscles; relieving any swelling around joints

STEAM ROOM A steam room is exactly that – a room full of steam – but they also vary a great deal. Smaller steam rooms are usually

tiled with seating running around the edge of the room. Most will automatically fill with steam on a timer, but you may have to press a button outside to initiate the steam in some smaller spas. Larger dedicated steam areas can be huge and have lots of rooms of different temperatures for you to move through on your journey: this is typical of big spas in Morocco or Turkey.

Steam rooms are normally heated to around 45 degrees celsius, but it can feel more intense because of the moisture in the air. In some steam rooms you’ll find a pipe or tap; use this water to cool yourself off. Some steam rooms are infused with aromatherapy oils, or are lined with bricks of salt, which is said to be good for your sinuses and conditions such as asthma. Some also have crystals or rocks, as the minerals within them could be beneficial to health.

GOOD FOR Muscle relaxing; clearing sinuses; drawing out toxins; cleansing See also Hammam; Rasul; Salt therapy; Serail

SWEDISH MASSAGE A Swedish massage involves stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping and vibration.

GOOD FOR Improving circulation; soothing your muscles

t TANNING A tanning treatment will turn your skin golden brown in a fraction of the time that it would take you to do it naturally. It is also a much healthier way to tan than using a sunbed or sitting in the sun. Also, spray cream tans look much more even when applied by a professional.

GOOD FOR Making you look like you’ve been on holiday; preparing for a holiday or event

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Some steam rooms are infused with aromatherapy oils, or are lined with bricks of salt, which is said to be good for your sinuses and conditions such as asthma.

THE TREATMENT BIBLE

From the Greek word for ‘sea’, thalassotherapy refers to a variety of treatments that use seawater, seaweed and other marine derivatives such as algae, mud and sand.

technique and adjust the rhythm to suit the client. A typical Thai massage also involves pulling ears, fingers and toes, cracking knuckles, walking on the client’s back, and moving the body into stretching positions.

showers, hydro massage, and seawater pools) and algotherapy (seaweed, mud and algae baths and wraps), all of which aim to restore your body to a state of serenity fit for a mermaid.

GOOD FOR Full body relaxation – a real zone-out treatment

GOOD FOR Releasing muscular tension; improving joint mobility; easing emotional and physical stress

GOOD FOR Toning muscles; cleansing skin; reducing the appearance of cellulite

THAI MASSAGE

THALASSOTHERAPY

THAI HERBAL HEAT TREATMENT Relaxing and aromatic, this treatment features a massage using essential oils and hot poultices of sweet-smelling herbs placed on pressure points around the body.

Thai massage works with sen energy lines within the body, and uses a combination of pressure point compression and rhythmic muscle stretching to encourage energy flow. It is traditionally performed on a mat on the floor, loosely clothed. Thai therapists will use their hands, feet, elbows, forearms and knees to administer the

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From the Greek word for ‘sea’, thalassotherapy refers to a variety of treatments that use seawater, seaweed and other marine derivatives such as algae, mud and sand. Available as single spa treatments in the UK, or devoted thalassotherapy resorts abroad, the term encompasses hydrotherapy (mineral rich

See also Algotherapy; Hydrotherapy; Mud; Seaweed; Wraps

THERMO-AURICULAR Also known as ear candling or Hopi ear candling, this involves the insertion of a rolled cotton therapy tube filled with beeswax, honey and herb extracts into your auditory canal while you lie on your side. The therapist lights the candle and allows it to burn down over the course of

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Yoga is a Sanskrit word essentially meaning "union", which describes its holistic approach to balancing and bringing strength to your mind and body through a series of physical exercises.

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THE TREATMENT BIBLE

10-15 minutes, during which it allegedly sucks impurities out of the ear canal. The warm smoke gently vibrates and gives a pleasant massage effect to the ear drum.

Many medical experts consider this procedure to be of little or no benefit, and potentially dangerous if carelessly applied.

GOOD FOR Said to reduce excess earwax and build-up of catarrh during colds and flu; tinnitus; sinusitis

TOK SEN An unusual massage technique from northern Thailand. The therapist will use two wooden tools; the first a long flat piece of wood curved on one end, the second is weighted. Your therapist will use the gently curved tool to work along your back and shoulder blades, tapping as she goes along – almost like a chisel and hammer!

GOOD FOR Athletes or people with a lot of tension See also Thai massage

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on a series of beliefs dating back more than 2,500 years. It is a holistic medical system encompassing herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise and dietary regulation. TCM works on the principle that the body has vital energy, or QI, that runs through the body by channels, or meridians. Branches of meridians connect to organs, muscles, tissues and glands, so by manipulating points on the meridian, you can affect the corresponding point on the body.

Not many UK spas offer traditional TCM treatments, such as acupuncture or cupping, but many offer TCM-inspired treatments including acupressure and Tui Na massage.

See also Reflexology; QI; Shiatsu; Reiki; Acupressure; Tui Na

TUI NA Chinese medical massage, Tui Na aims to exchange energies between the client and therapist to bring balance and wellbeing.

“Tui Na” means “push pull” and the therapist uses a combination of massage techniques, including acupressure, manipulation and assisted stretches.

See also Traditional Chinese Medicine; Acupressure; Qi

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u UDVARTANA A slimming treatment involving deep massage with herbal powders.

See also Ayurveda

v VICHY SHOWER Also known as an affusion shower, this is a light, warm, mineral-rich shower that is sprayed or sprinkled over your body.

GOOD FOR Relaxing; cleansing

w WATSU Shiatsu in warm water. The massage takes place in a pool and uses deep acupressure techniques and long slow rhythmic strokes.

GOOD FOR Rehabilitation after injury; coping with arthritis; relaxation

WRAPS A wrap is a spa treatment designed to slim and tone the body, hydrate or firm the skin, relax and soothe the muscles, or draw out toxins and cleanse the skin.

Whether you are looking to shape, bake or sweat, wraps come in varied packages, although some people get a bit apprehensive about the idea of being wrapped up. Think of a body wrap as a nourishing cocoon to warm, cleanse and moisturise.

GOOD FOR Detoxifying; relaxing and revitalising; temporary inch loss See also Algotherapy; Body treatments; Frigithalgo; Parafango

Y YOGA Yoga is an ancient exercise system involving deep breathing, intense movements and stretches, and some meditation to bring physical strength and emotional calm. Yoga is a Sanskrit word essentially meaning "union", which describes its holistic approach to balancing and bringing strength to your mind and body through a series of physical exercises. A beginners' class should introduce you to the basic theory of yoga, and guide you gently through some basic positions and circular breathing techniques.

GOOD FOR Flexibility; relaxation; can improve posture and muscle tone See also Meditation; Pilates WM

Remember – spa treatments are not ‘miracle cures’ and few have any medical evidence to support them. But that does not mean that you won’t enjoy the experience, or find them relaxing and rewarding.

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Arizona If you haven’t visited the American South West, you’re probably familiar with the terrain from Western movies and sand-blown photography. However, it's not all desert and Hollywood film sets – there are destination spas that might just change your life. Summer Spy investigates…

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SPOTLIGHT ON...

he American South West is big and hot and dusty: not necessarily what you'd think of as spa. It’s an adventure playground for grown-ups with red rock landscapes, wide open deserts, canyons, mountains, starscapes – even dinosaur footprints. This is before we mention the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon.

It’s also a place where cultures meet. Native American Navajoland sits next to ancient Puebloan ruins. Modern day Hispanic cultures intersect with hippy Sedona or the shoppers’ paradise that is Scottsdale.

Amid the kaleidoscope are palaces of wellbeing. It feels obvious to talk about mental wellness in the USA, but beyond the odd spa that offers mindfulness or meditation, we don’t tend to find much in terms of mental health support in UK spas. Leaf through the treatment menu at Canyon Ranch or Miraval (reviews overleaf) and you’ll find a host of treatments designed to help balance your mind and spirit.

The fascination with mental wellbeing goes beyond grand destination spas. Yoga, mindfulness and restorative massage are all found in shopping malls, community centres, even entertainment complexes.

Many draw on the traditions of the Native Americans – there are 22 Native American reservations in the state – from food to treatments to design.

Walk beyond wellness as a state of physical wellbeing; discover the spas that treat you as a whole.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

"It’s an adventure playground for grownups with red rock landscapes, wide open deserts, canyons, mountains and starscapes."

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CANYON RANCH Tuscon

What's on offer

It’s difficult to imagine how life-full the Sonoran Desert is – forget what you know of drifting yellow sand, dusty dunes, and empty space until the edge of the horizon. The buildings at Canyon Ranch are mostly squat and sandstone orange, but there are plenty of signs warning of mountain lions or snakes. We arrived at Canyon Ranch in blistering heat – mid 40s – and the first thing we did was head to the shady Meditation Garden. Sculptures, trickling water and signs explaining the flora and fauna carefully segment the space. I gazed at The Sanctuary – a glass sided meditation room – and felt a sense of peace flood over me.

Canyon Ranch is over 35 years old. It was founded by Mel and Enid Zuckerman who took a cattle ranch on the edge of the Sonoran Desert and created a health and wellness centre. The literature calls it ‘a place of incredible opportunity’. The kind of life-changing stay it offers comes with a hefty price-tag, but it includes your accommodation, food and drinks, some treatments and exercise classes.

There are also lectures and seminars with specialists who take care of your mind, body and even spirit. Each aspect has a centre around the campus; try the Spa, the Aquatic Centre, the Health and Healing Centre, the Spiritual Wellness centre, or the Life Enhancement Centre.

The 82-page treatment menu covers everything from massage and facials to GP consultations to arts and crafts classes to astrology to nutrition.

Learn to track animals in the desert or discover your Soul Journey (next page).

There’s golf, tennis, three outdoor pools, hikes and walks, exercise classes and,

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"It's difficult to imagine how life-full the Sonoran Desert is."

of course, spa facilities including hydro pools, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation rooms. More than you could possibly experience in a week.

The rooms are scattered around the 150 acre resort. Décor is traditional ranch style – the original ranch was called the Double U and you can see pictures of it around the main buildings. Think heavy wooden furniture, patterned textiles and high mesquite-wood ceiling fans.

A brochure in our room urges us to ‘live healthfully and joyfully’ – a mantra for a society which perhaps doesn’t place enough emphasis on either.

Tell us about the treatments

We had the Soul Journey (50 minutes, $230) and Deep Cleansing Facial (50 minutes, $180).

Julie Haber was my advisor for the Soul Journey – a way of dipping my straightlaced toes into spiritual wellness. Julie and I discussed what I wanted to achieve – or my intention – and we discussed a little bit about my background. My Soul Journey was a guided meditation on a very fancy treatment bed which pulsed in rhythm to the meditation. Fully clothed, I lay down and Julie covered me with a sheet and placed a silk pillow over my eyes. We started the

SPA SPOTLIGHT ON...

Main: The Club House at Canyon Ranch Below left: Yoga overlooking the Sonoran Desert Left: The Sanctuary Right: A Deluxe Room Below: The Double U Cafe and pool

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served in the main restaurant with a core menu and changing daily specialities. Stick to the weight-loss programme, allergy-free options or choose a more filling threecourse menu. We tried Asian specialities, pastas, even the very good chocolate chip cookies.

The Double U Café serves meals and snacks in a more informal environment; pick up a juice during the day or try Italian night – we did and it was a great alternative to the main restaurant.

Who would like it?

meditation with a cycle of deep breathing, and she asked me to focus on each breath in and out. Julie explained that during the meditation, I may feel I wanted to be in a different place or situation, and I should follow those instincts. I could also share as much or as little as I wanted with her.

There were three sections which helped me identify a ‘gift’ – something I felt I needed, a negativity to let go of, and advice to give myself. The meditation was accompanied by music and Julie used crystals to boost my energy. There weren’t any shocks or surprises on my journey, but it did help me admit some things which I felt reluctant about or just hadn’t acknowledged.

My more traditional facial was with Yevy. She guided me to our modern, white treatment room and I de-robed and settled onto the wide and very comfortable bed.

Yevy raised me into a seating position and cleansed my skin, exfoliated and painted on the first hydrating mask. While it worked into my skin, she applied a moisturiser to my arms and put my hands in warm paraffin wax to really hydrate my skin. Yevy removed the first mask and moved a machine

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"Canyon Ranch is about becoming an ‘active, informed participant in [your] health care’... it takes an open and curious mind. " pumping out hot steam next to my skin to open the pores. Next came the manual extractions – not the most comfortable but my skin felt very open afterwards!

Yevy applied tea tree oil and a serum and massaged my face using lymphatic drainage and pinching movements to stimulate my skin. She cleansed again and then applied finishing products. My skin felt clearer and better able to breathe – perfect after the heat of the desert.

Food facts

Food and nutrition at Canyon Ranch is central to their philosophy, and they practice what they preach. There’s no alcohol or tobacco on site, but there is lots of diverse, colourful and healthy food.

Canyon Ranch is about becoming an ‘active, informed participant in [your] health care’. It takes an open and curious mind but once in, the huge amount of activities on offer means it will sit well whether you see wellness as fitness and nutrition, spiritual balance and learning, or bobbing in a sunny pool and trying spa treatments.

Don't miss

The classes. We enjoyed three evening

seminars: Flexing your Spiritual Muscles – a discussion of what it means to be spiritual and how we apply it to our everyday lives; Maximising your Brain Function through Nutrition; and The Milky Way and a Bevy of Planets – an evening of star gazing.

If it’s too hot to join a hike, follow the Spirit Walk trail around the resort.

Each has a sculpture and/or marker with a work inscribed; Intention, Joy, Discover, Reflection, Spirit, Peace, Serenity, Sanctuary.

The atmosphere. We Brits have a tendency to shy away from American assertions, especially when it’s about our wellness. Take down your barriers for a few days and embrace the belief that your health – and happiness – is in your own hands.

Find out more at:

www.canyonranchdestinations.com/tucson

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MIRAVAL RESORT AND SPA Tuscon

What's on offer

Miraval has a bit of a cult following. Two of America’s top talk show hosts rave about it, as do Vanity Fair, CN Traveller and The New York Times. It’s young and laid-back. It’s the happiness that shines through when you’re comfortable in your own skin. It just may be what you’re trying to achieve.

The resort backs onto the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Sonoran Desert. Turn off a dusty highway, past ranches and polarising political billboards; the driveway is short and sweet. The resort is south western but with a modern twist; calm white walls set off rich wooden furniture, slate floors and soft neutrals flash against occasional pops of colourful art or cushions.

Here, the spa is at the centre of the resort. Lizards dash past your feet as you walk down the pathway; try not to startle the hummingbirds drinking next to the gate.

The indoor relaxation room has floor-toceiling glass windows with loungers looking out over green trees, blue skies and Mount Lemmon mountain range. Head outside to the deck if you can manage the heat.

The single sex changing rooms both have a sauna, steam, hot tub, and an outdoor relaxation area. The ladies’ relaxation area has seating running along two sides and a central fire pit, the design using cool, calm colours with only a splash of yellow and golds on a back wall. Just next door to the spa you’ll find three levels of pools; some hot, some cool but all have views over the mountains. We drifted in the main pool overhearing conversations about life balance and beliefs.

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"Lizards dash past your feet as you walk down the pathway; try not to startle the hummingbirds drinking next to the gate."

The Body Mindfulness Centre is all about fitness with a gym, pool and regular classes. The Agave Centre hosts yoga and meditation classes from beginner right through to aerial yoga where you use silk supports to hold you in the air. The Activity Rooms have a flurry of classes during the day and evening: try nutrition, an introduction to Ayurveda, mindful living, emotional intelligence, sleep strategies, to name a few.

Discover the high-ropes challenge course, guided hikes, tennis classes or The Labyrinth, a low level maze which looks out over those mountain views. The Equine Experiences are off site – just a short five minutes’ drive. Take a group or a private session to get up close with the beautiful ranch horses. Go for a traditional trail ride or try the Miraval Equine Experience™ where you work with a horse in a ring and in doing so notice your own behaviour traits (more later).

Tell us about the treatments

We had Naga Thai Massage (50 minutes, $125), an Organic Facial (50 minutes, $175) and Deep River Hot Stones Massage (60 minutes, $225).

If you’ve tried Thai massage before, you’ll know it’s absolutely nothing like a traditional European massage. Naga Thai Massage takes it a step further; the therapist uses silks hanging from the ceiling to manage their bodyweight, so they can use their feet and weight to stretch and massage muscles. My therapist, Matthew explained how it would work as I lay on a large cushioned

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Main: A Spa at Miraval pool Bottom left: A sun deck outside the spa Left: Overlooking the Sonoran Desert Left inset: Naga Thai Massage Below: A Miraval Villa Right inset:The Equine Experience with Wyatt Webb

mat on the floor. He worked on my legs, back and a little on my arms, using his feet to put pressure, roll and stretch the larger muscle groups. My muscles were tight from hiking and the silks really felt like they made a different; Matthew could stretch my limbs in very different and effective ways.

The Organic Facial was much more traditional. Kimberley guided me to a bright treatment room and quickly talked through my skincare and what products I used at home. She cleansed and inspected my skin (oily and blemish prone!) and applied an exfoliation with strong fruit enzymes which made my skin tingle.

Next up was the manual extractions; Kimberley literally unclogged my pores with her gloved fingers. She applied an oil and massaged my face and neck in short, sharp movements but also longer, softer strokes. Kimberley applied a thick and cool hydrating mask, cleansed again and then applied finishing products. My skin felt clean and clear, as if it could finally breathe in fresh air.

My final treatment was the Hot Stones Massage – this time with Rick. He used very smooth hot and cold stones in tandem, pressing into the muscles and

using long, soft, flowing movements to relax my back, legs, arms and feet. It was soft, calming and the perfect evening treat.

Food facts

Miraval embraces farm to fork food.

Everything is healthy and nutritionally balanced, but you can opt for some slightly more indulgent dishes too – chocolate cake and alcohol are on the menu if you so choose.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the main restaurant. Breakfast and lunch are a buffet, with a la carte offerings if you fancy something extra special. Dinner is more formal, but the food is equally good. We loved the balance of fresh fish and meat with local vegetables and beautifully blended flavours. You can eat in the bar if you want to stay more relaxed.

A café just next door to the restaurant serves home-made snacks and fresh juices and smoothies during the day. Choose your fruits and they will blend them for you – delicious.

"Miraval embraces farm to fork food.

Everything is healthy and nutritionally balanced, but you can opt for some slightly indulgent options too."

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

Who would like it?

Equestrians. The Common Ground

Equine Experience was really unusual; I spent an hour moving my horse, Magic,

around a ring without touch or voice.

Using body language and movement, I had to encourage him to walk, trot and change direction. At the end of the session I talked through how I felt, what had worked and what lessons I could take away from Magic’s response to me.

The mindful, or those who just wannabe. The huge range of classes will help clarify, motivate and empower you to make changes to your lifestyle.

Don't miss

Walk down to the Labyrinth and take the time to set your intention. The view over the desert is beautiful and it will give you time to soak up the surroundings and atmosphere. Treasure the memory for when it’s grey and rainy at home.

The sunrise hike. You’ll meet in reception at 6.45am so you’re up in time to see the sunlight flooding into the valley.

The landscapes are otherworldly – see the vast range of cacti and gasp at eagles flying overhead.

Find out more at:

www.miravalresorts.com

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THE PHOENICIAN Scottsdale

What's on offer

The Phoenician is in downtown Scottsdale; it’s big, it’s glamorous and it’s a lot of fun.

The resort is set over 250 acres and has three accommodation options, 10 restaurants, 11 tennis courts, three golf courses, eight pools, a salon, a gym and The Centre for Well-Being. Phew.

It feels like a resort in the Caribbean with brilliant sunshine, pools and indulgent dining.

Start your relaxation in the central pool which is surrounded by loungers and cabanas. The pool shimmers underfoot; it’s lined with mother of pearl tiles. Order drinks, snacks or cocktails to your cabana.

When you’re ready to escape the heat, head to the spa. The reception area is wide and open, with helpful staff on the front desk and a spa boutique to one side. The décor is calm and neutral, with earthy browns and flashes of warm pinks and terracotta.

The sauna, steam and whirlpools are in the single sex changing facilities. Once you’ve checked in at reception, you’ll be assigned a locker and given a tour of the wet and thermal facilities. Bubble in the large hot tub and warm up your muscles pre-treatment in the sauna and steam.

The relaxation room has comfortable armchairs, more upright seating and a bar with plenty of fruit and infused waters to keep you hydrated. But, step through the glass doors and you’ll find a light-filled and serene meditation room. The room has a glass ceiling which floods the space with sunshine, a large fountain at the back trickles with water and a sign asks everyone to be quiet... and they are.

It’s peaceful, relaxing and a beautifully designed space.

The dark brown padded loungers slide back so you can lie down in a very supported position. A meditation class is held here each day at 12pm – join for an hour’s guided meditation in the peaceful surroundings.

"It feels like a resort in the Caribbean with brilliant sunshine, pools and indulgent dining."

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Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Desert Serenity Scrub,

Wrap and Massage (110 minutes, from $260) and Illumination Through Tarot (50 minutes, $135).

Heather, my therapist for the body ritual, met me in the relaxation area and took me through to our treatment room. She carefully explained the different steps of the treatments and talked to me about my skin condition and areas of tension. I settled on the wide treatment bed and Heather used a salt scrub to slough off old skin on my back, legs, stomach, décolletage and arms.

Heather left the room while I showered off the product and laid back onto the

SPA SPOTLIGHT ON...

Main: The Canyon Pool Left inset: The Canyon Waterfall Below: The entrance to The Centre for Well-Being Bottom centre: Drinks at J&Gs private drining Bottom right: A Canyon Suite

"Tarot isn't a treatment you’d see at many UK spas, but it did allow me to think through stressful problems – that’s definitely a wellness issue." treatment bed. Next was a warm dark clay wrap which Heather explained was rich in green tea and essential oils. She painted the clay onto my skin in the same pattern as the scrub. I turned over half way through. While the wrap set, Heather massaged my face and scalp – complete bliss.

I stepped in the shower again to get rid of the clay and then settled down for the final step of the treatment; a full-body massage using Swedish techniques. Heather used some soft flowing movements before stepping up to longer stretching with her forearms and elbows. She was very intuitive, knowing exactly where my body held tension and focusing on areas which were painful. Heather was very caring and considerate – I felt genuinely nurtured.

My second treatment was with James.

This time we set up in a smaller room with a table and two chairs. James explained a little bit about himself and how the reading would work (I had never had a tarot

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

reading before). He laid out the cards in different patterns, interpreting as he went along. It gave me a way of focussing on life questions that I’ve been mulling over in a different and unusual way. It’s not a treatment you’d see at many UK spas, but it did allow me to think through issues that I’ve found stressful or worrisome – that’s definitely a wellness issue.

The treatment menu at The Centre for Well-Being has a good range of traditional spa treatments including massages, facials, wraps and scrubs. It also has more unusual therapies such as cupping and craniosacral therapy, and tarot and guided meditation.

Food facts

There are 10 dining outlets at the Phoenician, many to explore during your stay. Try Italian at Il Terrazzo, huge American steaks at J&G Steakhouse, informal dining at Relish Burger Bistro, poolside meals at Canyon Pool or Oasis Grill, or cool off at the Ice Cream Parlor.

We loved J&G Steakhouse; we tried the beautifully cooked grilled swordfish and prime NY steak watching the lights twinkle over Scottsdale and Phoenix. We were also tempted into the Ice Cream Parlor, which

has a vast selection of ice creams, sauces and chocolate-y accompaniments; make sure you’re hungry and go all out!

Who would like it?

The resort is very versatile, but we saw lots of extremely happy children here.

There’s so much for them to do; pools aplenty, a waterslide and splash pad, the Ice Cream Parlour and the Cactus Garden.

The Funicians Kids Club is a daily kids club for 5-12 year olds, and Leisure on the Lawn has activities for teens.

Don't miss

If you’re feeling a little far from home, book in for afternoon tea. Served at the Lobby Tea Court, you can watch the grand southern ladies in hats enjoy finger sandwiches, buttermilk scones and petit fours. You could almost forget you’re 5,000 miles from London.

The Canyon Suites. The newly refurbished suites give you a little bit of peace, but you still have the bustle of the hotel and all its facilities on your doorstep.

Find out more at:

www.thephoenician.com

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SPA SPOTLIGHT ON...

Main: Reception at Four Seasons Scottsdale Bottom inset: The view of Troon Mountain Centre inset: The main pool and Saguro Blossom Top inset: Outside seating at Proof Right inset: A Two-Bedroom Suite

FOUR SEASONS SCOTTSDALE AT TROON NORTH Scottsdale

What's on offer

Just outside of Scottsdale, seemingly encircled by the mountain ranges, Four Seasons Scottsdale is a resort in the truest sense of the word. Spend your time drifting in the pools, order waitress service to your lounger then head down to the spa for some serious relaxation.

There’s a distinct and honest SouthWestern feel at the resort; local artists have created sculptures, bold and bright textiles, wrought-iron lighting and kiva fireplaces.

There are three central pools; the main pool is bi-level so you can splash around in the top before drifting to the smaller pool lower down. There’s a separate kids pool, and a hot and bubbly adults-only pool.

Loungers line the walkways around the edge of the pool, and assistants are on hand with towels, sunscreen and drinks. Book in to a luxury cabana and you can even have your very own entertainment system – TV and iPad included.

The spa is a short walk from the pools.

The reception space follows the décor of the main hotel with dark wood, patterned armchairs and tiled floors. Skin care products, swimwear, jewellery and gifts line the shelves along the walls. The salon is just off to one side where you can have hair treatments, manicures and pedicures and make-up applications. Each single sex changing room has its own sauna, steam and relaxation room. There are plenty of lockers, big showers and all the products you need to preen and pamper. If you want to keep to a fitness regime, there’s a gym, studio for exercise classes and tennis courts. Staff are knowledgeable, friendly and always happy to help.

The beauty of Four Seasons Scottsdale comes from the thoughtful design, but also the location.

About 20 miles from downtown Scottsdale, the resort is accessible but remote. Pinnacle Peak stands over the property, providing the backdrop to some stunning vistas. Walk among saguaro cactuses, take an outback

tour or book in for a celestial picnic – a picnic on a remote lawn where you can even have a guided stargazing session with a local astronomer.

Tell us about the treatments

We had the Healing Hiker's full body massage (80 minutes, from $230).

My therapist, Karen, met me in the cool and dark relaxation room and took me through to our treatment room. Karen explained the massage would involve lots of stretching and some deeper tissue work to loosen my tired and tight muscles.

Karen started with a face and scalp massage, using hot stones along my stressed jaw – tension gets into the oddest places. She moved onto the front of my arms, shoulders, then my legs, applying a hot towel to the larger muscle groups to warm the muscles before working on them with her hands. The heat was blissful and really made a difference to the treatment.

"Spend your time drifting in the pools, order waitress service to your lounger then head down to the spa for some serious relaxation."

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Karen asked me to turn over and turned her attention to my legs, calves and feet. She wiggled my toes, stretched my feet, ankles and lower legs, and used really quite strong pressure to get deep into the muscular tissue. Once my legs had turned to jelly, Karen moved onto my back and neck, this time using her hands, arms and elbows to knead, roll and then lift my muscles.

The massage felt almost remedial, working to help my body heal from the morning’s exertions rather than give me 80 minutes of pure relaxation. Once the treatment finished, I slipped back into my robe and Karen took me back to the relaxation room. She brought me a plate of chocolate dipped strawberries – a perfect post-massage treat!

SPOTLIGHT ON...

"There'splenty for little ones to do here, but it feels more like a place for a romantic break... carve out some time to spend with a best beloved."

If pure relaxation is what you want, try the Dream Catcher Massage, part of Four Season’s Sleepytime Services, a guided relaxation exercise followed by a long flowing massage. Four Seasons Scottsdale also offers Omorovicza and Hydrafacial™ facial treatments, body wraps and polishes, manicures and pedicures, and treatments for men and mums-to-be.

Food facts

There are three eating options at the resort. Poolside, Saguro Blossom serves drinks, snacks, salads and heavier dishes such as burgers and tacos. Proof, an American Canteen, is exactly what it says. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving South Western and American classics, with modern twists.

Talavera is closer to fine dining than the advertised steakhouse. The food was pretty spectacular – we were blown away by the knowledge of the service staff and the fresh and beautifully created food.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

Our Chilean sea bass and Kansas City steak were seriously good. The restaurant is only open for dinner, and it’s worth booking ahead to secure your place.

Who would like it?

There’s plenty for little ones to do here, but it feels more like a place for a romantic break – the food is very good, the design and décor is rich and interesting, and the pools are perfect for a sunny afternoon. Carve out some time to spend with a best beloved.

Hikers. The trail head for Pinnacle Peak is just by the hotel’s parking lot and the scenery is otherworldly for Brits. The trail is about 3.5 miles long, so you can make it up and down in time for a session in the spa… Just make sure you dodge the coyote and rattlesnakes!

Don't miss

An evening aperitif at Onyx bar – watch

the sunset with a glass of your favourite tipple. If you visit in the cooler months, there’s a fire pit to cuddle up around, if

you’re visiting in the heat, the breeze over the valley is beautifully refreshing.

The massage treatments. Americans call it bodywork and, if you’ve been out hiking or even just walking around Scottsdale’s many malls, it’ll feel like bliss.

Find out more at:

www.fourseasons.com/scottsdale

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SPA SPOTLIGHT ON...

NEED TO KNOW

Other spas to try AMANGIRI, CANYON POINT Technically just over the Arizona/Utah border, the remote Amangiri resort is set deep in canyon land. The landscape feels very different from southern Arizona but in a similar palette of red, oranges and whites. The resort is made up of suites with either mesa or desert views. There’s a huge open-air swimming pool which is built around a rock formation, a restaurant with an open-plan kitchen and, of course, a healing spa. The spa ‘aims to reflect the healing traditions of the Navajo’ through the elements of earth, wind, fire and water.

Book in for massages, scrubs, wraps and even flotation therapy.

More at: www.aman.com/resorts/amangiri

SANCTUARY CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN, SCOTTSDALE In Paradise Valley (where else?), Sanctuary Camelback Mountain is a 53-acre resort of pools, lush grounds and stucco casitas. Try retro cocktails at Jade or locally sourced modern American food in Elements.

The Asian-inspired spa offers facials, body rituals, massage and even Watsu – a treatment when you’re stretched and

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massaged while you’re floating in water.

Post-treatment, keep your zen in the meditation garden with a trickling waterfall to sooth your senses, and shady trees to keep you cool in the Arizona sun.

More at: www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com

MII AMO, SEDONA Mii Amo is a Native-American inspired destination spa surrounded by the Coconino National Forest. Just outside of hippy Sedona, the red stucco buildings blend in with the stepped canyon then up to the clear blue sky. Inside you’ll find bright Anasazi-inspired colours, glass walls flooding the space with light, and soft leather furnishings. There’s indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, steam room and bubbly whirlpool.

More at: www.miiamo.com

BOULDERS RESORT AND SPA, CAREFREE Boulders Resort and Spa is one of the most well-known Arizona resorts, it’s built around 12-million-year-old rock formations – hence the name. At 1,300 acres the resort is huge; there’s 160 casita-style rooms, six restaurants, two championship golf courses, and the spa.

Start your spa journey in the Tea Room

TIME ZONE: Mountain Standard Time (-7 hours GMT) and Mountain Daylight Time (-6 hours GMT). Not all cities and states observe Mountain Daylight Time in the summer; for example Phoenix and Tucson do not observe MDT. GETTING THERE: British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Phoenix, Arizona. Los Angeles and Las Vegas are both 4-5 hours’ drive from Phoenix or you can take an internal flight in 90 minutes or 65 minutes (respectively).

before going for a swim in the pool or heat up in the steam and sauna. The outside space is special, try the organic garden or the Hopi inspired labyrinth to soak up the fresh air and sunshine.

More at: www.theboulders.com

THE RITZ-CARLTON DOVE MOUNTAIN, MARANA Twenty miles north of Tuscon, The RitzCarlton Dove Mountain sits secluded in the Tortolita Mountains. The 17,000 square foot spa hosts steam rooms, whirlpools, saunas and an outdoor mineral pool overlooking the mountain. Try the signature gemstone rituals; Amethyst for calmness and clarity, or Citrine for prosperity and joy.

More at: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ arizona/dove-mountain WM

TRANQUILITY V O Y A’ S N E W B O D Y R A N G E T O R E L A X Y O U R B O D Y A N D M I N D

Evoke inner calmness and warm serenity with VOYA’s NEW Tranquility Body Range.

This range creates an instant sense of relaxation by capturing the restorative power of wild seaweed and blending it with floral lavender & rosemary, to give you supple and beautifully smooth skin.

Embrace True Tranquil, our relaxing body wash, Mindful Moments, body oil and indulge with Effervescence, our nourishing sugar scrub.

AVA I L A B L E O N L I N E A N D V I A V O Y A S T O C K I S T S & S PA S

www.voya.ie

TRIED AND TESTED

Our hands hold the key to our relationships, how we express ourselves, they even give a glimpse of our age. Karen Hockney explains that the cold winter weather means they may a little need extra TLC...

Loveyour

hands ur hands are our link to the world. We use them to connect with others when we meet someone new, we use them to soothe away aches, pains and anxieties, and we express and emphasise ourselves through hand gestures.

In short, our hands spend a lot of time working hard. Not to mention tending to lowly chores like cleaning, washing up and gardening. They are also a dead giveaway to our age if they're not given lashings of loving attention.

Overwashing is a big culprit in hand care. While effective for evading germs, viruses and bacteria, it can lead to dry, chapped skin, nails and cuticles. So getting into a good routine before the deep cold of winter plays havoc with our skin is important.

Generally speaking, a regular exfoliation, gentle cleansing and moisturising pattern will keep your hands feeling smooth and hydrated throughout the winter months.

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TRIED AND TESTED

✺

YOU C A SPA AN RECRE AT -S AT HO TYLE MAN E M E FOR I FRAC PRICE TION OF T A WHIC IF YOU KN HE OW H TO PL PRODUCT UMP S FOR.

"A regular exfoliation, gentle cleansing and moisturising pattern will keep your hands feeling smooth and hydrated throughout the coming winter months."

PINKS BOUTIQUE HAND EXFOLIANT £19, 140g www.pinksboutique.com

THEY SAY: An Indonesian-inspired hand-blended combination of Dead Sea salt and organic jojoba oil along with seed oils, vitamins and antioxidants. This natural scrub – which is 100 per cent natural and contains 35 per cent organic ingredients – promises to leave your skin feeling supple and polished.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE IT? Massage a small amount into both hands for a couple of minutes before rinsing in warm water. Repeat twice a week to combat signs of ageing.

THE RESULTS: As I started massaging the rough salt crystals into my skin, I inhaled the heady and delicious aroma of orange peel and bergamia fruit. After a couple of minutes of gentle rubbing, I rinsed my hands and noticed straight away the silky smooth effect of the essential oils.

My hands looked and felt significantly softer and the oils glistened on my skin. After patting them dry, they still felt hydrated and smelled divine, achieving results usually only delivered by a professional salon manicure.

"My hands looked and felt significantly softer and the oils glistened on my skin. After patting them dry, they still felt hydrated and smelled divine."

Wash them with warm, not hot water, using a gentle soap or soap-free hand cleanser rather than antibacterial soap, which can dry out the skin. Pat - don’t rub - them dry. It’s important to preserve the natural protective oils which help to keep our bodies hydrated and also keep the nasties out. If your hands don’t retain enough oil, they won’t retain water either and may end up inflamed, cracked and irritated.

A professional manicure is a great way of looking after your hands from time to time, as is a paraffin wax treatment at a spa, which acts as a deep moisturising and conditioning treatment to soften and soothe the skin, cuticles and nails.

However, you can also recreate the feel-good factor of a spa-style manicure at home for a fraction of the price if you know which products to plump for. We road tested four products that we think will give your hands a little home spa treat this winter. www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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TRIED AND TESTED

TOP TIPS

FOR GOOD HAND AND NAIL CARE NEOM HAND BALM £15, 50ml www.neomorganics.com

THEY SAY: The Nourish, Breathe and Energise Hand Balm – one of four 100 per cent organic blends designed to support your overall wellbeing – is a potent combination of 17 of the purest essential oils including grapefruit, lemon and rosemary, specially chosen to refresh, boost and energise your body and mind. They are blended with rich cocoa butter and skin-loving shea butter.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE IT? Apply a small amount and rub

into hands for a minute or two at the start of the day or before going out to maximise energy and deeply hydrate and soften your skin.

"My skin felt silky and soft to the touch, as if I had just had a manicure... I couldn't resist sniffing my hands!"

TEMPLE SPA PALM BALM

£19, 100ml www.templespa.com THEY SAY: This formula fuses extracts of aloe vera to soothe and moisturise, and anti-ageing vitamin E and jojoba to soften the skin and condition the cuticles.

Lemon, lavender, bergamot and tarragon essential oils will leave your hands naturally fragranced and fresh.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE IT?

Massage into hands and cuticles morning and evening before bed.

THE RESULTS: The light, nongreasy balm absorbs instantly and leaves no residue. My skin felt silky and soft to the touch, as if I had just had a manicure. The citrus notes of lemon and bergamot were a subtle and unusual combination. I couldn’t resist sniffing my hands every few minutes!

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Keep nails a sensible length to avoid breaking Wear gloves when using household detergents, bleach or cleaning agents Use hand cream or balm every time after washing your hands Did you know? Lack of moisture is the main cause of breaking, brittle and peeling nails.

THE RESULTS: This rich formula left a gorgeous sheen on my hands as soon as I started applying it, minimising the fine sun damage lines I have become used to seeing. It felt like a very deep, concentrated treatment, unlike other hand products I have used before. The subtle fragrance lasted for two or three hours after application and kept me feeling uplifted.

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES RENEWING ROSE HAND CREAM £24, 75ml www.aromatherapyassociates.com

THEY SAY: A deeply nourishing, non-greasy cream containing sea daffodil to help reduce the appearance of blemishes and age spots and essential omega 6 to soften the hands and support the skin’s natural ability to regenerate.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE IT? Massage it into hands and forearms as often as needed.

THE RESULTS: My hands felt a bit ‘tacky’ straight after rubbing the cream in but this disappeared within a couple of minutes and my hands felt supple and smooth. I’m not usually a fan of rose as a fragrance but the addition of geranium oil made this combination work beautifully and harmoniously together.

"A deeply nourishing, non-greasy cream containing sea daffodil to help reduce the appearance of blemishes and age spots."

Q&A

The Good Spa Guide to modern spa etiquette

&

The Spa Spy presents the golden rules to ease your way into spa society.

The general rule would be a simple one or two-piece swimsuit, preferably something that would not offend Her Majesty.

If you are visiting a spa for the day, take two items of swimwear in order not to have to lunch damply.

Cleanliness

It is down to the spa to make sure that the facilities are constantly cleaned and germ free. However, it is up to customers to do the same with their bodies.

Always shower before entering spa pools.

Remove your perfumes and water-clouding unguents. Tie up your hair and try not to leave stray strands lying about for others to find. Ditto plasters. If you have an infectious illness or disease, please stay away.

Compassion nless you have haplessly wandered into an establishment without a Good Spa Guide bubble rating, the only thing likely to mar your perfect spa day is, to paraphrase Sartre, other people. In our experience, the annoyance of listening to a loud spa party when all you want to do is relax, or being given a judge-y onceover by a fellow guest can ruin a spa day.

However, if all spa users abide by the rules and accord one another courtesy (that includes staff), we can all spa happily ever after. Amen.

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Arrival

If you have booked a treatment, make sure you leave plenty of time beforehand to park, check in, tour the spa, undress, have a swim, steam, sauna, bubble, have something to drink, shower, dry off, dress in a fresh robe, and get to waiting area fifteen minutes before your appointment.

Otherwise you may become stressed and annoyed, the opposite of how you’re supposed to feel on your spa day!

Bikini or swimsuit?

It depends: bikinis are more comfortable in hot thermal rooms and tend not to bloat up with air in a Jacuzzi, but are less functional in a swimming pool. One would say ‘wear whatever makes you comfortable’, except that some people feel comfortable in tiny triangles held together with string.

View others as you would have them view you (through a veil of steam, bosseyed and kindly).

Conversation

If you are spa-ing à deux, you may converse while alone or in public areas, but as soon as a third party enters a darkened relaxation room, we would suggest you cease your conversation (or keep it to a minimum) and accord them some peace and quiet.

Drunkenness

A glass of bubbly in the spa pool or while having a manicure is a must. Any more and you’ll become dehydrated, ill or a total liability. With drink one loses one’s inhibitions, and inhibitions are the very soul of manners.

Q&A

Photos: Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa

Hot tubs and jacuzzis

Do not stay in a Jacuzzi longer than ten to fifteen minutes. This is partly because it will make you feel unwell, but also because it’s thoughtless to other spa users. Politely avert your eyes as others lower themselves into the water. No heavy petting: this is a health spa.

Mobile phones

To take a phone into a space where people are seeking sanctuary is like bringing a Sun reporter to a private party. Of course he might not repeat what happens to his millions of readers, or share photos on social media, but his presence will make everyone uncomfortable. If you must bring it along with you, be discreet.

Nudity

In the UK, you’ll find there’s absolutely no nudity in the main spa area – not even in saunas or steam rooms, whatever your Scandinavian friends would have you believe. The reverse is true in Europe, where spa nudity is de rigueur. In some changing rooms without private changing areas, one often has no choice but to strip off, although there are often toilet or shower options for towelling one’s intimate areas.

Relaxation rooms

Absolute silence is the rule – most decent spas have a sign to this effect – yet far too many people completely disregard this. If you do find yourself in a situation where your pleasant dozing is interrupted by a couple of gossips, exit the room

"Sharing a hot, confined space with semi-naked strangers is not an invitation to abandon one’s morality." swiftly and alert a member of staff. If you do decide to politely request that such nattering should cease, be prepared for some umbrage.

Steam rooms and saunas

Sharing a hot, confined space with seminaked strangers is not an invitation to abandon one’s morality. Quite the contrary. In such conditions, good manners and respect for personal space are vital. Behaviour is similar to that practised on a typical London tube – complete silence and no eye contact.

You may nod in greeting upon entry if you must, but beyond that all contact – especially conversation – is banned.

Tipping

"Absolute silence is the rule – most decent spas have a sign to this effect." www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

Tipping is essential if you enjoyed your treatment, and non-negotiable if you are a regular to the spa. View it also as an investment in your own goodness and social status. Therapists are paid little for what they do. If you would tip a waiter for good service, so should you tip your therapist for a sensational treatment. You can do this directly at the end of the treatment, or ask reception for an envelope and write your therapist’s name. You can even add a few words to express your appreciation and your stock will soar.

Undressing

If you are having a full body massage, you will most often keep your bottoms on and the therapist will arrange towels so that even she won’t see the evidence.

Some spas will offer disposable briefs or thongs, which come in a sealed packet and are thrown away after: take them up on the offer if you don’t want your Agent Provocateur knickers spoiled with frangipani oil.

Zzzing

Falling asleep during a massage is a compliment to your therapist – much like burping after a Roman dinner. Don’t be afraid to embrace it, your therapist will have seen it all before. WM AUTUMN 2016

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ECO-LUXE

Luxury clear with a

conscience

Eco-luxe is a major trend in wellness. In Thailand, two five star resorts are setting the bar high while supporting local communities. Stylish Spy discovers that opulence with an ethical heart makes you feel that little bit better.

ALEENTA HUA HIN RESORT AND SPA, PRANBURI The Aleenta Hua Hin is a high-end resort right on the palm-fringed beach in idyllic Pak Nampran Bay. You can watch the sunrise from your upcycled bed then skip across the white sand for a morning dip in the sea.

On the second floor, the rustic and charming Ayurah Spa is a tasteful wooden enclave open to the elements, so you can have your spa treatments or practise yoga as the balmy sea breezes blow through. Treatments range from the esoteric – oxygen and music therapy, ‘body sentimentality’ to the epicurean – nano skin cell extract and banana leaf wraps.

Celebrities in search of an unspoilt, under the radar Thailand love it here. Ryan Gosling has stayed seven, yes seven, times while Eva Mendes, Nicole Kidman and the Beckhams have also visited.

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However, this isn’t just another posh hotel in its own decadent bubble, disconnected from the realities of the country. The Aleenta Hua Hin was recently voted Best Sustainable Hotel in Thailand at the International Hotel Awards.

Some 15 years ago, Anchalika Kijkanakorn decided to develop her family beach house into the Aleenta (Sanskrit for ‘rewarding life’). Since then four other five star resorts have joined the Akaryn Hotel Group, which also set up the Pure Blue Foundation to support conservation and communities across Thailand.

The 23 suites are driven by eco values and boast a cool stone and pebble floor, a plunge pool Jacuzzi and outdoor shower. All furniture is made on site from reclaimed wood and upcycled materials.

Around 87 per cent of what ends up on the menu is grown on the eco-farm – the 54-acre Aleenta smallholding is supplemented by hotel manager James Noble’s Boutique Farmers, which is run by his wife May.

ECO-LUXE

Main image: A Pool Residence Below left: Aleenta Hua Hin Pool View by night Below right: Chaba Villa Bedroom Bottom: Fresh seafood at The Aleenta Restaurant

Ingredients for the spa products and treatments are also home-grown at the farm or locally sourced and made organically on site. In your hotel room you can enjoy a never-ending supply of invigorating mint shower gel, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner, all organically produced and presented in refillable earthenware jugs.

Your spa experience begins as soon as you land at Bangkok. We were collected by a luxurious minibus with huge squishy black leather massage chairs to ease aching limbs.

There’s also the option to have a head, neck and foot massage with an on-board masseuse during the three-hour transfer.

After a glass of fresh, rebalancing rosella juice we headed to the spa to try the Firming Scrub, with kaffir peel, lemongrass, ginger and Plai powder followed by a body wrap to eliminate toxins and excess fluid.

My therapist Nuch managed to dispel any lingering jet lag as she gently scrubbed and brushed my skin. She then slathered me in white clay and oatmeal, wrapped me in banana leaves and laid a warm towel over my entire body, leaving me to relax in silence for 15 minutes while listening to the gentle lap of waves. After a shower, Nuch delivered a body massage with herbal Ayurah oil, transporting me into a blissful semi-conscious state. The knowledge that everything Nuch used was natural, organic and locally sourced added to my state of wellbeing.

I also had a Thai Facial, starting with a gentle cleansing facial massage using homemade yoghurt followed by a tamarind and ginger exfoliating scrub and a soothing mask consisting of fresh cucumber slices. Afterwards, my face felt and looked visibly plumper, hydrated and zinging with brightness: a miracle after a 16-hour journey.

Food too is a divine mix of hedonism and

"The 23 suites are driven by eco values... all furniture is made on site from reclaimed wood and upcycled materials."

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

sustainability. Nobel is a former Michelinstarred chef, and rather than calories, his menu tells you exactly how many kilometres the food has travelled to reach your plate.

Slow cooking, solar ovens, smoke houses and molecular cooking methods are used to ensure a minimal carbon footprint.

Breakfast is plentiful, with fresh fruit, soufflé style asparagus omelettes, kedgeree and a selection of pastries and cakes. For lunch try barbecued prawns, seabass cooked in banana leaves, stir-fried morning glory, papaya salad as well as traditional Thai green and red curries… the fare is simply mouthwatering. Food intolerances are catered for and beautiful fresh canapés are delivered to each room at 5pm: dim sum, pineapple cake and fresh pineapple juice are typical. Nobel even makes his own gin and vodka, infused with lemongrass, basil and chilli, and runs a tree-planting initiative so that local people can pick mangoes once the trees mature.

Even the ice cream is healthy; it’s lactose-free and made from rice milk.

The flavours I tried – from the weird and wonderful charcoal eucalyptus and satay through to coconut and mango – were inventive and delicious.

If you can, try the Thai cooking class run

by Pornpirom Khanwong, otherwise known as Tom. I was given a tour of the local food market before heading back to the kitchen for lessons on how to make Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai and mango sticky rice pudding, all delicious. You can also take a tour of the Boutique Farmers' farms nearby.

For those who want to try local cuisine but are worried about ordering from a Thai menu, a 'tailor' will come with you to the restaurant of your choice, help you order and then leave you to enjoy your meal. What could be more perfect?

With a homely, welcoming, laidback, friendly vibe – the staff come from the local community – this place makes being eco seem like the obvious way to live.

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ECO-LUXE Main image: A Pool Suite Bedrom Below inset: Aleenta Spa Centre: Asian-inspired dining at Aleenta Phuket

"Aleenta Phuket occupies prime position on a stunning stretch of Natai beach facing the Andaman sea, where endangered leatherback turtles still breed."

ALEENTA PHUKET Occupying a prime position in ‘The Hamptons of Phuket’ – a stunning stretch of Natai beach facing the Andaman sea, where endangered leatherback turtles still breed – the Aleenta Phuket is an all-suite hotel set in terraced Japanese-style gardens, with lily ponds, decked walkways and orchids growing out of palm trees.

I stayed in one of the Grand Deluxe Pool Villas, completed in August 2015, with a private garden, four poster bed and my own swimming pool. Stylish and minimalist decor features granite floors and muted coffee and grey tones. As well as a spacious dark wood dressing room complete with white linen Thai style pyjamas, there's a light-filled glass bathroom and an outdoor Italian stone spa bath. The pillow selection includes snore reduction, leg rest, white goose down and Japanese buckwheat pillows, plus tummy warmers to aid digestion. It’s no exaggeration to say that it was a huge wrench every time I had to leave my villa.

The Ayurah Wellness Spa combines cutting edge technology with ancient holistic therapies, and is reached via stepping stones across a pond. There’s a Thai spa offering Far Eastern inspired treatments, an oxygen bar and a medi-spa. You can also try out chromo therapy, an historic Asian discipline which works with the vibrations and frequencies of the body to create harmony and an enhanced sense of wellbeing.

On arrival, I decided to relax with a Sense of Ayurah signature massage. Specially formulated herbal oils to promote lymphatic

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drainage and detoxification were applied using slow, warm palm and thumb strokes.

Pressure was applied to key points of my body to relieve tension, aid circulation and create a feeling of deep relaxation.

The anti-ageing facials were specially designed by UK skincare expert Linda Meredith, who personally trained the therapists here. I opted for a Haute Couture Facial, an amazing anti-ageing treatment beloved of A-listers. It included a natural micro-glycolic serum to remove dead cells, clean beneath the skin’s surface and soften age lines and wrinkles, and ended with a deeply relaxing Thai-style neck, décolletage and shoulder massage. I felt like I was floating on air.

I was on the Wellness plan, which combines a healthy, light and nourishing food regime with different activities including yoga, Pilates and use of the gym. I also went surfing with the hotel manager Matthias, learned the basics of Muay Thai (kickboxing) with Lek, and swam

each morning in the beautiful 20-metre luminescent black and gold infinity pool overlooking the beach.

For the adventurous, there are guided bike tours, visits to the night market in old Phuket town and longtail boat trips along the spectacular coastline.

There are two restaurants, The Edge and Natai. Valerio, the Italian/Colombian head chef, turns locally sourced ingredients into spectacular Thai influenced cuisine.

Breakfasts of fresh fruit, pineapple, mint and coconut, or mango and lime smoothies were accompanied by porridge made with rice milk, fresh coconut meat, raisins and pomegranate seeds or citrus-infused quinoa with fresh almonds and apricots. A typical three course supper started with papaya salad followed by grilled tofu and rice and a sublime coconut milk panna cotta.

You can also try your hand at Thai cuisine with chef Yok, who was taught to cook by her grandmother.

While there, don’t miss a visit to the turtle conservation centre at Khao LampiHat Thai Mueang National Park. They release 9,000 rescued baby turtles back into the ocean each year. I was privileged to witness a one-year old turtle being released back into the Andaman. Watching it cautiously make its way towards the water before swimming eagerly into the surf was a sight I will never forget.

The Verdict? Giving back never felt so good. WM A five-night wellbeing break starts from £1,149 per person. This includes two nights at the Aleenta Hua Hin Resort and Spa with breakfast, three nights at the Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa on a wellness package, two cooking classes, two yoga classes, two massages, two facials and a Muay Thai class. For more information and to book visit: www.aleenta.com/huahin and www.aleenta.com/phuket

CELEBRATIONS

With illustrious settings, world class hotels and Michelin starred restaurants, Harriet Mellor discovers that spas have become destinations to celebrate landmark occasions. Send out the invites and party, spa-style.

+ SPA celebrations

THE BABYMOON

Armathwaite Hall, Cumbria

Set the scene

Try a mini-break spent à deux before your newborn comes forth and downgrades the definition of ‘me-time’ to shutting the bathroom door when you bathe.

Armathwaite Hall, a 17th century former stately home in the Lake District, makes the perfect Last Chance Saloon. Inside, it’s all about country house grandeur, but laid back enough to chill in front of roaring log fires ensconced in wood panelled rooms.

Outside the views – and land – span 400 acres of deer park, the Skiddaw mountains and Bassenthwaithe Lake.

The perfect package

The two-night Precious Moments Babymoon Spa Break features a Dreamy Pregnancy Massage using Little Butterfly

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mother and baby products. Ideal for the second trimester or early third, it focuses on the lumbar region, to soothe, calm and relive aches and pains followed by foot and leg massage to drain puffiness and ease the tension that come from postural pressure.

Don't miss

Even though your other half is not carrying, he could deserve a Man Space Performance Facial or The Tension

"Try a mini-break spent à deux before your newborn comes forth and downgrades the definition of ‘me-time’ to shutting the bathroom door when you bathe."

Trio massage. Post-treatment, retire to the Hush relaxation room and snuggle under blankets. The vast windows give a panorama of the great outdoors complete with lake and mountain views.

The spa facilities include a hot tub and al fresco terrace next to the woodland surroundings and a 16-metre infinity edge outdoor pool.

Sleeping and eating

Anglo-French cuisine is served in the Lake View Restaurant, which boasts an AA Rosette. Wake to a hearty Cumbrian breakfast. More modern and modest dining is available in the Brasserie and Courtyard bar. The bedrooms all have lovely views, and are furnished in a style that matches Armathwaite’s timeless rural mood.

Find out more at:

www.armathwaite-hall.com

CELEBRATIONS Below: A drawing room at Stobo Castle Right inset: Stobo Castle Health Spa exterior Below right: The hydro pool at Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa

"Sitting under the stars in the torch-lit hot-tubs as snowflakes fall scores highly on the romance meter."

THE SPA N’ SURF HEN-DO Headland Hotel, Newquay

Set the scene

The clifftop Headland Hotel in North Cornwall is set in a Victorian building high above three sides of stunning coastline, including the famous Fistral Beach, which has some of the UK's best surf.

The perfect package

The most simple spa package would be the Girls Night In at £69 per head, with exclusive use of the VIP room for a chick flick and its own bar with bubbly and nibbles. This includes a mini treatment plus access to the leisure area which has a Cornish salt steam room, Swedish sauna, hot tub, aromatherapy showers and a heated pool. Recommended marine themed treatments include Spa Gerys-Da (translates as ‘Renowned Spa’), an algae seaweed facial, or Heart of the Ocean: the massage mimics the rhythmic rocking motion of the ocean. For the finale, chill in the relaxation lounge watching the waves outside.

Don't miss

The Headland’s extended hen menu includes; a morning yoga class, followed by outdoorsy action at the Headland’s Surf Sanctuary. Don a wetsuit for a 2.5 hour private lesson, although be warned the swell is between 4-12 foot in winter.

If calmer waters appeal there’s stand-up paddle boarding, kite surfing or coasteering, which is energetically making your way along the shoreline.

After all that you will have earned your spa sessions!

For those who feel no hen do would be complete without a raucous night out, Newquay town centre is 1.4 miles away and was once a mecca for hens and stags, although the local council are attempting to phase-out much of the riffraff.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

Sleeping and eating

Food is all consumed with an ocean view in the award-winning Samphire restaurant or The Terrace under executive chef Christopher Archambault. There’s also a grazing menu in the Spa Cafe which opens on to a sun terrace. Accommodation is contemporary beach-chic rooms or hangout-together in the on site cottages: you can even bring your dog.

Find out more at:

www.headlandhotel.co.uk

HUNKER DOWN HONEYMOON

Stobo Castle Health Spa, Peeblesshire

Set the scene

This ornate fairytale castle, surrounded by snow-capped hills, is the perfect setting for a loch-side love-in. Stobo was built in 1805 in the Scottish lowlands of Peeblesshire. The period decor and suits of armour contrast with a state-of-the-art spa at the back of the building.

The perfect package

Bliss out post-nuptial without ever leaving each other’s side. The spa has double treatment rooms and with couple's rituals designed to be taken together; Touch of Warmth has skin brushing, 4-teas elixir balm and hot stones, or the Oriental Harmony Ritual massage ends with a chromo energetic hydro-bath.

Sitting under the stars in the torch-lit hot-tubs as snowflakes fall scores highly on the romance meter. Watch the light change over the hills as you do laps in the 25-metre ozone-treated swimming pool.

Don't miss

Walking; stroll through the zen-like Japanese water gardens, take a longer walk around the loch and grounds, or hike and mountain bike further afield. Edinburgh is about an hours’ drive north so you can spend the day being a tourist before returning to the comfort of Stobo.

Sleeping and eating

Cocoon in the The Cashmere Suite with claret-coloured cashmere covering the walls and American black walnut panelling.

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CELEBRATIONS Below: The Boudoir at Galgorm Resort and Spa Right: Poolside at The Bulgari Spa

"Depending on where you are in life, it might be fitting to spend the Big 4-0 on a day of no-expense spared luxury escape with your best friend.

There are his and hers plasma screens on the walls, but hopefully you’ll be too busy staring into each other’s eyes to watch TV. There are two four poster beds and an adjacent dressing room, a limestone bathroom with ambient multi-coloured lighting and a huge oval bath. The private lounge area has sumptuous squishy furnishings and a selection of art.

When you get peckish, head downstairs for Champagne afternoon tea by the fire, or locally sourced food in the main restaurant.

Find out more at:

www.stobocastle.co.uk

THE NEW YEAR FAMILY GATHERING Galgorm Resort and Spa, County Antrim

Set the scene

It’s a difficult path to walk; inviting all the family to a spa without having them run riot. We’re thinking of the offspring here, but that could extend to grandparents.

Galgorm Resort has five and eight bed self-catering log cabins, so you can make use of most of the facilities and the grounds while cohabiting en masse with a better eye on the budget.

It's 30 minutes from Belfast, but deeply rural in 163 acres of parkland with the river Maine running through.

The perfect package

Galgorm really ups the ante, describing themselves as a 'Winter Wonderland’. In the award-winning spa there are specials of a Salted Gingerbread Mud Serail, a Winter Reviver Body Treatment or Winter Defense Facial. The pièce de résistance is the spa’s Thermal Village with log-fired riverside hot tubs heated up to 40 degrees and a Snow Cabin kept at -7 to -15 degrees to boost your blood circulation.

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Don't miss

Bringing in 2017 with dinner at Gillies Grill then fireworks over the estate.

Sleeping and eating

Consume in abundance with three restaurants on site. Gillies Grill, a la carte in the River Room restaurant where you can also take afternoon tea in the conservatory, and the Fratelli Ristorante. There are also three bars to quench your thirst.

Find out more at:

www.galgorm.com

BEST MATES' JOINT BIRTHDAY

The Bulgari Spa, Knightsbridge, London

Set the scene

Depending on where you are in life, it might be fitting to spend a Big Number Birthday on a no-expense-spared luxury escape with your best friend. The Bulgari Hotel and Residence is discreet and sleek – not only are you hanging out in well-heeled Knightsbridge but once inside there is a feeling of joining the ranks of the international elite.

The spacious spa is a tranquil oasis spread over two lower floors. Like the

rest of the hotel it pays homage to the Italian brand’s silversmith origins, crafted to architectural perfection with onyx and oak. Booking two or more treatments gains you access to a 25-metre swimming pool, created from Vicenza stone and featuring a shimmering green and gold mosaic, an ice fountain, steam and sauna plus a 150m² fitness area with a fullyequipped gym.

The perfect package

There are all sorts of day menus starting from approximately £250. La Dolce Vita will give you a top-to-toe 270 minutes of facial, eye-revive massage, tailored massage plus a luxury manicure and pedicure for £450. Or totally blow the budget by opting for one of Bulgari’s signature treatments named after their favourite gemstones; Peridot, Turquoise and Moonstone.

Don't miss

Legendary salon Neville’s Hair and Beauty has a Bulgari Spa branch. Enjoy an in-depth consultation and a cut with thermal scissors plus an array of luxurious treatments and hair masks.

Sleeping and eating

Order lunch to your poolside cabana, or head upstairs for a selection of small lunch plates at Rivea, which is managed by Alain Ducasse and Alexandre Nicolas. By evening, sashay your way to Bulgari’s sublime Il Bar for a glass of celebratory Champagne.

Find out more at:

www.bulgarihotels.com WM

MASSAGE

Hot stone WINTER SOOTHER

massage Hot stone massage is a deep massage that uses soothing oils, warm basalt and sometimes cold marble stones to relax your muscles. It’s a perfect winter pick-me-up when it’s grey and cold outside.

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MASSAGE

ot stone treatments normally alternate warm and cold – a technique to soothing any aches and pains as well as promoting self-healing. There's a method behind the madness of leaping from a toasty sauna into an icy pool, and hot stone massage uses the same principle.

Hot stones have been used for centuries as a tool to heal aching muscles – Native Americans reported called them ‘grandfather stones’. Our modern interpretation of hot stone massage stems back to the 1990s when an American named Mary Stone trademarked her style of hot stone massage, calling it LaStone therapy.

Hot stone massage begins with placing warm, oiled stones on acupressure points around your body. Your therapist will have applied an aromatherapy oil to the stone, adding an extra kick of relaxation. You may drift off into a dreamy state and lose track of where the hot stones are arranged. The stones tend to be very hot when first applied; tell your therapist if it is too much!

Your therapist will employ a variety of strokes and techniques using the stones and hands, working over kinks in your muscles.

This type of massage is normally quite soft and luxurious; your therapist may use longer, softer movements to calm your body. If there’s any deeper tissue work, the heat of the stones should relax the muscles so it may not feel as intense compared to your therapist using their hands alone.

There’s a range of hot stone sizes from very small to a stone that will fill your hand. Your therapist will use big stones on larger muscles like your glutes or upper thighs, all the way down to facial massage stones which are the size of a 50 pence piece.

Your therapist may alternate between hot basalt stones and much colder, marble stones.

Don’t be surprised if you feel a smooth cold stone immediately after a hot stone. As your body sinks further into a state of relaxation,

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

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MASSAGE

"As with all spa therapies, never underestimate the feel-good factor.

Hot stone massage will help you feel nurtured, pampered and special. "

you may stop noticing the extreme changes in temperature. She may also alternate stones with hand pressure, depending on the style of the massage.

When your therapist has finished with an area of your body, they may place the still-warm stones in the palms of your hands or over your feet. The residual warmth is relaxing and comforting.

Hot stone massage should trigger a

deeply relaxed, blissed-out and meditative state. Some people have reported closing their eyes and seeing bright colours. Enjoy the afterglow – float slowly back to the real world and re-hydrate your body by sipping plenty of water.

Hot stone massage can: • boost your circulation • release stored tension • recharge your energy levels • relax you.

As with all spa therapies, never underestimate the feel-good factor. Hot stone massage will help you feel nurtured, pampered and special.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR HOT STONE MASSAGE

Hot stone massage is a treat, so indulge with as much time as you can. Arrive early, relax and take in your surroundings.

It's not a good idea to eat a heavy meal or drink alcohol in the hours beforehand.

Your hot stones treatment is likely to last about an hour; plenty of time for melting away all your knots, aches and worries.

Always tell your therapist about any medical conditions you have. They will take your medical history into account when choosing the right stones and techniques for your body.

For similar reasons, tell your therapist if

"Hot stone massage should trigger a deeply relaxed, blissed-out and meditative state. "

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DIFFERENT KINDS OF HOT STONE MASSAGE LaStone is a branded form of hot stone massage and one you are likely to encounter in UK spas.

Hot stones are sometimes described as "advanced" versions of regular treatments in a spa's promotional material, and feature in more traditional massage treatments, such as Lomi Lomi.

Alternative names for hot stone massage include river rock massage, lava stone massage, or warm stone massage. Lava Shells massage was developed in 2009 and offers the same effects by using recycled tiger clam shells that self-heat.

You may also find your therapist uses crystals rather than stones.

These aren’t normally heated but the smooth rock feels very gentle on the skin. you are, or think you might be, pregnant.

We also suggest booking a hot stone massage on a day when you won't have to rush out somewhere afterwards.

You'll feel so relaxed and soothed after your treatment, jumping in the car and tackling the rush hour traffic might seem sacrilegious. WM

SPA PARTNERS

In

good

company The Spa Spies share their top tips for spa-ing with friends, family, your beloved or even colleagues.

or all of our British reserve, more and more of us have taken to socialising, bonding or wooing while wearing nothing more than a swimsuit and robe. Spa is fast replacing the pub or coffee shop as a neutral meeting space for friends, family members, even work colleagues. With so many great two-for-one deals, it can even cost less than a meal out.

The great thing about spa is that you can talk for a bit, then – when you have run out of proverbial steam – wander off to immerse yourself in some real steam, or take yourself off for a swim or a treatment.

Who you take with you may dictate your spa day. You’re probably not going to want to book a mud rasul and double treatment room with your work colleague, for example. Equally, you probably don’t want to be sharing a Jacuzzi with a group of golfers on what was supposed to be your romantic anniversary weekend.

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Your mother Savant Spy says: Spa-ing with your mum doesn’t just have to be for Mothers’ Day. I did it recently, and it was so nice spending time with my mum on her own. My inner eternal child enjoyed not having to vie for her attention over the dog, dad, siblings or grandchildren. I got it all. And she couldn’t tell me to tidy my room either.

The fact it was my treat gave me a little bit more power. I think she started to see me as a grown-up – until she told me I had kale

between my teeth, or brought me a cup of water in the sauna.

Because we’re both very independent women, we ended up going opposite ways around the spa – she doesn’t like sauna or steam rooms, and I don’t like getting my nails done – then meeting up for lunch or on a pool lounger to share our adventures. Usually my mum has made friends with all the staff and most of the fellow guests by the time I see her again, as she greets everyone by their first name and they suddenly know far too much about me…

Your beloved Summer Spy says: When planning your romantic spa break, you need a spa that controls numbers and has lots of areas where you can sneak off for some time à deux. I’m not talking about time that’s best kept in your room, more time when you can gaze longingly into each other’s eyes.

It’s a great idea if you can find a spa that has a private couples' suite. The ones I’ve experienced often have sofas where you can relax, order food, drink champagne and are attached to the double treatment rooms where you both have the same treatment

SPA PARTNERS

With small kids Stylish Spy says:

together – it’s about shared experiences that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.

You don’t have to head for a small intimate spa for romance. Lots of larger spas cater for couples, with plenty of romantic nooks and crannies: a waterbed on a balcony overlooking the forest, a love seat in a garden, or, if you really want to push the boat out, an overnight stay in spa suites – lots of spas have lovely add-ons like your own private hot tub or treatments in your room.

With friends Supreme Spy says: What you do on a spa day with a friend depends on the friend. Are you healthloving wholesome ladies? Then you might like a thalassotherapy day (which is also fun because of the bubbly pool part, although they are very loud if you want to chat). Most spas cater for the traditionally hedonistic massage/facial plus cream tea with a glass of prosecco. But perhaps you’re a couple of hardcore adventurous types who think a day in a Russian banya being whipped by birch leaves is worth a hilarious anecdote or two.

If you really want to spend quality time with a friend – maybe you’re helping her through a difficult time – pick a small, intimate spa where you can just be together. If you are adventurous types, chose one with a magnificent spa journey.

I did one of those with a good friend – wandering from steam to sauna to different steam, different sauna, whirlpool, lunch – without stopping our conversational stream for a moment. Oh, except when we were trying to take an outdoor hot-tub selfie; much harder than you think, due to steam, reflective light and dangers of phone destruction, but has to be done.

www.thegoodspaguide.co.uk

If you have very small kids, you have to take a lot of things into consideration. While many spas will allow children to use the pool areas, most don’t have access to babysitting services. Like everywhere, you’ll just have to wistfully look at all those lucky people who are actually reading or even sleeping on pool loungers without being interrupted or feeling guilty. Perhaps they’ve just managed to bribe their partner or parent to babysit for a moment…

It is worth checking in advance as some spas do have children’s clubs. Really, the easiest way to spa as a new parent is by taking your kids to a brilliant family resort or hotel that happens to have a Five Bubble spa attached. Such places do have babysitting services so everyone will be looked after, including you.

good to learn some self-care in the form of a really good massage: a rite of passage as it were, where you learn the value of looking after your body and skin.

I had to explain to my daughter about the part where they lower your pants to get to the lower back, and how this is okay in a massage with a female therapist, but if she doesn’t want it to happen we can tell the therapist not to do it. I made sure she had a massage that I had already experienced, so I knew everything was above board. Okay, I’m a bit over-protective, but I wanted her to enjoy it, not be put off for life.

"Spa-ing with your beloved is about shared experiences that you'll remember for the rest of your lives "

With colleagues Shy Spy says:

With teenagers Sybaritic Spy says: I took my teenage daughter to a spa the moment she was old enough – most spas have an over 18 age limit. Teenagers are very body conscious and tend not to like being touched or looked at unless they are able to self-airbrush on Instagram.

However, at a certain age, I think it’s

Oh joy – the people you work with every day are suddenly going to see your naked thighs. Unless you are a gym bunny who has been preparing for this moment since you were eight years old, or are completely well balanced and body-confident (ie not English), this might be a good time to practise manipulating your towel and robe so that everything below your waist always remains covered or submerged.

The main advice here is work out where your barriers are. I was recently asked whether I wanted to enjoy a hammam experience with a colleague; we would have been expected to strip down to just our bikini bottoms and scrubbed. I passed on the offer!

But I know other Spa Spies have had a rasul mud chamber together. Work out what you are and are not comfortable with and stick to it. Spas normally have great relaxation rooms, so if all else fails bring your favourite book and spend the afternoon drifting from a poolside lounger to a relaxation armchair.

Take it at your own speed. WM

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CHRISTMAS EYES

As we prepare for party season, the Spa Spies test creams that will lift, shine and add a little sparkle to your eyes.

Brilliant

bright eyes THALGO ULTIMATE TIME SOLUTION FOR EYES AND LIPS www.thalgo.co.uk | 15ML | £55

KEY INGREDIENTS: micro patch cafeine, peptilift, Thalgo’s age reverse complex

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The silver-on-silver circular container is suitably glamorous and space-age. The white writing – including the ingredients list – is hard to make out: squinting to read it might produce extra lines! Twist off the top, peel back the inner lid and the bright, clean, crisp fragrance of the pale, compact cream springs forth.

WHAT'S IT LIKE? A tiny dab is all you need – the cream looks light but is very rich and quite oily at first, although this quickly sinks in. According to the instructions, you dab the cream on your fore and middle finger then drag them along the top and bottom of your eye, widening it as you do, then massage your crows-feet. If you want to smooth your wrinkles, you can then massage around your eyes.

GUINOT EYE DOES IT WORK? The area where I applied the cream gleamed at first but my skin FRESH CREAM almost instantly became notably brighter and plumper. When the cream sunk in, uk.guinot.com | 15ML | £42 the brightness remained and I could easily apply my make-up on top. You can also use the eye cream on your lip contour and on the frown lines between your KEY INGREDIENTS: veinofresh, eyebrows. Even more reasons to love it. caffeine, horse chestnut extract, hydrocyte VERDICT: The skin around my eyes and lips can get thin and dehydrated in winter and this cream had a miraculous instant brightening, plumping and rehydrating effect. And because a little goes a long way, I feel it is worth the money.

complex

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The Eye Fresh Cream

comes in a white tube with red and gold writing – classic French pharmacy chic. The wide, curved metal applicator feels very cool to the touch and is a great wakeme-up in the mornings. The applicator helps limit the amount of product that goes on so you don’t have to smudge eye cream down your cheekbones.

WHAT'S IT LIKE? The white cream also goes on feeling cold; it’s relatively light and doesn’t feel too rich. Squidge the tube and gently rub in the cream with the applicator. The instructions say to dot under the eye and then massage it in underneath and above the eye – not including the eye lid. The cream layers on the skin smoothly and leaves a gentle sheen.

DOES IT WORK? The cream feels fresh and takes a good few minutes to sink in, my skin definitely looks more luminous and plump. I haven’t seen any longer term effects yet, but it does temporarily refresh and blur the fine lines around my eyes.

VERDICT: I love the ease of use of the Eye Fresh cream. In the morning I really don’t want to fuss around with extra pots and potions; with this I simply swipe and go. The cool applicator feels great against the skin too.

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CHRISTMAS EYES

CAUDALIE PREMIER CRU: THE EYE CREAM uk.caudalie.com | 15ML | £45

KEY INGREDIENTS: grape seed polyphenol,

resveratrol from grapevine stalks, viniferine from grapevine spa – vive les vignerons!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The Premier Cru Eye Cream comes in a reassuringly weighty silver, gold and glass bottle. It’s simple and chic. Pop off the top and you have a pump action dispenser – one pump dispenses a lot of the product so you don’t need to push it all the way down. The cream embraces Caudalie’s philosophy of using natural, grape derived products without any nasties.

WHAT'S IT LIKE? The cream isn’t pure white, it a richer, warmer colour so blends with the skin beautifully. I followed the instructions (there’s a handy video on the Caudalie website) to dot around the skin underneath the eyes, gently tap in and then sweep it up into the crease lines at the edge of your eyes. The cream is super hydrating and sinks into the skin without leaving an obvious sheen.

DOES IT WORK? I’ve used gel-based eye creams before so this was a real treat for my skin. The richer cream feels like it’s doing the delicate skin around my eyes a world of good and it is subtle enough to sit under make-up well.

My skin look plumper and the colour reflects the light well so there’s an instantly youthful effect.

VERDICT: A little makes a big difference with this cream – I’ve used it for just over a month and it’s still going strong. It feels like a treat for my skin and works well with my make up. It's a gold star from me.

TEMPLE SPA EYE TRUFFLE

www.templespa.com | 15ML | £60

KEY INGREDIENTS: black summer truffles,

Champagne extract, PhytoCellTecTM Argan, sapphire, gold and silk actives

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The packaging oozes indulgence with black and bronze covering the box. As I lifted the top of the box, I half expected Belgium chocolates to fall out. The eye cream sat proudly in the centre: an elegant black pump bottle with bronze lid. The ingredients sound beautiful – with champagne, truffle and strawberry extract it almost sounds good enough to eat.

WHAT'S IT LIKE? The cream comes out ever so slightly pink and very light to the touch. The instructions say to take a small pea size amount; don’t try to use a full pump, it would be excessive. I used it morning and night using my ring fingers to gently press it onto the bone above and below my eye. It absorbed easily and left my skin feeling smooth and supple.

DOES IT WORK? After a few uses the dehydration lines around my eyes were noticeably reduced and my skin looked plump and healthy. It is a splurge at £60, but if you are concerned with ageing or have gone through a period of insomnia this is a great way to give your eye area a much deserved treat.

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES RICH REPAIR EYE CREAM

VERDICT: Eye Truffle is a pleasure to use and it feels so indulgent. I would buy it again but use it sparingly – everyone deserves a treat now and again, don’t they?

www.aromatherapyassociates.com | 15ML | £53

KEY INGREDIENTS: shea butter, rose wax, rose oil, apricot kernel oil, baobab

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The eye cream comes in a small white dispenser: it’s simple, chic and quite understated. Use the pump action top; one pump gives about the right amount of cream for both eyes.

WHAT'S IT LIKE? The cream is white and richer than other eye creams I

have used. It sinks into the skin quickly – important in the morning when I just want to get my make up on and go.

DOES IT WORK? Amazingly well! I have used a range of eye creams before: gels and creams, some cheap and some painfully expensive. I have reached the stage of life where my eyes are showing my age. The upper lids are looking a bit hooded, the under eye area is getting dark and puffy and the crows’ feet have started to show.

The average eye gel or cream seems to smooth and brighten the skin around the eyes a little but it doesn’t last. This thicker, richer cream actually made a long term difference to the under-eye area. The puffiness has gradually gone, my skin looks smoother and the crows’ feet have softened a bit, too.

VERDICT: When I saw how small the container is I thought it might not last long, but after two months' of use it is still going strong. For me, and anyone else at a certain time of life, this is a good buy.

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RECIPE

AU T U M N RO OT RO S T I

with Feta, Beetroot and Super Seeds Becki Douglas, Senior Nutritionist at Champneys Spa Resorts, shares her recipe for a nutritious autumnal lunch.

INGREDIENTS Serves 3 as a main meal

400g sweet potatoes, halved

This nutritious and delicious dish is packed with superfoods and a great light lunch or supper as the days begin to shorten and temperatures drop. Serve it with a portion of steamed or sautéed kale on the side for a hearty and hale autumn meal. It really reflects not only the season but also the ethos of Champneys' food philosophy of moderation, balance and variety.

The dish is free from gluten and cow’s milk and is suitable for vegetarians.

2 medium carrots, halved lengthways

METHOD

1 large parsnip cut into chunks

1. Part steam the sweet potatoes with the carrot and parsnips for 10 minutes, leave to cool.

Nutritional information: per serving (including sautéed kale): 448 kcal, 15.4g fat, 58g CHO, 13.2g protein

1 large eating apple

2. Coarsely grate the par-cooked vegetables into a large bowl and stir in the grated apple, spring onion, flour, egg and seasoning.

Allergens: contains egg, milk.

1 spring onion, finely chopped 2 level tablespoons of gluten free flour 1 lightly beaten egg 2 tsp rapeseed oil for cooking 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds 50g crumbled feta 2 large beetroots (pre-cooked is fine, but in natural juice rather than pickled)

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3. Lightly oil a large non-stick pan and cook the rosti mixture in 6 flat rostis.

4. Cook until crisp and golden on both sides. Flatten with a fish slice as they cook. They will need about 3-4 minutes on each side.

5. Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry pan for a couple of minutes. Season with a little garlic powder and cayenne pepper.

6. Serve the rostis topped with the crumbled feta, sliced beetroot and sprinkle the seeds over the top.

BUBBLE RATINGS From jaw-droppingly fabulous VIP treatments and facilities, to good value spas that are perfect for groups, here’s a list of UK spas rated by The Spa Spies™. We award Bubbles rather than Stars, with Five Bubble Luxury being extra special, Five Bubble offering the peak of spa perfection, Four Bubble is excellent but perhaps with a break in the spa journey, and Three Bubble is perfectly nice with good treatments, just not a den of decadence.

5 Bubble Luxury

Eden Hall Day Spa

East Midlands

Chewton Glen Spa

South West

Eforea Spa at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Liverpool

North West

Dormy House Hotel and Spa

West Midlands

Hale Country Club and Spa

North West

ESPA Life at Corinthia Hotel London

London

Headland Spa

South West

Galgorm Resort and Spa

Northern Ireland

K Spa at K West Hotel and Spa

London

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa

South West

Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel

Scotland

Pennyhill Park an Exclusive Hotel and Spa

South East

Moddershall Oaks

West Midlands

Rockliffe Hall

North East

Norton House Hotel and Spa

Scotland

Sequoia Spa at The Grove

London

Ockenden Manor Spa

South East

Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall

North East

PH2O at Park House

South East

The Bulgari Spa

London

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa

East Midlands

The Spa At Gleneagles By ESPA

Scotland

Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa

North West

The Vineyard Spa

South East

SenSpa at Careys Manor

South East

Sofitel So SPA

London

Spa at Blythswood Square

Scotland

5 Bubbles Agua at Mondrian London

London

St Brides Spa Hotel

Wales

Agua at Sanderson London

London

Stanley House Hotel and Spa

North West

Antara Spa at the Chelsea Health Club

London

Stobo Castle Health Spa

Scotland

Aqua Sana Woburn Forest

East of England

Stoke Park Spa

South East

Aquarias Spa at Whatley Manor

South East

The Belfry Spa

West Midlands

Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa

North West

The Coniston Spa

Yorkshire and the Humber

Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel de France

South West

The Mere Golf Resort and Spa

North West

Bailiffscourt Spa

South East

The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel

East of England

Bamford Hay Barn

West Midlands

The Spa at Ramside

North East

Barnsley Spa and Skincare Centre

South West

The Spa at St Pierre Park

South West

Calcot Spa

South West

The Spa at Suites Hotel

North West

Carbis Bay Hotel and Spa

South West

The Spa at the Midland

North West

Champneys Forest Mere

South East

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

North West

Champneys Tring

South East

The Spa in Dolphin Square

London

Chuan Spa at The Langham London

London

The Thai Spa at Lough Erne Resort

Northern Ireland

C-Side at Cowley Manor

West Midlands

The Woodland Spa

North West

Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa

South East

Utopia Spa at Alexander House Hotel

South East

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BUBBLE RATINGS Utopia Spa at Rowhill Grange

London

The Spa at Cameron House

Scotland

Verbena Spa at The Feversham Arms Hotel

Yorkshire and the Humber

The Spa at Cotswold House Hotel

West Midlands

Weavers House Spa at The Swan at Lavenham Hotel

East of England

The Spa at Kings Head

West Midlands

Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes Hotel

East Midlands

The Spa at Roe Park

Northern Ireland

The St David’s Hotel and Spa

Wales

The Well Spa Retreat at Bluestone

Wales

Thermae Bath Spa

South West

Thoresby Hall Spa

East Midlands

Wildmoor Spa and Health Club

West Midlands

Wynyard Hall

North East

4 Bubbles 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

Bicester Hotel, Golf and Spa

West Midlands

Carden Spa at Carden Park

North West

Champneys Henlow

East Midlands

Champneys Springs

West Midlands

Chapel Spa Cheltenham

West Midlands

Fawsley Hall

West Midlands

Dream Spa at Gomersal Park

Yorkshire and the Humber

Ellenborough Park

West Midlands

Grand Jersey

South West

Holm House Hotel Spa

Wales

L’Horizon Beach Hotel and Spa

South West

Lion Quays Hotel and Spa

West Midlands

Spa by Kasia at The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel

North West

Spa Sirène at The Royal Yacht

South West

Spa Verta

London

Spread Eagle Spa

South East

The Clearing Spa at The Cornwall Hotel

South West

The Club and Spa at Cadbury House

South West

The Club and Spa at The Cube

West Midlands

The Day Spa at Whittlebury Hall

East Midlands

The Goodwood Hotel

South East

The Grange Spa

East Midlands

The Lake Country House Hotel and Spa

Wales

The Malvern View Spa at The Bank House

West Midlands

The runnymede-on-thames

South East

The Spa and Bath House at The Royal Crescent Hotel

South West

3 Bubbles Spa 6 at Cotswold Water Park Hotel

South West

The Haven Spa

South West

Ufford Park

East of England

Sequoia Spa at The Grove Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa The runnymede-on-thames

AUTUMN 2016

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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

e spa therapists are on Perhaps not surprisingly, hand to offer support Christmas is often the quietest during the festive season, time of the year. A spa is a both emotionally (one genuine sanctuary from festive word: family) and physically chaos. The night before, we’d (all that shopping, and RWI have husbands queuing around – Repetitive Wrapping Injury). As far as the block, last minute panic moral and financial support go, I’m afraid shopping for spa vouchers, but there’s not much we can do except perhaps come Christmas morning it’s listen sympathetically as you voice your completely empty. dilemmas while applying your pre-New I would often arrive at 6am to Year’s GEL manicures. get the spa ready for my heroic Treatments during the festive season team, all of us having to delay our are usually based around easing tension own celebrations until the end of the day. The and looking like a million dollars for all that GM would often pop down to wish us Happy busy socialising.

Christmas and give Some people us a present – usually "THE NIGHT BEFORE are even smart chocolate, which we CHRISTMAS, WE'D HAVE enough to book a would secretly scoff in spa treatment on the treatment rooms.

HUSBANDS QUEUING Christmas Day. Thankfully, it wasn’t AROUND THE BLOCK ...

Imagine escaping the sort of place where FOR SPA VOUCHERS." all that stress and one was expected to boredom for an wear tinsel or reindeer hour of bliss – so much better than having to antlers – it was strictly business as usual, not listen to the snoring chorus from your in-laws even piped carol music. If you can't stand after you’ve finally whipped off your pinny and Christmas, definitely head to a spa put your feet up… only to find there’s nothing on Christmas Day. but repeats on the TV. At the five-star luxury hotel spa I managed, If you are looking for a spa that stays open I remember one Christmas morning a young on the 25th, you may have to book into a girl, about 12-years-old, came to use the pool hotel, another great way to avoid the stress of by herself as her parents were still sleeping. cooking and washing up. Most high end spas She looked so sad and lonely, our hearts nearly are open for business as usual while the rest broke for her. We kept a close eye on her and of the world spends quality time with their chatted to her: hopefully we were able to families. I should know, having worked at and make her Christmas that little bit better! managed a few hotel spas in New Year’s Eve is totally different; I my time. would usually spend my whole day painting nails, which is not my favourite treatment, especially when French manicures were still in fashion. No doubt now it’s all about the brows. But with the champagne flowing and spirits high, a spa is a fun place to kick off the celebrations.

Then all of a sudden it’s January, a spa’s busiest time. After all that carousing and over-eating, everyone heads to a spa to detox (or use the Christmas voucher their husband bought them at the last minute).

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One thing I would say: don’t book in for a spa detox treatment on January 1, especially if you’ve had a particularly heavy night. So many people do this in the hope that a wrap will sweat out the alcohol. New Year’s Day at a spa is by no means as bad as New Year’s Eve in A&E, but I have had to treat people who are far too unwell to get the most from their spa day. One woman I had was a little bloated from a huge meal the night before and had booked in for a two-hour detox scrub, wrap and drainage massage. Unfortunately, she broke wind in her algae wrap, which was not pleasant for either of us when it came to unleashing her. She, however, was delighted.

Clearly the detox had worked, even if I did have to use a lot of room spray and open windows before the next client.

Partly as a result of this experience, my advice would be to pick pampering and nurturing treatments in the cold months: hot stones and aromatherapy massages, hydrating facials and lots of warm steam. Why punish yourself when you are already a bit down from the cold weather and short days. This time of year should be about cocooning and building up your strength.

The best time to detox would be March: Spring is the time for new beginnings, not January. Your body will be stronger and find it easier to cope with your new, healthy regime.

So do us therapists a favour at this time of year: head down to your spa on Christmas Day to keep us company (preferably with a small gift as a tip) and please don’t use a detox treatment as a hangover cure.

Merry spa to all! WM