Firstly, the clinic is tranquil and well kitted out, so I felt relaxed and in safe hands immediately. Dr Ana was on hand to answer questions – she’s hugely experienced and calm which feels important when entrusting somebody with your face.

Secondly, I was subjected to the dreaded LED SkinScope which is a full analysis of the skin highlighting sun damage, congested pores, uneven texture and more. Obviously, it’s terrifying and I looked like a decrepit elder from Avatar, but apparently, I’m not in bad shape so that’s good to know.

Then onto the treatment. The facial entailed multiple stages including lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness and bring oxygen to the skin’s surface, exfoliation using glycolic and salicylic acid, chemical peeling, extraction – essentially a mini hoover to suck out any nasties, a combo of SkinCeuticals antioxidants followed by LED therapy in combination with SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective serum, hydrating B5 serum to super charge collagen production and a HydraFacial AOX serum which feeds the skin with antioxidants and peptides to brighten and tighten all topped off with SkinCeuticals mist, hydrator and SPF.

That sounds like a lot of processes when written down, but it all felt very relaxing and extremely nourishing. I didn’t do my usual beauty regime before bed as instructed in order to get the maximum benefits from the products and definitely woke up looking fresher than usual. The clinic recommends a treatment every month which seems doable – the cost is £140 and it takes 1.5 hours.

I’ve also slotted SkinCeuticals products into my routine to keep up the good work in between treatments which is definitely making a difference. The H.A. Intensifier serum every evening is particularly good as is the Simply Clean cleanser. For reference, I’m 47 years old and have normal skin, but the clinic can tailor treatments and products to your particular skin type.

It’s important to say that although this was a complimentary treatment and some SkinCeuticals products were gifted, I wasn’t obliged to write lovely things. I’ve been gifted beauty products and treatments in the past that I haven’t enjoyed or haven’t made a jot of difference and I just haven’t written about them at all. There’s enough nonsense in the beauty industry without me adding to it, so you can rest assured I loved it. It doesn’t mean you will, but it’s definitely worth a look.

Let’s face it, most of us don’t like what we see when we look closely at ourselves in the mirror. Those lines, those wrinkles, those skin imperfections! But for the most part, we accept who and what we are, and move on with our lives. The likes of Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype and Facetime are changing all that.

The need for video work meetings and conferencing on laptops at home during the pandemic has created a whole new phenomenon – Lockdown Face. People have spent more time looking at their own faces on computer screens for virtual briefings and social and family catch-ups. And, according to new research, rather than treating themselves to a new gym membership or personal trainer and exercise classes, they are opting for subtle, non-invasive beauty ‘tweaks’.

Leading skin and hair specialists, Birmingham-based Este Medical, have come up with their top 10 ways to feel fresh in 2021 with effective, non-invasive treatments:

1. HydraFacial Treatment: Dull, dry, pigmented skin? Whether one, or all of these concerns are relevant to you, the hydrafacial can help. Using cutting edge technology, the it will cleanse and exfoliate your skin to banish impurities once and for all.

2. Acne Scarring Treatment: Adult acne not only damages your skin, but can also damage your confidence. To turn this around, go for a treatment that is tailored to your specific skin needs.

3. Harmony ClearLift: Designed to rejuvenate the skin from within, this simple treatment uses light to penetrate the skin’s dermis and resurface your skin, leaving you with a brighter, plumper appearance.

4. Global Eyecon: The under eyes often take the brunt of your stress, and with 2020 such a difficult and challenging year, Global Eyecon is the non-surgical procedure that targets wrinkles, skin sagging and pigmentation in four simple stages, from a periocular peel to a hydrogel mask.

5. Carbon Laser Peel: This pain-free treatment exfoliates the skin, before cleansing and tightening the pores, leaving a brighter, more radiant complexion.

6. Laser Hair Removal: Shaving, waxing and plucking is a tiresome ritual, so why not treat yourself to laser hair removal? Unwanted body hair can damage your confidence, as well as your bank account.

7. HiFu Body Contouring and Skin Tightening: Using the most advanced technology in the industry, the ULTRAFORMER III works to tighten your skin and contour your body, leaving you with curves and confidence to match.

8. Chemical Peel: Whether your skin concern is on your face, neck, décolletage or hands, a customised chemical peel treatment will remove damaged skin and stimulate the production of fresh skin cells.

9. Microneedling: Scars, pigmentation and stretch marks are a natural part of life. Microneedling treatment is designed to help reduce the appearance of many skin conditions by encouraging your skin to produce more collagen and elastin.

10. Skin Assessment: Not happy with your appearance but not sure why? The experts at Este Medical offer specialist skin assessments to identify your skin needs and provide the best remedies.

N.B. A good lifestyle will help you look your best. So, don’t forget to follow some of the positive steps you can take yourself – like getting enough sleep, exercising, fresh air and eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

We’re not short of spas in the Midlands, but we’re not exactly awash with great ones within spitting distance of Brum that feel like a proper retreat. There’s something about a big lungful of country air and an historic building that induces deep breathing and loosened shoulders – and you get that at Hoar Cross Hall in spades.

With a dedicated groundsman who’s been with the hotel for decades the gardens are dreamy. Neat topiary, crisp-edged lawns and views across rural landscapes put the hotel firmly in the wedding venue arena. There are plans to restore the extensive original greenhouses to create a kitchen garden. Grade II listing makes that sort of restoration tricky, but it comes with the territory.

Inside, the refurbishment is a million miles from the chintz of our last visit. The reception area is seriously glam with statement lighting and a dramatic dark colour scheme. Original features like the ornate ceilings and fireplaces remain alongside a super sleek bar and squishy sofas in the Long Room. A handful of private dining areas and function rooms are pretty good for business or pleasure.

Our favourite turns out to be the least used, but the most gorgeous in our view. The Old Chapel is a stunning space with original stained glass and dark wooden panelling. The lack of light might explain its lack of popularity compared with other spaces in the hotel, but for an atmospheric candle-lit supper it’s ideal. There’s also a large space with a nightclub vibe in the depths of the hotel which was inspired by Annabel’s in London. Party central.

WARM AND FRIENDLY

The check-in experience set the tone with warm, friendly staff giving useful info. The hotel’s key system is simple, but genius. A discreet waterproof wrist band gives you access to your room and allows for payment, etc, as you go about your day. No more lost keys.

We looked at a handful of recently refurbished rooms which are a successful mix of original features teamed with fresh colours and stylish modern fixtures and furniture. Our room – Baroness Sofia – was practically an apartment with a lounge area and TV downstairs while upstairs there was a super comfy bed, cute bathroom, plenty of storage, a dressing table with a brilliant hair dryer, TV and even a roof terrace. The only omission which was mildly irritating was a full-length mirror. Wifi was strong despite the rural location, but mobile reception was a bit hit and miss.

Once robed up, we explored the spa. We visited on a Monday assuming it would be a slow day, but not so. It seems plenty of people avoid the Monday blues by heading to a spa and why not? There were numerous pools to relax in, a quiet area with nap-inducing beds, salt inhalation room and an extensive list of treatments.

LAVA SHELL MASSAGE

We plumped for a lava shell massage. Smooth, palm sized shells were heated and then used with nourishing oils and medium pressure to relax and alleviate any pesky knots of which we had had plenty. It was super restorative and there’s something about the warmth of the shells that maximises relaxation. There’s also a brilliantly-stocked gym although admittedly we stuck our head around the door rather than actually getting stuck in!

We don’t want to keep harking on about our last visit, but 10 years ago dinner was a completely different affair to now. Then, we were one of the only occupied tables in a room that was a bit flat.

This time, the room was almost full, the décor transformed and the atmosphere lively. The ambitious menu was really pleasing too. Rich Jerusalem artichoke soup with a crisp crouton and chicken wing was tasty followed by a really good salmon fishcake, green salad and the star of the show – crunchy, fluffy top-notch chips that came highly recommended by our very lovely waitress. A glass of Columbia Chardonnay hit the spot nicely too. We swerved dessert mainly because we wanted to curl up with a good book and take advantage of the sprawling room.

What a difference a decade makes. Bravo Hoar Cross!

The historic building is handsome and a bit like a rabbit warren with relaxing nooks and crannies at every turn. Despite the car park being full, the spa felt busy in a healthy way, but not crowded. Once checked in and nestled in a fluffy robe – take your own slippers or flip-flops or buy a pair from the spa shop – we headed straight for a door marked Slumber Room.

Lined with beds – single and double – to relax on as well as a handful of hanging sleep pods, it was a super chilled space that immediately induced a restorative catnap. We didn’t realise how stressed we were until we stopped and took a breath and could have stayed put all day, but that would have made for a very short article.

GOOD AS GOLD

We were booked in for the Good As Gold package which included use of all the facilities – they’re extensive – a three-course lunch and a 55-minute full body treatment that included a golden almond oil, hence the name. We always like to use facilities before having a treatment as it seems a waste of good product to have a treatment then jump into a pool and wash them away, so we headed for the thermal rooms and pool first.

There’s a salt inhalation room, rose steam room and herbal caldarian as well as more standard sauna and hydro jets. It’s a beautifully warm section of the spa – the sort of heat that makes your shoulders drop immediately. There’s invigoration from massage jets or soothing in the form of the salt inhalation room and everything in between.

Clearly we were craving relaxation as we headed for soothing and chilled at every turn. The salt inhalation room was our top pick. The 25-metre pool was a winner and a great place to chill out although we preferred the beds in the Slumber Room if lounging’s your jam. There’s a well-equipped gym too that we didn’t use as we were focused on R&R.

PRODUCTS CHOICE

The treatment rooms use mainly Elemis and Clarins and recently Dr Levy which is more of a medi-spa brand well worth checking out. The Gold As Gold treatment we tried is available throughout January, February and March and is slightly different using a number of techniques and different products such as the Natural Spa Factory almond oil and Spa Find salt scrub.

The name of the game with this treatment is circulation boosting and detoxifying. A healing turmeric salt scrub felt amazing followed by a massage which was really quite deep in a good way. I’m not sure the last time I had my calves massaged other than a quick daily slick of moisturiser and it felt well overdue. My shoulders were really tight and there was a fair bit of cracking and creaking that released some tension.

Afterwards, I felt totally relaxed and my skin felt smooth and nourished. The post treatment relaxation room was almost entirely made of glass, so I got a big shot of vitamin D as I sipped a fresh peppermint tea. A view over the grounds revealed a group of people braving the cold chatting in the outdoor hot tub.

LUNCH ANYONE?

Lunch was a big deal and not constrained by the need to be healthy although there were plenty of nourishing options. It felt like a more indulgent experience than puritanical. We rocked up earlier than my lunch booking on the off chance we could be squeezed in and despite being fully booked, the staff were charming and efficient. There’s a buffet style bar for starters and/or sides which was great – gorgeous breads, smoked salmon, salads, roasted vegetables, etc. You get the picture.

The menu was small, but balanced and appealing. We plumped for a delicious ham hock terrine followed by a sticky teriyaki salmon with pak choi followed by a dreamy rhubarb crumble tart with custard. Happy days. Most people were having a tipple over lunch. We didn’t, but there was an extensive gin menu that winked encouragingly and a great wine list. Definitely worth a look.

While there are no rooms at Eden Hall, it’s easily close enough to Birmingham to make the trip in a day and well worth the effort. The Good As Gold package we sampled costs £140 during the week and £150 at the weekend. While it’s not an insignificant amount of money it felt well worth it. If you’re feeling a bit meh post-Christmas and in need of some self-care, take a look.

So when plans were announced last year to create just that, we didn’t need telling twice. In fact, we didn’t even wait until the landscapers had been in before we slipped into the outdoor sauna.

The newly-built Orchard House constructed to the right of the historic hotel is home to Elan Spa which is apparently the first spa to be built in Warwickshire in a decade. Compared with the charm of the main house the exterior looked a bit hard, although once the garden’s matured and the building has bedded in I’m sure it will soften.

Staying overnight in one of the 12 rooms, we arrived early to take full advantage. Bedrooms surrounded a central staircase on the first floor with lots of solid wood, plush carpets and show-stopping lighting. Our room was super – large, comfortable, great coffee machine and a fantastic bathroom.

COCOONED

Seven treatment rooms including one dual version are on the second floor. Nail bar, pools, sauna, steam rooms, gym and cafe are on the ground floor with the bedrooms sandwiched in between on the first. I thought this slightly odd at first, but it made more sense as the day went on resulting in treatment rooms that felt incredibly tranquil and private.

While cocooned on the top floor I plumped for a full body Ku Nye massage using luxurious Ila products that are made in the Cotswolds. Tibetan in origin, the Ku Nye promised to ‘balance elements to restore a harmonious flow of energy and vitality’. Sounded good although I wasn’t sure I had a harmonious flow of energy to restore.

Not one who finds relaxing easy, I’m not the ideal subject, however a gentle scrub of my tootsies as a precursor to the treatment was unbelievably soothing. I surprised myself at how easily I chilled out. Therapist Helen spoke in the customary soothing tones and put me at ease straight away.

I don’t know what happened next really. I drifted in and out of slumber as Helen massaged me with a fair amount of pressure at times – in a good way. Heated pouches filled with Himalayan salt were placed on to pressure points which felt great. The products smelled wonderful and probably had a lot to do with the deep relaxation as well as the therapist’s wizardry.

The full body massage was fairly intimate although Helen let me know beforehand where she would be massaging and checked I was happy with that. Basically everywhere apart from boobs and bottom which was fine by me. The only bit I found slightly odd was the stomach, but that’s because it was new to me.

BIT OF A BLUR

Eighty-five minutes flew by in a bit of a blur. Allowed to come round slowly, I made my way to the reception area where I sipped a mint and liquorice tea. The spa uses ESPA products as well as Ila and there’s an impressive range of treatments from waxing to a soporific 75 minutes called Dreamtime Journey for insomnia and restless minds.

I found the other half making the most of the vitality pool on the terrace which was a heady 37 degrees so usable all year round. There’s also a large indoor hydrotherapy pool with cool, iridescent tiling and therapeutic showerheads. The well-equipped gym had everything you’d need for a decent workout although we didn’t test it this time round and the café, which was pleasing on the eye, served great food. It came into its own at breakfast with perfect eggs benedict and a cracking full English served by a joy of a man. No awkward service and hushed tones. Just charming.

We chose to have dinner in the main hotel which was a 100-metre stroll and as always we were left feeling utterly spoilt. However, I would recommend chilling out after the Ku Nye massage. I felt very sleepy and relaxed and on balance would have preferred to stay in a bathrobe rather than dressing for dinner.

Given the newness of the spa when we visited and assuming it will only improve, we reckon it’s a winner. We were thoroughly impressed particularly with the second floor treatment rooms. The whole complex is well-conceived in terms of the design and facilities and it’s obvious that the same attention to detail you’d expect at Mallory Court has successfully transferred to the spa. All of the staff and therapists were charming. The stuff of dreams.

So, when charged with checking out the Kerala Ayurveda Spa clinic in Sparkhill I must admit I wasn’t overjoyed. The lively Stratford Road doesn’t scream ‘hey relax’, but after a bit of Ayurveda research I approached the clinic with a newly-open mind. In a nutshell the ancient principles of Ayurveda state that health and happiness depend on the wellbeing of the physical, psychological and spiritual balance of a person. The consultants or Vaidyars here are extensively trained. For instance, the principle Vaidyar who, by the way, radiates contentment and calm, trained for five-and-a half years in Kerala and is a qualified doctor. The ground floor of the clinic is devoted to authentic Ayurvedic treatments for which people travel the length and breadth of the UK. Clients regularly come from London to Sparkhill to experience the real deal. No one’s suggesting that the capital doesn’t have an Ayurvedic spa, but the authenticity of the treatments here and its Keralan foundations make the clinic unique and therefore highly valued.

AND BREATHE…

Kitted out with traditional wooden massage tables and ornate steam boxes, it is colourful and exotic, but not flash. The Vaidyars believe that every human being is different in their emotional and biological make up, so each client is assessed in the consultation room before any treatment. Although I wasn’t officially assessed, interviewing the Vaidyars for this article felt like an assessment of sorts. I don’t breathe properly apparently which is true. I don’t know the last time I thought about breathing deeply. I also shouldn’t eat spicy food and apparently we’re all training ourselves to behave like machines. The Vaidyar explained: “Our bodies know how to behave. If you feel like crying, cry. If you need to sneeze, sneeze. Why stifle a sneeze? Our bodies sweat. They know how to take care of themselves, but we suppress the body’s natural responses. We’re not machines.” This made complete sense. Why do we fight our emotions and needs? It’s bonkers when you think about it. The first floor has a more Western vibe with padded tables, a neutral palette and all of the modern treatments you’d expect from a spa. I mixed old with new by having a back massage in one of the Western treatment rooms but opted for authentic Ayurvedic oils. The massage was harder than I was used to and there were definitely some ‘moves’ with my arms that I hadn’t experienced before, but it felt amazing. Something cracked in my neck – in a good way like it had needed to crack for years and I felt great afterwards.

The smell of the oil was very strong and when I got back to the office my colleagues were pretty rude! If you can time a session when you don’t have to be anywhere for a couple of hours afterwards, that’s probably advisable. There are alternative oils – the almond smells gorgeous, but I wanted to give the healing properties of the warm Ayurvedic oil a whirl which I think made a difference. As well as feeling rejuvenated, my skin felt lovely. The clinic has built up a client list of over 8,000 purely through recommendations and word of mouth. While I was getting ready to leave a woman in her twenties came in for a treatment having been recommended by her boyfriend who in turn had been recommended by his father! The plan is to launch a second clinic in the city centre which would make it more accessible and the pipe dream is to open an Ayurveda retreat with rooms. The massage style sums up the whole clinic. It’s about getting to the heart of a problem and making a difference from the inside out. If you’re looking for a bit of girlie R and R with your mates, this is not the place for you. Don’t expect a fluffy robe and slippers, but do prepare to feel revitalised.

I’d stayed at the Marriott a few times but never sampled the spa. It used to be my hotel of choice when I lived in the capital but needed to be in Birmingham for business. It’s also a stone’s throw from Simpson’s which was always a bonus! The spa is located on the lower ground floor of the hotel and the lovely Elizabeth was on hand to give me a tour. When I say tour, the spa is quite small so it was a quick one, but that was a plus point for me. Its size meant it felt friendly, quiet and relaxed yet it has all the facilities you’d expect from a really great spa.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

The three treatment rooms are all equipped with customary low lighting and hypnotic spa music. The pool looked very inviting although I couldn’t swim due to a beauty related injury – a long story and thankfully nothing to do with the Marriott. Firstly, it’s worth mentioning the ceiling. Sometimes when you’re lying flat on your back in a spa it’s clear that nobody who works there has ever experienced the same view because you’re left gawping at an air-conditioning unit or something equally ugly. Here each treatment room has an attractive cream and metal drape above the bed which is a really nice touch. The range of treatments is extensive, but I opted for a facial as my skin needed some serious wizardry to get it back on track. Blotchy and dry is probably not a therapist’s dream, but I was hoping they could help. Elizabeth gave me a thorough consultation and we ran through my skin type and skin care regime in detail.

FACE FACTS

All the products used are Decleor which I love, so this all sounded promising. After face mapping and cleansing came exfoliation. I’m used to buffing my skin with a grainy product that feels like it’s doing the job, but the Decleor version was a thick smooth paste that was applied then rubbed off without any scrubbing. This might be where I’m going wrong. Although it felt strange it worked a treat and left my skin feeling much smoother. The face mask and the shoulder and neck massage that followed felt fantastic. I hadn’t felt particularly stressed when I arrived, but now completely chilled out I realised I probably was. My shoulders dropped and I felt great. After leaving the treatment room I made my way to the relaxation room which I didn’t find that relaxing. The furniture is more akin to a waiting room, but it’s a minor detail as the loungers by the pool are a perfect place to chill out.

AFTER GLOW

The after-care advice from Elizabeth was great. She recommended a couple of products to try at home and advised working a monthly facial into my regime which at a mere £29 would slot in nicely. On the day after my treatment I was a bit pink, but over the following couple of days I did notice a difference. My skin felt plumper and smoother and generally a bit younger which I guess is what we’re all striving for. Whenever I’ve found a spa experience or treatment I particularly rate like this one, I say convincingly that I’ll definitely go back and I hardly ever do. The difference here is I’ve already made the call and booked another facial which is very telling indeed.

Thanks to some rogue sat nav directions I arrived at the spa at Lea Marston a little late and completely unrelaxed. A stickler for punctuality I knew I would find it difficult to let it go. I bundled apologetically through the door and was met by the serene Sally who wasn’t fazed by my lateness at all or didn’t show it in any case. She told me to relax and talked me through the schedule for the day which sounded great.

AND RELAX

There is something about the heat and light in a good spa that puts me in holiday mode. While I wasn’t quite there yet the signs were good. By the time I’d slipped into a fluffy white robe I felt my shoulders fall an inch or so and the frown eased slightly. An Elemis facial and deep tissue massage was on the cards as well as use of the health club and relaxation lounge. Also, as it was the week before Christmas a three course festive lunch would be served which I wasn’t sure I’d be in the mood for, but given my lack of punctuality earlier I didn’t want to seem like a tricky customer, so I went with it for now.

IMPRESSIVE POOL

I’d planned to swim before my treatments as it always seems a waste of a good facial to dive into chlorinated water afterwards. I missed out on this due to my lateness, but the pool looked fantastic. All too often, spas shoe horn in tiny odd shaped pools because they need to, but this one was a decent size and looked really inviting. Although I was the only person having a spa day (it was a Monday), the club seemed to be thriving. Members were enjoying the pool and there was a very popular exercise class going on when I arrived. The atmosphere was really lovely and welcoming.

TREATMENT TIME

I began with the deep tissue massage which was just what the doctor ordered. Just the right amount of pressure was applied and I felt immediately relaxed. The oils smelled delicious and the customary spa ‘music’ provided the hypnotic soundtrack. In any other setting I wouldn’t dream of listening to crashing waves, but somehow it works in a treatment room. There wasn’t a consultation as such which I would have expected before any treatment, but it didn’t actually matter. I think the therapist chose the type of facial perfectly to suit my age and skin. The Elemis Advanced Anti-Ageing facial using the pro collagen range was fabulous for me. The combination of cleansing, massage and oils was lovely and a scalp massage topped off the treatment perfectly.

RELUCTANT DINER

I relaxed for a while in the relaxation lounge before heading off to lunch which as suspected I wasn’t ready for. Thankfully there was an alternative to turkey with all the trimmings in the form of sea bream which was absolutely superb followed by a really fresh fruit platter. The dining room for spa goers is separate from the main restaurant which avoids the awkwardness of sitting next to a suited business man while wearing a fluffy robe and slippers.

THE DAY AFTER

I have to say I felt very fresh faced the next day. I’ve had Elemis facials before and this one was particularly good. The best endorsement I can give it is from one of my daughters. She’s six years old, very observant and doesn’t mince her words. For instance, when I’d endured a large pimple on my chin for over a week she quizzed me: “Mummy, are you bored of looking like Nanny McPhee?” So when she looked at me curiously the day after my treatment I wondered what gem would emerge. “Mummy, when will you get wrinkles?” Enough said. This might just be an essential monthly trip worth making minus the idiotic sat nav of course.

Heading down the drive towards Wildmoor Spa was like driving towards a stately home. Lambs were grazing and daffodils blowing in the gentle breeze in the field opposite – very picturesque. I’d expected it to be a quiet Tuesday morning but the reception area provided a delightful hum of background noise, with couples drinking healthy (and delicious looking) smoothies, a gathering of lunchtime diners and spa guests luxuriating in comfy chairs donned in the requisite robes. This is not a place where people nip in, get their gruelling workout over and done with and then head straight back out again. Wildmoor seemed like a place where people really wanted to spend time and relax.

On a tour around the spa, I could see why. Those chilling out around the swimming pool looked as content as if they were on a Caribbean beach. Whether this was due to the cosiness of a double hammock or lounger or the moveable heat lamps was anyone’s guess. Although there were a few committed swimmers, the sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room was the place to be for many. Upstairs, the gym had a steady flow of members. Equipment can only be accessed via a Wildmoor key which seemed like a novel idea. However, manager ‘H’ informed me that it also allows the staff to keep an eye on members and make sure they’re sticking to their fitness plans. An incentive to keep training if ever I heard one.

The spa offers everything you could wish for. Focus appears to lie with nature and natural treatments using organic ingredients. The changing rooms for example are named Chrysalis while the 10 spa rooms had exotic, calming names such as Tiger Lily and Honeysuckle. The treatment rooms themselves were absolutely huge. I’ve been to spas before where the rooms are no bigger than a broom cupboard but it was like walking into a hotel suite. There was more than enough room for both a guest and a therapist to move around.

I was also impressed with the mud rooms where couples or friends can enjoy the Rasul treatment. This is a private steam chamber where guests can cover themselves from head to toe in nutrient-rich muds and clays and have a bit of unwinding, messy fun before being surrounded by steam. A gentle rain shower then falls, cleaning the body and leaving it with a healthy glow. It looked like something out of an Indian temple. Definitely a treat to bear inmind formy next anniversary.

After slipping into my robe (so comfy I could have fallen asleep there and then), I made my way to the waiting room. I didn’t want to leave. A conservatory packed with interesting magazines, loungers that felt like you were nestling in a bed of feathers and the warmest blankets I’d ever felt made me feel like I was on a wonderful foreign retreat. Head therapist Annie plucked me from my drowsy state and took me to my room to explain about the body and face sensation treatment I was due to have. She asked me what I wanted to achieve from the procedure – relaxation – and tailored the treatment to suit my requirements. Rose, camomile and lavender were used to soothe my aching muscles and prepare me for a wonderful night’s sleep. It certainly worked. I was in bed by 10 o’clock that evening.

Annie began by using hot mitts to brush my back to stimulate my circulation and refresh my body before the intensive work began. I’d requested a two-tone attack on my body with a mixture of cool and hot lotions. A menthol ice cold (or so it felt) gel was applied to revitalise and refresh my muscles before my tired legs were soothed by a hot stone massage. Although you can opt to just enjoy a hot treatment, I highly recommended the double pronged attack – you can truly feel the heat working its magic. Annie moved on to my back working her way down with the mixed gels to lift out all my aches and pains. By the time she’d finished, I felt so relaxed that I didn’t want to move.

To my delight, (I’d completely forgotten about phase two of the treatment) Annie instructed me to roll over  on to my back so she could begin my intensive anti-ageing, deep cleansing facial. After gently exfoliating my face, a variety of serums were applied before Annie popped a setting mask on. Embarrassed though I am to admit it, I have no recollection of this. I’m pretty sure I fell asleep for the first time during a spa treatment. Clearly I was feeling a little too relaxed. However Annie was far too professional to mention my little misdemeanour. After removing the mask (which woke me up), she gave me a shoulder and décolleté massage to release any remaining tension.

I left feeling as if I was walking on air. After several stressful weeks which have seen me looking rather tired, I emerged refreshed and exuding youthful radiance. For a confidence boost or simply for some much needed unwinding, Wildmoor Spa has the answer.