Wellness - Autumn/Winter 2015

Wellness

Making the most of your spa time

Autumn/Winter

On the Red Carpet

Where the Stars Spa

6 Sublime

Swiss Spas

Mind Over Matter

The Secret Life of a Spa Spy

What your Therapist won’t tell you

Skin That Sparkles

Editor

Caitlin Dalton (Summer Spy)

What is Wellness?

Wellness is everywhere.

It’s starting to enter our everyday vocabulary the way detox once did. We’ll soon be seeing wellness drinks and wellness foods. Who knows, we might even start wellnessing our wardrobes.

Wellness packages are popping up in spas all over the world, while certain people have even named their spa magazine Wellness!

But what exactly is this thing called wellness? Is it a New Age fad? An umbrella term for alternative medicine, health foods and yoga? A pet food? A load of hokum? Or the answer to all our emotional and health issues? The answer is probably yes to all of the above (even the pet food).

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) wellness is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” Very simply, in order to feel the best we can, we need to focus on all aspects of our lives: emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social and environmental, instead of just the physical. Wellness from a spa perspective is a more integrated way

of feeling fabulous. Spas that focus on wellness often employ a team of experts to help you design your own personal wellness package, from nutritionists to look at your diet including allergies, to life coaches and therapists to explore lifestyle options. Or they may just run yoga and meditation classes as well as being more environmentally and nutritionally aware.

Wellness: a breakdown

If you make a list of wellness attributes and rate them one to ten, you may find that some need attention. That’s normal. Wellness is a state of being, like Enlightenment – you’ll only achieve it in this life if you’re a god, but you’ll benefit from trying. These are the main six.

Physical: Physical wellness is holistic, therefore it’s not just about exercise and eating less, but eating foods that are good for us and the planet. Ditto whatever we put on our skin. Products such as ila and Bamford are not just organic and natural, but sustainable. Many spa menus carry superfoods, raw foods and smoothies, and more and more offer bespoke nutritional advice from in-house experts. More spa pools are ozone-friendly, with yoga classes and outdoor exercise rising in popularity.

What is really different about the wellness trend, as opposed to detox, is the concept that spas aren’t just places where you escape the stresses and strains of everyday life, but where you can begin to make changes that will help you manage those stresses beyond your visit.

Emotional: Recognising the link between emotion and physical health is something our GPs don’t have the time to cope with, but that spas have embraced. A good wellness spa will have been designed to feel nurturing and safe, especially the post-treatment relax rooms with cocoon pods where

Wellness can be physical, spiritual, emotional, social, enviromental or intellectual

you can curl up. Aqua Sana spas also have experience rooms for meditation or colour therapy. Many spas such as Bamford Haybarn and Ribby Hall carry yoga and meditation classes, both of which have been shown to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. Eastern massage techniques claim to find inner balance as well as sooth aching massages: whatever their claims, a great massage (especially reflexology) can unblock difficult emotions. It’s normal to have a little cry.

Spiritual: By spiritual we mean whatever taps into the part of you that is inexplicable, beautiful even, and somehow makes you feel able to cope with things better. You must have noticed meditation classes springing up all over the spa world. Hence, we’ve written a piece in the magazine about

how the mind matters when it comes to health and wellbeing (see page 54).

Environmental: In studies carried out by mental health charity MIND, our relationship with our environment also has positive consequences for our sense of wellbeing. Spas with beautiful views, outdoor spaces, or that creatively bring the outdoors in (or vice versa) are inspiring as well as calming or uplifting. Some spa menus are plucked direct from their own organic gardens, many have non-chlorinated pools, solar heating and sustainable credentials –and all this makes us feel extra good, especially while sipping champagne in an outdoor hot tub.

Intellectual: While spa and academia seem a tad oxymoronic, a wellness spa will rally a team of experts to

educate and inform us in the ways of living a better life, be they nutritionists, dermatologists, therapists, or out-andout gurus. Wellness is about being aware, informed and empowered to make our own choices about what we eat, what treatments to have, which products to use, and how we respond to and affect our environment. If wellness isn’t a philosophy, what is?

Social: One of the most important aspects of our wellbeing is in our relationships and happiness. Use a spa to enhance your marriage and friendships, or join one of the classes on offer and meet like-minded spa-istas.

If you are still with us and haven’t wandered off to pour yourself a large, dry Martini, try our Wellness Quiz to see which parts of your life need a boost.

The WELLNESS Quiz

EMOTIONAL

When I am faced with a difficult problem I…

a) Open a bottle of wine.

b) Call a friend and discuss about it for an hour, weeping.

c) Try to solve the problem and get annoyed with anyone who doesn’t see the solution.

d) Take a moment. Accept that there is no perfect solution and that I can only do my best. Think of other times when a similar problem arose, what helped and what didn’t. Decide which of my friends gives good advice or support and call them. Listen to what they say and balance it with my own thoughts.

e) Google it.

PHYSICAL

I discover I’ve put on a few pounds after a holiday. Time to…

a) Switch to white – fewer calories.

b) Call a friend and weep about it for an hour, then console myself with chocolate and/or getting my eyebrows threaded.

c) Go on the (insert my perfect diet), eat lots of (latest food fad) and tell everyone else how great it is and how no other diet/ food fad is as good.

d) Start eating mindfully. Pay attention to making food that I love and really enjoy each mouthful. Notice when I am full and when I am hungry or just thirsty. Dehydration often has the same physical effects as hunger.

e) Discussions about diets and foods are pointless: one minute something’s good for you, the next it causes cancer or obesity, or vice versa.

SPIRITUAL

The meaning of life is…

a) To have a good time while we’re here.

b) I don’t know – ask God.

c) To achieve my absolute potential.

d) Whatever we decide it is. Everything is interpretation.

e) “You will never live if you search for the meaning of life” –Albert Camus.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Global warming is…

a) Increasing the alcohol content in most of the world’s wines.

b) Not as bad as people make out, otherwise the government would be doing something, surely…

c) A problem to be solved.

d) Something we should all take into consideration, whatever we do.

e) Becoming an industry.

INTELLECTUAL and SOCIAL

You’ve heard of fantasy dinner party guests? What about fantasy spa partners?

a) A bottle of Moet. Oh OK, Ryan Gosling..

b) The cast of TOWIE.

c) Arianna Huffington.

d) Andy Puddicombe (a fomer Buddhist monk, he invented the Mindfulness app Headspace and is now worth £25 million), Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Klein and my best friend.

e) Frederic Nietzsche.

MostlyA

You’vediscoveredtheperfect avoidancetactic,butprettysoonit’s goingtoimpactonyourwellbeing, ifithasn’talready.Winecanbevery compassionateatnight,thenbitterly cruelinthemorning(usually3am).

Ahealthyspabreakmayinspirenew waystowinddownandrelax,aswellas giveyourphysicalhealthakick-start.

MostlyBs

Relyingonotherpeopletohelpyou outhasbecomeahabit.Youmay havelosttouchwithyourselfandfaith inyourowncapabilities.Focuson

emotionalandspiritualwellness.You mightliketotrymindfulnessorlife coachingclasses.

MostlyCs

Yourelytoomuchonyourselfand thinkeveryoneelseisnotquitewithit.

Couldyoubeabitofaperfectionist?

Perhapsspendingtimewithothers andaskingtheiropinions,oreven readingnovelsorgoingtoart exhibitions,willhelpgiveyoualess rigidandmoreflexiblemultipleperspectiveonlife.Socialspa-ing, meditationandyogaclassesmayhelp youfeelmorebalanced.

MostlyDs

Youaresoonthewellnesswagon, you’repracticallyGandhi.Maybefocus onpamperingandsocialspa-ing.

MostlyEs

Youapproachanylifestyletrends witharaisedeyebrow,butbehind thatscepticalfrontyou’reintelligent enoughtoseparatethewheatfrom thechaffandknowwhat’sgoodfor youandwhat’sjusthype.

Perhapstakeaspabreaktogetin touchwithyoursenses–theeffects shouldn’tharmyourreallyvery focussedperformanceon Pointless.

Spa trends

The latest launches in the world of spa.

Spa at Ramside County Durham

One of this year’s most awaited spa openings, Spa at Ramside’s facilities include five pools, herbal sauna, Himalayan salt steam room, aroma steam room, tepidarium, a ‘sunken amphitheatre sauna’ and drench showers. Head to the treatment suite and you’ll find 14 treatment rooms, a sleep retreat, rasul and a beauty snug.

We love the relaxation balcony with its own infinity pool and a hammock big enough for two. Treatments use product houses

ESPA, Salt of the Earth, nail brand Morgan Taylor, and make up by Mii. Ramside Hall is an AA four star property with a championship golf course and a much-loved steakhouse. More at: www.ramsidespa.co.uk

Spa and Leisure at Portavadie Argyll and Bute

Newcomer to the Scottish spa scene, the minimalist designed Spa and Leisure at Portavadie has stunning views from Loch Fyne across to the Isle of Arran from every facility. Just under 2,000 square metres of spa facilities include an indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, an outdoor infinity pool on the beach, a hydropool, two Scandinavian saunas, steam room, gym and relaxation area. Product houses include Ishga and Decléor. Try Ishga’s hot poultice massage as a perfect winter pick me up. Extend your spa time with an overnight stay in a range of holiday accommodation, from a studio apartment to an eco-lodge. You can even arrive by yacht: moor up at Portavadie Marina before drifting over to the spa. Spa at Portavadie opened in August. Find out more at: www.portavadie.com/spa-experience.php

Mill Wheel Spa Staffordshire

Mill Wheel Spa, which opened in March, is part of a new breed of spas that offer unusual or interesting facilities beyond a standard sauna and steam. The Beach Hut is one of the quirkier offerings, where you can lay back on warm sand and experience artificial sunlight from sunrise to sunset in a 25 minute cycle. A brightening treat for the winter blues. Also at the spa, you’ll find a brechtelbath-style sauna, a stonebath, rasul, plunge pool, hydro pool, two relaxation areas and the Mill Wheel Shower. The shower plays on the heritage of the building, with alternate hot and cold water tipping from the ‘shovels’ of the wheel. Product houses in the spa include Heaven by Deborah Mitchell and alpine pioneer Kurland. Find out more at: www.3shoesinn.co.uk/millwheelspa

The Thermal Village at Galgorm Resort and Spa County Antrim

While the main Galgorm spa has been open since 2006, the Thermal Village Spa is brand new and launched to great fanfare in September. The latest facilities sit on the edge of the River Main in County Antrim. Get super romantic by booking into the Signature Suite, which has a private outdoor hot tub on the banks of the flowing river. Inside the new facilities you’ll find a pool, spiral showers and water beds. There’s also a snow cabin, caldarium, ‘celtic ritual sauna’, relaxation room and café. Outdoors there’s a riverside steam room and relaxation house, sunset lounge and several hot tubs. Find out more at: www.spa-galgorm.com

Spa-inspired product launches

Simply sublime

Comfort Zone’s new Sublime Skin range includes treatments and home care products to support your natural radiance and prevent your skin from degenerating with age. The range draws on the properties of dermatology treatments, such as fillers, to boost skin with hyaluronic acid and brighten the complexion with paeonia albiflora extract. One to try before thinking about going down the medi-spa treatment route.

Banish your oily skin

Organic brand Voya has launched a new oily skincare range designed to help clear blemishes and gently rid the skin of unwanted shine. The products use Himanthalia Elongata seaweed which is high in vitamin A, C and E and essential amino acids to naturally balance the skin’s moisture levels. We love ‘Porefection’, an

Nourish

your winter skin

Dry skin suffers in the colder winter months, but aromatherapy skincare brand Decléor has two new products to protect and hydrate. The Hydra-Nourishing Duo Mask is a two-step treatment; a hydrating gel and a rich oil packed full of argan and cranberry oils. The Luxuriant-Nourishing Lip Balm uses marjoram essential oil, shea butter and macadamia oil to protect and restore dry, chapped lips. If you love beautifully-scented. natural products, these are the ones to try.

Simplify your morning routine

If you are a firm believer in looking after your skin, but want a simplified skincare routine, Murad may have answer. The Invisiblur Perfecting Shield, which launched in July, is a moisturiser, SPF and primer in one. The product has an SPF of 30 and is non comedogenic so great for those who have blemish-prone skin. The Spa Spies are queuing up!

Spa-style cosmeceuticals

Marine skincare specialist Thalgo has launched a new skincare brand – MCeutic. The cosmeceutical skincare range supports The Rénovation Radicale, a facial treatment which includes a renovating peel and two masks, one a “bio-regenerative infusion” and the other to regulate and resurface the skin. The treatment can be followed with the homecare range which has cleansers, serums, a peel and a factor 50+ day cream. Perfect for protecting your skin post-treatment.

The perfect sleep aid

When winter nights bring you down, try the Lavender Dreams Body Collection from Kerstin Florian to set you up for a good night’s sleep. The collection includes best sellers Turkish Body Scrub with Eucalyptus, Lavender Body Spray and a plush eye pillow. The Turkish Body Scrub will cleanse and tone your skin before the Lavender Body Spray calms and moisturises.

Overnight beauty

Natural skincare brand Elemental Herbology has added the Overnight Resurfacing Cream to its Vital Glow range. The cream is rich in plant extracts, natural AHAs and essential oils, and aims to improve the skin’s texture, appearance and boost its natural radiance. The much loved Vital Glow range targets skin experiencing environmental damage and the early signs of aging.

Your flawless face base

Part of Temple Spa’s Red Carpet range, Velvelutto is a base with a difference. The primer is rich in anti-aging and anti-inflammatory ingredients, including pomegranate fruit extract to brighten the skin, and salicylic acid to reduce redness and help heal blemishes. It can be used as a makeup base, or a standalone finish for a light make up day and is perfect when you have a post-spa glow. We can’t wait to try it!

standalone finish for a

Confessions of a Spa Spy

When I first signed up as a Spa Spy™, I envisaged a working day lounging in a hot-tub sipping champagne, occasionally reaching for my pen to write “temperature perfect”. OK, it’s not quite that easy –there’s more writing and less lounging – but it seems churlish to complain when you visit so many fabulous spas for a living.

As jobs go, it does occasionally feel like something I made up. There are moments when I wonder if I am lying in a coma somewhere and this is all just a dream. Occasionally, I like to kid myself that I had a past life working for Medicins Sans Frontier and this is my reward.

Clearly I have a karmic frame of mind, which is why when things go wrong, I assume it’s just the universe redressing the balance. If I have too much fun in a steam room somewhere wonderful, the universe will send me a therapist from the underworld the following week, and thus balance will be restored.

Once I had a therapist throw up on me. Another time, my masseur slipped on some massage oil and fell on top of me. I’ve had a fire alarm go off in the middle of a muddy rasul and ended up in the street in my robe looking like an extra in a terribly un-PC 1970s TV show. I’ve had buckets of hot and cold water thrown at me for an hour, and nearly killed myself running through London in a heatwave trying to catch a train, my oiled feet skidding out of my sandals.

The worst massage I ever had was in Bali with my husband – a reluctant spa companion at the best of times. Dual massages are supposed to be bonding and sensual, as I believe I wrote in various reviews, so we lay on our respective tables and prepared to enter a world of bliss. Our masseurs then proceeded to attack us. They stabbed us with their fingers, jumped on our backs and forced our bodies into inelegant and agonising positions.

As much as I wanted to walk out, I couldn’t bring myself to leave him with this dangerous creature. At the same time, her friend was clearly trying to disable my feet so I couldn’t go anywhere. I felt a bit like James Caan in Misery. Later my husband told me he had been trying not to scream in pain or burst into tears in case I thought he was being a wuss.

I dread to think what we must have done to deserve that! Hopefully a spot of volunteering at the soup kitchen over Christmas will prevent such things happening again.

Mostly, though, the downsides are relatively mild, albeit the sorts of things that would send a Spa Prima Donna into spasms of rage: a slightly tepid steam room, a small hole in the spa robe, or reclining on a pool lounger only to have an aqua-aerobics class disrupt my calm with tinny disco music and the nails-scrapingacross-blackboard voice of the teacher.

They also didn’t seem to understand the concept of modesty. At one point I was lying on my back completely naked (as you will see in our feature on body treatments, therapists never expose body parts they’re not working on, especially boobs). At another, my husband had his foot behind his ear (this is a man who can barely bend down to pick up his hanky) and a woman lying across his groin.

However, these are the sorts of things that Spa Spies have to notice, as they can mark the spa down and spoil an otherwise luxurious (and usually quite expensive) treat. It’s easy to end up turning into the kind of nit-picky spa customer that is a spa’s worst nightmare.

This is why, when feeling a bit grumbly about the lack of product in the changing rooms for example, I make sure I pinch myself. Because if I don’t, the universe might send one of its ninja masseurs to slap me back into the real world.

It’s easy to end up turning into the kind of nit-picky spa customer that is a spa’s worst nightmare

Savant Spy explains when you have the world’s greatest job, you need a little karma to bring you back to earth.

The Spa Spies

A Spa Spy™ is a committed, professional journalist or spa expert at The Good Spa Guide who is passionate about all things spa. From Jacuzzis to the gym, massage to mud wraps, there is nothing we 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.

Savant Spy

A journalist, writer and mother of two teenagers, Savant Spy recently retrained as a psychotherapeutic counsellor and is loving the spa wellness movement.

“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!”

beds

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, experience rooms and spa classes. Give me a little bit of luxury, good food and helpful, friendly staff and I’ll be your fan for life.”

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!”

“My ideal spa integrates mind, body and senses while being thoroughly decadent. I like smart and ethical therapists, beautiful design, creative nutrition, inspiring outdoor space (preferably with a pool or two). Oh, and glass of bubbly wouldn’t go amiss!”

inspiring outdoor space

Suave Spy

Oh, experience is reserved as “Just for

Our singular male, Suave Spy ensures we don’t neglect all things manly. 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 like truly great treatments and flawless customer service. To top it all off, 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.”

Find out more about the Spa Spies at: www.goodspaguide.co.uk/spa-spies

Come Home Relaxed

Good spas are dedicated to the art of removing all your stress and worries, creating an oasis of calm in your busy life. If only you could bottle that relaxed feeling and take it home with you…

The artist Gustav Klimt once said: “True relaxation, which would do me the world of good, does not exist for me.”

He’s not alone. Unless you are stressed out to breaking point, most of us find it hard to permit ourselves a bit of time off, and even if we did, we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves.

Studies show that being able to relax regularly is vital for physical health, improving memory and focus, and controlling the mood swings that are symptomatic of too much stress. It’s also rather good for our looks – you’ve heard of ‘worry lines’ and ‘beauty sleep’ – as well as weight loss, since most of us overeat to combat stress or exhaustion.

Yet stress and workaholism (one a major contributor to ill health, the other a pathology) are celebrated in our culture, while relaxation is seen as something of a selfish indulgence, or at worst a slippery slope to Benefit Street and the end of civilisation as we know it.

For the sake of our health and wellbeing, however, we really need to learn to chill the heck out.

What is relaxation?

The dictionary definition of relaxation is “the state of being free from tension”. It sounds so easy, and yet when are we truly tension-free?

This depends on the individual. You may feel utterly serene when you’re lying in a warm bath, or walking along a beach. Or you may be unable to do either without thoughts of work and what you should be doing whirring in your head. It’s not just about being physically tension-free, but emotionally and psychologically relaxed too.

If you are the sort of person who feels guilty or anxious if you’re not doing something useful or productive, give yourself permission to relax. Tell yourself that without regular spaces of calm, you are in danger of burning out. If you want to perform at your peak, you need time to recharge.

There’s a hierarchy of relaxation techniques that reek of snobbery. Yoga and meditation are ‘good’ relaxing, TV

‘bad’. Yet a study in 2014 showed that relaxing in front of the TV and playing video games can have a powerful restorative effect.

The same study suggested that guilt affected a person’s ability to relax in front of the TV. So, if you believe (as many people do) that television is bad for you, forcing yourself to watch it in order to relax is going to have the opposite effect.

If couch-time makes you instantly twitchy, here are some other ideas to help you feel calm.

Take inspiration from a spa

Spas are churches of relaxation, places where we can find guidance on how to de-stress. Book a package and absorb everything you can from your treatments, therapists, and the spa environment. Then come home and carry on practicing all you’ve learned about R&R in your daily life.

blood pressure – which is why your therapist may get you to inhale some essential oils before the treatment.

Take it home: Although it may prove difficult to persuade your masseuse to come home with you, you could buy a bottle of massage oil and ask your partner nicely. Failing that, you can give yourself a gentle hand and foot massage. One tried and tested way of relaxing your body is to slowly tense and release each part, working your way from feet to face, or vice versa.

Thermal facilities

Any alteration in body temperature mutes the sensitivity of the nervous system as the body focuses on dealing with being too hot or cold. The sustained heat of a sauna or hot tub relaxes muscle tension as the blood carries the heat deeper into the tissue. Heat and ice slows your heart rate and blood circulation. Also never underestimate the power of the massage jets, especially from the swan pipes onto the shoulders, those harbingers of stress.

Take it home: A hot bath with essential oils helps relax tense muscles. Read a book if you need to distract your overactive mind. If you’re lucky enough to have a shower with a massage jet, you’re way ahead of us.

Environment and design

Treatments

You can book relaxing facials, body massages, Indian head massages, reflexology, hot stone massages, aromatherapy – pretty much anything as long as it’s not too stimulating or painful.

In massage, a caring, safe touch is an invitation to relax, provoking an involuntary ‘relaxation response’. Your heart and breathing slow down, your blood pressure decreases along with stress hormone production, and your muscles relax. And while the jury is still out on the physical and neurological effects of aromatherapy, if you like a smell, you breathe in more deeply, instantly lowering your heart rate and

It’s not just about scented candles, muzak and mood lighting. Spas are getting creative with colours, textures, sounds and the use of their gardens or grounds. Many spas nowadays focus on being green, from ozone friendly pools to natural or organic products, showing that we can feel virtuous while being utterly indulgent. Good news for the guilt-ridden. Think about how much environmental damage work and productivity has done since the industrial revolution. Relaxation is good for you and the planet!

Take it home: Spas are often great sources of design inspiration. Really look at the relaxation rooms and spa gardens and steal their ideas. Taking in your environment is a great way to ground

For the sake of our wellbeing we really need to learn to chill the heck out.

yourself if you are anxious. Be aware of smells, touch the soft furnishings and notice the effects in your body. Why not create specific relaxation areas in your home and garden? Big, soft, comfy chairs facing a window or a painting instead of the telly, or a hammock in the garden. Organic scented candles or essential oils may also help trigger an instant relaxation response.

Exercise

It seems counterintuitive, since exercise triggers adrenalin, yet it also releases tension and makes us feel positive and energised. Aerobic exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenalin and cortisol, while stimulating the production of endorphins, responsible for feelings of relaxation and optimism. With its focus on breathing and balance, yoga is great for achieving calm and focus, as are Pilates and Tai Chi,

while some spas offer meditation or NLP classes to exercise your grey matter and still those anxious thoughts.

Take it home: We all join classes and gyms with the best intentions, but the key to long-lasting wellbeing is to make exercise a regular habit. Even a simple 20-minute walk can clear the mind and reduce stress.

Nutrition

Food and mood are inextricably linked, and more and more spas are embracing nutritional wellbeing. Trying creative and colourful spa salads will give you ideas on how to spice up your own cooking. Avoid a heavy lunch: you want to relax, not fall asleep and miss the spa day. Ingenious smoothies, healthy snacks and light, high-fibre, high-protein meals will give you a slow-release of energy. Feeling satiated and knowing you have enough energy to burn reduces stress levels.

Take it home: Smoothies are better than processed fruit juices as they maintain the fibre content, which slows down digestion of sugar. Ditto home made soups. Greek yoghurt is a great source of probiotics (good for the immune system, which can be hugely impacted by stress) and is high in potassium, which is linked to elevating your mood. Throw in a few berries for an antioxidant and vitamin C boost. Oatmeal is a complex carb that causes your brain to produce serotonin, a feelgood chemical, as do wholegrains such as brown rice. There is evidence that dark chocolate lowers blood pressure and reduces levels of cortisol.

Sleep

Many spas have treatments designed to induce sleep and relaxation. They will probably include chamomile and lavender essential oils, which aromatherapists claim are good for sleep, as opposed to the more ‘invigorating’ oils such as mint and citrus. At the very least, they will encourage deep inhalation. A massage with long, deep strokes is said to slow down your ‘biorhythms’. While some say biorhythms are a pseudoscientific term, we have often had a snooze during a massage!

Take it home: A little spa-like ritual before bed can work. Begin with a warm bath with your favourite essential oils to calm and relax your muscles. Turn off your phone: studies show that blue light emitting from screens prevent the release of melatonin, the hormone associated with a good night’s sleep. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and fatty food, as all interrupt your sleep cycle. Some sleep experts recommend listening to an audiobook, relaxation CD or music to interrupt those crazy, whirring thoughts and let you drift off to the land of nod.

Get creative and experiment

Everyone is different. What relaxes the socks off one person won’t necessarily work for another, so you have to find the relaxation techniques that work best for you. Be open to trying everything, even ideas that make no sense, because you never know until you try at least once – which is why a good spa is such a great source of inspiration.

Take it home: Psychologists suggest that visualising a calm and beautiful place can help you relax. So next time you feel really stressed, stuck on a rush hour train or about to go into a job interview, simply close your eyes and imagine you’re in your favourite spa.

And… relax…

Competition

Win a Neom Sleep Treatment and overnight stay at the Five Bubble Luxury rated Rockliffe Hall

Five Bubble Luxury spa hotel Rockliffe Hall is celebrating the launch of its new spa garden and offering a selection of fabulous Neom wellbeing spa treatments. The four Neom treatments are Energise, Happiness, Sleep and De-Stress, each one designed to provide therapeutic wellbeing benefits. Both 60 and 90 minute treatments are available, and include meditation, shiatsu, Thai massage, trigger-point and reflexology techniques, all with sumptuously scented Neom products. To celebrate the launch of the new Neom Sleep treatment, Rockliffe Hall is delighted to offer one lucky reader and a guest the chance to win a luxury spa break which will include:

• Overnight stay in a New Hall Junior Suite Bedroom

• Three-course dinner in the Brasserie

• Two hour experience in the NEW Spa Garden Room

• A 60 minute Neom Sleep treatment each

• Full use of the spa facilities, wellness classes and gym

• Breakfast in the Orangery each morning.

Terms and conditions apply. Please note this prize must be redeemed within 12 months of the winner being drawn, for stays arriving on any Monday and Friday, subject to availability.

Enter now at:

www.goodspaguide.co.uk/rockliffe

Find out more about Rockliffe Hall on www.rockliffehall.com or call 01325 729963 or download the spa brochure for more about Neom wellbeing spa treatments.

Demystifying Thermal suites

What are the benefits of sauna and steam rooms? How long should you spend in the heat? And what on earth is a tepidarium? The Spa Spies explain all…

Athermal suite is a series of rooms designed to take your body on a wet and dry, warm and cold temperature journey. It might consist of saunas, steam rooms, ice fountains, tropical and cold showers, and some heated ceramic loungers where you can relax at the end of your travels.

The concept of moving between different levels of heat and cold dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, and lots of thermal experience rooms take their name from these baths. The laconia was a very hot Greek steam bath, the frigidarium was a cool, unheated room in Roman baths.

Fast forward a few centuries, and records show “sweat bathing” was popular across Europe in the 1500s. There are also versions of steam rooms, normally known as sweat lodges, used by indigenous people in Central and North America.

The idea is that you use the several heat experiences to soothe, relax and

Murat Reis Ayvalık D-Spa Sauna

detoxify your body, sometimes in advance of any spa treatments you have booked, or just as a restorative therapy on its own to chill you (literally) out. They can also revitalise you.

Heat treatments use wet or dry heat to improve circulation of blood and lymph to the skin, relaxing muscles and soothing your spirit. At a spa, heat treatments usually feature saunas, steam rooms or hot stones – also known as “thermotherapy”. The effect of heat is to cleanse, relax and relieve your body of aches and pains.

Heat treatments offer health and relaxation benefits for your whole body. In saunas and steam rooms, perhaps the best way to think about it is to compare it with having a fever. A fever is one of your body’s natural tools for healing itself. In many ways, heat treatments recreate your body’s own natural state of fever, and offer the same benefits. The difference of course is that steam rooms and saunas are

a pleasant experience, and you don’t have to be ill to use them! The heat works deep into the muscles to relax and relieve them. Heat treatments can:

• cleanse your skin by opening up the pores and drawing out dirt

• stimulate your circulation, boosting your immune system and encouraging your body to heal itself of infections and scarring

• remove calcium deposits from the blood vessels and may also break down scar tissue

• open your airways so you breathe more easily, helping to relieve headaches and sinus problems

• ease back, rheumatic and muscular pain, as the heat warms and soothes the muscles and encourages better mobility in your joints

• relax you, so stress and tension melt away.

In the UK it’s normal to visit a steam or sauna in your swimwear. If you’re a little body shy it may be worth finding out beforehand what you’re expected to wear. Some spas offer single-sex facilities and you’re encouraged or welcome to be naked; in others you’ll be expected to wear a swimming costume. Some spas will provide towels for you to wear. There are some things worth knowing before you visit a thermal suite. You should avoid heat treatments if you:

• are, or think you might be, pregnant

• have a history of heart or respiratory problems

• have problems with your circulation

• have diabetes or an infection

• have any other medical condition, or are receiving treatment of any kind

• have had any alcohol

• have a fever.

Aqua Sana Woburn Forest Lava Volcano Sauna

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa Sauna

K Spa at K West Hotel and Spa Sauna and Sanarium

Young children and older people are advised to avoid very hot treatments such as saunas. But whatever age you are, you can probably find a heat treatment that you will enjoy.

Drink plenty of water; you’ll sweat a lot, and at the same time as you’re cleansing your skin you’ll also be losing fluid. Keep topping up with fluids to avoid being dehydrated; this will make sure you really flush your system.

Watch the time! Fifteen minutes is the maximum time advised for some steam rooms and saunas. In others (a laconium, for example) you can stay for as long as an hour. If you don’t drink water or listen to your body when it says it wants a bit of cool air, you could end up feeling dizzy or sick. Only stay as long as you are comfortable.

To cool off after, or between heat treatments in the thermal suite, you can try an ice fountain – a room where you rub handfuls of ice flakes over your body – or a cold shower. Cooling brings your body temperature back to normal. Perhaps finish off with some mist or tropical rain showers, then relax.

Different types of steam room

A steam room is exactly what it sounds like: a room full of steam. But they can vary a great deal, from the suite of grotto-like chambers to steaming pools of a full-size Turkish hammam. In some smaller steam rooms, you will sit down in a tiled chamber/room and relax while the hot wet steam oozes over you.

You’d be wise only to stay for about 15 minutes as the heat is quite intense. In others, the term refers to suites of steam rooms and hydrotherapy pools where you can stay all day in warehouse-sized baths. Each room offers different temperatures and types of water and steam, promising different benefits.

Aroma grottos or Tropicariums are mildly-heated tiled steam rooms in which a scented oil such as eucalyptus or lavender is added to the steam to help you breathe more easily.

In many steam rooms there is a cold tap or hose so you can cool things down by running the water. You can usually sit or lie down in a steam room in tiled seats or alcoves.

There is an almost endless number of different kinds of steam room. The most common at UK spas are:

• hammams

• rasuls or rhassouls

• serails

• steam baths

• Balinese multi-steam baths

• Japanese salt-steam baths.

Different types of sauna

A sauna uses dry heat to boost your circulation, relax your muscles and soothe your mind. Saunas are generally associated with mountainous regions. They offer a more extreme, dry heat than steam rooms, with very hot rocks placed in the sauna.

You can usually regulate the temperature by pouring water over the hot rocks using a big ladle. Traditionally, you would complete your sauna experience by running out and rolling in snow. But there’s really no need for that when there are perfectly good showers and cool pools available in a spa.

As with steam rooms, the basic sauna concept is the same but there are many variations on the theme, largely depending on where in the world the sauna is.

Different types of sauna include:

• Tyrolean sauna

• Finnish/Swedish sauna

• Rock sauna

• Bio sauna

• Laconium.

Royal Mansour Hammam

Most popular thermal experience rooms

AROMA ROOM An aroma room or aroma grotto is a warm tiled, or rock-lined room filled with aromatic steam from essential oils.

BALINESE MULTI-STEAM BATH This is a gentle, sensual and very relaxing experience. Steam is infused with subtle aromas of jasmine oil, which is believed to soothe the spirit.

BIO SAUNA A bio sauna is a cross between a regular sauna, a tepidarium and a multi-sensory room. Wet and dry heat distribute herbal aromas to the sauna, and the whole experience is made even more relaxing by gently-changing coloured fibreoptic-lights.

CALDARIUM A caldarium would have been one of the hottest in a Roman baths. Heated by the Romans’ cunning and original under-floor heating system, the caldarium was a steam room that featured a hot plunge pool.

FINNISH/SWEDISH SAUNA This type of sauna has an automatic water spray onto the heated coals. Scandinavians advise that you follow this hot sauna with a quick plunge into a pool of cold water, or a roll in the snow if possible. This stimulates your circulation, energises your spirit and brings your body temperature down all in one go... as you can imagine it would.

LACONIUM A laconium gives a gentler heat than most saunas and is designed to gradually raise your body temperature. It can be more soothing than other saunas, and leaves you feeling pleasantly sleepy. But it still makes you sweat! It’s a good one to start with as it’s very mild and gets you “into the swing” of sauna-ing.

RASUL/SERAIL

A traditional Arabian body treatment involving steam and mud. Slathered in mineral-rich muds of various colours, you sit in a tiled steam room for around 15 minutes. Afterwards you are either douched by a therapist or else shower yourself down in cool water. This is an unusual, deeply sensual treatment, often followed by an aromatherapy massage with essential oils.

ROCK SAUNA A type of Finnish sauna whose walls are rock rather than wood.

SALT-STEAM ROOM Salty air is pumped into the room by a dry saline diffuser, which keeps the room at a constant temperature and humidity. The Greeks and Romans bathed in warm salt-water for relaxation, rejuvenation and also to heal a variety of skin conditions. Some people who suffer from respiratory and skin diseases say that halotherapy (salt therapy) gives great results and offers a drug-free chance to feel better.

SNOW/ICE ROOM Snow and ice rooms come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from a tiled room with an ice fountain in the middle, to a frozen grotto with icy walls and snow on the floor. You may want to keep your slippers or flip flops on in here!

HAMMAM A hammam can be either one tiled steam room, or a suite of steam rooms and pools for communal use. In UK spaterms, “hammam” usually describes a single room, with central water taps, and recessed bench-seats, decorated in blue, silver and gold-tinged tiles in the style of the Turkish Ottoman bath.

ICE FOUNTAIN Either in the centre of the thermal suite, or in its own room, an ice fountain is a basin full of very small ice chips to rub into your skin.

JAPANESE SALT-STEAM BATH The steam in this treatment comes from gently-heated mineral water which has been infused with herbs and plants. The gentle heating of this salty water produces a really bracing, salty, aromatic mist.

SWEAT LODGE Similar to a steam room, a sweat lodge forms part of an ancient Native American ceremony of purification. The intense heat cleanses your skin and also brings a clear head.

TEPIDARIUM A tepidarium is a warm seating area where you can snooze or relax between treatments. A tepidarium is exactly as it sounds – a dry, tepid room close to the body’s own temperature. You can stay in here for up to 30 minutes, cooling down and de-stressing. Many have heated beds to lie on – it’s a real treat in winter to lay back and just feel the heat radiate.

TYROLEAN SAUNA This sauna was established in the Tyrol region of Austria. The sauna will be a wood-lined cabin, which sometimes emits a fir scent for that full alpine experience. Typically the experience is followed with an ice shower. Brr!

Murat Reis Ayvalık D-Spa Hammam

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

The SCIENCE of yourSKIN

We’ve all seen the claims made in adverts. But with so many companies offering you their version of the Fountain of Youth, how do you find out what truly works? We asked the experts to explain the basics of skin science, what’s really possible with products and treatments, and how you can get the best out of your skincare routine.

“ This exfoliator is all you need for youthful looking skin!”

“This serum is inspired by ground-breaking research!”

“Dermatologists love this cream!”

Skin basics

Dr Nick Lowe is a consultant dermatologist at the Cranley Clinic in London. He explains that the skin is formed of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. Each layer serves a specific purpose.

“The epidermis is the outside layer that we can see,” he says. “It creates a skin barrier, stopping unwanted elements from getting in and out of your body. The epidermis can be damaged by sun exposure and skin conditions like eczema.”

Lowe warns that some things you do at home can also harm this layer, such as using too much soap, hot water, and indoor heating in the winter.

The dermis, the next layer down, can also be affected by sun damage, as the sun causes collagen to break down at a faster rate than normal.

The final layer, the hypodermis, is where you’ll find blood vessels, nerve cells and fat cells which make the skin appear plump.

You may hear claims about pushing products deeper into your skin, penetrating the lower layers to achieve a greater effect. Replacing the collagen you lose as you age, for example. So is this possible?

“That depends on the ingredients and on the skin barrier,” Lowe explains. “If the stratum corneum [a key layer within in the epidermis] is intact and

normal, it is an effective barrier. Some over-the-counter creams may allow a small amount of ingredients to sink deeper into the skin, but they will have very little effect. Some ingredients, like collagen, are just too large in structure to penetrate beyond the epidermis.”

Ultimately, Lowe explains, when you apply a hydrating cream and your skin becomes more even and plump, the only layer it’s likely to effect is the epidermis.

Products and treatments

Two key ingredients used across the skincare industry are glycolic acid and retinol. Both can sound intimidating, so we turned to Californian dermatologist Dr Howard Murad for some clarification.

Glycolic acid may sound more like something you should put in a battery. In fact, Murad explains, it is derived from sugar cane and is a great exfoliator.

“Dullness is usually a result of a buildup of dead skin cells on your face,” he says. “Exfoliation lifts the dulling film of dead skin to give you a fresh and more youthful looking complexion.”

Retinol encourages skin cell turnover, sending signals to the body to make collagen and new cells. It can become unstable in reaction to oxygen and light, which is why some people give retinol a wide berth, especially in daytime. But since we lose one per cent of our collagen every year, it remains a popular anti-aging skincare ingredient.

“Collagen production may slow down as a person ages, and retinol helps to ensure that new collagen continues to form,” says Murad. “It has been shown to reduce wrinkles and improve the texture of the skin.”

What about if you’re at a spa? Can treatments do what over-the-counter creams can’t?

Lowe says: “A good beauty therapist can really help with advice on elements of skincare. Non-medical spa treatments can be of some benefit to the skin, while spa-style treatments can be good for hydration. It’s also a good opportunity to sit back and relax.”

However, Lowe warns that some products and technologies misused in a spa can irritate the skin including overenthusiastic chemical peels and intense pulsed light (IPL) on the wrong settings. He has had clients come to his clinic after their skin has been significantly damaged by the misuse of lasers.

Making the most of your routine

So what can you do at home to make the most of your skincare routine? Facialist Linda Meredith says: “Women have followed the template of cleanse, tone and moisturise for years and think they still should follow the same routine, but this isn’t necessarily so.

“Cleansing is the most important part of any skincare regime. The thorough removal of make-up and dead skin cells

Stratum Corneum

Stratum Sponisum

Stratum Basale

EPIDERMIS

Stratum Lucidum Stratum Granulosum DERMIS

The five minute skin care routine

Linda Meredith says her aim has always been to educate women to think differently about their skincare routine.

“What I hear is ‘I don’t have the time,’” she says. But Linda’s own skincare routine takes just five minutes.

Step 1: Remove make-up thoroughly with cream cleanser.

Step 2: Follow with gel cleanser. “This double-cleanse at night is important to remove topical products like make-up and any lingering SPF.”

Step 3: Apply an eye gel.

Step 4: Use a moisturising cream and add two drops of serum before applying it to the skin.

allows other products to work at their optimum level. Cleansers today come in many forms: cream, gel, liquid, wipes and heavy waxy balms. I’m less impressed with the last two. Wipes do not do the job properly and waxy balms tend to leave a residue on the surface of the skin, preventing any other products from being properly absorbed.”

Toners have become less popular over the past few years. Meredith says: “Toners were initially developed to dissolve excess cleansers using a high alcohol content. If the cleansers are water soluble, there is no need to use a toner.”

So what about serums and oils? What’s the difference and when should you use them?

“The word serum can be very confusing,” Meredith says, “as it has a different meaning for each skincare company. Some use it to describe thin liquids or gels, others use it to describe an oil. If the serum is a thin gel, then it is normally applied to the skin before the moisturiser. If the serum is an oil, it can either be applied first, or you can add a few drops to your cream”.

Expert advice

To sum up, then, what should we ultimately be doing to look after our skin?

Dr Lowe says all the product in the world may have little effect if you’re not taking care of yourself generally.

He says: “If you are looking to make a change to your skin condition, it’s about stopping smoking and using sun protection, including wearing a hat to keep the sun off your face in the heat of the day.”

You’ve probably seen or heard of blue diamond and Egyptian gold facials, and perhaps assumed it was just pampering taken to a new and decadent extreme.

However, passing fad it is not. Precious elements have been used in luxury skincare throughout history, and not for entirely spurious reasons. The Chinese Chou dynasty used gold on their skin, a habit taken up by geishas for 300 years, while the last Empress of China used pearl powder and was famed for her youthful appearance.

Gold

Cleopatra is said to have worn a mask of gold every night to preserve her beauty. Skincare companies today claim that gold has powerful anti-aging properties. Twenty four carat gold in modern face creams is said to increase collagen production, boost elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and age spots. Some product houses say gold flakes merely look pretty, but do nothing unless broken down small enough to actually penetrate the skin. So if you are going for gold, make sure it’s colloidal

(a solution which contains tiny particles of the element in question).

The scientific evidence to back up any of this is rarer than gold itself. But that doesn’t stop folk in Beverly Hills parting with just under two thousand dollars for a Black Pearl Gold Cleopatra Mask, or London’s super-rich paying £265 a pop for a gold flake mask at Oro Gold beauty clinic on the King’s Road.

True, the properties of gold are not to be entirely scoffed at – in medicine it is given to people with arthritis, and currently being researched as a possible

As party season kicks in, we look at skincare products that glisten with precious jewels, silver and gold. Is it mere indulgence, or are diamonds really your new best friend?

treatment for cancer. However, this does not mean it is automatically good for our skin. Some dermatologists consider gold a serious skin irritant, so those with sensitive skins might want to give the 24 carat face masks a wide berth. Stick with the reputable creams that contain other ingredients – such as Temple Spa’s Skin Truffle (50ml: £85) which contains black truffles, grapeseed, champagne, gold and silk elements, and diamond powder.

Silver

Silver was used by the ancients to heal wounds and treat ulcers. Today, its antimicrobial and antibacterial elements make it a prime candidate to treat skin ailments, from acne to fine lines and wrinkles. Again more evidence is needed, but you could try Kerstin Florian Mineral Wellness Soak (453g: £27.50), which contains minerals and salts, as well as hand harvested crystals and colloidal silver.

Platinum

Colloidal platinum is said to be an antioxidant, and researchers in Japan found that platinum nanoparticles prolonged the life of worms (make of that what you will). It is also used in cancer treatments as it has the ability, in certain chemical forms, to inhibit the division of living cells. According to the blurb on La Prairie’s Platinum Rare (50ml: £724), platinum “helps maintain the skin’s electrical balance”, which apparently “protects the skin’s DNA, and replenishes moisture continuously

for a look of soft splendour.” Generally, it’s used in such tiny (nano) amounts in beauty products, it’s unlikely to have any visible effects.

Copper peptides, while less luxurious sounding, have more positive research results to support their collagenpromoting and antioxidant properties – thus Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream (50ml: £42) may not actually be overstating its point.

Diamonds

Back on earth, albeit in higher echelons, some lauded skincare lines are using diamonds to achieve visible results; most notably The Natura Bissé Diamond Collection, available in Harrods and Liberty, with treatments at Agua Spas in London, Stanley House and Sequoia Spa at The Grove.

So, what do diamonds do for us? Some experts agree that diamonds may have light reflective properties that make skin look younger, while diamondinfused products might also work as exfoliants. The idea that diamonds have anti-aging properties or can actually penetrate the skin barriers, however, does not go down so well in most dermatological circles.

Dr Adam Friedman, consultant dermatologist at the Harley Street Dermatology Clinic says, “It sounds like a good way of spending money for nothing. The reality is that gold and diamonds are completely unreactive.” Many cosmetic chemists point out that diamonds, gold and platinum have

been used as a delivery system for certain cancer drugs as a way of shielding the drug from the body’s defence system.

However, it seems a rather big leap from that to the idea that anti-aging ingredients will penetrate deeper if sprinkled with crushed engagement rings. Yet it is one that Yannis Alexandrides, plastic surgeon and founder of 111Skin, is happy to take.

“We use black diamond microspheres to transport active ingredients including vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and arbutin to the deepest layers of the skin, where they target cells for regeneration,” he says.

Melissa Vitalis, the Beverly Wilshire spa director has a more realistic view of the kind of client their Natura Bissé diamond infused facials attract. “They’ve had a busy year and want a little welldeserved pampering and so book the best facial that we have on our menu.”

Ultimately it seems, until the evidence is in, that precious elements are the rather glamorous icing on the more active, nuts-and-bolts ingredients of products and treatments: something to add a little expensive sparkle to the festive party season, and hopefully to our skin too.

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What to Pack in Your Spa Bag

While there are some basics you’re likely to want to take with you to any spa, there are a few things you can check in advance to help you plan your packing list.

Firstly, your spa may send you through what they provide (and therefore what you don’t need to pack) with your booking confirmation. Some thoroughly organised spas, such as Ragdale Hall, will send you a joining pack so you will be super informed.

It is also worth checking out the spa’s Bubble Rating. One of the things we at the Good Spa Guide check out is what amenities are offered at the spa and in the changing rooms. Here’s our rule of thumb.

the the

If you’re going to a Five Bubble Luxury spa, the only thing you’ll need is a swimsuit, make-up and (maybe) deodorant. These spas should have fabulous products in the changing rooms, including cleansers and moisturisers, deodorants, hair products. Some even have tongs and straighteners. Five Bubble spas too should meet most of your needs with shampoo, conditioner, body wash and a moisturiser. They usually have a decent shop should you forget anything.

Some even have tongs and straighteners. Five Bubble spas too should meet most Three

flops, slippers and robes are provided and whether they are paid for. You may also want to throw in your own

If it’s Four or Three Bubble, you might want to check whether flipflops, slippers and robes are provided and whether they are paid for. You may also want to throw in your own cleanser, moisturiser (lightweight and travel size) and a hairbrush. After your heat experiences, your skin may feel a little sensitive and dry. Five Bubble spas should have body creams, but Four Bubbles might not.

If you’re pregnant, voluptuous or petite,

you might want to take your own robe as spa robe sizes are pretty uniform. One of our Spa Spy top tips is also to take a sarong in your spa bag – it’ll keep you covered up around the pool and in

the thermal experience areas without sacrificing your dry and snuggly robe. If you’re staying overnight, or want to try the hotel’s Michelin starred restaurant, bring some casual eveningwear to change into after your spa day.

Cath Kidston’s Painted Rose mid-size grab tote £50 www.cathkidston.com

Other things to think about are how you want to relax after your treatment. Do you want to snuggle up with a good book, listen to some restful music, note down some ideas for your latest novel/ entrepreneurial scheme? Some spas, such as Agua at the Sanderson, provide TV and radio systems, and nearly all spas will have up-to-date magazines – including this one! But before taking your electronic gadgetry, ask yourself: do you really want to take your tablet in with you and risk getting it wet? Will picking up emails really help you achieve a state of calm?

Some spas have great fitness facilities. If you plan to take an exercise or yoga class, or work out in the gym, take your gym/yoga kit. If you’re a swimmer and there’s a good sized pool at the spa, take your sporty swimming costume for serious laps, and maybe add a bikini for the heat experiences. It’s a good idea to have two swimsuits anyway, one as a dry back-up so you don’t have to eat your spa lunch with a damp bottom.

the spa bag itself. Our Spa Spies have all made the mistake of taking ordinary gym bags, or large leather handbags, only to place them unwittingly in a pool of water in the changing rooms. Bear in mind that this time of year, everyone will be having extra-steamy showers so you may encounter the odd changing room puddle. You may also grab your beloved Mulberry tote from your locker, forgetting that your hands are smothered in aroma oils. We recommend taking a bag with a waterproof bottom – which can, believe it or not, be more glamorous than it sounds!

Essentials

• Swimming costume/bikini –maybe both as it’s a good idea to have a dry back-up

• Hairbrush

• Make up bag – with travel size cleanser, moisturiser and body oil if you’re at a Four Bubble spa

• Deodorant

• Clean undies

• Purse

Extras

• Goggles if you are serious about swimming

• Trainers and gym kit, or yoga trousers and top

• Outdoor shoes and clothes if you’re staying in a spa with grounds.

• Book

• Eveningwear for overnight stays or if you’re planning to visit the restaurant before leaving

may need a bigger bag to accommodate

Lots of good country retreat spas have grounds or surrounding parkland to explore, so pack outdoor trainers or even hiking boots. As the winter draws in, you may need a bigger bag to accommodate fleeces, gloves, scarves and hats. Just don’t be surprised if you have to leave this at reception. Some lockers are too small to fit your spa bag, winter coat, boots and a second bag of clothing. Sigh!

Which brings us to that most underrated, yet oh-so important item:

The Spa Spies’ Christmas wish lists include Marni’s gorgeous Printed PVC tote (£220), perhaps for a visit to Five Bubble Luxury spas such as Pennyhill or Rockliffe. Cath Kidston is a Spa Spy favourite: we love the painted rose tote £50, which would work just as well in down-to-earth luxurious Dormy House as your local pool. For rocking it at C-Side or K-West, go for the WAG-tastic Givenchy Antigona Shopping Bag in printed coated canvas £720. Yoga-istas will love lululemon’s Gym to Win in Ziggy Snake Butter (£138 from lululemon.co.uk)

which has a locker loop on the bottom to protect from locker room floors.

•

To check Flip flops

• Maybe take your own robe if petite, fuller figured or pregnant.

Victory Freedom Twist Suit (£77) www.moontide.com

Rock and Ruddle small hairbrush £20 www.rockandruddle.co.uk

Kerstin Florian Multi-Vitamin Day Crème £48 www.kerstinflorian.co.uk

Spa Exotica

Baby it’s cold outside, and you haven’t booked your winter break? Never mind… head to your nearest spa for a treatment to transport you to exotic climes.

When abroad, are you the kind of person who loves to immerse yourself in local rituals? Do you love finding something new to shout about? The good news is you don’t have to go far to experience the exotic. Plenty of spas in the UK have absorbed treatments, philosophies, food and décor from around the world, leaving you feeling well travelled, but without the jet-lag. Here is some of our favourite spa escapism:

Ayurvedic Therapy

Our Spa Spies were first introduced to Ayurvedic massages in India and Sri Lanka, home of this ancient Hindu and Buddhist practice. But you can also experience these sumptuously holistic treatments in many and various forms across the UK, most notably at the Ayush Wellness Spa in Jersey, Antara Spa at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel and the Scarlet Spa in Cornwall. It is said to be good for detoxing, cleansing and boosting the immune system, and involves aligning qis and chakras, but we love the exotic smells of the natural oils, the deep, slow rhythms of the massage, and the Ayurvedic teas. In a traditional Ayurvedic

treatment, you will have a consultation to determine your ‘dosha’ or body type, and this will inform your massage type. Shiodhara (pictured below) traditionally involves pouring oil, milk and/or different waters onto the ‘third eye’ (forehead), while Tri Dosha uses delicious smelling herbal poultices pressed into ones marma points. In Padaghata, the therapist uses her feet. The Ayush Wellness Spa also has a café that prepares meals according to your dosha, while the Antara Spa has a resident ayurvedic doctor.

Discover your dosha at: The Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel de France in Jersey, Antara Spa at the Chelsea Health Club in London, Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall in County Durham.

Lomi

Lomi Hawaiian Massage

Also known as ‘loving hands’, lomi lomi translates as ‘rub rub’ in Hawaiian and reflects the broad, flowing strokes of the therapists fingers, thumbs, palms, arms and elbows. The idea is to rid the body of old patterns and behaviours, which cause stresses and strains in the muscles. A traditional massage begins with a prayer.

Shiodhara at Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel de France in Jersey

Say aloha with: Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage (90 minutes, £90) at Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Spa, Leicestershire. Polynesia Spa Ritual (85 minutes, £93) at Donnington Valley Spa, Berkshire. Lomi Lomi Massage (85 minutes, £95) at Champneys Tring, Hertfordshire.

Sunlight therapy

So, it’s been raining non-stop. You feel like you haven’t seen the sun for weeks. Each day you head to work in the dark… and it’s dark when you get home! You don’t even remember what your house looks in the daylight. Check in for some light therapy. In a spa setting, light therapy will take place in a room with a lightbox which emits up to 10,000 lux of light (20 times brighter than a home lightbulb) encouraging the production of vitamin D and the release of serotonin, the feel good hormone. Spas normally dress the room to complete the experience, you might find yourself lying on a bed of sand or artificial grass surrounded by a summery scene painted on the walls. It’s not be quite the same as a far flung beach, but it might just lift your spirits.

Trip the light fantastic at: The Beach Hut experience at Mill Wheel Spa, Staffordshire. The Sun Meadow at K Spa at K West Hotel and Spa, London. Haslauer Reflective Sunlight Therapy at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire.

Tibetan Sound Massage

Also known as singing bowl massage, the therapy involves putting the bowls on, over or all around the body and ringing them with a felt mallet to make them resonate and vibrate. This ancient practice inspired by Tibetan medicine is said to

re-balance mind and body, harmonise cells and fine-tune Circadian sleep rhythms. There has been no scientific enquiry into cell harmonies, let alone their benefits (ditto auras and chakras). However, if you find the sound soothing rather than annoying, it can be hypnotically relaxing. One for music and meditation lovers out there.

Feel the vibrations with: ila Biorhythm Treatment (105 minutes, £168) and Kundalini Back Treatment (60 minutes, £99) at Chewton Glen Spa in Hampshire. Try Tibetan Sound Massage (90 minutes, £115) at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham.

Traditional Thai Massage

A Thai massage (pictured above) is definitely an acquired taste, for those with a more adventurous spirit who don’t mind being stretched, pummelled and twisted about by a well-meaning stranger. We absolutely love them, they’re ultimately stretching and will work out all of the crooks in your muscles. Just make sure you have a very well qualified therapist!

The more traditional massages take place on a special mattress on the floor, where your therapist will perform a kind of intricate choreography of movements, with you as her bendy puppet dance partner. For the massage, you will want to wear loose clothing, ideally some Thai pyjamas. Great for those with sedentary jobs: you’ll discover parts of your body you didn’t even know existed!

Make like Thai royalty with: Thai Massage (60 minutes, £78) at SenSpa at Carey’s Manor, Hampshire. Royal Jade Massage (90 minutes, £200) at Thai Square Spa, London. Traditional Thai Massage (60 minutes, £90) at The Thai Spa at Lough Erne Resort, County Fermanagh.

The Product Bible

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

Afyna

Hero products: Night Serum (30ml, £35), Deep Cleansing Oil (100ml, £35), Relaxing Body Lotion (100ml, £17) all available at: www.afyna.co.uk

Standout treatments: Afyna Rejuventating Facial (60 minutes, £65), Ultimate Relaxation Massage (75 minutes, £75), Cornish Body Polish (30 minutes, £39) all at St Michaels Hotel and Spa, Cornwall.

Afyna means “to beautify” in old Cornish. Afyna products will not only feel beautiful on your skin, they’re also certified organic, ethically sourced and produced (no animal testing), and won’t contain any skincare nasties such as parabens or SLS. So just as good for your conscience as your complexion!

There’s a full range of facial skincare (we adore the Night Serum and Deep Cleansing Oil) and body treats including super nourishing bath and body oils. Every product is handmade in Cornwall with simple, clean aromas and textures. And they’re easy to use. There’s no YouTube tutorials here, just honest products at reasonable prices.

The product company was launched by Sara Young, a spa manager, in May 2014 so it’s still quite new and niche. So much so that the company says they often make the products to order. The ingredients will make it out of their kitchen in Wadebridge straight to your door – not something you’ll find in many places.

They say: “Inspiration taken from the Cornish coastline –fresh scents, clean lines and smooth textures.”

We say: The products are a joy to use with a lovely scent and visible results. If you’re a fan of all things natural and organic you will love using Afyna. Try a treatment for a Cornish inspired treat.

Anne Sémonin

Hero products: Exfoliating Mask (75ml, £42), Botanical Milk (125ml, £33) Eye Express Radiance Ice Cubes (254ml, £43) all available at: www.annesemonin.com

Standout treatments: Made to Measure Facial (60 minutes, £96) at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire. Le Vintage (25 minutes, £40) at Spa Verta, London. Anti-Stress Back Therapy (55 minutes, £75) at The Langdale Spa, Cumbria.

The French company was founded in 1986 by Madame Anne Sémonin who developed a series of treatments representing a personal and holistic approach to beauty. In 2003, Parisian Aline Marcadet took the helm and has been the driving force of the brand ever since. A Sorbonne graduate with a passion for the arts, Aline formed Anne Sémonin’s image as an “Haute Couture” spa and beauty brand. Aline also maintains the original Anne Sémonin ethos of made-to-measure treatments to cater for each woman’s unique beauty needs. The product range is extensive, as you would expect from a company which uses ‘tailorable’ as a key word. The products are developed in collaboration with top French laboratories and address facial skincare and body treats. There isn’t a specialist range for men, but particular products are recommended for masculine skin. There are also lots of lovely gifts for people who have been especially good this year!

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

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

Aromatherapy Associates

Hero products: Nourishing Facial Oil (15ml, £45), Overnight Repair Mask (50ml, £59), Relax Deep Bath and Shower Oil (55ml, £45) available from: www.aromatherapyassociates.com

Standout treatments: The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience (60 minutes, £75) at Carbis Bay Hotel and Spa, Cornwall. Rose Prescriptive Facial (55 minutes, £70) at Calcot Spa, Gloucestershire.

Aromatherapy Associates was founded in 1985 by Sue Beechey and Geraldine Howard, aromatherapists who trained and practised at the Micheline Arcier clinic in Knightsbridge. They felt that a professional brand was needed to support aromatherapy treatments in spas, as such a concept was lacking at the time. Over the past 30 years, the product range has grown to encompass facial skincare, body and bath, home ambience and a men’s range from The Refinery. Aromatherapy Associates products are made in the UK using natural plants and herbs that have been ethically sourced from around the world. They are against animal testing, screen out chemicals such as parabens and GM crops, and believe every ingredient has a role to play, so use bases such as Damask rose water instead of plain water.

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

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

Babor

Hero products: HY-ÖL (200ml, £22), Enzyme Cleanser (75ml, £19), HSR Extra Firming Eye Cream (30ml, £59) all available from: uk.babor.com

Standout treatments: Gentle Rebalance Facial (60 minutes, £75) at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, Cheshire. Detoxifying and Clarifying Back Treatment (30 minutes, £33) at Ufford Park, Suffolk.

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

Sustainability and ethics play a central part of the company ethos. Babor say they do not (and will not) conduct animal testing. They also ship products in a carbon-neutral way. Good for your skincare and good for your conscience. Babor have won 15 international skincare awards over the past five years and we can see why. This is skincare supported by science, but with green credentials.

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

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

Bamford

Hero products: Geranium Body Cream (200ml, £35), Botanic Sugar Polish (200ml, £35), One Morning Body Splash (245ml, £75), all available from: www.bamford.co.uk

Standout treatments: Jade Hot and Cold Stone Treatment (75 minutes, £110) at Bamford Haybarn, Gloucestershire. Bamford Body Signature Treatment (120 minutes, £150) at Herb House Spa at Lime Wood, Hampshire. Deep Tissue Massage (55 minutes, £110) at The Berkeley, London.

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

They say: “The purest bodycare from organic and botanical ingredients.”

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

Carita

Hero products: Fluide de Beauté 14 (100ml, £45.50), Diamond of Beauty (50ml, £430), Carita Eau de Parfum (50ml, £65), all available from: www.carita.co.uk

Standout treatments: CINETIC™ Lift Expert Facial (90 minutes, £146) at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire. Supreme Wrinkle Facial (55 minutes, £70) at The Lowry Hotel Spa, Manchester. Lagoon Hydration Facial (60 minutes, £100) at Sofitel So SPA, London.

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

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

They say: “The anti-aging specialist based on cutting-edge, avant-garde technology.”

We say: The classic French pharmacy packaging suggests Carita will produce professional results. A lot of research, expertise and technology has been packed into each jar, and no animal testing — hence the price. We love the scents and sensation of the creams. Results are noticeable, especially for mature and dry skins. Check first if you have sensitive skin or are prone to break-outs.

Caudalie

Hero products: Beauty Elixir (100ml, £32), Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (30ml, £45), Premier Cru The Eye Cream (15ml, £49), all available from: www.caudalie.co.uk

Standout treatments: Divine Body Massage (50 minutes, £60) at Caudalie Boutique Spa, London. Premier Cru Facial (60 minutes, £95) at Manor Grove Spa, Northamptonshire.

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

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

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

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

Clarins

Hero products: Beauty Flash Balm (50ml, £29), Huile Tonic (100ml, £40), Double Serum (30ml, £55), all available from: www.clarins.co.uk

Standout treatments: Clarins Men’s Muscle Ease Body Massage (55 minutes, £60) at Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Spa, Leicestershire. Aromatic Facial (50 minutes, £60) at Stapleford Park, Leicestershire. Tri-Active Facial (80 minutes, £89) at Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire.

Founded by Jacques Courtin-Clarins in France in 1954, Clarins has since become a global brand. However, it is still very much a family business, with Jacques’ two sons now at the helm. Clarins favours plant-based extracts and where possible sources them locally, or from fair trade growers, but also manages to combine their natural ethos with innovation and scientific research. Clarins has its own laboratories, collaborates with leading ethnobotanists and works with several research centres and universities.

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

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

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

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

[ comfort zone ]

Hero products: Skin Regimen Juvenate-Pro Booster (30ml, £69), Body Strategist Scrub (200ml, £36), Skin Resonance Cream (50ml, £51), find out more at: www.comfortzone.it

Standout treatments: Aromasoul Elements Massage (60 minutes, £90) at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham. Skin Resonance Facial (60 minutes, £70) at Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa, Cumbria. New Life Pregnancy Massage (55 minutes, £75) at Spa Verta, London.

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

All products are developed and created in Parma, Italy. Comfort Zone believes in using natural ingredients where possible and is committed to sustainability – 100 per cent of the energy used in the laboratory is from renewable sources. The brand has also invested in reforestation projects to offset other carbon emissions.

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

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

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

Darphin

Hero products: INTRAL Toner (200ml, £27), 8-Flower Nectar (15ml, £95), Aromatic Cleansing Balm (40ml, £32), all available from: www.darphin.co.uk

Standout treatments: Intense Hydrating Facial (55 minutes, £75) at The Vineyard, Berkshire. Instant Skin Reviver (30 minutes, £50) at The Chester Grosvenor, Cheshire. Deep Rebalancing Full Body Massage (55 minutes, £82) at Stobo Castle Health Spa, Scottish Borders.

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

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

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

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

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

Decléor

Hero products: Aromessence Neroli Oil (15ml, £44), Hydra Floral Hydrating Light Cream (30ml, £25), Phytopeel Exfoliating Cream (50ml, £27.50), all available from: www.decleor.co.uk

Standout treatments: Divine Nutrition Facial (75 minutes, £64) at The Woodland Spa, Lancashire. Aroma Expert Lift Facial (70 minutes, £80) at Titanic Spa, West Yorkshire. Madagascar Escape Massage (55 minutes, £70) at Lifehouse Spa and Hotel, Essex.

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

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

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

Elemental Herbology

Hero products: Cell Food Radiance and Vitality Serum (30ml, £45), Hand Nutrition Intensive Hand and Nail Repair Cream (75ml, £16), Tree Of Life Multi-Purpose Balm (100ml, £22), all available from www.elementalherbology.com

Standout treatments: The Elemental Massage (60 minutes, £95) at The Spa at Pennyhill Park Hotel, Surrey. BioRejuvenating Facial (90 minutes, £85) at The Secret Garden Spa at Congham Hall, Norfolk.

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

They say: “Elemental Herbology takes a holistic approach and for us lifestyle and nutrition are all part of a good skincare regime. We are more than just great products: we believe in looking after your skin both inside and out.”

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

Elemis

Hero products: Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (105g, £39.50), Pro Collagen Marine Cream (50ml, £80), Frangipani Monoi Body Oil (100ml, £34) all available at: www.elemis.com

Standout treatments: Elemis Advanced Anti-Aging Facial (55 minutes, £75) at Moddershall Oaks, Staffordshire. Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap (75 minutes, £79) at The Headland Spa, Cornwall. Elemis Face and Body Solution (55 minutes, £75) at Norton House Hotel and Spa, Edinburgh.

British brand Elemis was founded in 1990 by Séan Harrington, Noella Gabriel and Oriele Frank. It clearly set out to be a beauty force to be reckoned with and is now ubiquitous worldwide, with a British Airways contract and an ever-expanding product range. You’ll find products for facial skincare, body, bath, candles and a range just for men. Elemis uses ethically sourced, natural ingredients which are developed in labs to produce visible results. Creating a natural aroma is also an important part of the brand ethos. The face that launched the brand was Rachel de Thame, a TV horticulturist and now one of their in-house ‘experts’ (she designs the window boxes at House of Elemis day spa in Mayfair).

They say: “Elemis was born out of the vision to bring together the power of nature, science and aromatics. To harness the dynamism of the highest-grade actives and create a skincare line that would transform the frontline of the beauty industry.”

We say: Elemis is so commercial and huge – it’s worth around £75 million – but there’s no escaping the fact that their products are very good. They deliver what they claim to do, and that’s the reason they’re so successful with an almost cult-like spa following.

ESPA

Hero products: 24 Hour Replenishing Moisturiser (55ml, £42), Restorative Body Oil (100ml, £32), Optimal Skin Pro-Serum (30ml, £48) all available at: www.espaskincare.com

Standout treatments: Back, Face and Scalp Treatment (90 minutes, £95) at The Spa at Bedford Lodge, Suffolk. Lifestage Intensive Lift Facial (90 minutes, £175) at Sequoia Spa at The Grove, Hertfordshire. Personalised Facial (60 minutes, £115) at ESPA Life at the Corinthia, London.

Vogue writer Susan Harmsworth created ESPA in a time when the industry was beauty, rather than skincare focused. A move to Toronto opened her eyes when she met a group of Eastern European therapists who trained in medicine, leading her to think holistically about using a scientific approach to harness natural ingredients. She also understood the need for luxury, as well as the psychological effects of smell and sensation. ESPA launched in 1993 and today has over 450 spas in 50 countries. The product range is extensive, innovative, luxurious and results-driven, the ingredients are a combination of aromatherapy, plant and marine extracts. They’re also 99-100 per cent natural and do not use animal testing. You’ll find a full set of spa products including facial and body care, bath treats, candles and men’s products.

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

We say: This is a classy, respected beauty product, perfect for anyone who wants a spa experience every day in their bathroom cabinet. The active ingredients produce great results while the products themselves feel and smell luxurious. A top tip from our ESPA fan Spa Spy: their handpoured candles smell divine.

Eve Lom

Hero products: Eve Lom Cleanser (100ml, £55), TLC Cream (50ml, £55), Rescue Mask (100ml, £55) all available from: www.evelom.com

Standout treatments: Eve Lom Experience (90 minutes, £140), Eve Lom Cleanse (60 minutes, £100) both at Agua at Sanderson, London.

Over 25 years ago, Czech-born skincare legend Eve Lom launched her famous fuss-free range with her award-winning cleanser, which remains a cult product. Now in her sixties, Eve is a multi-millionaire and one of the hottest facialists in the world. She is also an expert in anatomy, nutrition and massage, and has developed a unique massage technique designed to be performed by her trained therapists during the facial. Refreshingly, Eve has no truck with the pseudoscience that dominates the beauty skincare market. She says the problem today is we put too much on our skin, which stops it functioning, so her focus is on simplifying and minimalizing through cleansing and exfoliating, while using massage to detox and calm internal organs and mind.

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

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

Germaine de Capuccini

Hero products: Multi Regenerating Rosehip Oil (30ml, £36), Illuminating Detox Eye Formula (15ml, £45.95), X.Cel Retinage Filler (50ml, £95) all available at: www.germainede-capuccini.co.uk

Standout treatments: Black Diamond Facial (60 minutes, £95) Chuan Spa at The Langham, London. Time Expert Age Reverse Facial (90 minutes, £90) at The Garage Spa, County Durham.

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

The company employs a large team of scientists and dermatologists to develop new ingredients, using the latest technology and ethically sourced plants, vitamins and minerals. The philosophy behind the brand is to treat the mind, body and soul to an ‘experience’ rather than a treatment. Their cutting edge approach to skincare means they launch 40 new products and treatments every year and specialise in the anti-aging sector. Products cover body, face, hair, tanning, cosmetics, supplements and a range for men.

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

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

Guinot

Hero products: Age Logic Yeux (15ml, £69.50), Longue Vie Cellulaire (50ml, £85.50), Masque Essentiel Nutrition Confort (50ml, £25) all available at: uk.guinot.com

Standout treatments: Hydradermie2 – The Star Treatment (55 minutes, £60) at Chakra Spa at The Felbridge Hotel, West Sussex. Aromatic Facial (50 minutes, £55) at Tre-Ysgawen Hall, Isle of Anglesey.

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

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

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

Hero products: Orange Blossom Candle for Higher Energy (200g, £40), Face Oil for Glowing Radiance (30ml, £75), Bath Salts for Inner Peace (500g, £49) all available at: www. ila-spa.com

Standout treatments: Ananda Face Therapy (60 minutes, £99) at Chewton Glen Spa, Hampshire. Ku Nye Massage (90 minutes, £146) at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire. Shining Jewel Vital Energy Treatment (85 minutes, £85) at Stanley House Hotel and Spa, Lancashire.

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

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

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

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

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

Ishga

Hero products: Anti-oxidant Marine Face Cream (50ml, £70), Regenerating Face Serum (50ml, £60), Invigorating Body Lotion (100ml, £35) all available at www.ishga.co.uk

Standout treatments: Ishga Seaweed Bath (30 minutes, £35) at Seaham Hall, County Durham. Ishga Hot Stone Massage (55 minutes, £85) at The Spa at Blythswood Square, Glasgow.

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

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

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

Kerstin Florian

Hero products: Multi-Vitamin Day Crème (50ml, £48), Rehydrating Neroli Water (100ml, £31.50), Turkish Body Scrub With Eucalyptus (237ml, £36.50) all available at: www. kerstinflorian.co.uk

Standout treatments: Kerstin Florian Sensitive Skin Facial (60 minutes, £70) at PH20 at Park House, West Sussex. Lavender Field of Dreams Massage (80 minutes, £120) at The Spa at Coworth Park, Berkshire. Caviar Facial (60 minutes, £155) at The Dorchester Spa, London.

Kerstin Florian is an American brand with a Scandinavian influence. Named after the founder, the company is still run by the family with Kerstin and Charlene Florian at the helm. The “Outer Beauty, Inner Health” philosophy spills into a lifestyle focus for the brand including effective natural and botanic ingredients in the products that are rich in algae, herbal extracts and essential oils. The range of products is impressive with specialist lotions and potions for each skin type. There are also body treats, suncare and products for men. The treatments draw on the natural theme: we defy anyone from not getting a good night’s sleep after the Lavender Field of Dreams Massage.

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

We say: Kerstin Florian is an on-trend mix of Swedish practicality and Californian holistic wellbeing. The packaging is extremely elegant – you feel like you’re getting a high quality product that is confident about delivering results. The products are effective and luxurious in feel and subtle in scent.

Hero products: V-Tox (50ml, £99), Hydrating Mist (40ml, £19), Q3 (50g, £69) all available at: www.lindameredith.com

Standout treatments: The Haute Couture Facial (£100), Linda Meredith O2 (£100) at Linda Meredith, Knightsbridge. Men’s Ultimate Deep Cleansing Facial (60 minutes, £99) at Chewton Glen Spa, Hampshire.

On Linda Meredith’s website is a staggering celebrity clientele list that will make your eyelashes curl, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Madonna by way of Rosamund Pike, Emma Thompson and Kate Moss, plus a host of male pin-ups. So what makes her so special? Linda has worked in skincare for 40 years, and has noticed a dramatic change in how our skin is evolving. Thanks to environmental forces – from man-made (air con, heating, pollutants) to natural (sun damage, hormones) –we are no longer just oily, dry or combination. Hence some days, we’re dry as cracked paint, the next breaking out in spots! The Linda Meredith skincare range is created with layering and overlapping in mind, to address a variety of skin problems rather than uniform types.

They say: “Each product within the range has been designed with certain attributes, but when overlapped the effectiveness is increased, normalising skin and leaving a natural, glowing complexion.”

We say: When having a Linda Meredith Oxygen Facial we felt in very safe hands – this woman can wield a lancet like no other! It’s pain-free, quick, and she makes it look so easy. The end result was amazing. With so many celebrity clients, it’s not surprising Meredith has the answer for coping with long haul flights too. Her wonderful Hydrating Mist fits easily in hand luggage, so you can land ready and glowing for the Paparazzi snappers.

Moroccanoil

Hero products: Intense Hydrating Mask (250ml, £24.75),  Original Hand Cream (75ml, £20), Original Body Soufflé (190ml, £43) find out more at www.moroccanoil.com

Standout treatments: Honey and Lavender Massage (55 minutes, £69) at Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa, Cheshire. Black Tie Affair (60 minutes, £125) at Spa Illuminata, London. Exfoliation Ritual (40 minutes, £59) at Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa, Northamptonshire.

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

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

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

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

Murad

Hero products: Hydro Dynamic Ultimate Moisture (50ml, £64), Invisiblur Perfecting Shield (30ml, £55), AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (200ml, £34) all available at: www. murad.co.uk

Standout treatments: AHA Rapid Exfoliator Facial (60 minutes, £57) at Thornton Hall, The Wirral. Resurgence Renewal Facial (50 minutes, £70) at Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire. Clearly Youthful Facial (60 minutes, £95) at The Peak Health Club and Spa, London.

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

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

They say: “With Murad it really is possible get great skin at any age.”

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

Natura Bissé

Hero products: The Cure Sheer Cream (50ml, £143), Glycoline Extreme Peel (30ml, £199), Diamond Extreme Eye Cream (25ml, £160) all available at: www.naturabisse.com

Standout treatments: Citrus Sculpt (55 minutes, £120) at Sequoia Spa at The Grove, Hertfordshire. C+C Vitamin Facial (60 minutes, £65), at Stanley House Hotel and Spa, Lancashire. Diamond Experience Facial (80 minutes, £115), at Agua at Sanderson, London.

Spanish skincare company Natura Bissé was founded in 1979. Ricardo Fisas Mulleras rooted the company firmly in science and research, using pharmaceutical grade ingredients for targeted results. In the 1990s, the company expanded into the US market, taking its range to Hollywood, which embraced the results-driven products and treatments. In the UK, you’ll find Natura Bissé in select high-end spas offering facial and body treatments. We’ve tried two or three different Natura Bissé facials and each time the Spa Spy has come back glowing and waxing lyrical about the difference it made. We’re impressed! The product range is mostly around very effective facial skincare, but there are also body treats available.

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

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

Neom

Hero products: Tranquillity Scented Candle (420g, £45), Daily De-stress Face, Body and Hair Oil (100ml, £32), Great Day™ Body Scrub (332ml, £34) all available at: www. neomorganics.com

Standout treatments: De-Stress Treatment (60 minutes, £70) at Neom Organics Wimbledon, London. Luxury Organic Massage (55 minutes, £59) at Middlethorpe Hall and Spa, York. Energise Treatment (60 minutes, £90) at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham.

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

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

Neom opened its signature store in Wimbledon less than a year ago, and offers four wellbeing treatments; Happiness, Energise, Sleep and De-stress.

They say: “Scent to make you feel good.”

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

Huile Prodigeuse® Spray (100ml, £28), Crème Fraîche® de Beauté Masque (50ml, £18.50), Rêve de Miel® Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm (15ml, £9.50) all available at:

Spray uk.nuxe.com

Standout treatments: Nuxe Massage (50 minutes, £80), Radiance Facial (50 minutes, £80), Exceptional Treatment with Flowers and Precious Plants (80 minutes, £135) all at Agua at Sanderson Hotel, London.

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

The product range targets most skin types, anti-aging (Nuxellence®and Nirvanesque®), sun damage and men, while the philosophy is a balance of natural active ingredients, performance driven patents (the company currently has 45 patents and is expanding every year) and sensual textures and aromas.

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

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

Hero products: Renaissance Cleansing Gel (100ml, £28), Super 16 Pro-Collagen Super Serum (30ml, £80), Renaissance Mask (50ml, £48.50) all available at: www.oskiaskincare.com

Standout treatments: Rejuvenating Facial (55 minutes, £105) at The Berkeley, London. Ultimate Radiance Facial (65 minutes, £85) at Grayshott Health Spa, Surrey. Signature Glow Facial (75 minutes, £95) at The Orchard Spa at Lakes By Yoo.

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

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

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

We say: Although we take all skincare ‘science’ with a pinch of organic sodium, the lovely effects of Oskia products are hard to argue with. Each product does what it says on its beautifully elegant label.

Pevonia

Hero products: Ligne Lavendou (30ml, £58), Power Repair® Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream (50ml, £68), Ligne Spéciale Enzymo-Sphérides Cream (50ml, £35) all available at www.pevonia.co.uk

Standout treatments: Prescriptive Facial (60 minutes, £50) at SK Clinic, Suffolk. Hydrating and Repairing Facial (60 minutes, £65) at The Club and Spa Hotel at The Cube, Birmingham. Tropical Saltmousse Scrub (45 minutes, £75) at The Peak Health Club and Spa, London.

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

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

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

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

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

Pinks Boutique

Hero products: Sweet Orange and Neroli Body Balm (90g, £32.95), Rosehip Face and Body Scrub (60g, £32), AntiAgeing Deep Cleanse Melt (60g, £42) all available at: www. pinksboutique.com

Standout treatments: Full Body Massage (55 minutes, £60) at Tempus Spa at The Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire.

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

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

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

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

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

Rodial

Hero products: Dragons Blood Advanced XXL Sculpting Serum (30 ml, £125), Stemcell Superfood Facial (30ml, £60) Glamoxy Snake Mask (50ml, £68) all available at: www. rodial.co.uk

Standout treatments: Sculpt (60 minutes, £68) at The Boutique Spa, Kent.

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

The brand has also embraced modern skincare and beauty channels — there’s a Rodial sculpting app which will teach you to highlight and lowlight your way to make up perfection. The company is also launching a youtube channel with make up tutorials. Look out for MrsRodial on the video streaming site.

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

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

Spiezia Organics

Hero products: Facial Cleanser (50ml, £26.95), Rose and Vanilla Face Oil (30ml, £23.95), Restorative Body Balm (100ml, £37.95) all available at www.spieziaorganics.com

Standout treatments: Head in Heaven (75 minutes, £93) at Rudding Park, Harrogate. Rose Indulgence Body Treatment (80 minutes, £100) at Brown’s Hotel, London.

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

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

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

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

Su-Man

Hero products: Awakening Eye Uplift (15ml, £55), Exfoliating Facial Polish (125ml, £40), Purifying Cleansing Gel-Oil (125ml, £40) all available at: www.su-man.com

Standout treatments: Bespoke Su-Man Skin Reborn Sculpting Facial (60 minutes, £250) at Away Spa, W London and Su-Man’s Private Studio.

Former dancer and Shiatsu master Su-Man decided other skincare products were not giving her the ‘effortless power’ she was seeking. This prompted her to go back to her roots as a farm girl in Taiwan and experiment with natural products. She took the results to two leading chemists in Taiwan and France to be refined for a wider market. Her signature mixture of Asian and Western skincare that promises nonsurgical results has taken the Hollywood red carpet and beauty media by storm. It was described as “pilates for the face” by Joely Richardson and “life-changing” according to Anne Hathaway. Key ingredients include Dragon’s Blood, a tree resin that has been used by Amazonian tribes as a healing treatment for centuries, and is said to have powerful protective and regenerative properties.

They say: “Skincare should be a ritual and not a chore. Have a love affair with your skin and you will transform it beyond recognition.”

We say: We love the Awakening Eye Uplift Cream which comes in a cute jar and is applied using a zig-zag movement, which Su-Man demonstrates on her website, using ‘only a rice-sized amount’. The results were impressive, fresh and light. The products have a lovely velvety texture, feel delightful to apply, and are quickly absorbed by the skin. We also love the packaging and Su-Man philosophy of skincare. Although not cheap, a little ‘rice-sized’ amount goes a long way.

Temple Spa

Hero products: Skin Truffle Total Face Rejuvenation (50ml, £85), Repose Aromatherapy Resting Cream (50ml, £39), Be Strong Skin Serum (30ml, £35) all available from www.templespa.com

Standout treatments: Repose Aromatherapy Facial (75 minutes, £85) at Weavers’ House Spa at The Swan at Lavenham Hotel, Suffolk. Skin Investment Facial (60 minutes, £90) at Dormy House Hotel and Spa, Worcestershire. Drift Away Massage (55 minutes, £88) at Bailiffscourt Spa, West Sussex.

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

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

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

We say: Temple Spa products are used at some of our favourite spas. The products we have tried look sophisticated, smell deeply, but not overpoweringly, of fresh herbs and essential oils (it’s tempting to wax lyrical here about sun drenched meadows). And they feel luxuriant, with visible smoothing and firming effects. Temple Spa gets the Spa Spies’ unanimous approval.

Thalgo

Hero products: Thalgo Pure Velvet Cleansing Cream (150ml, £24.95), Thalgo Hydra-Marine 24h Cream (50ml, £39), Thalgo Freshness Exfoliator (50ml, £26) all available at www.thalgo.co.uk

Standout treatments: Thalgo Algae Wrap (65 minutes, £100) at Stoke Park Spa, Buckinghamshire. Thalgo Prescriptive Facial (60 minutes, £95) at Chuan Spa at the Langham, London. Polynesia Spa Ritual (85 minutes, £93) at Donnington Valley Spa, Berkshire.

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

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

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

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

Tri Dosha

Hero products: Calm Face Cream (60ml, £36), Skin Softening Wash (250ml, £16.50), Palmarosa and Grapefruit Cleanser (200ml, £21) all available at: www.tri-dosha.co.uk

Standout treatments: Holistic Glow (60 minutes, £105) at Herb House Spa at Lime Wood, Hampshire. Mukabhayanga Facial Massage (30 minutes, £45) at The Scarlet Spa, Cornwall. Pinda Sweda massage (55 minutes, £92) at Utopia Spa at Rowhill Grange.

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

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

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

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

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

Voya

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

Standout treatments: Stimulating Seaweed Body Buff Scrub (60 minutes, £65) at PH20 at Park House, Sussex. Marine Radiance Facial (55 minutes, £65) at St Brides Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire.

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

They say: “Organic beauty from the sea.”

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

Products for Men

You don’t have to be metrosexual to own a decent grooming kit. Most of the brands we’ve selected here target specific needs –shaving, exposure to the elements (think of all the spas attached to golf courses on blustery coastlines!) and ‘maturing’ in a suitably macho fashion. Products for men tend to be results-driven and no-nonsense, with minimalist packaging and a more subtle fragrance.

Here are some that often find their way into spa treatments for chaps and make a classy alternative to the usual Old Spice Christmas gift set.

the term ‘manual labour’. Voya recognise this and suggest men use their reparative hand cream Handy To Have (75ml, £16). Other Voya classics for chaps would include Cast Away (125ml, £26), an organic face wash, which can be used as a shaving gel, and Lazy Days Dried Seaweed and Dead Sea Salt bath (500g, £16). All available from www.voya.ie

Since Linda Meredith’s male client list includes Colin Firth, Dennis Hopper, Alexander McQueen and Jude Law it makes sense that she has launched The Linda Meredith Gentleman’s Collection (£69), which includes Hydrating Mist (40ml), Gel Cleanser (35ml) and Q3 moisturiser (35ml). More at: www.lindameredith.com

The Refinery, “London’s one-stop grooming emporium for men” in Mayfair, Harrods and Knightsbridge, has developed its own range of products with Aromatherapy Associates (www.aromatherapyassociates.com). Twelve luxurious products include their Revitalising Moisturiser (50ml, £43), Post Shave Balm (100ml, £33) and Face Mask (75 ml, £30). Packaging is elegantly minimalist and the products contain rather manly natural essential oils such as bergamont, aloe, cedarwood and spearmint.

The story of Voya began with a man and his aching athletic body, and how he found seaweed bathing helped (see the main product guide). Hence Voya’s organic and natural products have unisex appeal – both in their scent and packaging – even if they don’t advertise directly to men or women. Unusually, men’s products tend to ignore the hands, which seems bizarre when you consider

Thalgo’s marine based products are packaged in dark blue for boys and named ThalgoMen. Try the Intensive Hydrating Cream (50ml, £26) Shaving Gel (100ml, £12) and Wake-Up Shower Gel (£13) all at www. thalgo.co.uk The products have a very light fragrance and the active ingredients –such as Algue Bleue Vitale® –produce visible results, whether you need rehydrating after all your manly outdoor stuff, protection or anti-aging.

Decléor Men should appeal to chaps who respect the science of skincare but also care about green credentials. The Aromessence Triple Action Shave Protector (15ml, £41.50) is the male addition to their award winning super serum range, and contains clove essential oil, which they say slows hair re-growth. Also popular is the Face Skin Energiser Fluid (50ml, £39) and Clean Skin Scrub Gel (125ml £21.50). More at: www.decleor.co.uk

Elemis Men is designed to “combat the harsh effects of frequent shaving, stresses of life and daily environmental pollution.” The products are results driven, and aimed at four skincare categories – cleansers and face washes for younger, acne-prone skin; anti-aging range The Defence; S.O.S Survival Cream for sensitive types; and a shaving range. Their hero products are Ice Cool Foaming Shave Gel (200ml, £22), Daily Moisture Boost (50ml, £30) and the Deep Cleanse Facial Wash (150ml, £20). Available at www.elemis.com

ESPA Men has sleek black packaging and the products are at a reasonable price point. Product categories include Wash and Shave, Hydrate, Body and Age Rebel, catering for most skin types and ages (there’s Youthful, First Signs of Aging, Maturing, and Mature – all suggesting a healthy attitude to aging that’s somewhat lacking in the marketing of female products). Hero products are Dual Action Shavemud (200ml, £22) a shaving cream which doubles as a cleansing mask, Age Rebel Eye Hydrator (25ml, £36) and Postshave Rescue (70ml, £26), available at www.espaskincare.com

ClarinsMen range is relatively extensive and classically reliable, with creams and balms that claim to do everything from (alleged) ab firming to simple face cleansing. Hero products are ClarinsMen Super Moisture Balm (50ml, £29), Active Face Wash (125ml, £19.50) and LineControl Cream (50ml, £41). More at: www.clarins.co.uk

Mind over matter

Meditation and mindfulness have earned a reputation as an effective way to help reduce or manage anxiety, depression and stress. But what can you expect from a meditation class? The Spa Spies find out…

While it used to be the domain of Buddhists monks and a few earnest hippies, meditation classes are springing up everywhere, from spas to workplaces, and even in schools. Research has shown that meditation can be effective at improving emotional regulation, focus and memory.

What do you have to do?

15th century Indian poet Kabir said, “Wherever you are, that’s the entry point.”

Do I have to stop thinking?

Most people think meditation is about emptying your mind. But not thinking, or going blank, is usually what happens in traumatic situations, not relaxation.

scientist rather than letting them drag you to hell and back.

“When we’re able to just be present to our minds, emotions, and bodies, the stressful relationship tends to quiet down,” says clinical psychologist Elisha Goldstein, who writes for Mindful magazine (www.mindful.org). “But when we try and quiet the mind down, we often add fuel to the fire.”

guided visualisation or body scans, others

Most classes begin with you sitting up with eyes open, inviting you to close them after a while. Some teachers use guided visualisation or body scans, others ask you to draw attention to your breath. Counting breaths – one in-out, two in-out – makes you more aware of the times when your mind wanders. When it does, simply notice it happening, and if you want to, gently return your attention the breath. It’s all about showing yourself compassion and paying attention.

Simple!

If you can’t find a class, there are hundreds of CDs or downloads available. Give them a trial run before you invest: make sure the voices don’t annoy you.

As you gain confidence you can practise meditation anywhere. As the

You’ve heard the term ‘letting our thoughts run away with us’. Like when you decide someone (boss, spouse, friend) doesn’t like you and can not only find a thousand reasons to back it up, but also a thousand consequences that will all end badly for you. While you are thinking these things, you cannot do or focus on anything else. It’s as though your thoughts have plunged you into some nightmare film and your are writing the script for the rest of your life – and all you can do is watch in horror!

In mindfulness meditation, instead of trying to make these thoughts stop – and this is the part that may be surprising – you have to let yourself think. Then you take a step back (usually guided by your meditation teacher) and watch yourself think. You observe your thought processes like a

Quite quickly, you become interested in how your mind works rather than afraid of, or frustrated by it.

Will it help me focus?

People tend to find that if they practise regularly, their focus and concentration increases, which is why business gurus such as Ray Dalio and Padmasree Warrior constantly extoll its virtues. Oprah Winfrey was introduced to the practise during her work with children in inner city schools. Many creatives, such as David Lynch and Lena Dunham, use it for inspiration. However, you don’t have to focus when meditating: in fact, you’ll be aware that your mind wanders hundreds of times. Simply being aware when it happens is being mindful.

Will it help me relax?

As you’ve probably heard through recent news reports, studies have shown that regular meditation can reduce depression and anxiety. However, relaxation is not the aim of mindful meditation. What it does teach you is a greater mental flexibility, so you may be able to adapt more easily to stressful situations.

Is it hard?

If you are a neurotic perfectionist, then the answer would be yes. First you have to contend with sitting still instead of distracting your nervous anxiety with lots of work, friends and frantic activities. Then you have that critical voice in your brain telling you that you’re not doing it right (which is why a lot of meditation teachers will keep stressing that there is no right way of doing it).

But actually, once you realise it’s only hard because you think it’s hard, then no. Learning self-compassion is key to meditation, and indeed future happiness. Also, there’s a reason this is called ‘practise’. You’re not going to get it right first time, or ever. In fact there is no

‘right way’. Some people get angry with themselves (or the teacher, or the entire concept of meditation) and quit after the first class. But those who carry on say they notice a huge change in the way they cope with everyday life.

Mindfulness or meditation?

Mindfulness is a philosophy based on the Buddhist idea of being awake, and the Buddhist and existential belief that the present moment is the only reality. Too many of us exist either in the past (obsessing over past successes, failures, hurts) or the future (worrying about what’s going to happen, even though we can’t control it anyway).

Being alert to the present moment and showing self-compassion makes us more responsive in our relationships with people, our environment, ourselves. It helps us become connected to our senses and at the same time less defensive.

Meditation is a practice. As well as mindfulness meditation, there’s Loving Kindness (Metta Meditation) which comes from Buddhist traditions, Vispassana (focused breathing), Zen meditation, and mantra or

OM meditation, which is used in Hindu traditions. Film director David Lynch has always been a proponent of Transcendental Meditation™, although this costs a lot as you need a qualified teacher, and gurus don’t come cheap.

Who likes it?

Yoga-istas love it and can get quite competitive about it. Having the right outfits and best ‘gurus’ may, however, defeat the point. People on rehabilitation programmes or with mental health issues also benefit: since they have a more pressing reason for attending, they usually get the most dramatic results. School children seem to enjoy meditation clases, and it helps them control their anxiety from an early age. A number of celebrities have jumped on the meditation bandwagon, including Russell Brand, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz and Jerry Seinfeld, etcetera, while supermodel Gisele swears by it. And the walking-unwell, the normal-anxious like you or me, who wouldn’t mind feeling calmer and taking control of their lives can find it a very useful tool.

Spotlight on Switzerland

Which country is most like a spa? It’s got to be Switzerland. The culture is calm and collected, the air is clean and the scenery is breathtaking. Purity and greenness are buzzwords: power is hydroelectric, water is glacier melt, and even the cows produce ‘biomilch’. A few days here and you’ll feel squeaky clean and very relaxed. We sent Sybaritic Spy to try six of the best Swiss spas…

Dolder Grand Zurich

What do you get when you mix a grand Victorian lakeside manor house built in 1899 and inventive modern architect Lord Foster? Answer: a stunning hotel that has kept the grace of the original building while surrounding it with two huge modern wings full of light and sinuous curves.

What’s on offer

The huge spa covers 4,000 square metres… yes metres! That’s bigger than some hotels. There are 18 treatment rooms and two spa suites, plus a spa library, café, gym, pool and three heat experience areas.

There are separate ladies and gentlemen heat areas in the changing rooms, plus a communal one in the main spa. Since this is Europe, the single-sex heat areas are ‘clothes optional’, but clearly labelled as such, and very elegant, with hot tubs, footbaths, steam rooms, experience showers, and even a fireplace to relax beside. Out by the pool, in the mixed-sex hot area there are sinuously curved experience showers with sparkly gold tiles, a steam room, a sanarium and a ‘snow paradise’.

The pool is wedge shaped and 20-metres at the longest point. Swim from the narrow point towards a wall of glass where the light streams in. Outside on the sheltered terrace are two hot pools and one cold plunge pool.

Sunbeds line the terrace area so you can lie back and look over the valley down to the lake.

The meditation walk is well worth trying. A high, narrow passageway curls round and round until you feel almost lost. Then suddenly you reach the circular relaxation area which is lined with mirrors and has a domed roof, so you feel you are inside a light, bright egg. Relax on the cushions and let the light lift your mood.

Tell us about the treatments

I had a La Prairie facial, which was so much more than just a facial. It included a foot massage, a lovely back massage, and an arm massage. So a little bit of everything really. Perfect for anyone short of time.

Christina, my therapist, spent some time assessing my skin and my lifestyle; skin dehydrated and a bit neglected, lifestyle far too much travelling, and yes apparently I suffer from not enough fresh air and sunshine!

The back massage was detailed and carefully done. Christina seemed able to sense where my tension was and worked on those areas without the deep and painful massage that you sometimes get. Instead she worked a bit, went to another area and then came back to the tense spots and worked a little more, until gradually everywhere seemed to relax.

The facial used a foaming cleanser which reached into every fine line on my face and left it feeling sparkling clean. A steaming session opened the pores enough for Christina to extract some of the milia I tend to suffer from. While the face

mask was on, Christina massaged my hands and arms, and then finished with a lifting face massage.

Certainly the end result was a much fresher skin which looked plumper… those aging, saggy hollows around my cheeks had largely disappeared and I looked brighter and clearer.

The spa offers a wide range of treatments and uses upmarket brands La Prairie, Kerstin Florian, Amala and Horst Kirchberger.

Food Facts

The Garden restaurant is open all day and offers a wide range of meals with an interesting Swiss twist. The crayfish cooked with melon, dill, coriander and green curry was inventive and light. Local venison was the centrepiece of the menu. The meal package includes a three course dinner and a drink in the bar afterwards – worth a visit for the Harry Potter style ceiling with floating candles. For a grand occasion head for The Restaurant which has two Michelin stars.

Don’t miss

An early morning dip in the hot tub on the terrace, watching the clouds clear over the lake and the steam rise around you. The amazing art around the hotel. There are over 100 sculptures and paintings and the list includes originals by Damien Hurst, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.

Who would like it?

Spa weekenders: Zurich is just over an hour by plane and the Dolder Grand is only 20 minutes from the airport, so you can be in the spa within a couple of hours of leaving the UK.

Medi-spa enthusiasts. The Dolder Grand offers four themed spa days: Relax, Vitality, Beauty, Detox. All include medical consultations, hormone tests and ultrasound.

Find out more at: www.thedoldergrand.com

Getting to Switzerland

Switzerland is very close. Zurich is just over an hour away and Geneva is about 90 minutes by plane. Swiss Air, British Airways and Easyjet all fly to cities in Switzerland. The trains run on time and you can admire the snowy scenery from the windows of the Glacier Express train (www.glacierexpress.ch).

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues

Geneva

Geneva is in many ways at the centre of things. This is where the river Rhone starts, where world banks meet, the Red Cross was founded and the European United Nations Headquarters is based. Lake Geneva is huge and edged with vineyards and orchards. The expanse of water is wide, bringing light, air and flocks of swans into the city centre.

The Four Seasons Hotel de Bergues is elegant and beautifully restored. It’s also slap bang in the middle of Geneva with views overlooking the lake to Mont Blanc.

What’s on offer

Spa Mont Blanc is on the 6th and 7th floors with a good sized lap pool on the top floor and windows looking out over the city. There is a distinct Art Deco feel to the design and the loveliest hammam room with soft grey sculptured marble walls. Even the showers have sinuous silver handles on the front. The relaxation room is dark, quiet and cocoon-like. There is also a hair salon.

Tell us about the treatments

Biologic Recherche is a French brand and I was down to try the Anti-C Slimming Treatment – something I had not tried before. It involved using a massage mitt to shift stubborn cellulite. I would have sworn there is not much you can do about that orange peel dimpling most of us have somewhere. Now I know differently. Jesome, my energetic therapist applied an exfoliating cream and then worked it in using a massage mitt with some large (but thankfully soft) spikes on it. A booster mixture was applied and then she worked the Crème Anti C Lotion into my skin using a massage mitt with smaller spikes. She massaged firmly and in specific directions –stimulating rather than rough – before taking it down a notch to a light massage.

my upper arms, looked and felt wonderful. I would certainly have this treatment pre-holiday and then would not have to hide my legs!

Food Facts

We ate in the Il Lago restaurant sitting outside in the sunshine, watching the cosmopolitan world that is Geneva go by. A host of languages and cultures can all be seen and heard here. The food was modern, light and intensively flavoured. We had several amuse bouche to tantalise the taste buds. I tried roasted kid goat which tasted like a very tender beef – much better than the curried goat I’ve tried in India. My partner had sea bass served in a foam which was light, delicate and very healthy. As it got dark, we sneaked up to the Japanese restaurant on the rooftop where we could look out over the lights of the city.

Don’t miss

An evening swim in the rooftop pool at sunset when you can watch as the mountains are gilded with warm sunlight.

The painted floor-to-ceiling panels in the main dining room which tell the history of Geneva in pale pastels.

The chance to dodge into the Jet d’Eau fountain on the bridge over Lake Geneva. We were cowards and just watched as others took it in turns to try to get past without getting wet, and failed amid much hilarity.

Who would like it?

Weekend spa goers. Geneva is small enough to explore on foot, buzzy enough to make a memorable trip, and the Four Seasons is central, so makes a great base.

Beach babes who want to reveal peach smooth skin on holiday. This treatment works!

Sybarites who like luxury, glorious surroundings, good food and a small but perfect spa.

Find out more at: www.fourseasons.com/geneva

Kempinski Grand Hôtel des Bains Saint Moritz

The Kempinski Grand Hôtel des Bains is located right at the Mauritius spring, the root of St Moritz, and has direct access to the ski and hiking Corviglia region. The legendary Hahnensee ski run ends in front of the hotel and the cross-country ski runs of the Engadine ski marathon pass it too.

What’s on offer

The hotel itself is massive, white as a snowy mountain peak with blue shuttered windows, and two rather grand towers. It has ski-in ski-out facilities and extensive training facilities for winter sports.

Kempinski The Spa is large too, with many varieties of thermal rooms on offer – ideal for winter sport enthusiasts to warm up in. Visit the Finnish sauna, bio sauna, herbal sauna, stone sauna or steam bath and then cool off in the laconium.

The 15-metre pool is kept at 29 degrees in summer and 31 in winter. There is a sheltered garden with water feature and walkway so you can walk over smooth warm slabs of stone, rounded pebbles or loose stones: a reflexology walk to stimulate the pressure points on your feet.

In warm weather there is a terrace area with seating outside the swimming pool.

Tell us about the treatments

I was booked in for a seasonal massage and machine-led facial. The perfect balance.

Tatyana, my therapist, has a longstanding interest in healing, so she spent some time asking about my lifestyle initially. The spa is managed by spa consultancy Resense, and in a similar way to Kempinski Spas around the world, the treatment oils are named after the seasons, each season reflecting a feeling. We opted for the Spring in Your Step detoxing treatment which involves body brushing before an uplifting massage. I usually ask for a firm massage, but Tatyana suggested that as my skin is sensitive I should have a gentle massage. It was very detailed and carefully done and I realised that expertise and careful attention to detail can achieve more than a vigorous rub. At one point during the massage she held her hands over the scars on my back (from an accident) and said that as they felt hot she would concentrate on them for a while. They didn’t fade but my back did feel much looser for a day or so.

I then had a HydraFacial MD® treatment, a rejuvenating skin resurfacing treatment that is not yet available in any UK spas. Having tried it I am sure it will be coming to a spa near you soon!

This is a machine-assisted treatment and it involves four stages. First, my therapist Liliana deep cleansed and exfoliated to remove debris from the skin, then she applied an acid peel. Extractions were followed by a collagen mask with an LED light. The hydra-facial machine pushes the product into the top layer of the skin. It’s a ‘tornado into your pores’ according to Lilianna.

The peel was tingly (but not painfully so), especially over my cheeks where I have some sun damage. Liliana worked hard on the wrinkles around my eyes, which she suggested is also due to sun damage rather than plain old aging.

She placed the collagen mask over my face then shone a blue LED light on it.

My lips have thinned over the years – a real age give-away –and Liliana took great delight in letting me see in the mirror as she ran the hydra-facial machine over them. As she pumped the hydrating fluid into them there was an almost immediate effect: my lips pinked up and looked plumper than they have done for years!

My skin is sensitive so it was red for a while after the treatment, but within the hour had calmed down.

The results were visible. The deep lines that have developed between my nose and the edges of my mouth softened, the sun damaged areas were much improved and my skin was more hydrated.

Don’t miss

Taking the waters. Paracelsus, the great early doctor of middle Europe, brought his patients to drink from the natural spring here, and it still works. The water is soft and clear and not at all like the sulphur waters found in British traditional spas

Trying the variety of saunas – who knew that you could sauna in a cowshed?

Who would like it?

Anyone beginning to notice the signs of aging. The difference is visible after one treatment.

Men. The spa is quite masculine in greys and reds, so great for men who don’t like frilly spas. There are plenty of sports training and gym facilities on site too.

Find out more at: www.kempinski.com/en/st-moritz/grand-hotel-des-bains

Badrutt’s Palace St Moritz

Badrutt’s Palace is in the middle of St Moritz and is both a legend and a landmark. It was opened by Herr Badrutt in 1896 and has been going strong ever since. It still has a sense of Victorian grandeur with a huge central walkway which was once used by Victorian ladies to promenade.

What’s on offer

The spa is a delightful surprise. Take the lift six stories below the ground floor of the hotel and you step out into a cave, dimly lit with three small waterfalls running down flat metal sheets. Walk down the very plain corridor and suddenly the space opens out to a bright, modern spa that overlooks the lake. There is light and space everywhere, in contrast to the dim cave. The huge glass-sided room with an oval 25-metre swimming pool is the centrepiece of the spa. Recliners all round mean there is ample space to sit beside the pool. Swim through a liftup screen to the outdoor hot tub, and laze in wonderfully warm water with the sun on your back. Gaze out at snow topped mountains and passing clouds. There are heat experiences in each changing room, and shared thermal rooms in the main spa area leading to the pool.

The spa’s theme is ‘wellness’ and they even have their own ‘wellness advisor’ Martha Weideman. Of an Indian family, but having grown up in Australia, she was keen to combine the sense of the outdoor life with the traditions of Ayurvedic medicine. The aim of the spa is to bring a sense of wellbeing to guests, so all ingredients are organic and natural.

Tell us about the treatments

I had the three hour ‘top to toe treatment’ which took place in one of the two spa suites. The suite feels very private and quite palatial. The treatment was equally palatial, since it involved three therapists often working at the same time!

The treatment began with a body scrub, a shower and then a light massage. This was followed by a facial using products from the Swiss product house Amala. There was even a stem cell serum for the eye area. I was slightly worried about using something with stem cells in, but have to admit that the end result was exceptional.

Then came the hair treatment. My hair was washed, a serum was pasted onto my damp hair and then each strand was steamed so the serum was pushed into the fibres.

I was then told that Marco ‘the famous hairdresser from Milano’ would come and do the blow dry.

Marco very patiently blow dried my naturally very fine hair starting at the top. Most hairdressers pin the top layer up and start at the bottom, Marco explained that by starting at the top, blow drying along the hair shaft and then letting each strand turn over as it cools, helps to make hair both smooth and shiny as well as giving lift and volume. And it worked. My hair looked both glossy and full. I looked pretty film star-ish at the end of the three hours. My skin was glowing, my hair was voluptuous and shining, and my hands and feet polished.

Food Facts

The main restaurant at Badrutt’s Palace is called, simply, Le Restaurant and offers a little bit of 1920s grandeur. There is

a small stairway as you enter, designed so guests can pause at the top giving everyone already seated time to turn and admire the newcomers. You are then greeted by the maître d’ and escorted to your table. The food is equally grand. Dishes are carved, served or even flambéed at side tables.

If you fancy something a little more relaxed, head for the Swiss/Italian restaurant a few yards up the hill. The spa café serves fresh and light salads, snacks and hot meals, and wonderful smoothies.

Don’t miss

Arriving by train – which takes you through the snowy mountains (two hours from Zurich) and the hotel has three vintage Rolls Royces to collect guests from the station in style.

The events in the village. We missed the Mozart weekend by a few days but did enjoy the collection of vintage Italian sport cars that graced the streets. There are festivals and activities galore if you want to time your trip around an event.

Booking a hair treatment. Not many spas offer this but it is well worth trying.

Who would like it?

Anyone keen on a bit of grandeur and luxury for a special occasion. The peaceful, calm and beautifully designed spa space makes it a real treat.

Wellness fans who want to jumpstart a new lifestyle.

Find out more at: www.badruttspalace.com

Alpina Gstaad Gstaad

Gstaad itself is quite small and very select. Houses here cost considerably more than houses in London, which may be why it has been home to superstars such as Julie Andrews and Roger Moore.

The Alpina Gstaad is a new hotel, built into the hillside above the town to make the best of the mountain views. The architecture is stunning, the combination of natural woods, stone and leather create warmth and a sense of comfort and security – vital in a world that is covered in snow for eight or nine months of the year.

What’s on offer?

You can get lost in the spa. As it is a Six Senses Spa, I half expected an Asian feel. But here it has been adapted to fit in the Alpine environment with stone walls, sheets of running water, soft coloured cushions, and bright flowers.

The indoor pool is 25 metres long, so great for a good swim and stretch, or you can just laze in one of the two whirlpools. There are huge blocks of limestone at one end, with waterfalls running down the wall, so it feels like being inside an alpine grotto.

There are single sex heat experience areas in each of the changing rooms, plus the indoor pool and whirlpools, and the outdoor pool. There is also a gym and a fitness studio for regular Pilates and yoga sessions.

In the ladies’ changing room there is a steam room, a gently warm sanarium, a hot tub with massage jets, a cold plunge pool, an ice shower for the brave, and two experience showers. The mens’ changing room has the same but a hot sauna rather than a sanarium.

Tell us about the treatments

I had a 60-minute holistic massage. Konstantina, my therapist began with warm cloths on my feet, then sounded a bell from a Tibetan singing bowl which was deep, sonorous and gently reverberated around the treatment room. Konstantina laid the bowl gently on my lower back so the vibrations travelled along my spine.

I had requested a gentle massage and it was gentle, but no less effective for it. Konstantina did plenty of detailed work on the tense muscles around my shoulders and neck, and some lovely sweeping movements along my back which helped me relax. The head massage was effective, without involving any hair pulling which I hate! So by the time the singing bowl was sounded again to signify the end of the treatment, I was completely tension-free.

A cup of hot ginger tea with honey in the café area helped me wake up enough to explore the spa facilities.

Food Facts

The spa juice bar offers hot and cold drinks. MEGU, a modern Japanese restaurant offers ultra-fresh sushi made to order. You can watch the chef creating tiny parcels of intense flavour. The main Sommet restaurant offers modern French cuisine. My sole from Brittany was huge and was deftly de-boned at the table.

Don’t miss

Swimming in the outdoor pool early in the morning with steam rising around you from the warm water, while you watch the clouds lift from the valley and reveal the beauty of the surrounding mountains

The breakfast honey which is created by busy bees housed in the hotel grounds.

A trip to the nearby Glacier 3000. Two cable car rides take you up to the glacier, a huge river of ice on the mountain top. A metal bridge has been slung between two small peaks so you can walk over part of it. Do look down – the views are fantastic! We could see the Matterhorn with a sea of cloud around it.

Who would like it?

Luxury lovers. The hotel is beautiful and the service impeccable. This is a place to rest and relax, see and be seen. It’s a hedonist’s idea of heaven.

Anyone needing a break from a busy schedule. The calmness and serenity of Gstaad itself and the hotel and spa will let you slow down and enjoy life again. It’s on my bucket list to go again in winter when the snow would make it perfect.

Find out more at: www.thealpinagstaad.ch

Nira Alpina Silvaplana

Silvaplana village nestles in a lovely sheltered valley just a few miles from Saint Moritz. The mountains here go up to 13,000 feet, so the scenery is dramatic. Spend the day on the slopes (skiing or walking) then come back to the Nira Spa and warm up in the sauna, use the hydrotherapy pool and have a very good massage.

What’s on offer

You have to enter the hotel through the garage, a true sign that this is a snow heavy area! Once inside, the building is arranged so that large floor-to-ceiling windows give views of the valley and the mountains. Wake up in the morning, open your curtains and you peer out at streams of clouds snaking their way around the snow-clad mountain peaks.

The overall feel here is of an upmarket ski lodge, with much use of stone and wood, and seats covered in cow skin. It’s spacious, modern and not short of comforts.

Triple-glazing and open fires keep you warm in the winter and the spa is a softly-lit haven on the second floor, with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, foot baths and experience showers.

Tell us about the treatments

Treatments are not fancy on the surface, but boy are they effective. My Aromatherapy Massage was deeply relaxing. My Moisture Repair Facial – recommended for dry, dehydrated skin – used jasmine, papaya, jojoba oil and shea butter, and felt like a real skin treat. The lift-off face mask left my skin feeling bright and fresh.

Treatments are tailored for the energetic. The signature Nira Alpina Journey combines hot stones, wooden bamboo sticks and an aromatic balm to create a deep massage – perfect after a day spent on the mountains. The salt stone massage uses crystal stones to soothe away stress, tension and pollutants.

There’s even a foot and leg ritual, a massage treatment that focuses on the deep leg muscles which need to be in top condition for skiing and walking. It’s all perfectly tailored for keen sports people, or perhaps those who want to rediscover their alpine sports prowess!

Food Facts

Breakfast is great: homemade bread from their own bakery, really good coffee and food cooked to order.

The rooftop bar serves hot food and snacks, and lovely cocktails.

The Stars restaurant does international and local dishes and uses mostly local produce. My starter of ravioli with lemon and mint was a real winner. The veal and fish were both perfectly cooked.

Don’t miss

Sitting in the warm hydropool and looking out over the mountains. Just outside the wet zone is a nursery slope for children learning to ski, so in winter you can watch little ones becoming proficient skiers, and maybe pick up a tip or two!

Breakfast with the dozen or so locally made jams and the milk from the ‘happy cows’ who graze on the succulent grass on the valley floor.

An evening in the rooftop bar; excellent service, sociable and great fun after a busy day out and about.

Who would like it?

Energetic skiers, walkers and mountain bikers. If your bestbeloved likes a busy life, but you prefer to relax, you can head for a day in the spa while they tackle the mountains. Families. The Nira Alpina is well geared up for families with fold-out beds in some of the rooms and children are allowed in the spa until 5.30 pm.

Find out more at: www.niraalpina.com

Beau Rivage Palace Lausanne

The Cinq Mondes Spa at Beau Rivage Palace is built as a mirror of the outdoor pool and park area overlooking Lake Geneva. The 1,500 square metre spa includes an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam, sauna, ‘tropical rain promenade’, relaxation room, and six treatment rooms. Try the Suite de Félicité à Deux, a couples’ treatment room with a spectacular Japanese bath, and choose The Royal Taoist ritual which includes the Japanese bath ceremony, scrub, massage and facial.

Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva

Le Spa by Resense at the Grand Hotel Kempinski has an edgier design than many others, with heavy metal beams over the pool area, but the service and treatments are much more holistic. You’ll find the pool, steam, sauna, relaxation area and treatment rooms on the 2nd floor of the hotel. The private spa suite is a wonderfully indulgent way to spa with its own steam, relaxation area, outdoor terrace and dual hydrobath.

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz Bad Ragaz

The 36.5° Wellbeing and Thermal Spa at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is designed to help you recuperate from the stresses of modern life. Health is woven in everywhere from the treatments to the food to the thermal-spring pools. Stay in the spa to enjoy a spa-style massage or head to the nearby health clinic where you can consult with a wide range of doctors from neurologist to internists and dermatologists.

Clinique la Prairie Clarens-Montreux

The famed Clinic La Prairie is rumoured to have been visited by everyone from Winston Churchill to Marlene Dietrich as an antiaging retreat. Traditionally guests would have the rejuvenation therapy which included injections of live cells extracted from lamb foetuses, but nowadays you can opt for anything from cardiology to manicures and pedicures. The spa area has a pool, sauna, steam, kniepp bath, relaxation area and café.

Chedi Andermatt Andermatt

The Chedi Andermatt is a relative newcomer to the Swiss spa scene, opening its doors in December 2013. But the luxurious hotel has firmly been put on the map with skiers from Verbier or St Moritz flocking to Andermatt. The spa is as stunning as the hotel. Views from the glass-roofed pool overlook traditional Swiss buildings and snowy trees. As well as two pools, there’s also a Finnish sauna, bio-sauna, steam room, sol steam, Jacuzzi, and hot and cold plunge pools.

Tschuggen Grand Hotel Arosa

The spa at Tschuggen Grand Hotel was designed by architect Mario Batto and uses shapes and geometry to accent the pale stone and glass structures. The curved glass spa suites are the perfect place for romance. Explore the indoor and outdoor pools, mountain sauna with snow terrace, bio sauna, steam room, ice and shower zone, relaxation rooms and sun terrace.

If you’re heading to Switzerland this ski season, you might also like to try these splendid Swiss spas.

Le Spa by Resense at the Grand Hotel Kempinski

Feed Your Skin

Dry, flaky skin and chapped lips are common winter complaints, and the natural response is to reach for trusty moisture-rich lotions, serums and lip balms. However, if you’re eating unhealthily, smoking and drinking alcohol, but not protecting your skin from the sun or topping up your liquids, you might just as well pour all the money you’re spending on beauty products down the waste disposal unit.

Diet is important for our looks and health, although it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the conflicting information out there. One week chocolate and wine are killers, the next (in moderation) it prevents cancer. Then the following week it all changes again: wheat gluten is the devil, fats are good, and sugar causes obesity.

To add to it all there’s a conflict between the medical profession and nutritionists. Doctors may see people as individual symptoms rather than holistically interconnected organisms, but are at least regulated and scientifically backed. Nutritionists are popping up everywhere giving us advice on health foods (while often selling their own brands), and yet aren’t subject to professional regulation, while their claims about so-called ‘superfoods’ have little or no scientific evidence.

Dr Fred Wadsworth bridges that gap. He trained as a senior doctor and is now a nutritionist to athletes, including the English cricket and rugby teams,

and part of the Fitter Stronger team at Chewton Glen. During his training, he felt that the crucial role of lifestyle in general health was being overlooked. His approach is not just to tell us to eat more kale, but to look at psychology, sleep, food and exercise.

For practical healthy eating tips, we spoke to nutritionist Maggie Horrigan, who previously worked as a registered nurse and designed the delicious menu for Weaver’s House Spa in Suffolk.

For both, the key advice for maintaining a healthy glow, especially over winter, is to keep drinking water.

Keep hydrated

“There are arguments for and against drinking two litres of water a day,” says Wadsworth. “But I think until the evidence comes in, there is a lot to suggest it is good for you and nothing to say it’s bad.”

If we are dehydrated, one of the first places it shows is in our complexion, which may become scaly and dry. Also dehydration leads to headaches, lack of sleep and dark circles under our eyes. Not a good look.

The trouble is that in winter we don’t get as thirsty because we’re not overheating and losing moisture through sweat. Wadsworth advises starting a hydrating routine so that it will eventually become a habit.

“One way is to have a small 500ml bottle of water three times a day –morning, lunch and afternoon,” he says.

“If you are taking water to bed and drinking it in the night, it’s a sign that you are dehydrated. If you drink enough in the day, it should see you through the seven hours of sleep. You want to make drinking water an unthinking habit.”

His other slightly more doctorly advice is to check your urine colour. He has a pantone colour chart if you want to get really serious about it, but the basic principal is: if your wee is dark, you’re dehydrated. If it’s pale, you’re dandy.

Talking of which, what about all those Christmas and New Year parties? Alcohol is thought to be terribly dehydrating and ageing. In an ideal world, we’d all keep within the government guidelines (“about a bottle of wine a week,” says Wadsworth). But if you have friends, or indeed over-attentive waiters, topping up your drinks, that’s not going to happen.

“If you know you’re going to drink, intersperse the alcohol with lots of water,” says Horrigan. “It’ll help flush out the toxins and make you less dehydrated.”

For the morning after, try Horrigan’s hangover cure: a beetroot and apple smoothie, as beetroot helps stimulate the liver’s detoxification process.

Embrace good fats

While fat used to be the devil’s spawn in diet world, fatty acids such as omega-3 and 6 are now considered superfoods for the skin, with anti-inflammatory actions and overall skin-soothing properties. These are found in oily fish such as

salmon, nuts, seeds, linseed and flax oils and nut milks. Another bonus: one recent study found omega 3 in fatty fish promoted collagen creation, which makes skin plump and youthful.

Avoid processed food

It’s easier to avoid white rice, pasta and bread in the summer. But in winter we tend to ditch the superfood salads for comforting meals – hot, filling and usually full of naughty carbs, the kind our bodies quickly revert to sugar instead of energy.

“We didn’t evolve to eat this much sugar and processed foods,” explains Wadsworth. “The food industry makes a fortune out of refined carbohydrates, such as cereal and sugar. Our body doesn’t like things we absorb quickly and as a result we have peaks and slumps of energy. There has to be a degree of processing to maintain a constant flow.”

Horrigan agrees, adding that if we eat things our body needs and avoid things it doesn’t – like pesticides and all the chemical extras you see in the ingredients of processed food – we have less waste products building up in our bodies. If we have an overload of toxins, they are eliminated through our skin. Obviously, leaking waste through one’s pores is not going to end well complexion-wise.

“Cook from scratch and use as little processed food as possible,” Horrigan advises. “Check the ingredients especially in breads and cakes. And you don’t have to pay through the nose to eat well. Have you ever wondered why the expensive ‘superior’ ranges look so

perfect? It’s not normal for every apple to look the same. Often the cheaper ‘basic’ foods in supermarkets are more natural and sustainable.

“Even if a food doesn’t carry the ‘organic’ label, it can still have been farmed responsibly and without chemicals. Make sure your lamb is grassfed as it contains more omega-3. Talk to your grocer and butcher, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. And check out the Slow Food movement near you.” www.slowfood.org.uk

Cook slow on low

Warm, hearty food is still good for you, as long as it’s cooked slowly and on a low heat. That way you don’t destroy the vitamins and minerals, especially anti-oxidants found in dark green, russet red (sweet potatoes) and bright orange vegetables (pumpkins), beans and fish.

“You can put a casserole on a very low heat in the oven when you go to work, and come home to a warm tasty meal full of nutritional goodness,” says Horrigan. “If you’re worried about burning the house down, slow cookers are great and only cost around £25-£35.”

Steam your greens

Boiling the life out of your veg kills all the good stuff, so steam everything as lightly as possible. Dark green veg especially contains anti-aging vitamin C and antioxidants. These attack the free radicals that cause cell damage and are linked with cancer and aging. Horrigan recommends eating them drizzled with linseed oil.

Eat berries

Superfood fruits like purple, red and blue grapes, blueberries and red berries contain antioxidants and vitamin C. Sprinkle on your porridge and stir in some pre-soaked nuts and seeds for the perfect skin-friendly comfort breakfast.

Keep your PH balanced

This is where it gets technical. Basically, Horrigan explains, when we eat anything, our bodies break it down creating an acid or alkaline effect. A good balance leans more towards alkaline, whereas excess acid causes inflammation, which means we’re less able to fight infection and more liable to rashes and pimples.

Alkaline foods are fruit and vegetables, especially dark greens. Neutral are brown rice, quinoa and grains. Acid is sugar, white carbs, wine, chocolate and meat.

Don’t panic

“If you’re stressed your body will struggle,” says Maggie. “It will undermine all the good you’re doing if your immune system is under attack.”

Stress can cause IBS, migraine, sleep disorders, illness and skin eruptions, she warns. If you are suffering with any of these symptoms, you may want to look at lifestyle changes too.

“Go ahead and eat well and have your nourishing, relaxing spa treatments,” she says. “But make sure you go easy on yourself too. Slowly ease in the good stuff before you phase out the bad.”

And give yourself a break if you do slip into old habits. This is the holiday season after all.

Winter Masks

Give your skin the love it deserves as the cold snap hits! Pour a glass of wine, run a bath and pamper your skin. Meet your mask match...

In winter, you wrap up every part of your body, leaving your poor face exposed to the brutal elements. Just when you want it looking its best, central heating sucks moisture from your skin, cold winds act like sandpaper and lack of sunlight leaves you looking pale and washed out. If you do have the remnants of a summer tan, rehydration is even more crucial. But what can you do to put colour, plumpness and moisture back into your cheeks?

Face masks are a great quick fix solution. You may have dropped them from your beauty routine in the summer when you’re too busy out raving in the

sunshine. But as the nights draw in, the evenings become languorous. There’s more time for long, hot baths and self-indulgent pampering. Those ten or fifteen minutes doing nothing while you wait for your mask to dry can also help you wind down at the end of a busy day, preparing you for a good night’s sleep. Just make sure you choose a mask that suits your skin type.

Our tip for those with combination skins: apply more stringent and cleansing masks to your T-zone, then add hydrating masks to your cheeks and neck. Here we try four masks to see how they can light up your winter complexion.

Rodial Glamoxy ™ Snake Mask

50ml / £68

Main ingredients: Face-freezing neuro dipeptide sny-ake

Skin Type: Urban cougar

Not everything has to be au naturel. For the Snow Queen divas among you who want to stay young without sacrificing virgins or going under the knife, this face mask has an aura of wintry black magic about it. While other products smell of lemons or organic herb gardens, this one has the eye-watering fragrance of a stiff vodka martini. Its second ingredient is alcohol. Other notable property: it’s black. It feels like you’re smearing on acrylic paint with the accompanying feeling of childish glee mingled with a terror that it might never come off again. It chills and tightens during the 20 minutes it takes to dry, then peels off rather pleasingly, like a silk stocking. My skin was left feeling as smooth, pink and youthful as a baby’s bottom, and looked flawless.

VOYA Get Glowing Face Mask

50ml / £32

Main ingredients:

Fucus serratus extract, rosemary, sunflower, eucalyptus, lavender

Skin type: All

The powerful aroma of this product hits you before you’ve even opened the lid of the glass jar. Notes of rosemary and eucalyptus are particularly potent, and therefore perfect if you’re bunged up with cold. The mask itself has a rather dull green/grey appearance, which is expected, since the main ingredient is organic Irish seaweed. It glided on smoothly, and as I waited ten minutes, my skin felt tingly as the active ingredients got to work. The potent smell, meanwhile, totally revived my senses. It rinsed off easily and I could see a noticeable glow to my skin – so yes, it does what it says. I was told it would be

perfect for special occasions and I agree: my skin never looked better, but the results were short-term. By morning I noticed it had dulled a little. Despite such dramatic results, it felt gentle and didn’t aggravate my sensitive skin.

Oskia Renaissance Mask

50ml / £48

Main ingredients: MSM, passion fruit, grape, lemon and grapefruit AHAs, papaya enzymes

Skin type: All

Oskia’s Renaissance Mask gleams translucent coral pink in its little glass jar and smells like a fruit punch with a hint of rose gardens. Resist the temptation to eat it, and instead massage the pink gloop in firm circular movements. The motion activates the bio-available nutrients, including the mineral MSM, which is said to promote collagen renewal, brighten the skin and decrease inflammation. There’s also some exfoliation going on too, although it doesn’t feel remotely rough. After a few seconds of this, it turns creamy white to let you know it’s been ‘properly applied’. Give it ten minutes if you have sensitive skin, fifteen if you are used to the product. On the website (not on the box for some reason) they recommend you splash on some water and give the mask another massage for one last bio-active burst before removing it. Removal was easy, possibly because it feels like a moisturiser, so you don’t have the urge to get every last bit off. After, my skin felt satiny smooth and soft with a wholesome peachy glow. Oskia recommend using no more than twice a week for lasting results.

Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask

50ml / £59

Main Ingredients: Rose, cranberry, aloe, strawberry seed extract, shea butter, honey, frankincense and myrrh

Skin type: Dry, mature

Thalgo Melt Away Mask

50ml / £29.75

Main ingredients: Mango and shea butter as well as rose and algomega complex (the marine algae ingredient and Thalgo’s USP)

Skin Type: Dry and very dry

This mask from marine based product house Thalgo offers instant comfort if your skin is suffering severe winter chaffing, sunburn from the ski slopes, or just a bit of central heatingrelated dehydration. In French they call it Masque Fondant, and it does indeed smell like fondant or butter icing. It comes in a tube, feels and looks buttery, and spreads smoothly on face and neck. Once applied, it has an almost instant “ahh” effect as you settle down for fifteen minutes to dream about cakes. It didn’t dry or harden, but after a while simply absorbed into my skin leaving a fine sheen like a wet varnish. It rinsed away easily, and my skin felt deliciously smooth, soft, supple and moisturised without feeling at all oily or tight. Yummy.

As it says on the tube, this is an overnight mask for an intense rejuvenating treatment. However, you can just use it for two hours to achieve results. It’s a very light creamy texture and easy to apply. When it dries, it becomes almost rubbery, so you can sleep without getting it all over your pillow. You can feel it settling tightly over your skin, but not uncomfortably, and it doesn’t crack when completely dried. The only thing to be aware of rushing out late for work/school run the next morning without removing it (hey, these things happen!). Once rinsed off, even after two hours, I noticed my pores had visibly reduced, while my moisturiser glided across the glowing, satiny surface of my skin. I was so pleased with the results that I will hoard it throughout the winter. If you have really dry skin, apply over your face oil and leave on overnight for a super-intensified skin treat.

Spa + food

Are you looking for healthy, nutritious, organic or raw food? Or perhaps you want to indulge in culinary riches, Michelin dining or afternoon tea? There are spas that can satisfy your tastebuds!

Juices and smoothies

Smoothies are on-trend in the spa world. Don’t be surprised if your therapist brings you a mini smoothie post-treatment –the hit of (natural) sugar will help you wake up from your treatment and tickle your taste buds, as well as contribute to your daily vitamin intake.

Green smoothies are promoted as being good for the skin... worth a try and an easy way to eat your greens as most contain spinach, kale, bok choy, or avocado, all sweetened with berries or fruits. Some may have coconut water, cucumber juice or almond milk in them. Smoothies made with bananas taste rich and creamy and are useful if you are skipping lunch, as they fill you up.

Healthy and nutritious

Healthy foods are a perfect partner for spa-ing. You may be a vegan, vegetarian, healthy eating fan, or just want to treat your body to a day of goodness. Even if you’re not into healthy foods, why not give it a go on your spa day. You may find it surprisingly delicious as many top chefs are becoming more nutritionally aware. Most spas offer healthy snacks too. Some have ‘help yourself’ bowls of fresh fruit, others provide dried fruits and nuts, and we have even been offered a dish of frozen grapes after a treatment.

Agua at Sanderson’s spa packages include anti-oxidant smoothies, salads and healthy canapés.

Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall has Asian inspired foods, all intensively favoured and available as small bowls or large bowls.

Calcot Spa in Tetbury offers delcious healthy food including superfood salads, juices and smoothies, while overlooking a gorgeous lavender-lined courtyard.

Go organic

Organic ingredients are thought to be healthier as they avoid pesticides. Research shows organic foods are of a higher nutritional quality, have more antioxidants, less calories and have a lower concentration of negative elements which could affect your health. Delicious and better for you!

Bamford Haybarn’s menu features fresh organic ingredients straight from the local farm. And you can pop into the kitchen shop to stock up with healthy foods to take home.

Chewton Glen has its own huge kitchen garden, growing vegetables

and herbs for the hotel. They even have their own beehives scattered around the grounds. The spa food is designed to fit with an alkaline diet which is thought to improve digestion, skin tone and help with weight loss.

Raw food

A ‘raw foodist’ eats 75-100 per cent live, uncooked and unprocessed food. Expect to eat lots of salad, fruit and grain based mains. Raw food specialists make interesting and usual dishes from everyday ingredients... a green power salad maybe or ‘rice’ made from raw cauliflower. Don’t knock it until you have tried it. We were impressed!

For raw food try Weavers’ House Spa or Herb House at Lime Wood, where they offer a healthy and nutritious menu to follow this diet.

The Vineyard Spa

Mad Hatters Tea at The Sanderson Hotel

Michelin starred food

The crème de la crème of fine dining and exceptional restaurants, Michelin starred food is an experience in itself. The many courses and artistic flair may not be to everybody’s tastes, but if you do enjoy a Michelin-style indulgence, hunt out a spa with a Michelin starred restaurant at the hotel. After relaxing and enjoying spa facilities and treatments, make the most of your clean and glowing complexion by dressing up to go to dinner, and let your taste buds take over!

Pennyhill Park, with its impressive 45,000 square feet of spa, has food so impressive that The Laytmer is one of six restaurants in the UK to hold two Michelin stars and five AA rosettes.

At Lucknam Park, which features a spa with indoor/outdoor pool and thermal cabins, you can dine in the main restaurant which earned its Michelin star for contemporary English food with a French twist.

Ockenden Manor’s spa and Michelin starred restaurant make the most of the stunning Sussex countryside with wonderful views and fresh local ingredients.

You can also spa and dine Michelinstyle at The Vineyard in Berkshire, and The Club Hotel and Spa, Jersey.

Sweet treats and afternoon tea

Afternoon tea may not naturally be associated with a healthy spa day. But we cry foul! Who doesn’t love a

manicure and a madeleine? A facial and a fondant fancy? If you’re visiting a spa for a day of relaxation and spending time with friends, then adding a delicious afternoon tea into the day can only enhance your enjoyment. Delightful mini sandwiches and sweet treats, golden-topped scones smothered in clotted cream, a pot of tea – and time in the spa. This may be your dream combination, and many spas offer afternoon tea packages.

We’re partial to The Spa and Bath House at the Royal Crescent, which offers three types of afternoon tea depending on how sweet your tooth is. You might also like to try the quirky

Mad Hatters Tea at The Sanderson, London. Or a Lake District afternoon tea with beautiful views at Armathwaite Hall. And don’t forget to try afternoon tea with Wedgewood at The Langham, often claimed to be the birthplace of afternoon tea. Chuan Spa at The Langham has a philosophy steeped in Traditional Chinese Medicine, so try an Obsidian Chuan Nurturing treatment followed by a cup of Oolong tea packed full of anti-oxidants.

Cookery schools

If you’re passionate not only about eating, but also cooking food, adding a cookery course onto a spa break could make for a pretty perfect weekend. Learn how to recreate your own fine dining at home, impress your friends at dinner parties or refine your culinary skills across continental cuisines. If you liked the healthy food you tried on your spa day, you could also find a cookery class to show you how to cook similar dishes and continue your nutritional journey.

Daylesford Cookery School offers organic, eat to be healthy and raw cookery classes. Make the most of their Health and Wellness Retreat package including yoga, a treatment at Bamford Haybarn Spa and ‘eat healthy’ cookery classes. Lucknam Park will let you in on the Michelin star secrets with Michelin chef-led classes. The Swan at Lavenham, home to Weavers Spa, has inspirational cookery classes complete with recipes and taste samplings. At Pennyhill Park they hold bakery masterclasses for those who prefer their breads, cakes and pastries. Limewood boasts an extensive on-site cookery school, as does Swinton Park which holds classes of many levels and cuisines, with gourmet weekends available. If you’re partial to wine, The Vineyard teams up with local cookery school Woodspeen and offers spa plus wine packages.

Whether fine dining, afternoon tea or healthy dining takes your fancy there’s a spa to fit your taste. And don’t be afraid of missing out on your favourite treats at a spa (we’ve all heard the horror stories of spa visitors stuffing overnight bags full of chocolate): most have enough options whether you want to lose weight, indulge or discover new foods.

Michael Wignall at The Latymer

The Bakery at Pennyhill Park

Lift,sculpt, pamper or plump?

Body treatment is a blanket term for a whole gamut of different therapies from wraps and masks, to baths and rasuls. But which one is which?

Abody treatment covers a host of therapies , but if you take massage out of the equation, you’ll find a selection of treatments that will leave your skin smooth, soft, plumped, detoxified or even slimmer! During a body treatment you might be:

• massaged or scrubbed with a particular oil, cream or mineral

• wrapped or enveloped in something –perhaps mud, seaweed or even plastic

• immersed or soaked in a liquid, such as water or algae

• stroked, treated with or exposed to something external – like brushes, magnets, electric current, or lights. Different body treatments are good for different things and they are usually clear about their goals.

You may have a fairly rigorous  scrub to exfoliate, moisturise and reduce cellulite. Or you could choose to firm up your stomach muscles and bottom by having a series of electromagnetic pulses passed through your body.

You might decide that you want to pay penance for unhealthy eating by being wrapped in algae for a few hours to be detoxified. Or you may choose to embark on a series of body treatments designed to help you change your lifestyle and your shape. This may involve looking at your diet and exercise regime, as well as having a therapeutic massage or lymphatic drainage.

Generally, body treatments fall into four categories; scrubs, wraps and

masks, different types of baths, and heated experiences such as a hammam or rasul. Most body treatments will leave you feeling invigorated and relaxed – a powerful combination.

What should I take?

This will depend on what kind of treatment you are going for. Your best bet is to contact the spa beforehand. They will be able to tell you how soon in advance you should get there, what to expect, whether or not you need to take anything.

Precautions

Whatever treatment you’re having you should always tell the therapist if you are, or think you might be, pregnant.

You should also tell them of any medical conditions you have, including treatments or medications you are receiving, as they may affect which body treatment is suitable for you. Drink plenty of water before, during and after to avoid getting dehydrated, especially if you have a heat treatment or a massage. Avoid big meals and alcohol before your treatments as this could make you feel uncomfortable or even ill.

Hot tip!

Have a sauna or steam bath before your treatment. This will open your pores, soothe your muscles and make sure you are really relaxed so that you can get full benefit from your body treatment.

Scrubs

A scrub or body polish is a treatment which exfoliates the skin leaving it feeling fresh, smooth, moisturised and soft. An abrasive product is rubbed vigorously, and massaged across and into your skin.

It is then rinsed away to reveal a moisturised layer of fresh, clean and smooth skin. Scrubs or polishing products usually include an oily base which moisturises and soothes your skin as it is exfoliated.

A scrub will not only leave your skin beautifully soft and pampered, it can be really invigorating as well. It can also encourage blood circulation and lymph flow which improves skin tone.

Different spas will have their own unique scrub rituals, as well as facilities, equipment and rooms. It is usual to have it lying down, and if you’re lucky on a heated plinth or table to keep you warm while you have your treatment. The table will get wet during the treatment as the product is washed off your body.

Somehow, despite the fact that they scrub and wash your whole body, you’ll be almost entirely covered for the whole treatment, as towels are expertly rolled and folded to maintain your dignity.

Before the treatment begins, the therapist may ask you what kind of product you prefer, giving you a choice of aromas or asking whether you want to feel relaxed or revitalised by the body scrub. They should also tell you something about the product and procedure so that you know what’s going to happen.

The scrub will usually start with one side of your back, and the product will be swept up and down your body simultaneously – this is really invigorating. The therapist will then work across your body, rubbing, scrubbing and massaging one area at a time, and then rinsing you off with warm soft water, covering you with a towel before moving on to the next part.

At the end of the treatment you should be left to have a good shower, to wash away any remains of the product.

Different types of scrubs

Salt and oil: Finely granulated salt is mixed with an essential, moisturising oil. The salt might be sea or mineral. Sugar is also used, mixed with oils or creams.

Loofah: Some body scrubs use cream and a loofah to slough off dead skin cells.

Herbal: A therapist may mix a herbal oil with the exfoliating scrub, such as rosemary, lavender or aloe vera, depending on your skin type and whether the scrub is designed to wake you up or relax you.

Fruit: Some body scrubs mix crushed seeds with fruit oils, oatmeal and other edible products to nourish and soothe the skin.

Body brushing: A thorough and firm (but not hard) brushing of the skin all over your body. Your therapist will use a clean brush with firm natural bristles and brush you with sweeping, sometimes circular motions in the direction of your heart.

Wraps and masks

A wrap is a nourishing cocoon designed to hydrate, cleanse or heal your skin, relax and soothe your muscles or slim and tone your body.

Body wraps combine therapeutic masks — herbal pastes, mineral-rich muds or soothing creams — with thermal coverings. The body mask will contain a mixture of ingredients designed to have a remedial effect on your skin, while the coverings will swathe and warm your body, promoting muscle relaxation, and sweating to cleanse your pores.

Most spas use a few core adjectives to describe their body wrap treatments: slimming, detoxifying, relaxing and hydrating are favourites.

Depending on the wrap you choose, you might notice:

• temporary inch loss

• softer, firmer, hydrated or cleansed skin

• relaxed muscles.

Weight-loss wraps do not make you lose weight, but they may make you temporarily slimmer. Although any initial

inch loss will sadly disappear once you drink some water, the wrap experience might just provide the motivation you need to start a healthier diet or fitness programme.

Some wraps are designed to relieve tired or heavy legs and aching joints, and ease inflammation. They may be offered as a treatment for your lower body only.

Before your wrap, you’ll undress or change into your paper knickers in privacy. Spa therapists are great at preserving their clients’ modesty. Next, you might be treated to a gentle exfoliation or scrub to slough away any dead skin cells.

Once your skin has been prepped, your therapist will apply a therapeutic body mask to your torso, arms and legs. Your therapist will then swaddle you in a plastic sheet and towels, or a thermal blanket, and leave you to rest for around 20 to 40 minutes. If you’re having a detoxifying or slimming wrap, you may be wrapped tightly

in bandages soaked in a therapeutic solution instead of a warm blanket.

When you’re freed from your cocoon, don’t expect an immediate butterfly-like transformation. You might feel quite cold and soggy at first without your thermal blanket — so the shower afterwards will be welcome. You can scrub away any remaining algae, mud or clay before your therapist massages moisturiser into your newly baby-soft skin.

Different types of wrap

Algae: Your therapist applies warmed mineral-rich algae to your body to help nourish and detoxify your skin. The algae comes in the form of a pungent thick paste.

Cellulite: Designed to boost circulation and flush out toxins, this wrap focuses on bums, tums and/or thighs.

Clay or mud: A layer of soothing clay or mud is applied to the skin to detoxify, cleanse and firm. The mud is thought to ease water retention and cleanse

the pores by drawing out impurities. A mud wrap might help with arthritis, rheumatism and minor skin irritations. Dry floatation wrap: This is any sort of wrap carried out on a mattress filled with warm water. Some people find the sensation of weightlessness deeply relaxing. This treatment offers the benefits of wet floatation without having to get into an enclosed tank.

Herbal: Herbs, spices, and herbal essential oils are often used in wraps for their therapeutic qualities. You may find lavender in a wrap, for example. In Ayurvedic treatments, herbs are often ground into a thick, gritty paste that also exfoliates as it is rubbed onto the skin.

Thalasso or seaweed: Your body is slathered in seaweed before you are wrapped in a warm covering. This concentration of seawater and seaweed comes as a thick paste. It doesn’t always smell great, it must be said, but the effects are palpable — it hydrates and firms the skin, and leaves it tingly-fresh.

Baths

Balneotherapy, from the Latin for “bath”, is the term for the therapeutic use of bathing. Spa baths were traditionally filled with water from thermal springs or the sea, but you’ll now find an array of fragrant and restorative ingredients added to warm water to make your bathing experience all the more enjoyable and effective.

A spa bath is a treatment that usually takes place in a private treatment room, and will be just for you, or for you and your partner. The bathing experience will certainly feel more luxurious than your one at home. To make the treatment all the more relaxing, your therapist will dim the lights, heat the room to a cosy temperature, and she may light scented candles to create soothing aromas. While just being in warm or hot water cleanses and relaxes you, it is what you add to the water, and the time you take over the ritual which really distinguishes your experience.

Different types of spa baths

Aromatherapy and herbal baths: A bath containing essential oils and/or herbs. As you bathe, you breathe in the aromas of whatever has been added, and let the warm water ease your aches and pains. Essential oils or herbs are added to the water or rubbed onto your skin before you get into the bath. You might have eucalyptus added to the bath, which is particularly good if you have a cold or blocked sinuses, or lavender to soothe and relax.

Brine, salt and mineral baths: Minerals – and the salts, muds, and water containing them – have been renowned for their health-benefits for centuries. A spa near a natural mineral spring will probably use the spring to supply water to their pools and baths, allowing you to bathe in the fresh, mineral-rich waters. At a more conventional spa, a mineral bath is likely to involve a bath to which minerals and salts have been added.

Flower baths: Flower petals and essences are added to the water. There are different versions of these baths, including Japanese flower bath, and Indian blossom, and each one promises a slightly different experience. Take your pick! Mud and algae baths: You might have a mineral-style bath whose ingredients are mud or algae-based. Alternatively, this treatment is as it sounds: you immerse yourself in mud or algae. Both are actually surprisingly warming and relaxing — once you’ve got over the initial oddness of getting into a bath full of goo. The aim is to detoxify and deeply relax your muscles and leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated. Seaweed baths: A seaweed bath is most often found at coastal spas, as the seaweed is commonly freshly picked and washed for your treatment. Though it may feel slightly odd with the slippery plant next to your skin, the seaweed is packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals. Your therapist will probably add fragrant essential oils to the water, too.

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa

Kohler Waters Spa at The Old Course Hotel

Hammams, serails, rasuls

You’ve probably heard of or read about hammams, rasuls and serails. You may even know they’re associated with mud and steam. But which one is which? And what do they do?

First things first: hammams, rasuls (also spelled “rhassoul”) and serails are all kinds of steam room. They are tiled, and generally quite dimly lit, and — at a spa anyway — usually seat up to four people.

Many are decorated in blue, silver and gold-tinged tiles in the style of the Turkish Ottoman baths. They are sometimes referred to as “chambers” (serail mud chamber, for example) but don’t be alarmed: they are more like exotic, luxurious grottos.

Rasul or serail

A rasul or serail is the venue for a traditional Arabian body treatment involving steam and mud. Slathered in mineral-rich muds of various colours, you sit in a tiled steam room for around 15 minutes. Afterwards, you are either douched by a therapist or else shower yourself down in cool water. It sounds a bit

odd perhaps, and is an unusual experience for sure: but it’s a deeply sensual treatment that is also good fun. When was the last time you were “slathered in mineral-rich muds of various colours”?!

A rasul or serail mud treatment is really a great way of soothing and warming your muscles and softening your skin. It’s a great treatment for priming your body for a massage which will then be more effective, as the therapist can get deep into the warmed muscle more easily. It also leaves your skin feeling very soft and plumped, as you deeply cleanse your skin and absorb moisturising minerals. It leaves you feeling both very relaxed and wide awake.

Hammam

A hammam can be either one tiled steam room, or a suite of steam rooms and pools for communal use. In a more traditional Turkish hammam, you will find many different rooms and chambers, each offering different water-based benefits, similar to the Roman baths.

In the UK, a hammam treatment is generally attended by a therapist. She will take you through to the steam room and will normally start by washing your skin and rinsing you off, either with a shower or buckets of warm water. Next comes a fairly rigorous exfoliation. Traditionally this would be done with a kessar glove, a very grand version of the mitts you may keep in your bathroom. Your therapist will once again rinse off your skin. Depending on your treatment your therapist may also massage your body with essential oils or moisturisers for the finishing glow.

This is a full body treatment. The therapist will normally ask you where your personal boundaries are: you may want to take off your bikini top or roll down a swim suit, or you may want to stay covered up. It’s entirely up to you.

Similar to a rasul or serails, this treatment warms and relaxes your muscles, and is a perfect preparation for a massage. Hammams will leave your skin beautifully clean and glowing; great if you have a holiday or a special event coming up.

Competition

Discover treatment heaven with The Spa at Dolphin Square

Win a Cleanse, Clay and Tea spa treat for two in posh Pimlico.

The Spa at the salubrious Dolphin Square has a sumptuous Moroccan theme that will instantly transport you to warmer climes. Step into a world of dark velvets, plush silks, glowing lanterns and heady, spicy aromas, and enjoy some really well-delivered and indulgent treatments.

One lucky reader will win a hammam and rasul spa day to enjoy with a friend. Your spa day will include complimentary use of the salt infused steam room, tepidarium, hammam and rasul chamber. In the hammam your body is doused with warm water as a Tellak (Morroccan therapist) exfoliates away your impurities with a Kessa glove and Savon Noir, a soap made from olives and eucalyptus.

In the rasul, you can paste on lava clay from the Atlas mountains, relax in the steam chamber for 15 minutes, then shower away the clay before applying moisturising body oil. Finally, the salt infused steam room benefits respiratory conditions and soothes weary, aching bodies. The ritual is completed with a lovely Moroccan Cérémonie de Thé as you chill in the relaxation room together, feeling utterly clean, revitalised and tension-free. The ultimate urban spa treat!

Enter now at: www.goodspaguide.co.uk/ dolphin-square

Terms and conditions apply. Visit the website for full details.

Find out more about The Spa at Dolphin Square at www.dolphinsquare.co.uk on 0207 798 6767 or by email thespa@dolphinsquare.co.uk

Spa School

If you’re new to high end spa-ing, you’re in for a treat. Of course, you may be a little nervous too. Spas can appear intimidating, especially when they look like Downton Abbey.

Don’t worry. The job of spa staff is to make all their guests feel welcome and relaxed. You won’t have the Dowager Countess of Grantham glaring at you for not using the correct fork at your spa lunch. Neither will the local WAG fraternity have any interest in judging your spa ineptness or attire: they will be far too self-absorbed.

If you want to play the alluring stranger who usually spas in more exotic climes, but has graced the your local spa just this once; or even if you simply want to know what to expect from the day, here are some tips on how to spa like a pro.

Do your research

You should be sent information when you book, but if not, check the website or back page of the treatment brochure, which you may need to download. It’s worth familiarising yourself with the spa etiquette (some have ‘whisper’ or ‘hush’ zones), what to bring and what is provided, and possibly the layout if it’s a huge rambling mansion, or has lots

of experience rooms. You are usually advised to arrive 15 or in some case 30 minutes before your treatments, so make sure you do: it’ll all make for a more relaxing spa journey.

If you are pregnant, have a medical condition or any allergies, these should be discussed when you book and again during your consultation. Have a read through our website (goodspaguide. co.uk) which has advice on all aspects of spa etiquette as well as in-depth spa reviews to help you feel utterly prepared.

Bring the basics

See our feature on page 26 on what to pack in your spa bag. Normal dress code is robe, swimsuit, slippers or flip-flops in wet areas. The latter are usually provided by the spa, along with fresh towels and a range of lotions, shower and cleansing products. If you require a larger or smaller size robe, you may want to bring your own as spa sizes can be limited.

Beneath the robe, wear a swimsuit or bikini. If you can see yourself using a lot of thermal treatments and pools, and don’t want to lunch with a wet bottom, bring a back-up cozzie. For most body treatments, you may want to wear your own pants, or the disposable pair provided.

The Spa Spies give their top tips for how to pass for a seasoned spa-ista

Go bare-faced

Ideally, you may want to avoid makeup in a spa. However we all have our insecurities. If you don’t want to spoil a romantic Jacuzzi by transforming into The Joker, go for waterproof products or tints. All make-up will be removed for your facial anyway, although you can always reapply it after. Note: foundation may actually be your skin’s enemy while spa-ing. Wearing make-up in the steam room or sauna will clog up your skin instead of allowing it to get squeaky clean and fresh.

Check dress codes

In some hotel spas, you’ll be lunching with other fully-dressed guests. In most destination spas, everyone will be lounging around the spa café in their robes and slippers. For supper and evening meals, or if you plan to venture further than the spa café, bring smart casual clothes.

Be considerate

This day is all about you. But be aware that you don’t own the place: you are a guest sharing the space with fellow guests. A simple smile and a few p&qs will suffice charm-wise – there’s no need to be too obsequious or grateful.

According to a recent Good Spa Guide survey, 88 per cent of spa visitors list noise as the second highest complaint that ruins a spa day (next to poor quality customer service). If you must carry your mobile, don’t make or receive calls in the spa. Trust us, a loud ringtone or conversation when all around you are slumbering in their relaxation pods is going to make you spa pariah number one.

If things go wrong during your time at the spa, or you feel uncomfortable, talk to someone. It’s all too easy in a spa environment to abstain from complaining, but speak up! We’re pretty sure the manager will be happy to receive the feedback.

Know your boundaries

One of the most frequently asked questions is: will I have to strip off? The golden rule is not if you don’t want to. For a full body massage, you will normally wear nothing but knickers. However, the therapist should always preserve your modesty using carefully placed towels, only exposing the areas she is working on.

A good idea is to narrow down the areas of your body that concern you and imagine how you would tell the therapist. Mention your concerns in the consultation. You absolutely do not have to justify yourself or feel embarrassed: the therapist should be sensitive to personal boundaries and concerned only with giving you the best experience she can.

Tip your therapist

A suggested rate for a tip is between 10 and 20 per cent of the treatment cost. However, it’s not practical to carry loose change in a spa, so you won’t have to tip your therapist directly. You can add a tip to the overall bill, or leave cash in one of those little envelopes at the spa reception desk on your way out.

Finally and most importantly

Enjoy and savour every moment. This is your special day after all.

How to spa with a bump

The good news is that there are plenty of spa treats you can indulge in during pregnancy. Some can ease pregnancy aches and pains and even help you prepare for labour.

There are a few you need to be careful about, and you may find that the spa will not offer some of their treatments at some stages of pregnancy.

The key to choosing suitable treatments is how many weeks pregnant you are. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters.

• The first trimester runs until 13 weeks.

• Trimester two runs from week 14 to week 27

• The third trimester runs from week 28 until the birth at around week 40.

During the first trimester your baby is growing very rapidly and all the major body organs and systems are being formed. This is the time when everyone – your doctor, your midwife, your therapist, even your mum wants you to take most care. Drugs, x-rays and even overheating can affect the tiny growing baby. Around 70 per cent of women will suffer from pregnancy nausea and sickness at this stage, so it may not be the best time to have treatments if they involve strong smelling ingredients. And I speak as someone who could be sick at the smell of an apple when pregnant!

So you may well have to content yourself with some gentle swimming and a day of relaxing with a good book at a spa in those first few weeks. By trimester two the baby is pretty well formed and most mothers-to-be feel well and energetic. This is a great time to spa as you may well be past the ‘sick at the slightest excuse stage’ and feel well and happy to indulge in some spa treats.

Some beauty treatments may cheer you up and get your ready for those new mum and baby pictures. By the last couple of weeks you may just not want to bare all in public.

Treatments to try Massage

Massage can ease back pain and leg cramps, improve circulation, help you relax and sleep, and ease your anxiety. It releases happy, pain-killing endorphins, so can also help lift your mood. Some studies show that massaging oils and lotions into the skin can help reduce stretch mark (although we wouldn’t get too excited. If there really was a miracle cure for stretch marks we’d be the first to shout about it!).

Trimester three often starts well, but as your bump grows you may find it difficult to get comfortable. If you start to get tired and achy a massage or even some gentle swimming may well help. A water based exercise class is great as the water supports your growing body.

The use of aromatherapy oils during pregnancy is controversial. Some essential oils are dangerous in pregnancy but there is not much agreement on which. We usually go with recommendations from Denise Tiran a midwife who specialises in complementary therapies. Her website is: www.expectancy.co.uk. She advises that grapefruit, bergamot and sweet orange are safe oils that relax and lift your mood. She also suggests using lavender, black pepper and frankincense.

If you start to get tired and achy a massage or even some gentle swimming may well help

Going to a spa seems like the perfect treat during pregnancy. It can leave you relaxed, refreshed and nicely groomed. But then that constant pregnancy worry ‘is it safe’ pops up. Daphne Metland explains what’s worth worrying about… and what isn’t!

When to choose massage

In your first trimester opt for massage with just a plain carrier oil such as grape oil. Later in pregnancy you can choose an aromatherapy massage if you wish. Hot stone massages are unlikely to heat your whole body to the point of overheating and the stones may well help with aches and pains.

Safety tip

Remember that the pregnancy hormone progesterone causes your ligaments to become soft and stretch, so make sure your therapist knows you are pregnant and ask for a gentle massage. Avoid sports massage or Thai massage which may involve much pulling and stretching.

Look for a spa that offers a massage chair, or a massage bean bag so you don’t have to lie on your expanding stomach.

Facials

A facial can be fabulous when you’re pregnant. A lie down, a bit of pampering and a chance to recover your glow will make you look and feel better. However, be aware that your skin may be more sensitive than usual and you may react to products that were fine before.

When to use them

Most can be used throughout pregnancy. Make sure your therapist isn’t using anything containing retinoid, a type of vitamin A that speeds up skin division. Oral retinoids carry a high risk of foetal malformation and even using it on your skin is not advised.

Safety tips

Many spas offer pregnancy specific product ranges such as Mama Mio, which are designed to cope with extra sensitive skin. These avoid any problems with strong products that may cause a pregnancy related flare up.

If you are heavily pregnant, lying flat on your back can compress the vena cava, the main vein that brings blood back up from your legs and lower body. This can make you very faint and dizzy and reduce the oxygen supply to your baby. Ask to have the head of the bed raised during your facial to take the pressure off your lower back.

Wraps and scrubs

These are generally considered safe as long as they do not involve any specific products that could cause problems such as some aromatherapy oils. Opt for gentle scrubs if your skin is dry or sensitive.

When to use them

In the second or third trimesters.

Safety tips

You may overheat during a wrap, so ask to leave your arms and shoulders free in order to cool down.

Manicures and Pedicures

It’s fine to have a basic manicure and pedicure. It’s worth knowing that your nails grow quicker and are stronger during pregnancy and so does your hair. You see, there are some advantages!

When to use them

After the first trimester if you want to be ultra-safe.

Safety tips

Many nail varnishes contain chemicals that are harmful in large quantities. These are phthalates (also found in perfumes and deodorants), formaldehyde and tolurene. Environmentalists are trying to ban them, while nail varnish manufacturers insist they occur in such small quantities, they have little or no effect. You may decide to avoid varnish in your first trimester, and then use products that don’t contain phthalates.

Gel and acrylic nails should be applied and removed in a well-ventilated room. Gel nails use methacrylate monomers which are mostly perfectly safe to use. The exception is methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA), but this is rarely used now.

Treatments to avoid

There are concerns about sunbed use in pregnancy – it may affect production of folic acid and cause overheating –and until the evidence is in, we would recommend giving them a wide berth. Spray tans seem to be safe, though you may want to do a test if your skin is playing up. Botox should be avoided. In fact few surgeons will treat you during pregnancy.

Treat with caution

Any treatment on a heated mattress may cause overheating, so ask to have it turned down or off if you get hot and sweaty. No problems with electrolysis during pregnancy have ever been documented, although it is recommended that it is not carried out on the abdomen or breasts during the last trimester. Dyes and perms are on the whole quite safe, as the amount of chemicals absorbed by the skin or entering the bloodstream is extremely low. If you are worried opt for highlights. They minimise the contact between the dye and the skin of your scalp. Your hair may react differently to colour, so do a strand test first.

Spa facilities

Part of the reason for going to a spa is to try out all those lovely fire and ice experiences and swim a few laps in a nice warm pool. So is it safe to use these?

Hot baths, saunas and whirlpools

A warm bath is fine in pregnancy. You baby is well protected from waterborne infections by the bag of waters she is growing inside and the mucous plug that stops the cervix during pregnancy.

But a hot bath or a Jacuzzi or sauna can cause you to overheat and dehydrate. It may affect how blood and nutrients flow around your body and there is some evidence that overheating and dehydration in early pregnancy can affect the developing baby. If you feel hot and dizzy, there’s an increased danger of falling over or passing out. So avoid spa baths, saunas and Jacuzzis, and stick to

the pools and cooler treatments. Some spas offer laconiums, tepidariums and sanariums, which are a far gentler heat. Wear loose clothing and slow down if you feel your heat rising – and make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Swimming Pools

You may have read that some chemicals used to disinfect pools are bad for you. The disinfection processes can release volatile compounds such as trihalomethanes (THMs) into the air. There is no strong evidence from studies or reviews that these cause pregnancy complications, although there is a possible link to small-for-gestational-age babies. Yet most experts seem to feel that the health benefits of swimming far outweigh any potential problems linked to the chemicals.

Some spas offer alternatives to the usual cleansing chemicals such as UV filtration and Ozone. Both clean water as it comes into the pool but have to be used with low levels of chlorine to kill any residual bacteria. But they do reduce any potential chlorine exposure, as well as reducing the usual swimming pool smell.

Daphne Metland is a medical journalist and co-author of Expecting. Everything you need to know about pregnancy, labour and birth, published by Virago.

Wild Mushroom Risotto

Mark Walker, executive head chef at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, reveals how to create a wonderfully warm and wintery wild mushroom risotto.

Serves three

25ml vegetable oil

250g Arborio rice

100g mixed or wild mushrooms (sliced)

2g flat parsley (chopped)

50g parmesan (grated)

30g unsalted butter

5ml olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a large, heavy based pan. Add the risotto rice and cook on a low heat for two to three minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and stir for another two to three minutes.

Add 300ml of boiling water and cook on a medium heat until the water is fully incorporated. Add another 400ml of boiling water and cook until the rice has a soft bite.

Stir in half the parmesan, butter and chopped parsley. Season to taste.

Place the risotto into bowls and add the remaining parmesan. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

Mark Walker has won two AA Rosettes for The Mere Golf Resort and Spa. Mark is passionate about using the freshest ingredients and supporting local suppliers. He’s also worked with the resort’s green team to create The Mere’s orchard supplying the restaurants with fruits, nuts and berries. Find out more at: www.themereresort.co.uk

Spa Ratings

Five Bubble Luxury

Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa

Dormy House Hotel and Spa

Galgorm Resort and Spa

Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel and Spa

Rockliffe Hall

Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall

The Vineyard Spa

Five Bubble

Agua at Mondrian London

Antara Spa at the Chelsea Health Club and Spa

Aqua Sana Woburn Forest

Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa

Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel de France

Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa

Bamford Haybarn

Barnsley Spa and Skincare Centre

Calcot Spa at Calcot Manor

C-Side Spa at Cowley Manor

South West

West Midlands

Northern Ireland

South East

North East

North East

South East

London

London

East of England

North West

Channel Islands

South East

West Midlands

South West

South West

West Midlands

Eden Hall Day Spa East Midlands

Hale Country Club and Spa

Headland Hotel and Spa

K Spa at K West Hotel and Spa

Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa

Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat

Norton House Hotel and Spa

Ockenden Manor Hotel and Spa

PH2O at Park House Hotel

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa

Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa

North West

South West

London

Scotland

South West

West Midlands

Scotland

South East

South East

East Midlands

North West

SenSpa at Careys Manor Hotel South West

Sequoia at The Grove London

St Brides Spa Hotel

Stanley House Hotel and Spa

Stobo Castle Health Spa

Stoke Park Spa

The Garage Spa

The Mere Golf Resort and Spa

The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel

The Spa at Ramside Hall Hotel

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

The Spa at Dolphin Square

The Thai Spa at Lough Erne Resort

The Woodland Spa

Weavers’ House Spa at The Swan at Lavenham Hotel

Y Spa at Wyboston Lakes Hotel

Wales

North West

Scotland

South East

North East

North West

East of England

North East

North West

London

Northern Ireland

North West

East of England

South Midlands

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 byThe 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 excellent but perhaps with a break in the spa journey, and Three Bubble, perfectly nice with good treatments, just not a den of decadence.

Four Bubble

Agua at Sanderson London

Aqua Sana Elveden Forest

Aqua Sana Longleat Forest

Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest

Aqua Sana Whinfell Forest

Chuan Spa at The Langham London

Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa

Grand Jersey Hotel and Spa

Lion Quays Hotel and Spa

Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel and Spa

Mill Wheel Spa

Spa Sirène at the Royal Yacht Hotel

Spa Verta

The Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa

The Clearing Spa at The Cornwall Hotel

The Club Hotel and Spa

The Day Spa at Whittlebury Hall

The Peak Health Club and Spa

the runnymede-on-thames hotel and spa

The Spa at Cotswold House Hotel and Spa

The Spa at Roe Park Resort

Thermae Bath Spa

Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa

Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa

Utopia Spa at Alexander House Hotel

Utopia Spa at Rowhill Grange Hotel

The Well Spa Retreat at Bluestone

Wildmoor Spa and Health Club

Three Bubble

Carden Spa at Carden Park

Lamphey Court Hotel and Spa

London

East of England

South West

East Midlands

North West

London

West Midlands

Channel Islands

West Midlands

North West

North West

Channel Islands

London

South East

South West

Channel Islands

East Midlands

London

South East

West Midlands

Northern Ireland

South West

East Midlands

North West

South East

London

Wales

West Midlands

North West

Wales

Where the Stars Spa

When headlines reported Kate Moss being escorted from an EasyJet flight for one too many vodkas after a spa break with her friend Sadie Frost, we at the Good Spa Guide immediately hit the search engines to find out the name of the spa that had lured these London fashionistas.

Reflecting the trend of social spa-ing, Sadie was celebrating her 50th birthday with a spot of cryotherapy at the LifeCo Spa in Bodrum on the south coast of Turkey. LifeCo’s detox programmes are run by celebrity nutritionist Amanda Hamilton, while their cryotherapy treatments are said to be a particular favourite of Ms Moss. The clinic also has inversion therapy, which involves hanging upside down on a rope like a bat for five minutes.

We may chuckle at the lengths celebrities go to and fads they inspire, but their influences on spa trends are not to be sniffed at. Besides, both Moss and Frost look amazing despite their infamous lifestyles. Naturally we would like to know their spa secrets, partly in order to steal some ideas, and also to simply indulge in a little fantasy spa-ing of our own.

Bearing in mind that nearly all spas fiercely protect the privacy of their A-list clientele, the following information has been gleaned from on-the-ground Spa Spies, reporters or via

Champneys

Tring

A-Listers: BarbaraStreisand, TonyandCheri Blair,Naomi Campbell,Kate Moss,RussellBrand Champneys (pictured below) has been linked with celebrities, royalty and Arab sheikhs since it opened 90 years ago. You can go for luxuriously indulgent pampering, such as a Collagen Gold Facial, or impressive health facilities: there’s a 25 metre pool and a full sized FIFA pitch. Or you can book a clairvoyant, deep energy healing and even try a spot of virtual gastric band hypnotherapy.

KylieMinogue, MaxBeasley,Martine McCutcheon

Housed in 18th-century stable buildings, Sequoia Spa has ESPA treatments, heated beds, a Finnish sauna, a steam room, a 22-metre indoor swimming pool and relaxation rooms with

Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort’s Spa Oasis

A-Listers: GeorgeClooney,JohnTravolta,JenniferAniston, DrewBarrymore,WillSmith

The Eforea Spa at this glamorous beach resort in Baja California Sur, Mexico says it has “crossed continents to bring you a deluxe array of time-honoured, transcendent and altogether tempting wellness traditions”. With treatments that reflect the phases of the moon, acupressure for chakra realignment and crystal therapy, Eforea is possibly for the more spiritually minded, although their yoghurt and honey bath will satisfy anyone’s inner goddess.

When we head to a spa, we expect to be pampered like Hollywood goddesses and emerge looking good enough to film in HD. But where do the real celebrities spa? Follow us through the spa keyhole…

Chewton Glen, Hampshire

A-Listers: KateMoss,GwynethPaltrow

Helicopters regularly deposit the rich and famous at this New Forest hotel (pictured above). The Rolling Stones were spotted hanging out here last summer, though whether they booked a Linda Meredith facial (favoured by the abovementioned celeb spa-istas) remains unverified.

The Varsity Hotel and Spa, Cambridge

A-Listers: TheBeckhams,ColinFirth,RachelWeisz,JeremyIrons

This super stylish hotel on the river Cam has a classy celebrity clientele, many of whom have been spotted using The Spa in The Glassworks Health Club. The spa has an array of Elemis treatments, plus an Aveda hair salon, while the health club’s sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi have romantic river views.

Babington House, Somerset

A-Listers: KateMoss,JohnnyDepp

This countryside offshoot of media members club Soho House is responsible for what its local villagers call the Babington Effect. Celebrity sightings are now as common as sheep. As well as the swankingly rustic Cowshed Spa, the 18th Century chapel in the grounds has hosted a plethora of celebrity weddings, including Fat Boy Slim to Zoe Ball, Sam Taylor Wood to Aaron Johnson, and Eddie Redmayne to Hannah Bagshaw.

Gwinganna Lifestyle

Retreat, Australia

A-Listers:: NicoleKidman,Keith Urban,NaomiWatts, Miranda Kerr

This spa is part owned by actor Hugh Jackman, and includes therapies such as the Australian Spirit of Sound, where you are massaged with rain sticks while listening to rainforest noises on headphones.

The Farm at San Benito, The Philippines

A-Listers: WoodyHarrelson,ChrisMartin,DrewBarrymore

An eco-resort where celebs can reconnect with nature (the fivestar luxury version). One of the treatments, Mulunggay Therapy, involves smothering the body in pulped bark from native trees.

Vivamayr, Austria

A-Listers: TheDuchessofYork,TraceyEmin,JessicaAlba, KarlLargerfield

This is old-school bootcamp style spa-ing, with Spartan rooms, Epsom salt treatments and stale bread that must be chewed 30 times to aid digestion. Therapies include blood-letting, colonic rrigation, and nasal reflex therapy.

The May Fair Hotel, London

A-Listers: LadyGaga,CherylCole,WhitneyHouston

All the above are said to have used this five star luxury hotel’s In Room Spa service. The May Fair Spa itself offers luxurious ESPA treatments as well as Moroccan cleansing rituals.

We Care, Palm Springs

A-Listers: GwynethPaltrow, BenAffleck,MattDamon, Paris Hilton

A holistic detox centre in the middle of the desert, this is hardcore fasting with enemas and a lot of prune juice. We hope the plumbing works well.

Ananda Spa, India

A-Listers: HeidiKlum, UmaThurman,KatyPerry (andSingleSpy)

Ayurvedic therapies include crystal facials and being massaged in hot buttermilk. All food is vegetarian and matched with your dosha. Rooms include saffron baths in sunken tubs.

The Berkley Health Club and Spa, Knightsbridge, London

A-Listers: JohnnyDepp,HelenaChristensen

This famously discreet hotel boasts a small rooftop swimming pool amid a scented garden, a gym overlooking Hyde Park, as well as Bamford Haybarn and Oskia treatments. Head for the trendy Blue Bar for celebrity spotting with cocktails.

SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain

A-Listers: KylieMinogue,NaomiCampbell,DemiMoore

Guests are encouraged to sunbathe naked and inhale flavoured oxygen at the world’s only macrobiotic spa, which overlooks the Mediterranean. On an eight-day detox stay, you will drink mushroom tea (not magic, one presumes). Cappuccinos are also available – as enemas.

What your therapist won’t tell you

Ever wonder what is really going on in the mind of your spa therapist? We convinced one professional to spill all...

Isometimes think that we therapists should be sworn into the job role with the motto, “No matter what happens behind the scenes, smile and act calm in front of clients”. People come to spas to relax and feel good, so they expect an atmosphere that is calm and soothing. In times of panic, a therapist has to hide behind a smile and think on their feet.

Several years ago, I was managing a spa in Scotland on an extremely busy Easter weekend. All the therapists were fully booked, every room was occupied, and the spa was running smoothly. We had some VVIPs staying but, as they were attending a black tie dinner nearby, they would not have time to visit the spa. I was secretly quite relieved as we were stretched as it was, and I wouldn’t have been able to accommodate our celeb guests.

Midway into the afternoon, I get a phone call from the general manager. One of the VVIPs, who I shall hereby refer to as Mr X (a good therapist always respects client confidentiality, but if you are a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean you would not have been able to restrain yourself) would like a massage in 30 minutes.

Panic! We had no therapists free or treatment rooms available, but there was no way we could turn him down. I was more than happy to roll up my sleeves and do the massage myself, but where? Catching one of my team in the corridor, she said that she had a treatment bed in the boot of her car, but one of the legs was broken and stood shorter than the others. I would need to strategically place a hardback book to redress the balance. Seriously? This was a major Hollywood star, and I had to give him a massage on a broken bed propped up with a book!

After a quick change (SuperTherapist style) into my therapist’s uniform, I headed up to Mr X’s room, lugging an unreliable bed and a basket crammed with towels, oil, candles – plus two bibles I had borrowed from housekeeping to prop up the broken leg. On the way, I grabbed a bed sheet as a valance that would hopefully hide the disaster beneath.

I stood outside the hotel room door ready to knock and realised I was nervous; how on earth was I going to put up the bed without Mr X noticing?

Cringing, I took a deep breath and rapped on the door. It opened, and I was greeted by a big smile from one of the hotel’s concierges. Mr X wasn’t back from his stroll around the gardens yet. I breathed a huge sigh of relief and set to work trying to construct the dodgy bed, managing to make it good enough for a Five-Bubble treatment.

Five minutes, a few deep breaths and a glass of water later, my deception was concealed and my client arrived. Of course, he asked for a deep massage, which usually I would not have minded. I’m sure there are plenty of ladies (and men) who would be green with envy at the thought of massaging Mr X, but I was more concerned that the broken bed would stand up to the pressure. Visions of Mr X crashing to the floor as I pressed into his latissimus dorsi plagued me.

Luckily, nothing so dramatic occurred. The bed held it together and so did I, smiling my way through visions of a potential law suit and embarrassing headlines. Mr X turned out to be absolutely lovely and down-to-earth, not the usual prima donna A-lister at all. He was delighted with his massage, especially at such short notice. As he went to take a shower, I collapsed the bed, and in my relief told the concierge the story as he helped me bring it back to the spa.

Word travelled quickly and soon everyone knew about my ‘incident’. At the managers’ meeting the next morning they all had a chuckle about it. With one eyebrow raised, even the General Manager laughed too.

Seriously? This was a major Hollywood star, and I had to give him a massage on a broken bed propped up with a book?