Most notable is Carden Park Hotel's latest dining addition, The Vines. Led by Executive Chef Graham Tinsley MBE, former manager of the Welsh Culinary Team, this exquisite dining experience is truly unforgettable. With a menu formulated from the very best local ingredients and perfectly paired wines, cocktails and after-dinner drinks, The Vines promises to be: "an elegant space that elevates your dining experience". Set on a cliff above the dramatic Durham coast, this striking white Georgian hote is home to the award-winning Serenity Spa, a luxurious wellness retreat inspired by healing rituals from the Far East. Whether your aim is to energise or calm your senses, the facilities and treatments in this Feng Shui designed spa have been specially created to nurture and harmonise mind, body and soul. Bask in the heat of the Indian steam room, the Asian herbal saunarium and the hammam, then immerse yourself in the warm bubbles of the jacuzzi. You can cool down in between with a swim in the 20-metre pool, or by sampling the refreshing ice fountain and braving one of the cold plunge pools – an experience that’s sure to make you tingle from top to toe. Even in the cooler months you can venture outside to the Zen Garden to experience the bubbly hot tubs or the infinity hydrotherapy pool, and cosy up in a fluffy white robe next to the firepit.
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to treating yourself to a treatment or two. A tempting spa menu includes holistic therapies, reflexology, personalised hypnotherapy, and sublime massages and facials, such as the delicious Temple Spa Champagne and Truffles Deluxe facial. After you’ve been well and truly pampered, chill out with a cool glass of fruit-infused water or grab forty winks in one of the three relaxation areas. Recline on one of the waterbeds, doze off in the Zen Lounge or slumber on a bed under the caring gaze of Shanti, the life-size elephant sculpture that stands at the end of a tunnel linking the spa to the main hotel. There are 21 exquisite spacious suites featuring high ceilings, luxury bathrooms, pillow menus and king size beds for overnight guests, while the swanky dining room offers a North Sea inspired menu, and the Ozone restaurant continues the spa’s Eastern theme with spicy Pan-Asian cuisine. Rockliffe Hall is an elegant five-star hotel retreat exhibits one of the largest, most luxurious award-winning spas in the UK. Set in 365 acres, the spa commands stunning views of the vast country estate where enjoyment, rejuvenation and relaxation are of the essence.
Subtly combining inside with outside, the sumptuous Spa Garden has a heated infinity-edge outdoor pool where you can experience a hydrotherapy massage before stretching out on the heated contoured tepidarium beds alongside it. There’s also an outdoor hot tub to invigorate the senses and a glass-fronted sauna to bask in the heat while gazing out at the greenery that surrounds you. With its penetrating dry heat, the indoor Roman sauna in a wood-lined cabin is the perfect place to soothe aching muscles, and to deep-cleanse the skin, immerse yourself in the moist heat of the tropicarium or the aromatic oils of the caldarium. For an exhilarating boost to the circulation, grab a handful of ice flakes from the igloo and gently massage them over your hot skin. Signature treatments and experiences include holistic spa rituals, bespoke massages and facials, and the exquisite Rockliffe Hall ‘Body Bliss’ – a top to toe treatment that comprises an Indian head massage, a chakra balancing back massage using hot poultices, and a blissful foot ritual.
A day at the Spa can be a truly indulgent and wonderful experience, after all it’s a pastime centred on your enjoyment, needs, and, most importantly, your wellbeing. With the world now at the end stages of the Covid pandemic the importance of personal wellness has never been more apparent. The continuous lockdowns and restrictions over the past couple of years has meant that people are placing more value on “me time”, and one of the easiest ways to do this is a Spa Day. Whether you visit with friends, family, a romantic partner, co-workers, or by yourself, one thing is certain, a day at the spa will leave you refreshed, rejuvenated, and de-stressed. However, one misstep or awkward situation can derail the whole experience. For this reason, we’ve dedicated this piece to providing you with a comprehensive spa guide that includes our top tips, popular treatments, the benefits, and a summary of the some of the best spas in the world.
FacialsBefore Your Visit Make sure you do your research to find your ideal spa. For the most part, day spas tend to be consistent with services on offer, but you want to make sure you find one that suits you. Say a female only spa, or maybe you want a hotel spa so you can spend the night, or you may be interested in an innovative new treatment. Either way a good luck around is the place to start. Reservations should be made as soon as you’ve decided on a date and found your perfect spa. You may not be sure on the exact treatments to go for so a quick call to make a reservation will no doubt help. Most spa receptionists are usually able to adequately explain what’s on offer, the benefits, and tailor packages. Arriving for your spa day with treatments and bookings in place mean the whole experience is likely to be stress-free. Be prepared by packing a bag. Most amenities, robes, towels, and refreshments are provided but you’ll still want to pack a few essentials. A change of clothes, swimwear, gym wear, comfy footwear, and a book/tablet are some of the items we recommend. We suggest approaching the day as if you’re staying overnight at a hotel, think about what items you’d need in this situation.
Finally, arrive early, you want the whole day to be as relaxing as possible and getting there 20-30 minutes ahead of will only help. It’ll allow you to get acclimatised to the overall ambience and take advantage of any complimentary amenities on offer. At the Spa Now that you’ve stepped for inside, you’ll want to start by checking in. This may seem obvious but it’s a pivotal point, this is when you can ask for a tour of the facility and acquire any robes, slippers, towels etc. Any good spa will also ask you to fill in a health questionnaire when you first check-in. This is to understand if you have any medical conditions, are on any medication, or have any allergies which may determine the type of products used. If you aren’t asked to fill one in be sure to point out any, and we mean any, issues or concerns you have. Trust the staff, especially if it’s your first time. You may not be sure on what the rules are or how to behave in particular situations, it’s always best to communicate with the staff on hand. They’ve probably heard it all, so no question will be deemed silly, and they’ll likely offer the best advice. You’re not expected to make friendly conversation but don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re uncomfortable or have questions about a procedure.
Be mindful of other people during your time at the spa. If you’re in a group, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun but be aware other people are there to relax also. Discretion and modesty in the changing area is advised and make sure you leave this area how you’d like to find it. If you’re going to a large spa or one that’s part of a hotel, you’ll probably find a whole host of extra facilities and services to take advantage of such as a pool, gym, sauna, bar, or restaurant. Make the most of it, it’s not often you get to treat yourself to a spa day. Finally, at the end of it all, keep in mind the tip. This obviously varies from spa to spa and between countries, so to be safe check the spa gratuity policy. Some places may charge this anyway, if in doubt go with 20% of the total treatment cost.
