The Bite Magazine - Spring 2019 - Issue 24

bite spa review The traditional interiors are decorated with ornate design features in gold and red. We were booked into the Executive Room located in the West Wing of Down Hall. Although bijou with slightly dated decor, the bedroom was spotlessly clean and cosy featuring light chocolate brown and forest green colour schemes. Traditional hues are complemented by the floor-to-ceiling outside view of the grounds and wooden furnishings, while a huge bathroom with a marble double vanity awaits you after a long day of pampering. Once settled into our room with our bags dropped off, we headed straight to the adjacent Eden Spa, an oasis of much-needed calm tucked in the middle of the hotel's landscaped grounds. Our little downtime kicked off in the Wet Spa, where we both started winding down in the circular hydrotherapy pool maintained at an optimum 36 degrees to soothe our aches and pains. The accompanying steam room and sauna allowed us to detoxify our bodies by opening up the pores. It also helps that in the saunas, air maintains the delicious lavender scent adding to the atmosphere, while sub- dued lighting boosts the tranquillity of the room. The only downside of this exquisite sanctuary is the lack of a swimming pool. However, the spa also boasts outdoor facil- ities with a beautiful outside terrace that can be experienced in the summer when graced with sunny weather. A moment or two of calm was rounded off at the loungers in the specially designated relaxation nook sat right next to the spa. While ly- ing back and sipping on peppermint tea served on request, we tried not to fall asleep, with an array of high-class fashion and lifestyle magazine to peruse. This little hub with huge electric recliners that can be adjusted to your liking cocooned us in comfort and helped us to slip away into a world of complete peacefulness. Having enjoyed our time floating around the sauna and steam commodities and paddling around the hydrotherapy pool in the wet area, it was now time for the pre-booked ‘me time’ treatments. While my friend retired to our bedroom, I was shown to a soothing aromatic treatment room – one of the four available at the spa – lit only by twinkling candles. After filling in a short questionnaire, I was led to a luxuriously plump bed and then wrapped in a towel in preparation for my Lava Shell massage. As an in-the-know alternative to hot stone massage designed to not only gently relax you, but also boost the circulation of blood and lymph, it reduces swelling, and retention whilst easing stress and relaxing your muscles, no less. Working into my tired muscles, the therapist slowly started gliding highly polished Lava Shells over the skin to smooth away the tiniest of knots with seemingly effortless long strokes. The heat from the Lava Shells felt utterly heavenly and had a gloriously balmy effect, unlike anything I have experienced before. Any tension that was lingering in my back was gone and I never wanted to leave the table! What I particularly liked is how the Lava Shells held their heat longer than hot stones thanks to an ingenious self-heating system that warms them up with a gentle natural reaction so that there is no need to switch out the stones to interrupt the massage. As I drifted away, I had hardly noticed that fifty-five minutes of this bliss had elapsed. This is definitely one treatment worth shelling out for! Turning over onto my back, my therapist rhythmically moved on to prepare my face for the ESPA Skin solutions facial specifically tai- lored to my skin. Following a very brief consul- tation prior to the treatment, the therapist se- lected the most suitable skin routine to hydrate and calm my hormonal T-zone. The next hour consisted of a myriad of cleansers, exfoliators, toners, moisturisers, oils and serum. Lying on my back, anointed with a range of ESPA products, including balancing and puri- fying cleansers, refining skin exfoliator, herbal toner, lift & firm eye serum and a balancing face treatment oil, this nuanced facial pleas- antly induced an intense feeling of relaxation. Finishing off with a bit of plumping lip balm