The Forum Spa at the Celtic Manor – Newport
Host venue for The Ryder Cup in 2010, the five-star Celtic Manor Resort is set in more than 1,400 acres of panoramic parkland, at the gateway to Wales. The Celtic Manor Resort is a golf-centric hotel and leisure resort. It consists of two adjoining hotels, a country inn, two golf and country clubs, and a multi-purpose conference centre. If you do come with family, then there’s fun for everyone from toddlers to teenagers with an entertaining games room with air hockey, table tennis, table football and a pool table, plus the outdoor playground.
What should I try?
- Elemis Pro Collagen Quartz lift facial £52 (75 mins)
Designed for skin challenged by modern living, this purifying treatment is bursting with anti-oxidant rich minerals and vitamins, helping to remove damaging toxins and regenerate skin cells for renewed skin.
- Elemis S.O.S. Purifying Facial £90 (75 mins)
This purifying facial targets problematic and congested skin, helping to gently cleanse and nourish, leaving the skin rebalanced and regulated, calmed and comfortable.
- Forum Signature chocolate and champagne Manicure £60 (75 mins)
Thoroughly indulge with a glass of bubbly and strawberries dipped in chocolate while this luxurious treatment, complete with chocolate scented hot paraffin hand dip exfoliates, nourishes and protects hands and nails, finishing with your choice of Leighton Denny nail polish for beautifully presented hands. Includes a complimentary mini size Leighton Denny nail polish.
- Forum Signature chocolate and champagne Pedicure £60 (75 mins)
Enjoy a glass of bubbly and strawberries dipped in chocolate while this sumptuous treatment, inclusive of chocolate scented hot paraffin foot dip exfoliates, nourishes and protects feet and nails, finishing with your choice of Leighton Denny nail polish for a glamorous shine. Includes a complimentary mini size Leighton Denny nail polish. 75mins
Visit: www.celtic-manor.com
Grayshott Spa- Guildford Surrey
Grayshott Spa nestles in a corner of rural England, and is just one hour from London. The house was once the country home of Victorian Poet Laureate, Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Boasting 47 acres of gardens, woods and sweeping lawns, preserved by the National Trust; Grayshott Spa is an historic country house with 59 grand bedrooms and 36 treatment rooms.
The spa is valued for its holistic approach to well-being and offers unique and versatile ranges of natural therapies and lifestyle treatments for all. Some of the specialities of the spa include cozy relaxation rooms, hydrotherapy suites, and Moroccan hammam beds.
What should I try?
- The Dry Floatation Experience £55 (40 minutes)
This experience is designed to de-stress and relax the body and mind by floating without getting wet. You can escape in the weightless sensation of being in water and feel the sense of tranquility that only water can provide.
- The Himalayan Mineral Salt Scrub £ 35 (25 mins)
An application of Himalayan salts blended with Grayshott Pure essence oil to suit your emotional and physical requirements are used in this full body exfoliation treatment. The salts help to counteract the exposure to daily environmental toxins, thus leaving your skin softened and your mind & body balanced.
- The Peace of Mind Body Wrap £70 (55 Minutes)
This tranquil treatment begins with a restoring back massage to ease tension and calm nerves. The body is then enveloped in a comforting wrap of relaxing and fortifying Frankincense, Cedar Wood and Clary Sage. The treatment is finished with a face and scalp massage, to free up your mind and ease the stresses and strains of an emotionally demanding lifestyle.
- Moving Meditation Experience £55 (45 minutes)
This unique outdoor journey uses the stillness of nature to get in touch with your senses: sight; sound; smell and touch. Led by our resident meditation tutor and hypnotherapist, this session promotes a wonderful sense of joy and acts as a natural anti-depressant.
Visit: www.grayshottspa.com
The Mere Golf Resort & Spa
This Luxury resort is tucked away in 150 acres of Cheshire parkland. With an award winning spa, health club and gym, an 81bedroom boutique hotel and two new restaurants.
The Spa includes a large indoor swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool and massage jets, poolside hotbeds, steam rooms and sauna, as well as a range of spa treatments, including purifying facials & skincare rituals, relaxing massages and body treatments, the spa offers a haven of tranquility for any mum-to-be to take time out to relax.
What should I try?
- Nurturing Experience for Mum-to-be Package £75 (60 mins)
This unique all over-body massage is designed to give you all round pampering. The therapist will use a selection of three oils, which are formulated for use during pregnancy. A traditional aromatherapy pressure point massage for the upper back and shoulders, will help to relieve stress and tension, whilst a leg massage eases the feelings of heaviness. This top-to-toe treatment is completed by a full scalp and facial massage.
- Rose Hydrating Cocoon for Mums-To-Be – £75 (60mins)
Richly moisturising oils and creams are layered onto your exfoliated skin before you are gently wrapped in the unique warming cocoon. The essential oils work simultaneously on the physical, mental and emotional aspects of wellbeing. In particular, precious oil of damask rose enhances the loving emotions in mothers-to-be as well a helping renew the cells of expanding skin.
Visit: www.themereresort.co.uk
Champneys Spa – Bedfordshire
Champneys “Tring” is one of the 4 luxurious health resorts located in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire and Hampshire. It is part of a traditional Rothschild mansion set inside 170 acres of English countryside and tranquil gardens. Equipped with a state-of the art gym, serene swimming pool, outdoor and indoor Jacuzzis and a fully indulgent beauty salon, the residual décor of the mansion remains periodic. The Spa reflects a touch of modern glamour. We’re talking sleek white leathers, minimalist neutrals, dusky pinks, sparkly cushions and contemporary chandeliers that add a touch of bling, complimenting the traditional décor of the mansion perfectly.
What should I try?
- The Baby Bump Massage £55 (55 minutes)
Not just for your bump; this is an all-over body conditioning treatment that is designed to ease the stresses of pregnancy, In particular to help soothe lower back pain, tiredness, reduce swelling and prevent stretch marks during the transition of the body throughout the three trimesters.
My Therapist used Champney’s own blended Blissful Bump Body Butter, infused with ginger, patchouli and vanilla, which gave a wonderful warming aroma.
The treatment started with a soothing foot soak and massage, whilst sitting in a chair. Then this was followed by a back massage, whilst sitting upright and using a number of pillows for support on the massage couch. Extra attention and pressure were applied to my upper back and shoulders, where most of the tension was present; this can, however, be tailored specifically to an individual’s needs. I was asked to lie down and, again, and the therapist made sure that I was comfortable at all times.
After the body massage, a collagen boosting body mask enriched with olive, shea, mango and cocoa butter was applied to my body, this helped to condition and soften the skin. I was wrapped up in a warm cocoon of cotton sheets for 15 minutes. Finally I had an invigorating scalp massage to finish off this wonderful pre natal treatment.
Visit: www.champneys.com
The Sequoia Spa at The Grove Hotel – Hertfordshire
This phenomenal grade II listed Mansion is set in 300 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and hidden away only 18 miles from central London. It houses a luxury 18-hole golf resort and the mansion boasts 26 opulent rooms; each bedroom has a fabulous blend of period style and original modern art and furniture.
Alternatively, you can opt for the contemporary West Wing where the hotel stretches through gardens towards Sequoia Spa.
What should I try?
- The Pre/ Post Natal Treatment £125 (1 hour 20 minutes)
This deeply nourishing body treatment is designed to treat areas prone to stress and tension during pregnancy, and can also be enjoyed as post-natal treatment. The luxurious ritual consists of full body exfoliation, body massage, body mask, and scalp massage that took place in three stages.
Firstly Claire, my beauty therapist, started off by giving my feet a warm soak and scrub, massage, and foot mask, she talked me through the treatment and asked what kind of pressure I would like during massage and if there were any specific areas of tension on which I would like more time and concentration.
The second part of the ritual, I was asked to lie on my back, whilst my legs and arms were gently exfoliated using a soothing scrub, and then massaged with a range of Elemis creams that were blended together specifically for pregnancy. They seemed to have a very gentle, nurturing, and calming effect, also doubling as a body mask that left my skin really soft to the touch with a lovely, lingering perfume, (I clearly remember the smell of damask roses and frangipani).
The third part was when I had to sit up rather than adopting the usual lying down position. I was given a beanbag to support my stomach and I remember, just sinking into it and closing my eyes. My therapist scrubbed and massaged my back, shoulders and scalp whilst concentrating on the areas of my neck and shoulders, where I held more stress. She gave lots of tender, loving care. The best and most surprising part was when she placed a pair heated mitts on my back and shoulders for extra warmth and I know that was the point I really wanted to let of go of my worries and drift off into a long, blissful sleep.
I was asked to go and rest in the relaxation room afterwards, decorated with a combination of contemporary taupes, lush purple velvets, and polished dark wooden floors, this exuberated a feeling of a lavish VIP club. I warmed myself up with a cup of rooibos tea, and a handful of dried fruit and switched off completely for twenty minutes. It was a very nurturing and blissful experience.
This treatment is usually recommended following the first trimester and lasted for an hour and twenty minutes.
Visit: www.thegrove.co.uk
The Cowshed Spa at ST Moritz Beach Resort – Cornwall (£145 per person)
St Moritz Hotel, is situated right above the Greenaway Rock in North Cornwall, and provides the perfect setting for those searching for an easy going, stylish seaside break. Newquay airport is just a short drive away. The resort comes with a selection of contemporary Penthouses, self-catering villas and rooms, some with their own beach-huts. The St Moritz is known to be child-friendly, with many activities for kids of all ages, such as sand safaris, rockpooling and a Mini Moritz room where children can hang out, play games and watch movies. There are amazing beaches near the St Moritz Hotel, Polzeath and Daymer Bay are some of the popular ones to go to, even better if you have kids.
What should I try?
‘The Calm Before The Storm’ break has been specially designed to pamper and relax the expectant couple before the big day. On arrival guests are given one of the perfect rooms to settle in. They are treated to a sumptuous meal at the hotel’s restaurant and given precious luxuries like breakfast in bed the next day and a leisurely afternoon tea. Mum and Dad-to-be will also be able to find complete relaxation with the inclusive massage treatments at the Trendy ‘Cowshed spa’. There’s also more pampering available if Mum wants; she can take advantage of the specially formulated Udderly Gorgeous Maternity menu, which can make sure that she’s rubbed, scrubbed and neat and tidy for the due date.
Visit: www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk
Runnymeade on Thames- Egham, Surrey
This 4 Star hotel and Spa is located on the riverside at the Runnymede-on-Thames hotel in Surrey! You can hire out little boats and go on a river boat ride, you can feed the ducks or simply tuck into a picnic on the riverbank. There is a glamorous outdoor pool and tennis court too. It’s an idyllic spot for a luxury mini family break in Surrey, which is close to Thorpe Park, Windsor Castle, and Legoland. It’s also close to Heathrow Airport and the Motorway. With or without children, this hotel is a sweet treat for everyone.
What should I try?
- Maternal moments experience £180 (2hr15m)
The Maternal moments combination experience is an ESPA treatment has been designed for pregnant and nursing mothers to help relax and support tonicity of the skin. The treatment includes: Full body exfoliation, body massage, facial cleanse and, to finish off, a Zenspa perfection pedicure. Other alternatives to try out are the Clarins tri-active facial with foot ritual, and Espa aromatherapy facial pampering.
Visit: www.runnymeadeonthames.com
Please do check with the spa before booking as packages or treatments maybe subject to change.
By Tahira Khan
The adventurous spirit behind the pages of British Muslim magazine. As the Editor-in-Chief, Natasha leads with a passion for exploration and a pen dipped in wanderlust. With a keen eye for halal travel experiences and an insatiable curiosity for new experiences, she brings readers along on captivating journeys to far-flung destinations. Through her vibrant storytelling, Natasha invites readers on enriching adventures, where every experience is a window into the muslim world.
