If you were going to the Sanctuary Spa...

[CaptChaos]

What treatments would you choose?

For reasons best known to her, my mother is taking me for a day. I am the least 'spa' person on earth, and have no clue what's good and what's a crock.

Has anyone been? Any recommendations? Will I have to shave my legs before I go?

[cloudskitchen]

I haven't been to that spa but I would generally choose an indian head massage or back, neck and shoulder massage. lucky you

[Lorelei353]

I've been and loved it. If you're not into treatments you may not need to bother. If you're on a day or half day spa pass you'll get access to pools and bit tubs and saunas plus a sleep retreat session which is fab. After that just sit around the lounge drinking cocktails in your bath robe.

Otherwise, I had a manicure once which was fun and a shoulder and back massage once which was also great.

[Smilesandpiles]

ALL of them.

I'd kill to go there.

[Lorelei353]

It's closing soon so enjoy it while you can!

[NewDawnNewDayNewLifeForMe]

is that the one with the swing in the pool?

id have a good swing

[bberry]

Full body scrub and then a full body massage... Take a book/magazine to read around the lounge (although I have to admit I never get round to mine, too busy chatting, eating, drinking and snoozing in between treatments and swim/sauna/sleep retreat) the day goes so fast, enjoy :-)

[FidgetPie]

Oh it is lovely there - on spa trips I usually go for a back and shoulder massage (or the mum to be one as I have mainly been as a treat when pregnant!). They make some lovely hot teas / infusions. I am v sad about it closing.

[CaptChaos]

Thanks for the heads up, glad it's lovely.

Do I have to sleep in public? I snore like a hippo!

I think my mother is booking some sort of shell massage and a visualisation thing for her? She's not sure what it is, despite having done it before! I might have a look at the scrub thing and I really fancy a massage!

[minibmw2010]

I love it there, it's my favourite spa. It's closing in May so make sure your booked up soon. Gutted to hear it's closing, hope they don't stop their products as I use loads of them.

[Lorelei353]

The visualisation thing is probably the sleep retreat. You get into a bed, put headphones on and have a guided relaxation.

[bberry]

I can only imagine how expensive that prime london property must be.... Are they opening up out of town instead?

[Me23]

I had no idea it was closing I've been twice amazing time there. Re treatments I would choose scrub and shell massage but you can easily find plenty to do without treatments.

There have more sanctuary spas in Richmond, Cambridge and Bristol.

[MsMoppet]

The hot lava shells massage is amazing and the rose ritual is heavenly. Just lolling around around the koi pond is nice. Don't shave your legs - I didn't as was with old friends and had been so busy - so nice to let it all hang out in a female relaxed environment. Felt like more of an indulgence to go hairy!!!
The food in the restaurant is yum. Beware the massive portions though! It's no macrobiotic nouvelle cuisine boot camp that's for sure.

Enjoy!

[MsMoppet]

Ooo I nearly forgot. Friends had the cold shell massage and wished they'd had the warm relaxy one.

[HermioneWeasley]

Massage. I've been lots of times and they are good

[Twoandtwohalves]

I've had some good massages including a pregnancy one. I also tried A Thai massage once (I think, they give you special trousers) and enjoyed that less than a more traditional one. I also second not booking up too much - I went with a group of friends once and found it quite stressful looking at my watch all the time/walking up and down the stairs between areas. Last time I went all I could do was the pg massage so I did that, then lolled about in the koi area/floated in the downstairs pool/ate my body weight in 3 course lunch.

Top tip - get to the showers/changing room 20mins before the end of your timed session then you can sort yourself out in leisure. It can get a bit hectic when everyone leaves at once.

Sad to hear it's closing.

[RhondaJean]

I heard its closing because they are making so much money on the products it's not worth the hassle of running the actual spa.

I love sanctuary products but I'm away up north in Scotland so never been and now I guess I never will.

I'm not sure if it's a bit of a biting off the hand that feeds you though as will people keep wanting to buy spa products for a spa that doesn't exist? Probably if the product is good enough I suppose.

[TheHouseofMirth]

You'll love it. it's fab. We had a massage and facial and also tried the infrared thing which didn't seem very exciting at the time but made me just want to sleep afterwards (in a good way!).

You'll have a great time.

[minibmw2010]

As someone else has said, try not to book too many things up. I found on my visits that 2 things was enough, plus then there is lounging around the pool time, having a cocktail time, lunch time, etc. The day goes quite quickly and the whole point is you don't want to feel rushed or that you're constantly checking the time. It's a beautiful place, I can't imagine what will happen to it, I guess it's been sold as prime real estate. I hope whoever takes it over keeps the pool and swing !!!

[minibmw2010]

I imagine the products have become so successful some people probably buy it not even knowing that there is a spa or that is what they are based on (if that makes sense).

[bberry]

I love sanctuary products.... I was gutted when they stopped the burning oils.... I pick some old ones up on eBay occasionally....:-)

[CaptChaos]

Well, I went today and it was lovely.

The massage was amazing, the walking up and down stairs was enough exercise for a lifetime and I swam far more than was sensible, so now have aching shoulders! The sleep therapy was lovely, I wanted to steal the buzzy bed!

Ate lots, drank champagne, felt all pampered and special.

Slightly marred by a very rude woman as we were leaving. I bought some lovely spa things too, and a thing of sea salt scrub, which I love!