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Original poster

Talk to me about Spa Days................

25 replies

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 09/05/2015 23:19

I'm thinking about a SpaDay for my birthday (I'll be ancient 49 ) but I've never had any sort of Beauty Treatments done except hair cutting and a 1990s perm.

So, what do you choose?
Is it treatments you cannot do yourself or don't want to do yourself?

I wouldn't want mani/pedi and I do my own waxing. But I'd try a spray tan and facial.

What treatments could not be combined ? (I'm guessing wax couldn't be done just prior to fake tanning)
How many treatments can you fit in?

I kind of think I'd rather buy lots of nice treats and lock myself in the bathroom. (Tell everyone "the bathroom's mine " )

Or even better, a night away in a hotel (Premier Inn is fine) and I don't have to clean the bath after.

OP posts:

WipsGlitter · 09/05/2015 23:34

I wouldn't have a spray tan. That's maintenance not pampering. Massage, facial, body wrap. Google day spas near you and look at their treatment lists.

ShebaQueen · 09/05/2015 23:37

I hate spa days, I like your Premier Inn idea much better!

twirlypoo · 09/05/2015 23:39

Don't have a spray tan cos then you can't get wet in the pools etc!

I love a facial or a massage.

Avoid anything to do with maintenance (mani/ pedi/ waxes) or it takes away the pampering-ness of it all

CointreauVersial · 10/05/2015 01:00

Ooh, spa days are lovely (I'm 48)!

The last one I went to was Champneys, with DM.

I did a couple of exercise classes (circuits and yoga), had a swim, lay about in the jacuzzi, had a massage, Thalassotherapy (salty pool with massaging water jets), and a good sort-out of my bushy eyebrows , a pedicure, then a bit more lounging about. It was heavenly.

Gem124 · 10/05/2015 11:42

Hi always so go a facial and massage as they feel like a real treat :-)

Purpleball · 10/05/2015 11:45

Yep facial and massage too. Along with some lounging around.
My friend and I usually do an hour in the gym, use the pool, steam room, sauna etc, have lunch then treatments

You can get good deals for spa days on groupon

bruffin · 10/05/2015 12:00

We go as a group of 4, usually swim and aqua class in the morning, jacuzzi, steam room etc and maybe the thalostherapy pool. Lunch then plan treatments afterwards as we dont like using the pool after treatments. I've had my haircut or a manicure but leave it until later. Sometimes do the relaxation class later and then finally leave at 8.

Original poster

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/05/2015 15:09

lots of ideas.

I'd maybe select an all-over scrub (I can't reach my back myself) with sea salt , facial, intensive hair mask, steam/sauna.

Lunch and a lounge about too

OP posts:

Saurus72 · 10/05/2015 15:36

No massage though? I go to pan Elemis spa to get a massage once a month and it is just blissful. I would def trade that for the hair mask.

minibmw2010 · 10/05/2015 15:38

Facial and/or massage or a pedicure and manicure. You want to be able to relax in the pool afterwards. Whereabouts are you? I went to the Lifehouse Spa in Thorpe Le Soken last weekend for an overnight stay, very nice.

CheersMedea · 10/05/2015 17:34

A pedicure is a good thing to have at a spa day - why don't you want one?

It's great if you do it at the start of the day as it's relaxing and you can bum around in flip flops so it dries easily - and your feet look lovely if you are then going to the pool or Jacuzzi.

Facials are relaxing.

Combo -body treatments - scrub/massage/moisturise etc are nice.

I absolutely wouldn't have a spray tan at a spa day - waste of time - as you can't do anything like go to pool etc. if you really must do it at the very end of the day.

Jakadaal · 10/05/2015 17:47

I have just returned from a spa day and had a lovely hot stone back massage. I usually go for a 'pamper' type treatment.

However the spa but was a massive let down - not enough loungers, too small a jacuzzi and far too many clients booked in the size of the facilities. It was a spa attached to a hotel chain so would just say choose carefully, try and visit beforehand if possible and avoid a Saturday and Sunday (if at all possible) as we were crowded out by a hen party

Janethegirl · 10/05/2015 17:55

What geographic area are you in OP?

CheersMedea · 10/05/2015 18:06

It was a spa attached to a hotel chain

You should name and shame. We all want to know this kind of thing to avoid them!

I hate it when people get all cryptic. If you want to post what is in effect an honest but negative review and are worried about outing yourself, then name change!!!

Original poster

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/05/2015 18:09

A pedicure is a good thing to have at a spa day -why don't you want one
Because I'm an NHS Podiatrist . Same with the manicure, my hands are in gloves or under the tap so no point.

I don't really like massage TBH (I had a Turkish Bath in Turkey years ago and it was the most unrelaxing experience ever ).
Same with my hair, don't like having my scalp touched.

I could cope with a scrub because it's gritty rather than kneading (if that makes sense)

I'm in Essex so London is easy reach

OP posts:

CheersMedea · 10/05/2015 18:12

Because I'm an NHS Podiatrist

Still don't understand why you don't want a pedicure. It's a nice pampering thing!! And someone else doing it to you.

Massage is very personal and depends on what you like - more relaxing or deep tissue. A Turkish Bath/Hammam is a different kind of thing.

There are loads of different types of massage. Hot stone isn't bad because the heat relaxes your muscles.

BiscuitsForBreakfast · 10/05/2015 18:19

I went on a spa day yesterday. I had a facial and massage and they were wonderful. I love the sedate lighting, the water and the peace and quiet.

Original poster

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/05/2015 20:21

Ah, my feet are not a worry, it's my saggy belly and pasty skin (I'm a catch but only from the ankles downwards )

I like the idea of the hot stones and jacuzzi .
I did the Mud Baths in Turkey too (they stink) my skin had never felt so clean.

Seaweed wrap maybe? I know one won;t make a difference but I'm thinking laterally.

OP posts:

Janethegirl · 10/05/2015 21:04

I like hot stone massages, but absolutely hate facials. Manicures/ pedicures I think are rip offs.

CointreauVersial · 10/05/2015 22:02

You can have all manner of salt scrubs, chocolate wraps, aromatherapy massages etc etc... just depends what you fancy, and what the spa offers.

Whatever you choose, hope you have a lovely relaxing day.

Jakadaal · 11/05/2015 08:20

Cheers I have given a forthright and frank review as you suggested - direct to the hotel rather than slagging them off on an Internet forum.

To be clear I was not bring cryptic - my point was that quite often hotel chains often offer 'spa experiences' based on treatments as opposed to good spa facilities. In my case the spa facilities was a very small pool, a jacuzzi that held about 4 people and 7 loungers for about 40 people trying to use the facilities in between treatments.

CheersMedea · 11/05/2015 11:58

rather than slagging them off on an Internet forum

If you are giving a genuine opinion, merely identifying the outlet in question is not "slagging them off on an Internet forum".

Equally, a report direct to the hotel is not the same as a public review as other consumers will be unaware of the poor service/over crowding etc.

It's completely valueless to say "this place was totally awful for these reasons" and then not identify the place! LOL. You're wasting your time and that of other people.

PerspicaciaTick · 11/05/2015 12:12

Have a look at Greenwoods as you are in Essex. The food is lovely. And the spa isn't bad.

SuperFlyHigh · 11/05/2015 12:31

You can actually have a spray tan (and I've had one) at the end of a spa day... just don't get wet!

I go for treatments I know I wouldn't do myself or I could do would prefer someone else to do them - eg luxury pedicure etc...

You can also do hair masks, scrubs etc there though.

the one thing I'd beware of is negative reviews - eg I went to a much praised day spa in London and had a massage - the masseuse went on about crystallization (probably to get me to book more massages) which really put me off and didn't add to my relaxation! I know a masseuse (retired who also had her own massage school at one point) though and when I'd come home spoke to them and they told me what she'd said was a load of bollocks and to ignore her!

What one person finds relaxing and worth paying for another won't.... equally if you hate gym/classes then you won't like that aspect either. don't get suckered into either (like I did) unless you want to by buying their vastly overpriced products!

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 11/05/2015 12:45

Seeing as you're in Essex, Lifehouse in Thorpe-le-Soken is very relaxing. Lovely gardens so nice to sit outside on a warm day. I had some sort of a body scrub when I was there, on the grounds that I'm not really a "facial" person and that I can't reach my back! My skin felt amazing afterwards.

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