Kully

This was my second visit to Mandara spa, after previously having had a Balinese massage when the spa first opened this year.
This time I booked in for their special offer on the Revitealize Afternoon Tea and Spa Package for both myself and my sister as a pre-hen gift. At £109 per person it’s still fairly expensive but included the choice of any 50-minute massage followed by Afternoon Tea in the Atrium Lounge.


We both chose the Balinese massage as this is the signature treatment at this spa, and the same treatment I’d had on my first visit so I already knew what to expect / how good it is!
Before my treatment started, my therapist, gave me a choice of aromatic oils for my massage. I chose a sensual Sandalwood oil for relaxation. We were then led to our separate treatment rooms, which were very spacious and had a warm, calming vibe.
Before the massage started a rest was placed just under my knees to raise my legs slightly and my feet were cleansed with a warming wet towel (this I have learnt over the years is always done at any spa that truly believes in the holistic element of a massage to ensure the detoxing element of any massage is not affected).
My massage was as good as the time previously. Balinese massage uses a combination of deep-tissue massage, acupressure and gentle stretches aimed at stimulating your circulation so she used a mixture of long strokes, as well as pressure. She could feel the worst area was my shoulders and the top of my back, which is due to working on a computer and at a desk all day so spent a lot of time working out all the knots.

After our massages, we spent some time relaxing at the lounge area with some complementary tea. There was also plenty of fruit and little bite size snacks.

We then spent an hour by the pool, which we had all to ourselves before getting re-dressed and were taken up to the atrium for our afternoon tea.

Again we were lucky as we were the only ones there so had a prime table at the front of the building looking straight onto Big Ben and the houses of parliament, which was spectacular, and really special.

The tea itself was yummy and consisted of finger sandwiches, pastries, scones and cakes as well as your choice of tea. The service was of a really high standard – it was almost as though we had our own personal waiter, and the food was endless. We were offered more of everything as soon as even half of one section had been eaten. Make sure you haven’t eaten before you go as you truly will be stuffed after. We actually couldn’t finish all of ours despite giving it a really good effort!


As the day was a surprise for my sister I had also booked us both in for an hours luxury milk pedicure (£60) to end the day. The pedicure area is very modern with big relaxing chairs with a massage element. There was a huge plasma tv playing fashion footage to watch as well as a pile of glossy mags to keep us entertained. The pedicure started with the feet being soaked in milk and almond oil, followed by scrubbing and a quick foot massage before finally the nails being treated and painted. I chose a bright pillar box red which lasted for weeks after.

I would definitely return as both the treatments were exceptional however as it is a higher end spa and therefore the prices are reflective of that, it might have to be as more of a place I treat myself rather than a monthly must have.

I managed to book in on a last minute booking after walking past the salon which is on the main high road in Balham. I had 2 different therapists for my french manicure and my french pedicure. Both were performed in a treatment room which was nice as it was relaxing and private. I think it worked better for the pedicure as I was able to lie down on the bed during the treatment. The rooms are quite cosy with low lit lighting which was relaxing. After both treatments I was led out to the relaxation room which was a nice surprise for a small high street salon to have invested in. Overall I was happy with the treatment - my pedicure was lovely and the French polish has lasted well. My manicure unfortunately started chipping within 2 days so was less satisfactory based on the price of the treatments. Would go back for a pedicure.

I went with a group of girls from work and found it a fun outing. The venue itself is within Camden Market so is in a stall where people walking past will be able to stop and look in the open doorway - we didn't mind this but some people might. It's important to not expect a spa setting.

We had the 15 min fish pedicure treatment and there were 4 of us to a large tank of garra rufa fish. Not knowing what to expect there were more than a few screams from the group as we first put our feet in. The fish immediately then start to swarm around your feet, which took a couple of minutes to get used to. Once you get used to the fish it's actually quite a relaxing feeling having them flitter around and swim through your toes. It doesn't hurt but is definitely a little ticklish. After the treatment my feet felt smoother especially around my heel.

Not sure this is a regular thing as a treatment but it is great as a fun experience especially with friends.

I was very excited when I saw this new spa open in Balham as there aren't many places to go in the area where you can get good specialist treatments. As it's still new I was lucky enough to call and book in on a Saturday afternoon. Result! My therapist Caroline was great, she aired on just the right side of talkative without ruining my relaxation. I had a one hour dermalogica facial and was pleased with the treatment which included both a steam and extraction, leaving my skin glowing!, and the best thing was it was only £40, which is half what I normally have to pay in town. A total bargain ... I will definitely be back.

After what seems a lifetime of using hair straighterners, knowing they were always causing my hair damage I couldn’t wait to try the new brazilian blow dry treatment where I hoped my straighteners would be banished forever.
I was still a little sceptical and wanted to ensure I went to an established salon so booked with Michael Barnes as this is where I have been going to get my haircut for the last 18 months so know and trust the team.

Brett talked me through the treatment first, and then after my hair was washed and rough dried, the product – keratin was applied directly onto all my hair strands. It didn’t hurt and wasn’t messy – just like putting on a leave in conditioner.
The solution was left on for about 30 minutes and then my hair was blow dried with what seemed an incredibly hot hairdryer! Some hair straighteners were then run back through my hair which apparently helps to lock in the solution. I was left with super sleek hair and I was really impressed with how super soft it was! You really notice the difference when you first get it done.
I was advised to purchase the after care products including a shampoo and conditoner which are supposed to help to maintain your hair treatment as other products could strip away the keratin. These weren’t cheap but they have lasted a long time as you only need to use a little of each.

You're not able to wash your hair for 3-4 days after your treatment so I would advise to get this treatment done when you know you're going to have a quiet weekend in as my hair looked and felt very flat and greasy after 2 days! The only real downside of having this done.

I had the treatment done 8 months ago and in that time I’ve definitely noticed a huge difference in how easy it’s become to blow dry straight. I now only really use my hair straighteners straight after a wash, but even then just for a quick run through my hair. Previously I would have used them everyday!
I was told that the treatment could last up to 6 months depending on how you look after etc. which seems about right as my hair could now definitely do with another treatment.

Nice and easy to find as directly on Tooting High Road. Eyebrow threading is a walk in service where you have to take a ticket and wait for your number to be called. I must have only waited 5 mins before I was called over to the threading chairs towards the back of the salon. The treatment itself was very quick and very accurate and totally pain free plus the best bit only £3. Amazing! Since then I have been to the new Sajna salon on Clapham High Road as it's closer to me plus it has more of a modern and bright interior but still has the same great threading service.

Amazing value - only £3 for eyebrow threading!
This place was recommended to me by the new Chi Day Spa in Balham who made me aware that all their therapists go to Sajna in Tooting. This new location of Sajna on Clapham High Street however is brand new and has a better ambience. It's a walk in service for threading. You take a ticket from the machine and wait for your number to be called. It's a small space and doesn't have much of a waiting area considering how popular they are but I've been twice and not waited more than 15-20 mins so far.
All the therapists are Indian and are not only extremely quick but also very accurate. If you don't mind the lack of pampering but are looking to get perfect eyebrows then this is a must place if local to Clapham Common.

This was my first haircut at Michael Barnes and I was lucky enough to be booked in with Michael himself. The salon itself is quite small but feels nice and intimate and I was pleasantly surprised on entering that I was greeted by Michael who showed me to my chair and discussed what I wanted, immediately understanding what would work best for my thick hair. His assistant then proceeded to wash my hair, and I was very impressed with his care and attention to the temperature of the water and checking to see I was sitting comfortably. He also picked up on the fact that my hair was quite dry at the ends and asked whether I use hair straighteners (guilty!), so recommended the leave-in Kerastine treatment which he applied after my wash. I wasn't sure this would make any noticeable difference but was thrilled at how much it helped not only tame my thick hair but also provided a fab glossy sheen which so many of friends commented on later that day.

The haircut itself with Michael was great. He instinctively cut my hair in exactly the way I wanted and i can't believe how well the shape has stayed several weeks later. He also thinned out my thick hair without layering which I think has made all the difference in the style working for me as it requires very little effort in the mornings. Also, loved the extra little touches such biscuits with my cup of tea - not many places do this!

I popped into Malika to get my eyebrows threaded, whilst being in the Westfield Shopping Centre. It's quite a small salon and with glass doors anyone passing can see the treatments in progress. This didn't bother me but it might others. As it was a Sunday afternoon it was very busy, but as the treatments are quick I only waited for 5 or 6 minutes. Once seated the therapist got to work. She was very quick and efficient and surprisingly it didn't really hurt. After finishing each eye brow she handed me a handheld mirror to check the results. I pointed out some stray hairs she'd missed which were immediately removed. I can't fault the treatment, just the price - £15 seems very steep for just 5 minutes therapist time.

However, I was very impressed with the fact that the therapist gave me advice on growing back over-thinned eyebrows. All you need to do is mix 50% Castor oil with 50% Olive oil (mix well) and apply every night to your eyebrows before you go to bed. Apparently will take a couple of months of applying to grow back. I have just started using so will report back. Also liked the loyalty card they gave me where you'll get 1 free treatment if you book 6 threading sessions.

I went along to the Salt Cave in December. It was easy to find - just a short walk from Earlsfield station. The lady on reception was lovely and very friendly. I was given a locker for my belongings and after putting on some shoe covers and hair net (attractive!) led into the salt cave. To be honest I was a little disappointed that we weren't actually in a cave at all but a square room completely covered in salt including all walls, floor and ceiling! ... so basically it's a replica of a real salt cave, but nontheless still very cool as it looks like you're in a room full of snow!

The room had about 8 very comfy chair / loungers and I was surprised to find it was fairly full considering it was mid-week. Once we were all seated the lights were dimmed, calming music was playing and we were left to relax and breathe in the clean air.
Some of the other guests were reading but once I placed the warm woollen blanket over myself I think I was asleep within 10 minutes!
I awoke to find the lights back on and couldn't believe how quickly the hour had passed. It was one of the best naps of my life. I felt refreshed, calm and at ease. Being someone who normally finds it difficult to unwind I found this as relaxing as any massage or treatment I've ever had at a spa. The place offers a complete retreat away from day to day stresses and I think works well for people who need to relax as well as those with breathing allergies.

This place was highly recommended to me as both my brother and sister have been going to the Senior stylist Ian for years. In fact they've followed him from salon to salon in Derby so I felt I would be in very safe hands. Never one to do things by half I wasn't just booking in for a haircut with a new hairdresser, but also actually having a radical new look choosing to have a very short cut after having had shoulder length hair for a couple of years.

Absolute is just round the corner from the popular up market Sadler Gate so have a great location but none of the pompousness of some of the other salons in the area.
From the moment I stepped into the salon I felt completely at ease - there is a very warm, family atmosphere. I never felt rushed during the cut and Ian completely listened to what I had requested. Better still at only £35 the cut was more than one third of the price I am used to paying in London !! If I lived in Derby I know I'd definitely be a regular.

I bought the Dove detox package from Wahanda earlier this month and decided to book in with the salon that was local to me in Streatham. I've lived in this area for over 5 years and never knew there was a Dove salon inside the Virgin Active until I saw the list of locations on the voucher!
The staff on the front desk were really friendly and smiley and both myself and my friend were shown round the facilities and asked to fill out a quick and easy questionaire. Our treatments were booked for 2.00pm, but we ended up waiting an extra 20 mins, as the girls were over running, but they were very apologetic and there were enough magazines to keep us amused so I didn't mind.

When my therapist Stacey led me into my treatment room, I was surprised that it was a lot larger than I had expected. It was dimly lit with candles burning making for a very warm and comfortable environment. The treatment itself started with a gentle all over body exfoliation with a brush, and then a lovely smelling Aloe Vera gel was applied, starting with my legs and working up the body. As Stacey finished applying each body area she immediately wrapped it tightly in the wrap and covered me with a blanket to keep warm. I've had a few body wraps in the past and this one was very different as the gel leaves a cooling sensation on the skin whereas most wraps have always been warming, but apparently the contrast from cold to hot is what makes this such an effective detoxing treatment. Although not uncomfortable this might not be everyone's cup of tea. Once I was all wrapped up, I had a very relaxing facial and head massage, finishing off with body cream being rubbed in once the warp was removed.

The treatment definitely left me feeling revived and my skin felt beautifully soft afterwards. There was no hard sell to buy products from either Stacey or the receptionist, which was great and as such I felt more inclined to look at the products and actually ended up buying some of the banquet facial day cream that had been used a the end of my facial. At £35 a pot it's less than half the £85 I have been spending on my Elemis cream and feels just as good!

I'd definitely go back to either this or another Dove spa as the treatment was amazing value and just as good as some of the more expensive day spas in the City.

Apparently Rookery Hall was where David Beckham proposed to Posh spice and where they announced their engagement, so I had very high expectations when I booked and I’m pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed. We stayed here for 2 nights in June this year and had an amazing time.

The hotel was smaller than I had imagined from the image on the web but just as elegant and beautiful, with gorgeous grounds.

We stayed in an executive double room, located in a new building to the side of the mansion itself. At first I was disappointed not to be staying in the older mansion but the room more than made up for this. It was beautifully decorated, very modern yet still classy with a huge bed, plasma TV and a lovely sofa area to relax with stunning views over the Cheshire countryside. The bathroom was pure luxury with a large separate shower with jets and there was even a flat screen TV built into the wall above the bath - pure indulgence!
We ate at the hotel restaurant both nights, which is a beautiful room with many original features including a lovely open fireplace, huge windows and oak panelling on the walls. Although the food and drink here is expensive, it was worth every penny. The staff made us feel very special, nothing was too much trouble for them and the food on both nights was just scrummy.

We visited the spa on our second day which was conveniently situated in a separate building near our room, so we didn’t have very far to walk. There is a large pool, perfect for doing some laps and a very large and thoroughly relaxing hydrotherapy pool which had massage jets for your back, feet and shoulders. There was a gym although I didn't venture up there!
We both had a very relaxing ESPA full body massage, which was conducted at the same time in a beautiful dual treatment room which had the most comfortable beds I've ever felt. They had a heated blanket on them so I was lovely and warm which made me feel so relaxed that I drifted off to sleep mid treatment!
After our treatment we went for a lie down in the relaxation room which had the most stunning wall of water that continuously cascades down. With my eyes closed I could easily have been in a tropical setting rather than in rural England.

I’ve stayed at a few of the Handpicked hotels over the years and they have always been great but Rookery is now definitely my favourite. I can’t wait to go back.

We booked the Aqua Relaxation Rooms experience, which allows you 5 hours to enjoy all the facilities that these rooms have to offer.
On entering the spa we were given a tour of the facilities and given some useful tips on some of the warmer rooms. We were then shown through to the smallest changing rooms I’ve ever seen with limited number of lockers and standing room. The lockers required a pound coin (refundable) to open and inside we found a clean white robe, slippers and a towel each.

We then made our way back through to the spa area to explore fully. At 10am we were the only 2 in there, which was great as it felt very peaceful with gentle relaxing music playing in the background.
We started off in the very relaxing Jacuzzi, situated next to an adequate sized pool, which was a little shallow but still swimmable. The pool leads straight into a large whirlpool area which didn’t really do very much as none of the jets worked!
The foot reflexology baths were fun. You place your feet into the warm water and they are then lightly pummeled and massaged by the underwater jets, which I did find invigorating. There are two sauna rooms which were both pleasant with lots of room inside, and large multi sensory showers to help cool off in after.
My favourite 2 areas were the crystal steam room which had large comfortable seats, and a gorgeous eucalyptus smell and the meditation room which was a dimly lit room with twinkling lights on the ceiling and lovely heated loungers to relax on.
As we'd pretty much been round all the rooms we decided to chill out in the Conservatory area in front of the pool. There was a large complimentary bowl of fruit (nice touch) and hot and cold drinks to choose from which you had to pay for. We picked up a couple of magazines each and retired to the sun loungers in the Conservatory, which weren’t very relaxing as they were hard and uncomfortable.
By now the spa area was getting very busy (12pm) and noisy and there didn’t seem enough room for everyone, with some women even queuing to wait for our loungers!

We went back through to the now very cramped changing rooms, even though there were only 5 of us in there! This area really lets the spa down, there is only 1 toilet, which also had a queue, 2 showers which have seen better days and only 2 hairdryers. I had been feeling beautifully relaxed before I had to get changed in here.

I don’t think I’ll be coming again. Although the spa area itself is lovely it’s a lot smaller than most spas I’ve visited and doesn’t really have any more facilities than I’d find in my local health club. If you’re coming for a day at the theme park, or staying over in the hotel and fancy some time out to relax then I think it’s probably fine as it was only £18.50 each for a 5 hour session but I definitely don’t think it’s worth traveling all the way up to Alton Towers (which is very difficult to get to if you don't have a car) just for the spa itself. There are so many better places to go.

I’ve only had a colonic once before at a Re-Aqua salon in Wimbeldon so I pretty much knew what I was in for when I booked with Common Sense.

The reception area has a nice relaxed chilled out vibe and the treatment room itself was much larger than most salons, with a separate door leading off to a small changing area and toilet.
My therapist, Lisa was really friendly and chatty and I warmed to her immediately. The treatment itself was administered in a very discreet manner and was more intense than my previous colonic as Lisa really worked on massaging and rubbing my stomach throughout the whole 40 minutes, which helps the colonic to be a lot more effective in removing the toxins. After the treatment I went back through to the separate changing area, which made the whole experience a lot more private than at Re-Aqua.

Lisa then took me through a handout stressing the foods she felt I needed to eat more of to improve my digestion, and as she is also local to the area, she made me aware that all the brands she was recommending were available in our local supermarket, which was really useful as I hadn’t even heard of most of them!

I felt thoroughly de-toxed on leaving the centre, and actually felt lighter and less bloated too. My next session is in 8 weeks and I do recommend you book early if you go here as Common Sense specialize in Colonic Irrigation so a therapist like Lisa is usually booked up for 2/3 weeks in advance. At £70 it was also slightly cheaper than Re-Aqua.

When my friends first mentioned going to this spa to me it really didn’t appeal as I didn’t think a spa in Centre Parcs would be the sort of place worth visiting. How wrong I was. Now that I’ve been, I actually think it’s one of the best kept secrets in the spa world.
We booked the Spa Experience at the Aqua Sana in Longleat. Although it’s not an actual treatment the variety of saunas, steam rooms and relaxation experiences are so extensive that you don’t get bored. We were provided with clean white robes and towels but no slippers so remember to take some flip flops with you if you go.

We started by warming up our bodies in the Laconium, which is a gentle heat bath aimed at purifying and detoxing the body. You only need to spend 15 minutes in here but you come out feeling totally refreshed. After a quick shower we were ready for our next experience, the Greek Herbal bath. This is perfect for almost anyone as it’s very relaxing with only a very mild temperature and smells beautifully as every now and again one of the herb trays in the centre of the room is sprayed by water which releases either camomile, sage or rosemary into the room.
There are 16 different experiences to try, which you do in your own time and in whichever order you prefer. All the rooms were quite large so being a group of 4 girls we were able to enjoy the experiences together without taking over.
There were plenty of areas to rest, or in some cases sleep, in between each experience including some amazingly comfortable waterbeds, and glorious furry beanbags. My favourite 2 areas were the meditation room which has some lovely heated loungers to relax on and the large outdoor hydrotherapy pool. Although it’s not big enough to swim in, it’s perfect for a quick dip to help you cool down after some of the warmer steam rooms and the water jets are amazing.
Our day was broken up by lunch which was served in the Conservatory café which looks out onto some very beautiful gardens and of course the forest itself. The menu had something for everyone including lots of nice healthy options as well still a few naughty treats if you wanted to indulge yourself.
I was really impressed with some of the extra touches at Aqua Sana which made it stand out from other places. Staff brought round ice-cold fruit on cocktail sticks and there were fresh flannels to dip into bowls of iced citrus water, to help you cool down. There were also lots of water fountains dotted around to help ensure you remained hydrated.

The changing rooms were clean and bright and had everything we needed to get ready at the end of the day, with lovely Elemis products in the showers and plenty of hairdryers.

We were all really impressed with the facilities at Aqua Sana, it was incredibly good value and was the perfect place to go with a group of girlfriends, but that is not to say that this is a women-only area as there were plenty of men of all ages at the Spa too on the day we went.
A really good find!

As soon as you walk into Kubu, it’s as though you have stepped into another world. The place is gently lit and very quiet and the gentle wafting smell of aromatherapy oils is just amazing making for a very calm and relaxing atmosphere. It is beautifully decorated with dark wooden floors, balinese carvings, screens and artwork.
At reception I filled in a detailed questionnaire and was asked to choose from four aromatherapy oils for my treatment, which was the Kubu Signature Ritual, lasting for just over two hours!. All the oils have a light delicate fragrance but can leave you feeling either totally relaxed or invigorated, depending on your choice. This is a really nice touch and makes Kubu stand out from it’s competitors especially as the oils used are all 100 per cent natural, organic and made exclusively for Kubu in Bali.

Once in my robe and slippers I waited in the relaxation room which has a gorgeous giant Balinese day bed and was already feeling very chilled when the therapist arrived to take me to my treatment. She led me up some stairs and into the most beautiful, and luxurious treatment room I’ve ever been in. The room was dimly lit, with scented candles on an original fireplace, and there was a huge bath behind a screen.
My treatment started with a soothing flower petal foot soak, and my feet were given a gentle massage whilst the therapist took me through the treatment I had chosen- the Balinese massage. She made me feel very comfortable and took the time to ask if there were any parts of my body I would like her to particularly focus on or watch out for.
The massage itself was the best massage I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a few over the last couple of years!). The therapist really worked hard massaging every part of my body, starting with my head and face, and working down the front of my body , including my stomach, before asking me to turn over to do the back. She used her thumb, palm and forearm to apply pressure and I could really feel it working especially on my knotted neck. It left me so relaxed that I was falling in and out of sleep so almost didn’t realize when the massage stopped and the therapist started to apply the scrub, which, was gently massaged onto my skin.

I was then led to the gorgeous white bath which was now filled with water and strewn with rose petals, with a glass of chilled champagne and chocolates laid out by the side waiting for me. The therapist left the room to allow me to enjoy this part of the treatment alone. As I laid down in the hot water, sipping my champagne and occasionally reaching out for a chocolate, I couldn’t help but smile to myself. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so completely spoilt or relaxed before. If only life could be like this all the time!
There was a gentle knock on the door after 20 minutes to let me know the treatment was over and bring me back to the real world. I made my way back down to the relaxation room where I was able to rest for as long as I wanted before mustering up the energy to get changed.

I definitely recommend Kubu spa for anyone who is looking for total luxury and pampering without having to spend a small fortune. The thought and care that has gone into not only the treatments but also the ambiance and the beautifully themed Balinese rooms makes Kubu the perfect private retreat, and the personal touches like the champagne and chocolates makes for a really truly decadent experience! I can't wait to go back.

I've been going to Be Beautiful for nearly 9 years and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is local to Clapham Common. It's a small and intimate space with treatments rooms on the ground and second level, which are sparsely decorated but very clean and well lit. If you're going for a wax ask for either Lisa or Erica, who have been therapists here for years so are very experienced and always manage to wax without it hurting or leaving bruises (as so many other therapists can do). I never go to anyone else.

I booked a one night spa break for my sisters’ birthday and chose Whittlebury Hall for it’s location, based near Milton Keynes it was nice and easy for me to travel up from London and for my sister to drive down from the Midlands.

I was a little worried as we parked our car in the car park at the very noticeable noise of racing cars (Whittlebury is very close to the Silverstone race track) however as we walked closer to the hotel this became more of a hum and in fact once inside I couldn’t hear anything.

I’d booked a standard twin room so was a little surprised when we were shown to a double room. I went back to the reception desk and was told that there had obviously been an error but all the twin rooms were now fully booked with only double rooms free. My sister and I didn’t mind sharing a bed but this could have been very embarrassing. Despite this initial set back the room itself was modern and bright with all the facilities you’d want including some very nice Molton Brown toiletries in the bathroom.

We had treatments booked in for the following day so decided to make our way down to the spa to use the facilities. The day spa is situated at the side of the hotel and has it’s own separate entrance, but can also be easily accessed from inside the hotel. The girls on the spa reception were very friendly and soon had us kitted out in lovely fluffy white robes and slippers.

We started off with the heat-and-ice experience, moving from one steam room to another your body temperature starts increasing before then dramatically cooling down in the Ice cave. This resulted in lots of girlie cries (not just me!) as it’s a real shock to the senses, but completely worth it as it leaves your body feeling completely invigorated and apparently is great for circulation which helps us girls in our constant battle against cellulite. The hydrotherapy pool in the centre of the room was my favourite experience, with lots of different massage jets designed to ease away the tension in your body. The only downside was that it also seemed to be everyone else’s favourite spot so was very busy with a few too many people in it at times to fully relax. We dried off on the very comfortable ceramic heated loungers before heading off for a swim.
The pool is situated within the leisure centre, next to the day spa and unlike the day spa is open to all guests. Surprisingly this was a lot quieter than the heat and ice rooms so was the perfect place to chill after a long day. There is a very good sized pool with bubble jets as well as a fairly large Jacuzzi, perfect to sit and gossip in. There was also a pleasant steam room and a sauna which was let down by rather horrid white plastic seats of which 3 had out of use notices on them.

Our package included a 3 course dinner in Aston's restaurant which was just lovely with plenty of choice, friendly staff and efficient service. This is also where breakfast was served the following morning.

I had pre-booked 2 treatments and they were both fantastic. The first was a Rasul mud treatment which is perfect for 2 people to enjoy together and you administer it yourself. You start off with rubbing a salt scrub over your skin which gently exfoliates the skin, you then shower and start applying the mud. There are three different types of mud which you use on your hair, face and body. Once fully caked you enter the chamber, which has built in seating and the room slowly fills with steam. This is one of my favourite treatments as it is not only relaxing but also very social. The treatment ends when a light shower comes on from above within the chamber to wash away all the mud and your skin is left feeling super smooth.
My sister also had the Elemis skin specific facial which she raved about afterwards.

Overall , I think Whittlebury offers amazing value for money especially on the dinner, bed and breakfast packages. If you’re an avid Champney’s or Ragdale regular it won’t be for you, however it’s perfect for any spa virgins' as it won’t break the bank. There are lots of special offers throughout the year including 2 for 1 deals on certain treatments meaning you can come back again and again. I’ve been back twice already!

We chose this spa resort as it was close to Pisa and seemed like the perfect place to relax as well as to see the Tuscan sights. The spa did not disappoint, completely living up to the description and images on the website. The facilities, staff and the treatments were excellent, with many of the treatments involving the natural healing thermal waters.

I’d highly recommend the Grandukes’ Hammam. This is a natural steam bath in a small thermal grotto under the hotel. It is incredibly beautiful and very, very hot. I found the mosaic seat too hot to sit on so spent most of my time in the illuminated pool which has a constant cascade of thermal water filling it at 38c. The staff were very knowledgable and took the time to explain the benefits of each treatment with the Hammam used in the treatment of respiratory diseases as well encouraging the elimination of toxins from the body.

The spa is very different to any I have visited in the UK. Many of the staff are medically trained and there is a much wider range of treatments available, with 27 different types of massages to choose from alone! The treatments are more concentrated around wellbeing which opens the spa to a varied mix of guests ranging from couples to families as well as a number of guests on their own.

The hotel also provides free daily fitness walks for guests and a gentle exercise session in the marvellous (but small) outdoor thermal pool, complete with hydromassages. This pool is situated on the rooftop of the spa and is a complete sun trap. It’s the perfect place to relax after a hard days sightseeing in the hot summer sun, or in between treatments.

The hotel, originally an eighteenth century mansion, has been lovingly restored. I was lucky enough to be staying in one of suites which was beautifully decorated with many original features including an amazing frescoe on the 20ft vaulted ceiling, marble floors and gorgeous wooden shutters as well as all the mod cons you’d expect. The bathroom was huge with a fantastic shower.
The robe and slippers were nice and fit me to a tee (they ask for your robe and shoe size upon check-in!) and we were left fresh robes in our room daily.

The restaurant, with a view of the Tower of Pisa, was friendly, and relaxed and had an extensive wine list and choice of menus including a low calorie menu.

This is a really, really well-run hotel and all the staff are friendly and willing to help, from the lovely guy who parks the car to the manager himself - they all made a real fuss of us making this one of the best short breaks I’ve ever been on.

I would highly recommend this hotel spa to anyone. San Giuliano is a nice small town to use as a base to see Tuscany whilst incorporating a truely relaxing spa break.
Book your flights and spa stay separately as this will save you money. Most of the low cost carriers fly to Pisa and are incredibly good value. With the money you save you can indulge in a few more treatments!
Try to book your treatments before arriving as I found the short taster treatments (20 mins long) could be booked in at the last minute but anything more specialized was booked up in advance.
Hire a car as parking is secure and free at the hotel and it’s location is perfect to explore north west tuscany. In particular Pisa, Lucca and the seaside towns north of Viareggio are all very close.

I will definitely be going back!