Feeling frazzled? Then grab a gang of girls and head to a spa for a women only, left-the-kids-at home break. The very best will combine decadently relaxing treatments with wholesome but delicious food and plenty of down time to chat.
A dedicated bunch of ladies (including me) have undertaken the onerous task of checking out some of Europe’s best spas, so that you don’t have to trawl through the internet to find them. Here’s their verdict:
Thermes de Spa, Belgium
Nic went to the Thermes de Spa for a post-baby mothers’ package. Spas worldwide are named after this original town of Spa in Belgium. So did the prototype live up to the hype?
Facilities and Treatments: Nic says, “The spa treatments I had were all about water. First was a carbonated water bath, then a full body water massage where you are massaged under the shower.
“I then got sprayed with a serious fire hose to improve circulation and finished with a shower using alternating massaging shower heads. The experience was really intense and they had gorgeous facials too.
Niggles: “The water hose was a little bizarre, but not unpleasant. It felt a bit impersonal as the therapist was sat on the other side of the room.”
Value for money?: “I thought it was good value, especially as I got to see the beautiful Ardennes region as well. Daily admission costs €29 with treatments additional, so buying a package is best.”
Contact: www.thermesdespa.com; tel: +32 (0)87 7725 60.
Hohe Wacht Spa, Germany
Veronika visited the Hohe Wacht Spa on the Baltic Sea near Lübeck and stayed in an apartment with five girls. Fresh bread rolls and a newspaper were delivered in the morning and a delicious four-course meal was served in the evening.
Facilities and Treatments: “We really enjoyed the five different saunas: a Norwegian one (90°C), a steam room, a fragrant well and one at very low temperature with saline water which I loved the most. The pool was a reasonable size and had massage jets. This was all included but we also booked a full body hot stone massage (€25) and a beauty treatment (€45).
“The hotel is right on the sandy beach and we did some lovely walks. We didn’t go anywhere in the evening as we were all exhausted, but it was lovely to sit on the balcony, drink beer and watch television, something mothers don’t often get the chance to do!”
Niggles: Veronika was less than impressed with the table service, saying, “The waiter was an arrogant snob who wouldn’t talk to us as he thought we were too loud, but the other staff were very friendly and flexible”.
She was not too keen on the beauty treatment, finding the therapist a bit aggressive with her skin, but her companions loved it.
Value for money?: The group paid €135 each for the whole arrangement (excluding the treatments) which Veronika describes as a bargain.
Contact: www.hohe-wacht.de; tel: +49 (0)4381 9008 0.
Ragdale Hall, UK
The name Ragdale Hall is synonymous with ‘luxury spa’ in Britain. Naomi visited this country house retreat in Leicestershire, favourite haunt of celebrities, for a much needed pampering weekend and was blown away.
Facilities and treatments: “I had a very thorough facial and a totally relaxing full body massage. In between, I curled up in the relaxation room with a duvet. For me, the luxurious details at Ragdale made all the difference.
“We arrived late and the staff parked our car for us, then in the morning, three waiters trooped into our room carrying coffee, breakfast trays and the newspaper – total heaven.
“It was also perfectly acceptable to have dinner in your dressing gown, there were board games to play in the lounge and the whole ambience was one of a relaxed stately home. We also borrowed bikes and toured the area.”
Niggles: “None. It was just fantastic”.
Value for money?: Naomi gives it the thumbs up. “It wasn’t cheap, but it is definitely good value for money.”
Contact: www.ragdalehall.co.uk; tel: +33 (0)1664 4348 31
Maritim Antonine Hotel and Spa, Mellieħa
Proving that you don’t need to go abroad to find a great spa service, I visited the Maritim in Mellieha for an utterly relaxing day kindly bought by my friends as a treat after a stressful month.
Treatments and Facilities: Attention to detail has created a great ambience in the spa. After a friendly greeting at reception, you reach the relaxation room by walking down wooden boardwalks lit by candles. There are comfortable wicker couches, great for chatting with the girls in between treatments.
The steam rooms were fun to sweat out the toxins especially since I was feeling a bit delicate after perhaps too many glasses of wine the night before. My head and neck massage was quite simply heaven; the therapist was brilliant, kept the chat to a polite minimum, the couch was comfortable and the room was dark and warm.
After the treatment, it felt like a load had been lifted from my shoulders. We also used the pool and the jacuzzi.
Niggles: The hotel was quite noisy at night; they could do with improving their sound proofing. The Ice Grotto was also disappointingly out of action.
Value for money?: Very much so. We went in low season and the rooms included entrance into the spa. The treatments were also well priced. A great treat if you are desperate for a break and don’t want the extra hassle of leaving the island.
Contact: www.maritim.com.mt; tel: 2289 2000.