spa – Jo Sent Me

City Slicker

Hard to imagine that Edinburgh’s One Spa , the first serious city spa in the UK, is 10 years old. Can you imagine looking out over Edinburgh from the rooftop hydropool above – only the Castle has a more interesting view! I talked to them recently about the changes that have occurred over the last 10 years of spadom…and even in Scotland, that home of the dour and brave, men have taken to spas like the proverbial ducks to water. In fact they now make up a qaurter of the spa’s users and membership. However when guests are looking for something a little gentler and warmer the laconium looks golden and inviting.

To celebrate their birthday One Spa is introducing a new ESpa Enzyme Facial – which peels and plumps – wonder how that is going to go down with the guys?

BodyHoliday3

Well good to know not everything is perfect. Head of Wellness stood me up and my caci facial disappeared off the face of the beach…however I did have a terrific Chi Nei Tsang massage from a really terrific Tao therapost called Toby Maguire. Not too many places offer this TCM stomach massage while a great number of people really dislike having their stomach touched. I am very keen on it as it can be quite strenuous but it does shift any sluggishness in there. This one was exceptional, even more so because I slept for part of it!
Final thoughts on Body Holiday – very good value for money and if you make it work for you it won’t get any better. It’s all inclusive, including a treatment a day and at least a choice of about 12 activities from golf to scuba, spin to walks as well as yoga, pilates, tai chi and meditation. Everyone os given a 30 minute slot with a personal trainer – hope for Felix, who runs the gym and whose body looks as if its made of iron…but he has the kindest smile…

BodyH 2

Still loving the view of the beach and sea from the spa. What is impressive is that even when the spa is full…and there are 33 treatment rooms, a fitness centre and exercise studio, it still seems calm and uncrowded. But best of all there is NO MUSIC pumped into the rooms…oh the joy of the gentle whir of the air-con rather some horrible tinkling, wheezing, fake chanting or sub Enya…bliss. And while the resort is supposed to be full you are rarely conscious of the fact as so many are out water-ski-ing, tubing, running, playing golf,tennis, walking, mountain biking, pilates, yoga, snorkelling or simply lying down…and that’s before they hit the spa… Am also fascinated by the clientele – all ages, all sizes from early 20s to early 80s and from super skinny to simply super!

bodyholiday

At the BodyHoliday in St Lucia (still known in places as LeSport)…which has just had a major refurb, and I must admit is very impressive. There is still some finishing work being done, but the guests don’t see to mind, after all they were alerted to it and given a massive discount (50%) for putting up with it. However there is so little noise and now it is mostly cosmetic – planting gardens and finishing the pizza style restaurant. The rest all runs smoothly, while the spa, the Oasis, see top left, is far above it and nothing impinges upon the peace and quiet experienced up there. It looks down on the beach (see right) and is a very calm area. Surprising really as there are 33 treatment rooms, a plunge pool and relaxation area as well as an ayurvedic pavilion and an outdoor area for head, neck and shoulder massage.

So far have only had one treatment – one of the signature massages, a St Lucian Sizzler which was more relaxing than sizzling…but had a therapist, Rosalie who has a very good touch. Guests get one treatment a day as part of their package (which is all-inclusive) and a huge choice of activities – everything from yoga to golf. Other treatments and extra activities are, of course, extra, so little wonder that it’s almost always 80-90 per cent full. Surprisingly, as I’m not a great fan of food in the Caribbean, the food is good. The good thing about the BodyHoliday is it does what it says on the tin

travel wellbeing

I have got airport angst. I used to love airports, they were glitzy, glamorous and invariably the gateway to somewhere warm and wonderful or exciting and exotic. Now they fill me with dread – it’s not just the queues, the security or even the simple bad manners of many of the people working there – they are simply places to keep, herd and dehumanise us while at the same time trying to extract as much money as possibly by serving indifferent food in uncomfortable watering holes. I’m sure it’s quite different if you are cocooned in First or Business Class but the majority of us aren’t. Interesting really that most places of refuge for the frazzled traveller i.e.spas are to be found only within the Business and First Class airport lounges.

British Airways are provided by Elemis but only for up the front travellers

Emirates has a two storey spectacular in their Dubai Business Lounge (only snag here, once you get in, you have to pay for your treatments!)

The Virgin ClubHouse at Terminal 3 is possibly the best of the lot, but again only for upper class

which is why I have to applaud some of the innovations found in airports for the humble traveller. Recently I spotted a Beauty Bubble at Nice where for 10Euros you could get an express blow-dry or manicure. Munich is dotted with little Sleep pods where you for a few Euros you can have a little peace and quiet all on your own. I know Clarins has a little manicure place at Gatwick, and a few others are now offering massage chairs but give me Bangkok anytime. Here for a few bucks you can have a back and shoulder massage with a good shot of oxygen to revive you after a long, long flight.

My dream airport treatment would be a dry floatation bed – just lie down in a darkened room and let the bed take your weight for total relaxation – I wouldn’t mind the hassle if I could look forward to one of these.

spa drama

re the seriously sexy Espa Life at the Corinthia Hotel London looks like!!! And this is just the recliners and the pool…