January is through and spring not quite just around the corner, but the evenings are definitely getting just that little bit lighter. If you aren’t quite ready to jump on a plane to an exotic location to escape the cold, why not treat yourself with a little pampering closer to home. Here at #TeamCoco we believe you can never have too many spa days, so take inspiration from the following best in class spa offerings right here in the UK. From chocolate meditations to healing rain, these spas stand out from the crowd.
Floating Spa
Opening this month, you can try the first of its kind ‘floating spa’ in the UK from Monkey Island, a private island in the River Thames. This bespoke barge will offer voyages rather than treatments on the river, based on the power and healing qualities of water. A total of three treatment rooms will be on offer at the bespoke custom-made barge spa. Try the floating massage, mirroring the movement of water or even a chocolate meditation! Many of the treatments are inspired by ancient recipes brewed by the monks who were Monkey Island’s first recorded inhabitants in the 12th century. Monkeyislandestate.co.uk
Sleep Ritual
Located on the idyllic seashores of the Irish Sea on Newcastle Bay, the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa looks out onto spectacular views of the Mountains of Mourne. Set in six acres of beautifully kept private grounds, the property is famous for its expansive and luxurious spa. Guests can escape to a cocoon of calm and melt away their stresses with over two floors of tranquillity including an amethyst steam room. The sleep ritual available at the spa is the ultimate unwind, allowing the body to relax and renew. Performed in calming, candlelit surroundings, breathing and visualisation techniques release physical and emotional anxiety and restore energies. Deep-seated muscular tension is relieved using a combination of hot stones and warmed fragrant ESPA oil. Drift off in one of their famous cloud beds for sweet dreams guaranteed. Hastingshotels.com
Bathing Rituals
Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews offers a range of bathing experiences designed to increase mood and boost energy levels during the colder months. The only Kohler Waters Spa outside the USA, this luxury spa retreat in the heart of Scotland has a focus on hydrotherapy and organic treatments. #TeamCoco loves the bathing treatments include a relaxing, 90-minute Soak Overflowing Bath, which involves floating in a continually over-flowing bath tub filled with seaweed. Alternatively try the Lavender Rain treatment where warm rain pours down from the Kohler Custom Vichy shower. Oldcoursehotel.co.uk
Natural Healing
The new Falls Spa at Lodore Falls Hotel is nestled in the heart of the Lake District’s beautiful Borrowdale valley. With panoramic views of Derwentwater and the spectacular Catbells Mountain Range, The Falls Spa offers guests a cosy, Scandi-inspired retreat from which to enjoy and harness the healing powers of nature. Fancy trying something different? The Falls Spa is the only spa in the north to offer the La Sultane De Saba Akwaterra Massage, a full-body experience using ceramic ergonomic Akwaterra tools filled with hot water. If it’s a luxurious winter spa break you need, the spacious Spa Suites with floor to ceiling windows, walk in wardrobes and lake views should do the trick! Lakedistrictspa.co.uk
Meditation Caves
If a meditation cave sounds like your idea of a blissful retreat, the five-star Gainsborough Bath Spa is the spa break for you. Crystal Sound Baths have become incredibly popular due to the mental and physical health benefits and now you can experience a private Crystal Sound Bath session in the tranquil setting of a meditation cave. Pure quartz crystal bowls are played at different vibrational frequencies. The combination of sound and vibration releases tension, and lowers the heart rate, balancing the energy centres of the body on a cellular level and inducing a sense of deep peace. Get prepared for some serious relaxation. Thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk