I freely admit to being a floating novice. However, the idea of “attaining the deepest rest humankind has ever experienced” doesn’t sound too bad. Such are the lofty aspirations of the humble float tank according to the Relaxation Centre’s website.

I was told on entering the floatation room that total sensory deprivation was desirable to achieve this total rest but that a first timer could, if made uneasy by the pitch black, turn the light on.

Well, darkness definitely worked better for me: there was something distinctly disappointing about having the surrounding 8ft by 4ft blue plastic chamber (complete with heavy clods of condensation and signs of rust), illuminated.

Lying inert in the shallow temperate soup of salty water was very odd. I liked hearing the rhythmic thud of my own blood thumping behind my ears. But my attempts to return to a womb-like bliss were thwarted by the continual stinging sensation of the slippery water on my skin. It was with guilty relief that I got out after 20 minutes and spent the rest of the time under a hot shower: sshhhh, don’t tell anyone.

In brief

USP There is nothing to distinguish number 9 All Saints Road, a large bay-fronted Georgian house on a quiet, leafy residential street in Bristol, from all the other houses on the street. But inside there lives a buzzing community of folk dedicated to the treatment and healing of your every physical and emotional ache and pain. This is a relaxed and friendly day spa with no gym, no beauty treatments, no membership fee. It is this all-inclusive attitude that forms a key part of the Relaxation Centre’s charm. In addition to the spa facilities, there is a busy schedule of classes and workshops including everything from Qi Gong to Theta DNA, Shiatsu and sound healing. The spa forms the basement of this former family home while individual treatment and classes happen in the airy upper floors with generous space given to treatment rooms.

AMBIENCE The Relaxation Centre has the feel of a much loved, much used place. The spa’s basement entrance is tucked away at the back of the house and I was greeted by friendly staff who showed me the ins and outs of the spa. Outdoors, the garden houses an American hot tub, Redwood barrel sauna, a plunge pool and plenty of quiet space for meditation. Indoors, there is another sauna, eucalyptus steam room, spa pool, infra-red sauna, relaxation lounge and floatation room. It was a cool, damp September morning and not one conducive to shedding clothes. Happily though, the towelling robes were big and soft and white and fluffy and I wrapped myself up in one and ventured outside. A quick soak in the hot tub warmed me up and I was able to appreciate the garden which is a beautiful and exotic oasis of calm. It has been cleverly crafted by carving up 80ft of family garden into different spaces creating a sense of intimacy and privacy into which one can find one’s own space and, with any luck, oneself. The foliage is wonderful with thick vines and wisteria twisting overhead, so much so that sitting on the first floor in the lounge area, you can neither see anyone in the garden below nor eavesdrop conversation. The only sign that this is an oasis amidst a normal residential street is the entreaty not “to squeal” when entering the plunge pool lest the neighbours be disturbed. The garden is definitely a highlight of this place and I would love to visit in the height of summer when the flowers must provide an intoxicating backdrop or in the evening when the glint of fairy lights strung up amongst the vines and the moon overhead would accompany one’s time outside. The feel inside the spa is both calm and colourful with some quirky features: bespoke wooden beds have been sculpted above a “tree house” carved on to the wall of the relaxation lounge.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE I was given a hot stones massage by the bright blue-eyed Sarah B who was friendly and informative and extremely good at what she did. The treatment took place in a spacious third-floor room in which a lone white bed awaited me in the middle of a stripped wooden floor. I felt far away from the spa below with its quiet hum of chatter and drone of the Jacuzzi. Dappled sunlight poured in through an open sash window. A huge sycamore tree stood sentry outside providing a gentle soundtrack of breeze on branch. The only other noise was the occasional chink of stone upon stone and at one point, the squeal of someone hitting the plunge pool in the garden below. I wondered what fate might await the squealer. The massage was exceptional: both relaxing and invigorating. Sarah used a combination of hot and cold stones that work together to stimulate blood flow around organs and muscles, detoxifying and rejuvenating the body. There is an element of discomfort about very cold stones applied to hot skin; an experience akin to leaping into the plunge pool after a hot sauna. The contrast and sheer pleasure of hot smooth stone worked into generously oiled skin made it all worth while. The stones felt wonderful, not only on the larger areas of muscle but also on more unusual areas, between the toes and on the nape of the neck. I was brought to my senses by the wafting of white sage and left feeling both relaxed and energised.

IN CROWD This is a spa where even the most uninitiated will feel welcome. Mondays and Wednesdays are women-only days and although men are allowed in at all times for treatment, the spa is cleverly separated off from the upstairs so there’s no chance of being caught in the nude. There was a relaxed chatty group of women while I was there but certainly enough space to be there alone and not feel crowded. There is a maximum of 35 allowed in the spa at any one time but I should imagine the small changing rooms get pretty busy with that number. Mondays are quiet days and Sundays are for mixed couples.

FOOD There is a small bar in the relaxation lounge offering hot and cold drinks and a basic snack menu (toast, teacakes, ice cream). There is a relaxed attitude to bringing anything more substantial in for yourself especially if you’re there for more than a couple of hours.

WALLET WATCH This is spa experience that won’t leave a massive dent in your pocket. It is reasonably priced with a variety of packages to suit everyone. From Monday to Friday you can visit the spa for an unlimited amount of time for £22. All the spa facilities are included in this price except the floatation tank (£29 per hour) and the Infra Red Sauna (£5 for 30 mins). The wide variety of holistic treatments are available at £38 an hour but you can choose a shorter or longer session should you want. The hot stones massage is always 90 minutes. A VIP day that includes unlimited time at the spa, an hour’s holistic treatment, a float and use of a bathrobe costs £80.

NEED TO KNOW The Relaxation Centre, 9 All Saints Road, Bristol (0117 970 6616; www.relaxationcentre.co.uk). Check the website for forthcoming closures to some parts of the spa due to repair work. They aim to keep disruption to a minimum but it will affect accessibility during some parts of October. You need to book ahead for Fridays and Saturdays (sometimes booked up to six weeks in advance) and on these days, spa sessions are limited to four hour slots. The spa is open until 10pm daily (last admission: 9pm).

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