I'm looking for a spa day where I can take my daughter after she has finished
her GCSEs. I'm finding it tricky to find either spas that will take under
18s or to know what would be a sensible treatment package for her age. I
would like this to be shared "mother-daughter" experience.
We live in Cambridgeshire but am happy to travel, ideally to an area with
other things of interest to make it a memorable occasion. Melanie Mathews,
Cambridgeshire, UK
Times Online spa expert, Miranda Allard responds:
My daughter is a similar age so I feel well qualified to answer this one. For
a spa day The Sanctuary in Covent Garden is a good option.
The Sanctuary accepts 16 year olds which should fit with post-GSCE timing. I
cannot think of any teenagers who would not relish the thought of a trip
down to London and especially to Covent Garden.
I recently had a wonderful mother-and-daughter day spa experience here. We
booked our treatments in advance which is a must. The Sanctuary is not cheap
so to avoid any disappointment it is essential to arrive prepared –
including two dry swimming costumes and rubber flip flops.
Having checked in and changed into robes we wandered around the facilities –
exercise pool, Jacuzzi, steam/sauna rooms and relaxation areas. We then
chilled in the Koi Carp Lounge overlooking the famous “swing” pool planning
our day while sipping a fresh fruit smoothie.
We both took advantage of the skin analysis consultation and being a regular
teenager with complexion issues I booked my daughter in for a 50 minute
“warming herbal compress facial”. She really listened to advice from her
therapist and came away with some very reasonably priced products – all of
which added to the “treat” of this special day.
I, on the other hand, sampled one of their signature body treatments –
“Sensual Mande Lular” (an Indonesian Bridal Ritual) - an interesting choice
for a mother of three but it was 85 minutes of total bliss. The relaxation
process continued with a booked (though free) 20-minute session in the sleep
zone. With headphones talking us into a deep meditative state the only shame
was that the session did not last longer.
All good things come to an end and I was bracing myself for the inevitable
request to inspect the boutiques of Covent Garden on our way home. I was
amazed it never happened and half way home realized why – the spa had done
its job and she was asleep.
General tips: Try to book treatments at the same time so you have your
free time together. Book afternoon treatments if you can leaving the morning
free to enjoy steam/sauna and water experiences. This both warms and relaxes
muscles before body treatments and opens pores prior to facials. Therapists
advise you to stay dry for at least an hour post treatment while the
products soak in and a quiet rest adds to the long term effect. When booking
into a hotel request rooms next to each other. If you are intending to shop
schedule an overnight stay!
Need to know: The Sanctuary for prices, packages and bookings call 0870
770 3350 www.thesanctuary.co.uk. Full Day Passes start at £67 for midweek
(£77 at weekends)with warming herbal compress facial £75 and Sensual Mande
Lular £90.
Miranda Allard runs SpaContacts.com
which features a limited selection of spas invited by her to join
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