Chester & Cheshire: Ultimate Guide - Winter/Spring Edition

Put the spa-kle
back in your life
When it comes to downtime, Cheshire has some
seriously slick spas and state-of-the-art wellness
centres, writes Helen Warwick
IMAGES
TOP LEFT: CARDEN
PARK / RIGHT TOP &
BOTTOM: THE MERE
RESORT
Fresh on the Cheshire
scene this winter is the
hotly anticipated new spa at
Carden Park, near Chester,
opening after months in the
making and a whopping cash
injection of £10 million. And
the crew behind it harbour
big ambitions. They want
to make this high-spec
space one of the UK’s top
destination spas, having
partnered with Elemental
Herbology – a brand that’ll
bring Chinese elemental
philosophies to the green
plains of Cheshire. Inside,
it’s all about glamorous
pampering: there’s a
cavernous reception area
and sweeping staircase,
a blingy relaxation room
and the pool opens onto
killer countryside views.
The 14 treatment rooms
are cool and contemporary,
streamlined with wood and
earthy tones, and thermal
experiences include an ice
fountain, snow shower, foot
baths and heated loungers.
All this is framed with the
spa garden, a sprawl of
hot tubs, fire pits, a heated
pool, a Champagne bar,
squishy day beds and
tufts of herbs that will be
plucked and served in the
spa’s restaurant. Go to
cardenpark.co.uk.
The biggest draws at the
slick hotel spa at Cottons
near Knutsford are the large
pool, flanked by day beds,
and the steaming outdoor
tub. There are all sorts of
treatments on offer, but
there are tasters when you
can’t decide which one to
go for, and you can tie in
afternoon tea. Go to spaand-fitness.co.uk/cottons.
The spa is reason enough
to stay at the Mere Resort,
also near Knutsford. There
are all the usual treatments
under Aromatherapy
Associates and Natura Bissé
for all-round relaxation.
The thermal suite has
a hammam, aroma and
steam room. Plus the spa’s
seamless service
has garnered a loyal
following. themereresort.
co.uk/spa-health.
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