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Dove Spa Bromley - 4 bubbles
When the newly refurbed Dove Spa opened in Bromley, Sassy Spy was delighted to receive an invitation to visit. She enjoyed the immaculately presented treatment rooms, which sit within the Virgin Active Building (where there is a health club which you can visit for an extra charge), as well as the professional treatments and the affable staff. She was understandably nervous, as this was her first experience of colonic irrigation, but was put at ease by a thoughtful therapist.
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Long-term effects
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
My taxi pulled in to the sizeable car park of the very large Virgin Active Bromley health club.
I walked up the entrance steps and spotted a reception desk straight ahead of me, with barriers either side to allow entry and exit for the gym. To my right-hand side, I could see a dimly-lit, spacious café and, to my left, a contrasting sparkly-fresh and very white Dove Spa.
How did they welcome you?
Very politely and with a big smile. I'd been told in advance to drink lots of water in preparation for my particular treatment, and was desperate for the ladies room on arrival!
Each of the staff wore name badges, and Catharine obligingly showed me where to go.
What happens next?
I returned to reception and Catharine took me through the double doors to a white, comfy two-seater couch in the main salon area. On the couch, I filled out a really, really long questionnaire, including questions about my health, my eating habits and my toilet habits. As I was filling out my form, the manager, Sara, came to meet me and give me a tour of the spa.
Dove Spa Bromley had been refurbished just a week before my visit. Sara told me that they have an impressive 40 staff at Dove Spa Bromley, making it the biggest Dove Spa in the country.
We started the tour in the spa's open-plan reception. The reception area is white walled and floored, and filled with white floor-to-ceiling shelves displaying a tempting range of products: Dove, Rehab for men, Mama Mio and Elemis. We peered through some glass doors into Dove Spa's hair salon. This is a shiny salon with a funky interior including lots of chrome and mirrors. It was nearly full of clients. I commented that it was quite busy for a Wednesday lunch time, but apparently Wednesday is one of Dove Spa's busiest days (as well as Fridays and Saturdays).
The curvy-shaped white reception desk has three tills. Behind the desk is a funky partition wall, housing more Dove products. Behind the partition wall is a chill-out area with comfy seats, magazines and a whole range of sample Dove products to try.
Sara and I then walked through the double doors to the spa's main treatment area. To the left was a corridor of treatment rooms. This corridor had a slight office-feel to it: think grey/blue carpet and sand coloured doors. This was a little out of keeping with the pure whiteness of the rest of the spa. There are ten treatment rooms off this corridor, all of which were spacious and fragrant.
Back in to the main salon area, Catharine showed me Dove Spa's skin consultation area, where in-depth skin analyses take place. There was a new, funky, grey-and-white tiled pedicure area. I liked the padded white leather seats, complete with roll cushions, and in-built areas for feet to be groomed and made pretty. It was all very clean and fresh.
There were also a couple of manicure stations: two out of three were being used at the time.
We then headed to the changing room, which Dove call the "Freshen Up" room. Inside were large mirrors, some showers, and plenty of lockers. I was particularly impressed by the unique touch of a pile of beautiful sarongs, available for wandering about in.
Tour over, I returned to the couch to continue filling out my lengthy form. I chatted with a customer, and she told me about how much she loved Dove Spa, and how she and her daughter had been coming to the spa for years. She went on to say how very nice and laid-back the staff were, and how relaxing it was just being there. She laughed when she found out I was a journalist, but she still had nothing but praise for the place.
Once I'd filled out my form, Carly, my therapist, came over. She took me into Dove Spa's colonic hydrotherapy room. We sat down, and she thanked me for taking the time to fill out all of the form. She said that most people don't!
Which treatments did you have?
I had a session of Colonic Hydrotherapy (75 minutes, £65), otherwise known as an enema. In Colonic Hydrotherapy, a tube is inserted up your bottom, and water is pumped gradually through your colon. As the water comes back out, it brings with it all the horrible sludge that you've been storing.
What were the treatments like?
Dove Spa has a room dedicated to Colonic Hydrotherapy treatments. There was a bed in the middle of the room: half-tilted up, with a plastic, removable cover over the whole bed. I could see cupboards all down one side of the room (one later turned out to be a fridge, for storing probiotics in), a sink and some fresh towels.
The colonic hydrotherapy equipment was by the sink and was very simple-looking: just a couple of clear plastic tubes hanging down from a cupboard. There was also an en-suite toilet (particularly handy for this room). It was all very simple, functional, and clean.
The treatment was a completely new experience for me. Colonic Hydrotherapy is a bit of a taboo subject, but I had been intrigued by it for ages. I had heard that after a session of colonics, you can experience a sense of well-being, feel lighter, and have the energy to attempt a marathon. Some people even lose weight. I often suffer from bloating and constipation, and wondered if Colonic Hydrotherapy would help. I was little bit worried as I didn't really know what to expect. Would it hurt? Would my modesty be protected? What if I wanted it to stop? What if, what if...?
Carly really soothed my mind before the treatment, giving knowledgeable answers to all of my questions. She told me some techniques to help: She suggested that I put my feet up on an upside-down washing up bowl when sitting on the toilet, and also to breathe deeply with my hand on my belly whilst trying to relieve myself. Toilet hygiene is a sensitive subject but Carly had such a sweet nature, and exuded such patience, caring and understanding, that she really put me at my ease.
I commented upon Carly's framed diploma on top of the cupboards; she told me that she had studied Colonic Hydrotherapy for one year, and had been qualified for almost four years. She also informed me that she had studied nutrition. I found this all very reassuring.
During the treatment, I kept on my upper body clothing, removed everything else, and changed into a wrap-around towel-skirt secured by velcro. The Colonic Hydrotherapy treatment started with me lying on my side and then I moved to lying on my back.
Carly made sure I was feeling fine at all times and talked me through everything that was going on. She advised that the more I relaxed, the better the session should be.
We chatted throughout the treatment, and Carly made sure that I was never uncomfortable. I could feel and see my belly bloating, and Carly gave me a stomach massage to relieve this and get everything moving.
My first session was not quite as productive as I'd hoped, but Carly had already explained that it can take three or four sessions for the hydrotherapy to work fully, and that I would probably feel tired after this first session.
How did you feel afterwards?
Lethargic, as Carly had warned me, and a little bloated. But positive that I was doing something that was going to help me.
What happens afterwards?
I sat on the toilet, to make sure that absolutely everything was out! I asked if I might possibly have a nasty accident on the bus / train journey home, but Carly advised that as I'd relaxed on the loo, I should be absolutely fine. She asked if she could get me some more water, then made me sit, get dressed and allow myself to relax.
Carly advised me to wait another four to six weeks before returning for another Colonic Hydrotherapy session, and to put in place her advice about what foods to eat or avoid.
I could have stayed longer and relaxed in either the main salon or the chill-out area, but I was tired and wanted to get home.
The chill-out area was quite sedate, with just one person quietly reading a magazine at the far end. My spa niggle is that as you have to walk through one end of the chill-out area, and other customers could easily walk past having a natter, not realising that there are other people enjoying some quiet me time.
Long-term effects
For me, one session of Colonic Hydrotherapy wasn't really enough. I was hoping to be jumping about and weigh a stone lighter but, alas, reality bites! It takes a few sessions to get to this stage. I definitely want to try this treatment again, though.
I have tried Carly's techniques for sitting on the toilet (which I must say have generally been working) and I've taken her dietary advice on board. I've started drinking goats milk, which tastes a bit "goaty" but I'm getting used to it. I've also bought myself a large bag of linseed, short-grain brown rice, and I've not bought any cheddar cheese (yet). I'm sure it'll be the cheese that will be my downfall! I've also started drinking more water.
If I can keep up this new regime, hopefully this will aid a digestive system that has been suffering for years.
Carly told me that some people go to Dove Spa for a colonic "quick fix" which is fine, but what would really benefit people is to take note of what they are eating a bit more, so that they can try to reduce any ongoing problems they may have.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely. To put into writing my health, eating habits and toilet habits was quite an eye-opener. I knew already that some foods caused me trouble, but for someone else to actually pin-point this for me really made it sink in. I just wish I'd braved a colonic treatment years ago.
What else could you have?
At Dove Spa, you can enjoy a personalised facial, dermabrasion, or a Bright Eyes treatment to reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. There are wraps, body scrubs and massages, and you can try holistic therapies including Hot Stone massage, Indian head massage and reflexology. There are beauty treatments including eye treatments, tanning, hair removal, make-up application and nail care. They mainly use Dove products, but also the ones on sale in reception.
Also, Dove have put together some great sounding "experiences" which are packages designed for different occasions, such as "Time for me" or "Time to celebrate".
Men are also not forgotten on Dove Spa's treatment list: they can enjoy an executive facial, nail treatment or pedicure.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That Dove Spa is a treatment rooms and not a spa. There are no water areas within Dove at all, apart from the showers in the changing rooms, and in some of the treatment rooms. You can pay £15 to use the health-club facilities in the Virgin Active gym, which include a 25-metre pool, steam room and sauna. You do not have to be a gym member to visit Dove Spa Bromley, though. There are no spa days on offer apart from this £15 add-on, and no lunch.
Who do you think would like it?
The spa is well-used by Bromley locals and gym members. People who are looking for professional treatments at a good price will like Dove Spa, too.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Dove Spa 4 bubbles. The staff were all helpful and knowledgeable. I loved Carly, my therapist. She was just superb: a skilled therapist who put me at ease during my treatment. The spa was spotless.
There were a few loose ends that needed tying up: there were no benches in the changing rooms, for example, but they were due to arrive the week that I went.
Read more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
I would. If I lived in the area, I would join the gym and go for treatments as often as I could afford.
We visited Dove Spa Bromley in April 2009.
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a special spa offer at Dove Spa with our partners lastminute.com
See also:
* Contact Details for Dove Spa Bromley
* Colonic irrigation
* See more spa reviews
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