Review of Aura Day Spa, Belfast

Aura Day Spa, Belfast - 4 bubbles

These boutique, urban treatment rooms in Belfast appealed to our Sedate Spy. She loved her body treatment and massage, the professional and friendly staff, and the Chill Out Room. No pools or saunas on offer here, but this small day spa packs a powerful punch of pampering.

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?

Long-term effects

Was it worth it?

What else could you have?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

Aura Day Spa is located on the prestigious Lisburn Road in Belfast. This is one of the most affluent retail areas in Northern Ireland, with a selection of upmarket designer boutiques, art galleries, jewellers and to-die-for shoe shops. I was really pleased with my invitation to visit this spa! Inside, the reception area was bright and clean with wooden floors. A wide range of products and cosmetics was temptingly displayed under strategically placed lamps and lights.

How did they welcome you?

Standing behind the reception desk was a genuinely friendly, smiling receptionist. She handed me a consultation form to complete and showed to me the spa's waiting area. As soon as I had completed the form, another member of staff appeared and led me up the stairs to the first-floor waiting/lounge area.

What happens next?

The lounge area was stylishly decorated and furnished with comfortable armchairs and sofas. There was also a clean, tidy refreshment station with a fridge full of soft drinks and fruit: I chose a green tea and a large glass of water. Another member of staff showed me to the changing room. My locker contained a robe and slippers: I changed into these and ventured back to the waiting area to finish my tea. My therapist came over, introduced herself, and led me to the treatment room. The room was spacious and clean, with soft lighting and a shower in the corner. The room was filled with a gentle and relaxing aroma from scented candles. The therapist went through my consultation form in detail, then explained the treatment to me. She asked which areas of tension I would like her to pay particular attention to. The therapist left the room, and I changed into a pair of very unflattering disposable pants and snuggled onto the couch, under a large, soft towel. My therapist's professional and friendly manner had relaxed me, and I was really looking forward to this treatment.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the Aromatherapy Associates Enrich Body treatment (90 minutes, £85). This head-to-toe treatment is designed to rejuvenate dry and out-of-condition skin.

What were the treatments like?

The treatment began with an invigorating sea-salt, frankincense and coffee full-body exfoliation. The therapist paid particular attention to my hands and feet. She then left me to rinse off the scrub in the shower. The shower area was clean and well-stocked with soap and shampoo, but it looked a little bit dated to me. Scrub removed, I returned to the couch for the next part of the treatment. The therapist applied a rich Aromatherapy Associates moisturising serum, beautifully scented with a blend of patchouli, tuberose and vanilla. This serum aims to lock moisture in the skin, and to soothe the skin after the exfoliation. Then it was time for a nourishing oil massage. Aromatherapy Associates Enrich Oil is a blend of evening primrose, macadamia nut and coconut oils. The therapist massaged the oil into my skin, using Swedish massage techniques. The scent was truly heavenly. She finished off this luxurious body treatment by applying a generous layer of Aromatherapy Associates Body Butter, which again smelt amazing. The body butter is a heady blend of jasmine, patchouli and tonka bean. While this rich cream was being absorbed into my skin, my therapist treated me to a wonderful scalp massage. Bliss...

How did you feel afterwards?

Once I had floated out of the treatment room into the quiet, dimly-lit Chill Out Room, I felt fantastic. I relaxed on a comfortable lounger under a silky soft blanket. I felt de-stressed, light, and a little dozy. Every inch of my skin smelt delicious and felt soft.

Long-term effects

This Aromatherapy Associates treatment left my skin feeling nourished for days. My skin felt amazing!

Was it worth it?

I'd definitely recommend the Aromatherapy Associates Enrich Body treatment. It's a wonderfully decadent way to moisturise parched skin. At £85, it was worth every penny.

What else could you have?

Aura Day Spa offers a wide and varied range of luxurious treatments for both men and women. The menu includes facials, body massage, body treatments, anti-cellulite, non-surgical cosmetic procedures, microdermabrasion, beauty treatments, tanning, manicures and pedicures and just-for-men treatments.

You can also try the spa's infra-red sauna, dry floatation therapy and a "Japanese Bath experience", using the spa's slipper bath.

Aura Day Spa's rituals sound wonderful: many of them include a light lunch or afternoon tea. A four-hour Well-Being ritual includes Dry Floatation, De-Stress back therapy, an aromatic facial, luxury pedicure, and light lunch or tea.

Who do you think would like it?

Busy shoppers looking to relax and rejuvenate after hitting the Lisburn Road retail emporia. Anyone who needs to escape the stresses of modern life for an hour or two.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave Aura Day Spa 4 bubbles. My treatment was excellent and the therapist was professional and friendly; her experienced manner helped make this a blissfully relaxing experience for me.

It's a shame that there is no separate area for enjoying the food on offer at Aura Day Spa. It's great to see treatment rooms offering light lunches and afternoon teas as part of a spa day, so it's a pity that you have to enjoy your spa lunch in the waiting area, which doesn't have tables.

See more on how we rate the spas.