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Carden Park, Chester - 4 bubbles
Carden Park houses a large and likeable spa, in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, offering dreamy ESPA treatments. Set over two levels, the spa can cater easily for large and small groups alike. There's enough to keep you and your family, friends, or colleagues pampered and busy for days.
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?
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
Carden Park is a large, modern hotel surrounded by 1,000 acres of estate. A golfers' paradise, it has two golf courses. We admired the well-kept greenery rolling into the distance as we drove along the mile-long drive leading to the hotel. The white painted front of the building, although large, doesn't reveal the full extent of the treats in store.
How did they welcome you?
Smiley staff assisted with my luggage as I clambered from the car and headed into the shiny-floored open-plan reception. Simon, the receptionist, was warm, funny and informative. Simon explained directions to the hotel's facilities and reconfirmed my dinner reservation.
What happens next?
The polite porter took my luggage and we shared a lift to my first- floor room; there are 196 rooms and suites at Carden Park.
My modern suite had views across the front gardens and one of the golf courses. Both lounge and bedroom had large flat-screen televisions. The bathroom included a large Jacuzzi bath as well as a shower. A knock at my door heralded a complimentary platter of sliced strawberries and yummy confectionery delights. I hurriedly decided to seek out the spa, before I wolfed the whole sweetie tray.
I walked through reception, past The Brasserie (the place to go for spa day lunches or informal dining) and through the double doors to the spa. I appreciated a tour by the spa receptionist, as the spa is set over two floors.
The changing rooms: On arrival in the ground-floor changing rooms, I realised I didn't have a pound coined for my locker. The receptionist kindly showed me back upstairs and along a corridor to a security-coded private ladies lounge, solely for ladies on spa day packages. This tartan-carpeted room has a seating area, a TV mounted high on the wall, and huge mirrors down one side of the room with seats and hairdryers. There was also a water machine and a well-stocked supply of drinks and biscuits freely available. The lounge has its own separate changing area with security-coded lockers complete with robe and slippers.
I changed in the lounge, then headed back downstairs to the main reception, through the health-club changing rooms. These are spacious, with plenty of lockers lining the walls, a couple of benches, and some single changing rooms. There was a pool of water on the floor and a big yellow sign warning about this. I showered before entering the pool area, as instructed by the sign on the wall by the doorway. Each of the four showers had a container of unidentifiable pineapple-smelling gel, and one of the shower's light-bulbs had blown. I didn't use that one.
On entering the well-lit pool area, I could instantly hear kids' loud echoing voices. I was surprised to discover only two children were the cause of so much noise. The pool room is painted in white and blue, and natural light streams through from windows up high. Stripy-cushioned loungers lined one end of the pool, and plastic olive and palm trees lined the edges. Mirrors also aid the sense of space. Around the corner at the far end of the pool are the rest of the facilities and further loungers.
The sauna was large and really hot. Great! The twinkly-ceilinged steam room was also huge and pleasantly steamy; it could easily sit 10 people or more. The aromatherapy steam room was much smaller and could seat four people maximum. There are three aroma-options including herb, eucalyptus and menthol, and a sign states that the lights will show the setting. Sadly none of the lights were working, no matter which button I pressed, so I settled for pot-luck. I think it was menthol.
The Jacuzzi was popular with guests and was full every time I went to use it. The bucket shower and sun shower gave you a choice of hot or cold, which equated to freezing cold or boiling hot. Sadly, neither appealed to my placid disposition. I did, however, enjoy the monsoon showers with a variety of different showerheads and jets that surround your body.
On the first floor, you enter the treatment area through two closed doors. Immediately upon entry is a nail bar with three stations. There's also a complimentary, help-yourself refreshment area. Through further doors you can enter a dimly lit wood-floored corridor dotted with tea-lights along the edges, plus an iced-water machine for hydration.
The two relaxation rooms are named Tranquillity and Serenity. Each houses plentiful loungers covered in red and white towels, a water machine, magazines, and tropical fish-tanks built into the walls. Closed blinds restricted the particularly sunny day outside.
The well-equipped gym overlooks the pool area, and was filled with an ample amount of Technogym equipment and a water machine. Next to the gym is an aerobic dance studio. The gym entry code, like the code for the private ladies lounge, changes daily.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the ESPA Total Body with hot stones treatment (85 minutes, £85).
What were the treatments like?
Vicki, my therapist, collected me from the Tranquillity relaxation room and took me to the Lavender room. Each of the 13 adequate sized treatment rooms is named after a different essential oil; two are dual suites.
The bed was adorned with bright pink towels, and mirrors lined one side of the room. Candles bordered the work surfaces, and there was a huge range of ESPA products laid out.
Vicki gave me a health consultation form to fill in, and asked me how I wanted to feel after my treatment: chilled but awake enough to do some work! I smelt two different oils to see what my body "needed". I chose rejuvenating oil, which contains orange and lavender; according to Vicki, this is best for feeling alert but calm! I also smelt two different toners, and chose the one that is best suited for skin dehydration. How interesting!
The treatment started with me lying on my front, my face against a pillow, rather than through a face-hoop. Vicki started dry body brushing followed by an apricot kernel, aloe vera and peppermint scrub, and worked like this from limb to limb. As the aloe vera dried out, Vicki continued rubbing off the excess scrub, exfoliating my skin. Vicki included my stomach and breast area after checking that was fine with me. Vicki left the room as I showered.
I lay back on my front and Vicki asked if there was an area that I'd like her to focus upon; I pleaded for as much shoulder work as possible. Vicki applied oil and had to use more as my skin was so dehydrated. Vicki asked about pressure and I told her not to be shy and give me really deep, firm pressure. I think I surprised her with how much pressure I could take but, boy, did my shoulders need it. Vicki identified two really bad knots (toxins collecting in my shoulders through stress and bad posture). Vicki thought they'd been forming for months, then said probably for more than a year! We discussed that I was happy for Vicki to continue working on my shoulders for longer instead of giving me the full routine of hot stones. This abridged version was still amazing.
Vicki made time for a facial cleanse, tone and moisturise as well as a heavenly head massage. So heavenly, in fact, that when it finished, Vicki spoke to me and I agreed to whatever it was, then I came to not knowing what I had just said!
How did you feel afterwards?
My shoulders had had a good work-out, something I'd been longing for months.
Vicki's aftercare advice was to stay hydrated and use hydrating body oils. Vicki also advised that I should have more regular massages, so that all her hard work would not be undone. Yes, my knots were that bad! Good advice.
What happens afterwards?
Vicki took me back to the Tranquillity relaxation room. I would have liked to have a small table to rest my water and cup of peppermint tea by my lounger, rather than having to put it on the floor or hold on to it.
That evening, I headed to the large main restaurant, divided by steps into different levels. I believe I was the only one dining alone, but the waiters were very attentive to my needs. I feasted upon beetroot and roasted squash salad with wholegrain mustard dressing and onion croutons. My main was spatchcock chicken, washed down with a cold glass of Carden Park's sparkling wine (there's an onsite vineyard, don't you know).
I retired to my suite and enjoyed a Jacuzzi before bed, feeling very sated.
Was it worth it?
Carden Park is an affordable spa and good value for money. I was really pleased with my excellent treatment.
What else could you have?
Holistic treatments for the body include reiki, Indian head massage and reflexology. There is also a good range of facials, including Shirodhara. You can have beauty treatments, and men and teens are not forgotten, either.
Packages include a variety of spa experiences, group packages (including a Thrill and Chill package with a combination of activities, hosted by an events company, as well as use of the spa), residential stays, dual treatments, early bird, and twilight packages.
There are a number of outdoor activities including a high ropes course, archery, quad-bike hire, and tennis courts.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That the lockers in the changing rooms near the pool need a pound coin.
Children are allowed to use the pool and leisure facilities at various times throughout the week, so manage your expectations.
Any special features?
There are two relaxation rooms plus the private ladies lounge!
Who do you think would like it?
Parties, stags and hens, and corporates looking for days or stays. For a group, it would be very cost effective to get a taxi from Chester station. You can hire the spa ladies lounge for exclusive use.
Families are catered for very well, as are golfers and golf widows.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Carden Park spa a glistening 4 bubbles. Carden Park is a relaxed and well-kept hotel and spa, with a smart modern edge.
The treatment rooms and relaxation areas were in great condition and there were plenty of well stocked refreshment areas. One of my spa grumbles is doors slamming or clunking shut, and I was overjoyed to find that every door within the spa had scarves tied around the door handles making them impossible to slam -- other spas, please take note!
The wet spa area and changing rooms are more health club rather than true spa-ahhh. If there was a particularly large group visiting, the spa hush would be a little less serene.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Definitely -- there's so much to enjoy at Carden Park. I would like to be invited for longer so that I could make use of all of the facilities. There's talk of a separate spa retreat for adults only being built on the estate in the future, which sounds exciting.
We visited Carden Park in August 2010
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a special spa offer at Carden Park with our partners lastminute.com
* Contact details for Carden Park (De Vere Hotel)
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