 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SenSpa at Careys Manor, Brockenhurst - 5 bubbles
Sedate Spy and friend were invited to SenSpa in the New Forest to sample this authentic Thai-themed spa. She found high-quality treatments and an impressive hydrotherapy complex. A consistently excellent spa, we've awarded SenSpa our full 5 bubbles for the third time.
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?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
Careys Manor is a striking Tudor-style mansion, deep in the New Forest. The manor house dates back to 1888, and was built on the site of a former royal hunting lodge used by Charles II. Careys Manor now houses a state-of-the-art spa and a luxury country hotel, just an hour and a half from London by train.
How did they welcome you?
The reception staff were very friendly, and checked us in swiftly and professionally. The receptionist confirmed that we had full access to all the spa facilities and that we were booked in for dinner in the two AA-rosette Manor Restaurant. A friendly porter took our bags and led us to our room. He took time to explain the facilities in the room and the restaurant menus.
What happens next?
Our room was one of the newly refurbished Oakwood Garden Rooms. It was very spacious and spotlessly clean. Sliding double doors opened onto a charming, enclosed garden with some stylish, comfortable garden furniture. It was a lovely spring evening, so we sat outside and drank a cup of tea.
We were eager to try out the spa. Day-spa guests can access the spa directly from the main car park. Hotel guests follow the signs along a labyrinth of corridors. On entering the spa, the first thing you notice is the gentle, exotic fragrance. There were red silk-covered sofas, and oriental art covered the walls. All the walls and floors in the spa were covered by thin bamboo strips. All the spa staff were wearing black-and-red oriental uniforms with high collars and loose trousers.
A member of the spa reception staff gave us consultation forms to complete while we drank a cup of green tea. The receptionist then issued us with a token for the locker and a swipe-card for access to the hydrotherapy facilities and the relaxation room. These areas are only accessible to those who have booked a spa day or spa break. Hotel guests and health club members need to pay a fee to enter.
The changing rooms are upstairs from the spa reception. The main area has lockers along the walls with benches scattered throughout. There are three private changing cubicles and a shower area. There is an ante-room with hairdryers and mirrors, and a wall rack full of towels. The changing room can become quite cosy during peak times. The showers are fairly cramped and basic. It feels like a health-club changing room (which it is), rather than a spa changing room.
SenSpa follows a Thai philosophy and has many Thai therapists, so I thought I would try a traditional Thai massage. For this treatment you are given loose-fitting Thai pyjamas to wear. I changed into my set and made my way to the relaxation room.
The relaxation room is large, filled with comfortable wicker loungers and deep, cosy sofas, all covered in beautiful hand-woven Thai silk, scattered with large, plump silk cushions. SenSpa has the luxury of an additional relaxation room. The Quiet Room is designed for complete tranquillity. It is full of comfortable recliners and there is plenty of green tea, water and glossy reading material on offer.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Traditional Thai Massage (60 minutes, £72).
Having travelled to Thailand many times and had countless Thai massages, I was a little sceptical. Could a spa in the UK deliver a genuine Thai massage?
What were the treatments like?
My Thai therapist, Ging, collected me and took me through to one of the seventeen beautifully-decorated treatment rooms. The soft lighting and soothing music helped to create a warm, relaxing environment. In the centre of the floor was a traditional Thai massage mattress. Ging explained how the massage would proceed. She asked me to trust her movement of my body and to work with her in order to fully experience the benefits of the massage.
Once I had laid down on the mattress, the ring of a bell signalled the start of the treatment. For an hour, Ging gently rocked me from side to side, kneaded and stretched. Throughout the massage, Ging checked that the pressure was bearable and that I was comfortable. She used her elbows to dig deep into my tired muscles and used her weight to stretch my tense limbs. The massage ended with the ring of the bell. By the time it was over, I was emerging from a semi-meditative state.
How did you feel afterwards?
Ging brought me a glass of cold water and I slowly came back to my senses. I felt revitalised and full of energy. My shoulders were no longer under my ears and my tense muscles were now supple and completely relaxed. Feeling fully recovered, I changed and bounced back to my room, eager for dinner.
What happens afterwards?
Before dinner, we had drinks in an elegant, traditional lounge. The Manor Restaurant has a formal dining atmosphere with a menu that is essentially British with a French influence. There is a separate vegetarian menu with an imaginative selection on offer. While taking our order, the waitress explained that for the past ten years the restaurants have sourced all their organic produce locally. I had a delightful starter of pan-fried scallops and beetroot. My main was a delicious rack of lamb.
After dinner, we returned to our room. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out like a light. I might have slept straight through to midday had I not set my alarm. By morning, I was raring to go again. We had coffee in the garden before venturing down to the gym to work off some calories from the night before. The gymnasium is not huge, but even at this peak morning time there was still plenty of equipment free.
On the way to the changing rooms, we passed the Thai Temple Studio. We could see a "mind, body and spirit" class in full flow. The studio has a full schedule of classes throughout the week, from yoga and Pilates to circuit training, body balance and even meditation. Once we had changed out of our gym kits, we showered and went through to the pool and hydrotherapy suite.
The pool: The ozone-treated swimming pool is large and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a patio at one end. There is also a window in the ceiling surrounded by tiny star-like lights, which twinkle at you as you do your backstroke. There are a few wicker loungers around the pool, though there are sometimes more people than loungers. I found the water temperature pretty cold to start with, but good for swimming.
At the side of the pool are a small steam room and sauna, and also a Jacuzzi. But these pale into insignificance when you go through the door into the World of Hydrotherapy...
The hydrotherapy area: This is an impressive area, over two levels. There is a large hydrotherapy pool which has strategically placed water jets set at different heights, designed to target every muscle group. You can then relax on the submerged loungers after finishing the experience under the two swan pipes for your back, neck and shoulders. Each "station" has a black button to press to switch the jets on. There is also a circular area within the pool that has such a strong current, you fear you'll be swept out to sea.
Thermal treatment rooms: These are all well maintained and spotlessly clean. The herbal sauna is a good size and comfortably heated to a constant 80 degrees. The crystal steam room operates at a very bearable 45 degrees. If you're brave, you can cool down in the ice room with ice-cold water from an overhead bucket. For the less brave amongst us, there is crushed ice for a quick rub over the body. Ffinally, the experience showers are great fun. The showers vary in temperature and pressure, with the cool "ice storm" and "sea storm" with thunder and lightning effects, to the tropical showers with a warm downpour.
Searching for a bit of tranquillity, we went up a level to the laconium and the tepidarium with heated ceramic loungers, twinkling ceiling lights and the gentle sounds of a fountain.
Fully relaxed and revitalised, we decided to have our breakfast in The Zen Garden restaurant. The restaurant is decorated with gold murals, bamboo across the ceiling and walls and beautifully adorned pillars. Full-length French doors open out onto a serene garden. I enjoyed my breakfast of fresh fruit followed by smoked haddock and poached eggs. To finish, I had a "vitality smoothie" made of a nutritious blend of banana, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, yoghurt and peanut butter. Delicious!
Long-term effects
I felt fully restored. My body felt more flexible and my posture was far better. I had come to SenSpa with a list of aches and pains, especially in my lower back, neck and shoulders. All had magically disappeared by the time I left. In addition, I was much more alert. I imagine that most of these benefits were due to the Thai massage, but the hydrotherapy definitely contributed.
Was it worth it?
I think a SenSpa experience is worth every penny. The spa may not be cheap, but the wellbeing benefits outweigh the cost.
What else could you have?
You can choose from a range of spa breaks and spa days, most with various treatments and treats included in the price. Many include your overnight accommodation, dinner, breakfast and lunch, treatment time, the mind/body class, use of all the hydrotherapy facilities, and as much green tea as you can drink. When it comes to individual treatments, there are various facials and massages, rhassoul mud treatments, wraps and polishes, manicures and pedicures, treatments for men, and specific treatments if you're pregnant.
Careys Manor has conference and meeting facilities so a number of corporate guests visit. SenSpa has recently added a stress management day designed to counteract stress in work and home life. The one-day programme includes seminars delivered by experts in the field as well as a treatment in the spa and full use of the facilities.
Read more about stress management at SenSpa at The Good Spa Spies' blog.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That the changing rooms could get quite busy at times. If you are staying at the hotel, take advantage of your own room and change, shower and dress in the comfort of your own space.
I wish I had tried the mind, body and spirit classes on offer. The mix of Tai Chi, yoga, balance and stretching particularly appealed to me after my fantastic massage.
Any special features?
SenSpa offers a unique spa experience. The Thai therapists bring with them their specialist knowledge and training. The authentic Thai influence sets SenSpa apart from other spas, as does the state-of-the-art hydrotherapy area.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone who has neither the time nor the budget to go to Thailand. SenSpa at Careys Manor is a place you can enjoy on your own, or with someone to share the experience. There is plenty to keep you busy.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
For the third time, we're awarding SenSpa 5 bubbles. The treatments are of a very high quality and the staff are helpful and cheery at all times. The cohesive Thai theme is impressive. True flavours of Thailand are delivered in every aspect of your journey: The Zen Garden's Thai eating experience; the Thai-trained therapists; the beautiful decor. And the most authentic Thai massage I have had outside Thailand!
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Yes, without a second's hesitation.
We visited SenSpa in April 2010
See also:
* Contact details for SenSpa at Careys Manor
* Visit SenSpa at Careys Manor's website
* Brand spotlight: SenSpa Organic Therapy
|
|
|
 |