Spa Stays: Are They Really That Relaxing?

Spa stays and yoga retreats have become increasingly popular in recent years.  Is it an indication of the lifestyle we live today? – our pace of life is faster and the levels of work-related stress we all experience being far higher than ever before.   Or maybe, it signifies a desire for us to put our lives back on track with a healthy kick-start or a relaxing rejuvenation exercise.

Spa days in the UK are still somewhat of a luxury lifestyle experience but thanks to the increase of spa stay deals they have become far more affordable, making pampering days much more desirable for the masses. 

Recently, to see what all the fuss was about we decided to jump on this particular bandwagon and experience a relaxing overnight spa stay for ourselves.  We wanted to see firsthand just what all the fuss is about and decided that by teaming up with SpaSeekers, a British based spa specialist, for one of their hotel stay and spa packages we would gain a true insight in this fast-growing industry.

A Lazy Spa Day at Best Western’s Kenwick Park, Lincolnshire

Ok, so whilst this was not my first spa experience, I am not someone that frequently visits them regularly and therefore didn’t really have any expectations for the day.  All I wanted was to be able to unwind and relax in what I hoped would be plush surroundings. 

Let’s just say we were not disappointed.

Lincolnshire isn’t known for its major roads and hence the experience of travelling up to Louth from the South East was quite enjoyable.  However, there are only so many tractors you can overtake before you start to get slightly frustrated.

Driving through the gates of Kenwick Park however, we instantly relaxed.  Set in 320 acres of Park Estate, one of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Beauty it is easy to see why people visit this particular spa.

For us, however, whilst the grounds are stunning, it was the spa team that completely wowed us.  Lindsey and her team, from the very moment that we walked through the door, were enthusiastic and welcoming.  It was immediately clear that they loved what they did and wanted to make sure that everyone enjoyed their spa experience.

The ClubSpa itself, only built in 2016, is stylishly modern and yet soothing at the same time.  Walls of glass allow the beauty of outside to be experienced from the warmth of the heated swimming pool, the Jacuzzi or the upstairs club lounge.

 For those willing to brave the chills of the typical English cooler weather, there is also an outdoor hydrotherapy pool complete with skin-pummelling jets designed to help with all your upper body aches and pains.

Back inside there are a variety of relaxation rooms to choose from – including a sauna, steam room, and an ice room.  Yes, you did read that correctly… an ice room where you actually rub yourself with lumps of ice in order to open pores and help stem that freezing feeling.  Bizarre I know, and don’t worry we were skeptical as well, but it really does work.

Then, of course, there is a wealth of treatments to choose from.  Whether you opt for a hot stone back massage, an indulgent scrub, mud mask and massage treatment, a sweet-smelling body wrap or a facial there is something lavish that will appeal to everyone.

Finally, to add to the total experience of the day, no luxurious spa break would be complete without a sumptuous calorific Afternoon Tea complete with chilled prosecco overlooking the expansive grounds whilst be wrapped up in the spas super-soft fluffy white bathrobes.

Kenwick Park ClubSpa really does offer a spa stay in the Midlands to be proud of.

But that’s not all.

Book a spa and overnight stay at Kenwick Park and you have a choice of either a hotel room or a gigantic wooden lodge.

Why a Lodge Spa Stay Wins Every Time

Known for our love of all things quirky, having the choice of a lodge to stay in automatically won us over.  Don’t get me wrong, I also enjoy staying in elegant, attractive hotel rooms, but there is something about a wooden cabin with unhindered views that ticks all the boxes for us and trust me when I say these lodges are something else.

Driving around the grounds and into the area designated to lodges we were blown away by the sheer size of them.  The lodges offered by Kenwick Park are easily the biggest we have ever seen.  I also like the fact that you can choose a lodge that suits your preferences – a high-tech modern lodge some of which come complete with their very own games room or a more traditional Nordic-style wooden cabin.

                                                                     The Traditional Wooden Cabin          

   For us, the traditional cabin was something special and my advice to you…don’t be fooled by the title.

From the outside, yes tradition rules but once inside, it was not only the space that impressed.  Walking through the hallway into the kitchen we were faced with a modern kitchen complete with breakfast bar and a living room area featuring by-folding patio doors allowing the outside to flow in.

Complete with four bedrooms and three bathrooms this is a lodge that takes comfort to the next level and is a great space for families, groups or, like us, a couple wanting to get away from it all.

It was the little touches that overwhelmed us though.  From the old-fashioned style oil lamp bedside lighting to the pictures on the walls and the oversized, deep leather sofas no expense has been spared on getting everything just right.  Add to this the fact that should you still wish to use the restaurant and bar facilities in the hotel all you need to do is book the free shuttle bus service from the main reception and they will pick you up and drop you back off at your front door.

It does mean that you can enjoy a glass of wine with your dinner without worrying about having to wander back in the darkness that shrouds the park at night.

The biggest draw to this particular spa break though was its flexibility.  We both loved the fact that this would be the perfect location for a mixed group getaway.  The girls could enjoy lounging around in the spa sipping chilled drinks whilst the lads went off to complete a round of golf (or should they wish a treatment or two themselves) before all meeting back at the spacious lodge for either a social night in or for pre-drinks before a meal at the hotel.    Who wouldn’t be happy with that?

Are Spa Stays Really That Luxurious?

The fact that overnight spa stays in the UK have become more common in recent years; it is no wonder that people are going to question whether they really are that special.  For us, however, after spending just one night at Kenwick Park we can honestly say that there is still an element of luxury about them and I suppose that whilst others will disagree with me, I love the fact that they now come with a much more affordable price tag.

With 2-for-1 deals and overnight spa stays for 2 now being offered by many different companies the wealth of choice is astounding.  From day spas to spa weekends, never before has there been so much of a choice – both from a treatment and location perspective. 

One thing is for certain, however, whichever location you choose, whoever you choose to go with, the whole spa experience is still possibly one of the best ways to take a break and step out of your everyday life, if only for a few hours.

One Final Thing to Consider if You Stay at the Best Western Kenwick Park

If you opt to stay during the winter months make sure to also take a bit time out from your relaxing spa experience and visit Donna Nook National Nature Reserve.  Why?  Well, it is during the months of November and December that you will catch a glimpse of the extremely large grey seal population that normally lives just off the Lincolnshire coast, giving birth to their pups on the sandbanks nearby. 

This is not like a zoo, these animals are wild, no-one is allowed near them or to feed them and the National Wildlife Trust has done a fantastic job in protecting the area so that it is free from human invasion.   However, there were times during our visit where we were literally centimetres away from the wonderful creatures, watching them in their natural habitat nurturing their young, fending off other seals and sleeping (some snoring) peacefully in the wintry sun.

If you are an animal fan, this really is something special to see.

Have you visited a spa recently?  Perhaps you have booked a spa and overnight stay somewhere that you feel others should know about, if so, please let us know where we are always on the lookout for other relaxing places to spend time.

For this particular review, we were the guests of SpaSeekers, a spa specialist, who arranged for us to have a 1 night midweek lodge woodland escape break the Best Western Kenwick Park.  Whilst this visit was complimentary, all views and opinions are, as always, our own and have not in any way been influenced by the company.

Did you enjoy this article?  Then PIN it for later…