Spa-lovers visiting Center Parcs should consider shunning a lodge in favour of a Spa Suite, says Scarlet Spy.
A tranquil spa in the heart of a forest you say? Yes please. Not even the thought of the M25 could put me off. Having stayed in a lodge at Center Parcs before, I thought I had an idea of what to expect - but I was wrong. This time I’d be staying in one of Aqua Sana’s luxury Spa Suites located above the spa itself.
As a Spa Suite guest, the perks would keep on coming, too… from the welcome glass of Prosecco and green smoothie shot on arrival, to exclusive treatments and all-day spa access. It turns out there are many reasons to love staying at Aqua Sana’s spa suites. Here’s five...
VIP Access to the spa
Spa Suite guests have direct and unlimited access to the spa, meaning you can spend your entire stay in your fluffy white robe if you wish (and, frankly, why wouldn’t you?). You won’t have to walk miles around the vast park or risk getting lost either: Woburn’s eight spa suites are located on the 4th and 5th floors of the actual spa building - simply swan out of your room and press ‘G’ in the lift to reach spa heaven (there are stairs for the saintly, too).
Super-luxe Spa Suite
The Spa Suite at Woburn is the perfect place to unravel at any time of the year. Enjoy park views from your own spacious balcony in the summer months; come winter, a log burner and oversized tub with forest views scream cosy. Walk-in rainforest showers, uber-comfy beds and high-tech sound bars nudge the luxe levels up further. There’s even a kitchenette for you to chill wine in - in preparation for your return from the spa, of course. You’re worth it.
26 Multi-sensory spa experiences
Woburn Forest is Aqua Sana’s biggest spa and with two floors of facilities in six zones, namely Fire & Ice Spa, Salt Spa, Herbal Spa, Blossom Spa, Mineral Spa and Gem Stone Spa. All 26 sensory experiences are driven by the latest innovations from leading European spas while being inspired by nature. We loved relaxing in the beautiful outdoor hydro pool with its forest views; guests with tense shoulders should give the swan necks a go. When it comes to relaxation, don’t settle for anything less than the heated water beds (of which there are two) on the ground floor. Grab a blanket en-route and set an alarm for dinner – you could doze off for a while.
The exclusive treatment
Spa Suite guests are entitled to a free 55-minute treatment. We opted for a Voya Calm Seas Massage (55 minutes, £85), a scalp-to-toe ritual using warm, mineral-rich seaweed. Having seaweed wrapped around our hands and feet felt strange at first but, when it was combined with a massage, felt grounding and soothing. The Voya Calm Seas Massage is suitable for guests who have been treated for, or are undergoing treatment for, cancer.
Complimentary lunch at Vitalé
A lunch in the Vitalé café is also included in Spa Suite stays. We chose the Vitalé Platter to share: a feast of fire-roasted tomatoes, prosciutto-wrapped melon, hummus, olives, stuffed vine leaves, and rosemary and garlic focaccia. We enjoyed this in our robes outside on the terrace. Cakes, pastries, afternoon tea for two, paninis and salads are also on the menu, as well as options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free guests. Spa Suite VIPs also get a £25 voucher to use at any of the Center Parcs restaurants for dinner - we loved the Italian offerings at Almalfi.
Scarlet Spy
16th August 2021
Spy Likes:
Nature-inspired spas, cold water plunges, sound baths, deep tissue massage, delicious food.
Spy Dislikes:
Thin walls in treatment rooms, lounger hoggers, soggy robes, bright lights.
