Scarlet Spy tries Gaia Crystal Therapy

TAKE ME WITH YOU…

Located in the ancient abbey town of Sherborne – with its honey-coloured buildings, two castles and glorious Dorset countryside – The Eastbury is a five-star Georgian hotel, complete with boutique spa. If you’re lucky – like we were on a Tuesday evening visit – you may hear the faint tintinnabulation as the Sherborne Abbey Bellringers practice their art with reckless abandon.

Arriving by car? Follow the signs around the back of the hotel for guest parking and take a leisurely meander through the well-kept garden (in full bloom on our visit) to the hotel reception.

SHALL WE SPA?

You’ll find the curved, hobbit-esque spa nestled at the very bottom of the garden, behind the main hotel building. Follow the windy path - lined with ferns, creeping ivy and a striking red maple - past the bug hotel (fairies and pixies also welcome, apparently) and you’ll reach the petit spa garden first – complete with bubbly outdoor hot tub and two black loungers.

While the wet spa may be small, you do get exclusive use which feels rather indulgent; bring your partner or bestie, or - for optimal self-care - go solo. The indoor hydrotherapy tub takes centre stage; around the edge you’ll find a tiny sauna (just large enough for two seated), a Jacuzzi shower, a mini gym and a chill out area complete with two wicker chairs, a wood-burning stove and mini orange SMEG fridge with lemon water and milk for the complimentary tea and coffee.

You’ll find your towel, robe and paper slippers in the small changing room-cum-toilet, where you can leave your belongings.

At the back of the spa are two treatment rooms, including one double, offering a choice of Gaia treatments.

TREATMENT TALK

We tried Gaia Crystal Therapy (120 minutes, £110).

This body treatment uses crystals to discover any blocked chakras and includes meditation, a full body massage and a nurturing scalp massage.

My therapist, Lucy, met me at the hotel reception – where I’d completed my consultation form - and led me down through the garden to one of the two treatment rooms, a calming candle-lit space in neutral hues.

The treatment began with a foot soak as I sniff-tested my preferred body oil from Awakening, Balancing and Calming. My busy mind was drawn to the latter and its soothing notes of chamomile, clary sage and orange blossom.

Lying face up on the bed, Lucy commenced the treatment with a spoken meditation, allowing my body and mind to relax into the moment. She then placed crystals on each of my chakra points, asking me to note any tingling or sensations. Amethyst was placed on the crown chakra, sodalite on the mind’s eye, blue banded agate on the throat chakra, green aventurine on the heart, citrine on the solar plexus, carnelian on the sacral, smoky quartz on the base and rose quartz in the palm of each hand.

Leaving the crystals in place, the mini facial began using Jade crystal wands to stimulate lymph drainage and blood flow.

Moving on to the scalp massage with oil, Lucy tugged my hair to release tension across my head, before deeply stretching out the much-abused muscles in my neck on each side – this felt incredible. The massage continued on the right side of my body in a clockwise motion, using long firm strokes on my legs and arms, leaving my mind and body feeling completely blissed out.

Turning onto my front, Lucy continued the massage before finishing up on my back, teasing out tightness in shoulders and lower back. Lucy then gently brought me to and handed me a glass of water and my own crystal prescription to take with me.

HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?

This two-hour, whole-body treatment really does hit the spot. I felt completely relaxed and soothed by the end of it. Lucy advised me that the throat area - representing communication and self-expression - felt quite blocked and suggested that journaling or singing in the car would help clear it. I took heed of this advice on the drive home, cranking the radio up high.

SPOT OF LUNCH?

Post spa-ing, change out of your robe and head back to the hotel for afternoon tea. You can choose to dine in one of the two residents’ lounges – complete with upholstered chairs, original fireplaces and a choice of board games - or, if the sun is shining, head out into the garden.

Our afternoon tea came with delicate finger sandwiches: salmon and cream cheese, cheese and pickle and ham; a sausage roll; a fruit scone with jam and clotted cream and a selection of mini cakes, including Victoria sponge and a macaron. A good choice of Dorset Tea is available, but we opted for a black coffee to liven us up for the journey home.

GOT ALL DAY?

After enjoying time in the spa, explore the town of Sherborne to admire the independent shops, cafes and historic highlights; the Abbey is just a short stroll away.

If you’re staying overnight, book one of the Victorian Garden Potting Shed Suites; named after herbs (we stayed in Rosemary), they all have eco-friendly moss and sedum roofs with flowers. We loved all the little touches, from the dog-inspired hot water bottle, mugs and cushions to the mini orange SMEG fridge. As the sun sets, head out to your private mini terrace via the tri-folding rear doors, pour yourself a glass of the complimentary Sloe Gin (nice touch) and plonk yourself in one of two wooden chairs overlooking your own mini firepit (logs included), it’s got sundowner written all over it.

SHORT ON TIME?

Book in for a Gaia treatment, followed by your own one-hour private spa session for VIP feels.