Serene Spy tries a Serenity Spa Day

TAKE ME WITH YOU…

You’ll find Spa Naturel in its own wing of The Mercure Manchester Norton Grange Hotel, located eight miles from Manchester City Centre in the Lancashire Countryside with direct links to the M62. The four-star hotel has 81 bedrooms, a conference centre, a restaurant, a spa and a car park - don't forget to register your car on arrival to avoid a hefty fine.

SHALL WE SPA?

The spa is a health club and day spa rolled into one. Check in at the brightly-lit reception area with tables and chairs, and a fridge with drinks and snacks. Beyond reception is a large gym.

After completing medical forms, we were handed a white robe, a fluffy towel and slippers, and given a tour of the facility which ended in the changing rooms.

You’ll find a mix of full- and half-height lockers, a wooden vanity area with three hairdryers and moisturiser in a dispenser on a wall. There’s one private cubicle for changing, two loos and six showers with 2-in-1 hair and body wash.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the 18-metre heated indoor swimming pool which has windows along one wall allowing light to flood in. After a few lengths, crash on one of 18 rattan cushioned loungers with a magazine.

You’ll find the dimly-lit thermal suite – with its semi-circle lay out and central showers facilitating a yin-yang journey of hot-cold - through a set of doors from here.

Heated to 40 degrees, the aroma room was a popular choice on our visit, although looking a little tired with some missing tiles. We felt much more comfortable in the refurbished steam room which was heated to 45 degrees and could seat eight spa goers at a time.

The ice room is ideal for cooling off afterwards; inside there’s a cold shower and a cool marble bench, grab a handful of ice from the ice fountain and ease aching joints and muscles before warming up again in the octagon shaped Rock Sauna and the slightly cooler Bio sauna.

Step down from here to the bubbly hydropool with its countryside views and powerful swan neck fountain for pummelling tight necks and shoulders.

Upstairs you’ll find the beauty suite, a refreshment area with a bar and balcony terrace, treatment rooms, a relaxation room and a private mud Rasul chamber which needs to be booked in advance.

TREATMENT TALK

We tried the Temple Spa Drift Away Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage (25mins, £45) and Temple Spa Skin Smoothie Express Facial (25mins, £45).

My therapist, Josh, collected me from the refreshment area and led me to one of eight treatment rooms with a smart royal blue feature wall.

Josh explained the treatment and then left the room so I could disrobe and get comfortable on the treatment bed, lying face down.

Josh began the treatment by inviting me to inhale Temple Spa’s Breath of Life aromatherapy essence  - my senses were awakened with notes of eucalyptus and tea tree.

After drizzling hot oil on my back, Josh used his forearms to create deep long strokes to relax my muscles and work out the knots in my lower back and shoulders. Cooling gel was then applied to these areas.

Turning over for the facial, Josh and I discussed my current skincare routine, after which he personalised my facial to incorporate some of my favourite Temple Spa products. Josh began with a cleansing gel followed by vibrating cleansing brushes. Once my skin was completely clean, Josh applied a nutritious boost facial oil and massaged it around my face, neck and shoulders with methodical gliding movements.

Josh then used an exfoliator-cum-mask and covered my eyes with cotton pads so that I could zone out. While this worked, Josh massaged my scalp with an oil that I left in all day to condition my hair. Mask removed, Josh used a toner to close the pores and glowing finishing products.

Josh then showed me through to the relaxation room where I met my spa partner to compare treatment notes.

Spa Naturel offers a full range of Temple Spa facials, massages and body treatments including pre- and post-natal massage, Jessica manicures and pedicures, waxing and treatments for those living with or beyond cancer.

HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?

Josh is an informative therapist who adapted his treatment to my needs and offered some helpful advice. My back and shoulders felt instantly looser, while my skin appeared visibly brighter.

SPOT OF LUNCH?

Day spa packages include a light bento box lunch or afternoon tea served en robe in the large refreshment area, with its copper and teal tones, dark wood furniture, light grey flooring and floral blinds over French windows leading out to a balcony terrace.

The sun was shining on our visit, so we made a beeline for the terrace for afternoon tea. Help yourself to hot drinks and water; you can order fizz (we did) from a member of staff at the bar or any other drink imaginable - they even have passionfruit martini cocktail on tap.

A humungous three-tiered afternoon tea was placed in front of us and our jaws hit the table. Six finger sandwiches (coronation chicken, tuna and spring onion, ham and mustard, beef and horseradish, egg mayonnaise and chive, cheese and caramelised onion) dominated the first level, fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam the next. The top tier included chocolate orange cake topped with an orange macaron, lemon sponge cake and crème brulee cheesecake. Despite our best efforts, we were defeated and asking for a doggy bag.

As we were staying overnight, we also enjoyed an evening meal in the hotel bar and breakfast in The Grange Restaurant.

GOT ALL DAY?

Arrive early for a spa day, enjoy the facilities before heading to the Beauty Suite for a treatment. Break your day up with lunch or afternoon tea before checking into the hotel for the night. We stayed in a stylish bedroom close to the spa on the ground floor with a separate living area that had a door that opened out onto a quiet courtyard with wooden garden tables and chairs.

SHORT ON TIME?

Prioritise a treatment followed by time in the relaxation room with its with twinkling ceiling lights.