Serene Spy tries Gaia Raindrop Therapy

TAKE ME WITH YOU…

Cheshire’s Aria Spa is part of Apollo Park, a large retail spot just outside Warrington. Despite the rather unusual setting, Athelis Club & Spa is a welcome addition to the site with a gym, a restaurant and a spa which opened in 2019. Park up outside and walk into the large reception area.

SHALL WE SPA?

Once through the turn-styles, we headed up the lift to the Champagne bar and the spa’s own reception area. On arrival, we used a hot towel, sipped a berry and apple smoothie and munched on chilled grapes before being taken on a tour of the spa.

Changing rooms are large and stylish with grey floors, marble vanity bars and purple neon lights. Three banks of wristband-operated lockers – pre-filled with beige robes, towels and branded black sliders - are separated by vanity areas for two, complete with hairdryers, straighteners, Dyson Airwraps and Gaia skincare products. Beyond here you’ll find five showers behind glass doors each containing Gaia Awakening body wash, shampoo and conditioner.

The door at the end leads to the indoor/outdoor swimming pool - at 20 metres, the inside section is long enough for lengths. Push the waist-height glass doors at the end to swim into the outdoor pool, which was delightfully warm on our visit. This is 15-metres long and surrounded by a wide patio with bright orange plastic chairs and loungers for sunnier days. Warm up in the rectangular vitality pool afterwards.

You’ll find the spa’s thermal suite on the second floor – head up the stairs or push 2 inside the lift. There’s a lot here to try including an attractive Lava Sauna with orange Himalayan salt brick wall and two levels of wooden seating for 10. A wall of glass from here looks out onto the indoor/outdoor infinity pool. To use this, step into the water from the inside and push the glass to head out. At 37 degrees, this is super toasty and bubbly with an infinity edge to lean on.

Around the corner from the Lava Sauna is a Zen steam room seating eight; use the foot stools to settle in and relax. We loved the Fire and Ice room - which is curved with 12 seats. Cool down at the ice fountain afterwards.

More experiences await at Alaska On The Loft, a rooftop area with two Chill Tubs and a shower in-between. The first tub is kept at 10 degrees; the other a rather chilly 5 - if you brave it, warm up in one of the two saunas afterwards (one infrared), each seating four.

After a treatment, head to Hibernate to relax or enjoy some guided meditation.

TREATMENT TALK

We tried Gaia Raindrop Therapy (110 minutes, £195).

Our therapists, Clare and Nicole, met us in the Champagne Lounge and led us to a spacious double treatment room dressed in neutrals; orange lighting around the ceiling and mirror added warmth. Invited to place our feet into copper bowls of hot water, our therapists scrubbed them with a blend of lime juice and pink Himalayan salt before asking us to select an oil - we were drawn to ‘balancing’.

While our therapists whisked our wet cossies away to be dried (a nice touch), we got comfortable on the treatment beds, lying face down. Clare began the treatment by asking me to take deep breaths. 

The massage began with Claire dripping eight different oils (tangerine, grapefruit, lemongrass, peppermint, lavender, ylang ylang, clary sage and chamomile) onto my skin in turn (hence the name Raindrop Therapy). She then used the moisture to help work out the knots in my back and shoulders before continuing the massage on the back of my legs.

Turning over, Clare moved onto the facial element of the treatment. Skin cleansed, she combined balancing Gaia products with some targeted massage across my chest, shoulders, face and head. A warm gel mask was then placed over my eyes and secured in place around my ears. The treatment concluded with a massage on my arms, chest and shoulders, followed by my legs and feet in turn.

Once finished, Clare and Nicole fetched us a lemon sorbet drizzled in mango coulis and a glass of fruit-infused water to sip before leading us into Hibernate for a post-treatment snooze.

HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?

The Gaia Raindrop therapy is designed to encourage mental and physical realignment. Spotting a knee injury, Claire adjusted the pillow under my legs for comfort, making the two hours just heavenly.

We loved the extra luxury touches, such as the sorbet, the dry (still warm) costume to put back on and the gifted crystal with an explanation of its benefits.

SPOT OF LUNCH?

Lunch is served in the Champagne bar with its grey herringbone floors, dusky pink and silvery chairs and faux blossom; the slim fire embedded into the wall gives a cosy feel. Six heated Italian marble chairs around the corner allow guests to relax overlooking the outdoor vitality pool. Or climb into one of two hanging rattan chairs for two.

The menu here is Asian with a combination of small plates (such as chilli Squid) and Sushi (think salmon maki roll). Our spa day included afternoon tea and a glass of pink fizz. It came on a gold three-tiered birdcage-style stand laden with scones with jam and clotted cream, Sushi with wasabi and ginger, and colourful sweet treats.

GOT ALL DAY?

Stay put – there’s plenty here to keep you occupied.

SHORT ON TIME?

Book a treatment; make the most of Hibernate and squeeze in a spot of lunch.