Crunchy orange and yellow leaves, low golden sun, silver moonlight. On our little slice of the planet this October has been rather spectacular. The Spa Spies have basked in outdoor heated swimming pools and hot-tubbing watching the leaves turn. On some days it has been so warm, we even have managed a spot of sunbathing, too. One Spa Spy enjoyed a late-September on the beach at Aqua Sana Elveden Forest, another sipped champagne in a hot tub on the shores of the gushing River Maine in Northern Ireland’s beautiful Galgorm just outside Belfast (around £40 return from Stansted). Autumnal bliss indeed. Here is our roundup of our October highlights.
Stylish Spy
I had the pleasure of visiting the glorious Galgorm Resort & Spa in Northern Ireland this month and absolutely LOVED my riverside bathing experience. Galgorm is set on a gushing river, and the clever folk who designed the spa have made the most of this setting by adding four riverside hot tubs. At 9.30am, I donned my robe and headed down to the water’s edge to climb into my own private tub heated by wood fire (the smell was divine). For the next hour, I wallowed in the warm water, sipped Champagne, tucked into strawberries and chocolates, watched the river flow by, gazed at the autumn colours of the trees and spotted the occasional heron. At £60 per couple, including Champagne and chocs, the only cost would be not adding this unique experience to your spa day (or stay).
Scarlet Spy
As a solo spa-goer, there’s nothing more I enjoy than getting lost in a good book and I’ve discovered a new favourite. Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton (£12.99, Penguin) is such a comforting, uplifting and, at times, hilarious book that celebrates love. Whether its self-love, the love between friends and family or significant others it covers it all one tale at a time. It’s the kind of the book than you can lose hours in, or dip in and out of over a longer period of time. Each time you pick up the book back up it’s like being reunited with an old friend. I rarely read books more than once, but I’ll be reading this one again and again. It really is the perfect companion on a solo spa day, or a cool autumnal evening.
Supreme Spy
It’s not every day that one of your favourite spa groups acquires a Spa Spy favourite hotel spa. I was delighted to attend the glamorous launch of Champneys Mottram Hall and hear all about the exciting plans for the year ahead – spa lovers, you’re in for a treat!
Over one hundred people came to the launch event hosted in a suite dripping in candles, flowers and tall centre pieces. The food was outstanding and the drinks were flowing, what more could you ask for?
Savant Spy
The first time I tried Temple Spa’s Repose resting cream was at the launch of Wellness magazine, when we gave away a jar in our goodie bags. I fell in love with the soothing aromatherapy scent and the cream’s luxurious silky texture, like cashmere for the skin. It’s the kind of product that takes Me-time to a whole new level. Now I’m an even bigger fan, as this month Temple Spa teamed up with mental health charity Mind, giving £6 of every jar sold to the charity and a free jar to the customer as a thank you. It makes such perfect sense – sleep is vital to mental health and doing good helps us sleep better. We hope to see more of this spa plus conscience from other brands.
The Spa Spy
30th October 2018
Spy Likes:
Intuitive masseurs, inspired or outlandish treatments and design, posh products and celeb spotting.
Spy Dislikes:
Anyone po-faced (guests and therapists) or stupid, boring design and treatments.
