FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Aqua Sana Forest Spa sits deep in the trees of Sherwood Forest, near Newark in Nottinghamshire. The entrance road winds slowly through the forest to the welcome lodge, where two friendly staff found our booking and sent us straight to park at the lodge itself (no need to leave the car in the main car park and move it later). From there, the spa was less than a minute’s walk away.
The spa building is modern and sleek, framed by neatly-kept planting and a well-lit, spotless path; the doors glide open as you approach. Inside, reception is spacious, with comfy seating, a display of Christmas gifts and a large retail area stocked with Elemis, VOYA, OPI and the newly launched Aqua Sana Forest Spa Collection.
WHAT’S ON OFFER?
Three welcome points at the reception desk meant nobody felt rushed - Stacey talked us through our itinerary and handed us a dinner voucher, presented like a gift card in an envelope, and wristbands for the lodge, which double as locker keys. We then completed our medical forms on our phones via a QR code at the desk.
A generous bank of crisp white towels and robes sits outside the changing rooms, and you can swap them for fresh ones at any time. Lockers close with your wristband - if you forget your number, a handy device at the entrance will remind you. There are six showers stocked with full-size Aqua Sana shampoo, conditioner and body wash; three toilets, one of them wheelchair accessible; and two vanity areas with six hairdryers between them. Plastic bags are on hand for wet swimwear.
The thermal suite spreads over two floors, with clear signs and pictures explaining each experience. The ground floor is mainly heat and water: each steam room has its own music, aroma and lighting; the Alpine Steam is heady with eucalyptus, the Salt Steam gentle. The Volcanic Steam – the most intense – was our favourite. Experience showers, an Ice Fountain and a Nordic sauna complete the circuit, and the indoor swimming pool measures around 15 metres. Although the spa was busy, it never felt crowded on our visit.
Outside, the Tree Top Sauna was a highlight on a rainy autumn afternoon: a hit of 70°C heat with views across the canopy of Sherwood Forest, and an outdoor shower just steps away for cooling off. Two outdoor hot tubs were in constant demand – a sign of how popular they are – and every outdoor area is wrapped in trees, so you feel truly in the forest.
Upstairs is quieter and mostly dry. We curled up in Forest Nesting, a huge double cocoon of pillows and blankets soundtracked by birdsong, and drifted off on Sleep Slumber, a heated lounger shaped to the body. There are water beds too and, in Forest View, giant beds look out over the treetops as steam rises from the hot tubs below. The covered outdoor terrace has double and single seats piled with blankets and pillows; we stayed warm and cosy there in the rain; the next morning it was bathed in sunshine.
Two complimentary sessions were a real bonus. In a guided meditation, Jayne introduced ten of us to VOYA products, including a heat balm whose warmth lasted the whole 25 minutes – I bought some afterwards, and it never felt like a sales pitch. Later, Jo led a sound bath with a guided meditation, sharing her obvious passion for wellbeing. A skincare workshop is also on the timetable.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENTS
We both tried the Mind, Body & Sole Experience (50 minutes, £89), which showcases the new Aqua Sana Forest Spa Collection.
My therapist, Rachael checked my consultation form and explained the treatment before leading me to a warm, uncluttered room with low lighting; a wide, neatly dressed bed; and the scent of the oils in the air.
Lying face down, I was invited to take a few deep breaths while she cradled my head and laid a warm, dry towel over it. Rachael cleansed my feet with warm mitts before wrapping them in a warm towel – the extra weight felt wonderfully grounding. Working one side at a time, Rachael swept a body brush up my leg, back and arm, following each stroke with her hand. A slightly warmed body oil came next, then a balm, both applied in slow, unhurried effleurage strokes.
Turning over, Rachael placed a warm towel over my eyes to keep the room dark while she moved the body brush, oil and balm moved across my abdomen – an area many treatments skip – followed by my legs and arms. Rachael then buffed my feet with a salt scrub before removing every grain with warm mitts. A slow, connected head massage brought the treatment to a close.
The finale? Rachael handed me the body brush to take home. The result? Velvety skin, a lingering aroma and a calm so complete it was hard to stay awake.
My spa partner enjoyed the same treatment with therapist Ria, who let him choose his favourite scent from the collection. Afterwards, we were taken to the relaxation room where we wrapped ourselves in blankets on deeply comfortable beds.
FOOD FACTS
Vitalé Café Bar is bright and spacious, with a glass ceiling that floods it with natural light and well-spaced tables; a large outdoor terrace opens in better weather. You can dine in your robe. Our package included two courses with a complimentary glass of fizz. We chose the seasonal pasta – caramelised onion and pepper with toasted pine nuts – served piping hot in a generous portion with a side salad, plus a vegetable wrap and a bowl of crispy wedges to share. Everything was freshly made to order, and a rich Illy coffee rounded things off.
Spa break guests also receive a £70 voucher which can put towards dinner at any of the restaurants on site, exchanged for products in Retail Therapy or used in Vitalé Café Bar. We headed to Rajinda Pradesh in the village centre, where the set menu proved a pleasant surprise. A tray of poppadoms came with a colourful selection of chutneys, followed by freshly made onion Bhajis, crisp and golden, and well-presented chicken tikka, both with a sweet chilli dip. For mains, we shared a paneer Balti with big, satisfying chunks of paneer cheese in a spicy sauce, and a well-flavoured chicken rogan josh, with a bottle of reasonably priced Pinot Grigio.
SWEET STAY?
We stayed in Spa Lodge 950, a fresh, modern space with no sign of wear and tear.The living area is decorated in calm neutrals, with a sofa, armchair, coffee table, small dining table and TV, as well as soft lamplight for the evening.
The compact kitchen is well equipped, with a good selection of tea and coffee and a bottle of fizz chilling in the fridge (nice). Patio doors open onto a small patio with a table, two chairs and a barbecue.
The bedroom is small but the bed is huge, dressed in pristine white linen and very comfortable. Waiting for us were luxurious towelling-lined robes, slippers and eye masks, along with a vanity area with a hairdryer and a wardrobe with a safe. In the bathroom, a Jacuzzi bath sits beneath a powerful, height-adjustable shower, stocked with full-size Elemis shampoo, conditioner and shower gel plus Elemis travel-size treats.
WE LOVED…
The Mind, Body & Sole Experience was beautifully put together, and Rachael’s warm towels, careful turnover and unhurried rhythm made it feel truly personal.
The extras kept on coming: from fizz at lunch (and in the lodge) to the free meditation and sound bath sessions, as well as the body brush to take home.
The staff were natural, welcoming and clearly happy to be there, with a genuine wish for us to enjoy every moment.
WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?
We awarded Aqua Sana Forest Spa at Sherwood Forest a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its consistently high standard of service, well-maintained facilities, skilled therapists and generous extras.
Rest assured
