Aria Spa

"A modern spa offering a luxurious thermal journey, a wide range of holistic treatments and delicious food" Serene Spy

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

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 straight into the large reception area.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

Once through the turnstile, we headed up the lift to the Champagne bar and the spa’s own reception area. On arrival, we sipped a berry and apple smoothie and munched on chilled grapes whilst looking at menus to pre-order lunch; we were then 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. 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 an indoor/outdoor swimming pool - at 20 metres, the inside section is long enough for lengths. Push the 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. Brave the plunge pool or warm up in the sauna or the rectangular vitality pool afterwards.

You’ll find the spa’s thermal suite on the second floor – head up the stairs or push 2 in 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. Step into the water from the inside and push the glass to head out. At 37 degrees, this was 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 and foot stools. Cool down at the ice fountain.

More experiences await at Alaska On The Loft, a rooftop area with four Chill Tubs – warm up in one of the two saunas afterwards (one infrared), each seating four. After a treatment, head to Hibernate to relax on a day bed in a dimly-lit, quiet room.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT

We tried the ARIA Sculpt Lymphatic Massage (85 minutes, £155).

Our therapists, Rachel and Tracey, met us in the Champagne Bar and led us to a spacious double treatment room dressed in neutrals; orange lighting around the ceiling and mirror added warmth.

Immediately invited to place our feet into copper bowls of hot water, our therapists scrubbed each with a blend of lime juice and pink Himalayan salt whilst explaining the treatment. They then left the room so that we could de-robe, place our wet cossies in a vanity bag hanging on the door and get comfortable on the treatment bed.

This entire treatment is delivered lying face up, negating the need to turn over halfway through. The experience began with three deep, grounding breaths followed by a multi-layered massage using the spa’s own product blend. Our therapists used firm, purposeful strokes to begin with, followed by lymphatic drainage using a Bamboo cane and wooden therapy cups designed to stimulate circulation and encourage detoxification.

Rachel began with my chest, shoulders, neck and jawline, before opening the lymph nodes with targeted pressure under my armpits. Rachel then worked each arm individually, lifting above my head to encourage drainage and create a strong sense of release and flow through my upper body.

Her attention then moved to my abdomen where her firm clockwise strokes supported digestion and detoxification. Focused pressure followed through the groin area to further stimulate lymphatic pathways. The legs and feet were finally massaged with rhythmic, firm movements. Hot mitts on both hands and feet were a soothing contrast to the intensity of the work.

To finish, the bed was raised so we could sit upright for a final back-draining sequence, before being guided through three final deep breaths to close the treatment.

Rachel and Tracey then quietly left the room, giving us time to re-emerge at our own pace, before returning with a cup of tea and freshly dried warm costumes - a nice touch.

The result? A feeling of lightness and release through the body, and a sense of reset (both physically and mentally). Once dressed we were led through to Hibernate for a post-treatment snooze.

FOOD FACTS

Lunch is served in the stylish Champagne bar, a calming, contemporary space that blends soft textures with elegant design (think grey herringbone floors, dusky pink and silvery chairs; colourful gypsohilia hanging from beams and dividers). 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. Couples can climb into one (of two) hanging rattan chairs for two.

The menu is Asian, offering a mix of sharers, sushi, small plates, large dishes and a few classics - something for every appetite.

On our spa day, we opted to share, starting with edamame for the table before diving into a selection of dishes: Ebi-Crunch tempura prawn sushi rolls, Spider rolls with soft shell crab, Dancing Prawns and Salt & Pepper Squid, alongside sides of chargrilled broccoli and a rocket and parmesan salad. All washed down with a chilled glass of pink fizz.

WE LOVED…

The food: every dish was fresh, full of flavour and perfect for sharing.

Our treatment: the combination of therapists’ hands, bamboo canes and cupping techniques made for a deeply effective lymphatic treatment.

The design is modern and chic, with the hanging gypsophilia adding a soft touch.

WHICH BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded Aria Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its thoughtfully designed wellness circuit, wide range of holistic treatments and standout spa dining.