The Spa at Carden

Carden Park is approached via a (very) long winding drive flanked on either side by fields and a well-manicured golf course. The two-storey spa is in its own modern detached building to the right of the hotel. It opened in January 2020. 

Enter the imposing glass and wood entrance of the spa into a large, light, high-ceilinged lobby and reception area. Twelve dramatic pendant lights hang over a water fountain and behind the reception desk, the entire wall is covered in rich, green living moss.

Two smiling reception staff greeted us and handed each of us a wristband which we could use for lockers and would give us entry into the changing rooms and facilities. The wristband can also be linked to your credit or debit card at a special kiosk so you can order food and drinks without needing cash.  

We were escorted up sweeping stairs to the expansive and light Elements spa restaurant and bar. Floor-to-ceiling windows look directly over the outdoor spa facilities and the fields beyond.    

The spacious changing rooms are also on the first floor. Think textured walls, duck-egg blue lockers with wood trim, eight sleek and shiny vanity stations and large mirrors. Strategically placed low seating provides space to perch while changing and there are four private changing rooms if you prefer a little privacy. The changing rooms are well stocked with Oskia cleanser, moisturiser, toner and cotton wool, hairdryers and tongs available at each vanity station, there are plenty of towels on shelving units throughout. Bathrobes, flip flops and a handy shoulder bag to take into the spa are provided in each locker. Showers are roomy in calming cream stone, stocked with Elemental Herbology shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

The spa is on the ground floor. Arrive in the lift or wind your way down a spiral staircase and admire the magnificent pendant light with white petals and butterflies above the waiting area. You can access the 14 treatment rooms and spa facilities from here.    

The star of the indoor facilities is the 11-metre pool with its bubble seating, two swan pipes and body jets. Bubble away and gaze at the spa garden through floor-to-ceiling windows then relax on one of the 10 loungers or 4 heated beds.

Beyond the pool are the hot, dry Finnish sauna and the less intense bio sauna both seating 8-10 people and with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the spa garden. There are two sets of experience showers with overhead and high-pressure side jets and three steam rooms (look out for the beautiful blue and brown mosaic tiling in the tepidarium) with an ice bowl at the centre.  

You will need your wristbands to get to the spa garden and the outdoor facilities through automatic glass doors. The spa garden is vast and the choice includes a heated outdoor 11-metre pool with self-activated bubbles and swan neck showers; three square hot tubs that can each seat eight to ten; an outdoor sauna seating eight with glass windows overlooking the garden and fields beyond; a firepit with covered seating for ten; five oval, enclosed glass pods where six people can sit on the comfy soft seats and cushions and admire the views. At the centre sits a large oval Bollinger garden bar serving a wide range of hot and cold drinks.

There are three relaxation rooms; Panoramic has glass walls overlooking the gardens and fields and designed with calming soft greys and blues. Lie in the big soft chairs and help yourself to hot drinks. Sensory has a video of waves lapping on a shoreline which fills the whole of one wall – you feel like you could touch the water. A fire flickers invitingly in the subdued lighting of the Deep Relaxation Room where you can slumber on wave loungers under a warm blanket.  

There is a Bollinger beauty bar on the first floor for manicures and pedicures. If you need a work-out, visit the well-equipped gym and a fitness studio across the road from the spa. 

I had the Garden Therapy at Carden Park Elemental Herbology Signature Treatment (90 minutes, £120), including a full body massage, facial and glass of sparkling wine from Carden Park's vineyard. 

Before the treatment, I filled out an in-depth Elemental Herbology Five Element consultation form. Answering a series of questions determined whether my character was Wood, Earth, Fire, Metal or Water. My therapist Abbie went through the form in the treatment room while bathing my feet in a warm foot bath, she informed me I was Fire for my body and Water for my face.

Abbie began by massaging my back using basil and rosemary oil. She pressed a warm poultice containing rosemary, basil and orange peel along my spine, it was deeply soothing and relaxing. She then massaged the back of my legs, again using the warm poultice. Abbie then stretched my legs just enough to feel energised but not strained.   

I turned over and Abbie massaged the front of my legs, my feet (heavenly) and my arms.  It was a wonderful massage and I was in danger of falling asleep.

To start the facial, Abbie used a purifying and soothing cleansing balm from the Water range to gently cleanse my eyes, lips and face.  She then placed a wonderfully cool Aloe Vera Nutrition Infusion Sheet Mask on my face and rolled a rose quartz massage roller over it. The mask was left on for ten minutes while Abbie rubbed grape juice from the Carden Park vineyard into my décolletage. Abbie then peeled off the mask and massaged the aloe vera serum into my skin. She applied Lana Blue Eye Cream containing argan oil and pearl powder around my eyes to reduce my wrinkles (yes please!) and brighten my eyes.

At the end Abbie led me to the Sensory relaxation room. I was given a glass of water and a glass of bubbly while Abbie advised me on after-treatment care. I sank into the soft chair with a blanket and listened to the waves as the sun set over the water. Utterly blissful.

The Spa at Carden offers a wide range of treatments by Elemental Herbology and Oskia including facials, massage, wraps, hand and foot treatments and eye and skin treatments as well as a range of beauty treatments.  There are also treatments for men, mums-to-be and those with or recovering from cancer.  

Floor-to-ceiling windows flood Elements spa restaurant with light and, if you visit on a clement day, there’s an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining. Guests can eat in their robes, and we felt very comfortable doing so.

The menu is varied with a fantastic selection of salads, fish, sandwiches and wraps, and more substantial meals such as salmon with gnocchi or chicken Kiev. There really is something for everyone including those with special dietary requirements. There is also a selection of all-day brunches and indulgent puddings. I had seabass with mushroom risotto: it was plentiful yet light and incredibly flavoursome.

We loved

The outdoor facilities: they are many and varied. Even on a chilly March day it was wonderful to look at the view from a warm pool, a hot tub, a sauna or sit around a warm firepit.  

The considerate touches: umbrellas by the pools and hot tubs, the hand-held showers in the steam rooms, well-placed stands and hooks for robes and towels outside are just a few examples.

The delicious refreshments available throughout the spa – on the day we visited it was fruit-infused water, and camomile and iced tea.

We didn’t love

Leaving.

Ladies who lunch in Cheshire – it’s a very civilised placed to catch up with friends.

Couples who want to escape and have an indulgent, romantic weekend, or anyone wishing to pop the question – they’ve already had one proposal since they opened in January.

Burnt-out businessmen and women from Manchester, Liverpool and the surrounding area.

We awarded The Spa at Garden a Good Spa Guide rating of Five Bubble Luxury. Across the board it has set the bar extremely high. Facilities, food, ambience, environment and sustainability credentials are all excellent. It also retained the warmth and friendliness with excellent staff.

Suave Spy visited in March 2020 and awarded it .