SenSpa at Careys Manor

A little slice of Thailand in the New Forest, where skilled Thai therapists, extensive hydrotherapy and zingy Thai food make for a deeply restorative overnight escape (Scarlet Spy).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

SenSpa sits within Careys Manor, a handsome red-brick hotel in the pretty New Forest village of Brockenhurst. There are gentle nods to the East as soon as you arrive – hinting at the Thai-inspired haven beyond. Sprawling across more than 22,000 square feet, this adult-only spa pairs extensive water and heat facilities with Thai therapists and its very own Thai restaurant. Hotel guests can add spa access to their stay (from £35 per person), while spa days are available for non-residents.

WHAT'S ON OFFER?

As overnight guests, we were encouraged to slip into the robes and slippers waiting in our room and pad along to the spa – handily on the same floor. At reception we were warmly welcomed and handed a towel, a wristband for hydrotherapy access and our allocated locker key.

The boutique shop tempts with SenSpa’s own natural range alongside other wellness brands; the spa’s signature scent - a heady mix of lime, lavender, tea tree and ylang ylang - hangs in the air.

We were led through to the spa lounge (opposite) to complete our consultation forms, sipping a cup of SenSpa Wellness Tea as we went – a blend of white tea, orange peel, star anise and cardamom.

Day guests will find the changing rooms up a flight of stairs from the spa reception; change on the wooden benches or in one of three changing cubicles. There's also a costume spinner, showers and a large seated vanity area for post-spa preening. A door at the back of the changing rooms leads down a flight of stairs to the pool.

The 14-metre swimming pool overlooks the Zen Garden and is lined with loungers – ideal for a few lazy lengths (the water was refreshingly cool on our visit). A poolside sauna, steam room and bubbling Jacuzzi complete this area.

The star of the show is the vast hydrotherapy pool (tap your wristband to enter). Work your way around the jets at different heights, from the swan necks that pummel tight shoulders to the bubble beds (with room for four).

Heat-seekers are well catered for. The Herbal Sauna (our favourite) has a starry ceiling and a soundtrack of rumbling storms, while the Crystal Steam Room – all purple tiles – is built around a giant Bohemian amethyst – unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance on our visit. Between rounds, cool off in the experience showers (choose from tropical rain, cool fog or a Caribbean storm) or the Ice Room, with its crushed-ice fountain and drench bucket.

Head up the spiral staircase to the first floor for the Laconium, where you can stretch out on the heated floor, and the Tepidarium with its warm mosaic loungers. Also on this floor: the private Rhassoul mud chamber for two and the AlphaSphere Deluxe, a sensory pod of sound, light and vibration – both are bookable in advance for an extra charge.

Post-treatment, the Relaxation Room - along the corridor from the ladies' changing rooms - offers herbal teas, coffee and citrus-infused water, plus plenty of wellness, travel and lifestyle magazines to lose yourself in. For deeper zen, retreat to the Quiet Room, where curved rattan loungers with plump cushions are perfect for a sneaky nap.

TELL US ABOUT THE TREATMENT

We tried the Moments for Me Massage (60 minutes, £119) designed to help rebalance the nervous and endocrine systems and address hormone-related concerns such as poor sleep, anxiety and emotional ups and downs.

My therapist, Da, collected me from the spa lounge and led me upstairs to one of the 19 treatment rooms, a calming space with an Asian feel. Da explained I’d be having a full-body massage designed for women and tailored using one of four ‘Time for Me’ oil blends created by The Menopause Boutique. After a quick scent test, I opted for the De-Stress blend.

The treatment began with three deep breaths of the relaxing oil, before a foot cleanse. Da popped a bolster under my legs for comfort and commenced the massage on my back, using long, firm flowing strokes from the base of my spine to the base of my skull. Da sought out every knot and tight spot and patiently eased them out, working deep into my neck. She moved on to the backs of my legs, finishing on my feet stopping at each pressure point as she went.

Turning onto my back, Da covered my eyes and worked on the front of my body: legs, a soothing abdominal massage, then arms and hands. The finale was a blissful scalp massage, with warm oil poured into my hair.

The result? My muscles felt noticeably looser, my mind calm and my skin silky smooth. A lovely reset.

FOOD FACTS

A real highlight of any visit is the Zen Garden, the Thai restaurant at the heart of the spa. Gold murals and a bamboo ceiling create a serene setting, and on a sunny day you can eat out in the garden itself. Cooked by Thai chefs, the dishes were colourful and packed with flavour; the team were warm and attentive.

We were welcomed with prawn crackers and sweet chilli sauce, before starting with a fiery Som Tom – shredded green papaya tossed with tomatoes, crunchy green beans, chilli and cashews in a zingy Thai dressing – while our spa partner chose the Par Goong, a fragrant prawn salad lifted with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves.

For mains, we chose the Chu Chi Seabass – a deep-fried fillet in a rich, fragrant curry sauce with kaffir lime leaf and Thai basil – while our spa partner opted for the Penang Beef, Pak Choi: grilled sirloin on a bed of pak choi, topped with the same thick source. Both portions were very generous; we shared a bowl of coconut rice on the side.

To finish, the chef’s selection of palate-cleansing sorbets, including passion fruit and mango, hit the spot.

SWEET STAY?

We stayed in a newly refurbished Garden Room: spacious with striking stag wallpaper and a huge bed dressed in crisp white linen. Patio doors opened onto our own private veranda with oak furniture – a lovely bonus in the heart of the forest. Best of all, the spa was on the same floor, so we could stroll down in our robes without a second thought.

WE LOVED

Da’s expert hands: a firm, intuitive massage that unpicked knots we didn’t know we had – every treatment we’ve had at SenSpa has been in highly skilled hands.

The Zen Garden: fresh, vibrant Thai food served in a tranquil setting.

Robe-to-spa living: with our Garden Room on the same floor as the spa, we could arrive enrobe in minutes.

WHICH BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded SenSpa at Careys Manor a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its extensive hydrotherapy facilities, highly skilled Thai therapists and authentic Thai cuisine.