Nàdarra Spa

Set in the glorious rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales, The Coniston Hotel forms part of a leafy, 1,400 acre estate with a shimmering lake at the heart. You’ll find the Nàdarra Spa in a separate building behind the hotel. If you are staying, simply walk across to the spa; day guests can park outside.

We were greeted in the bright, light reception area and taken straight to the pre-treatment room to fill in a form and pre-order lunch. After a refreshing anti- inflammatory drink, we were given spa bags containing robes and flip flops, and shown to the changing room.

This is large with good-sized lockers and a grooming area with large, well-lit mirrors; padded stools; hairdryers (and one pair of straighteners); and plenty of cotton buds and tissues. There is one private changing area; rather delightfully, the showers contain ishga shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

The glass wall beside the indoor pool makes it very light and airy and - at 16 metres – is large enough to swim leisurely lengths. There are plenty of heat experiences to enjoy, including a hot sauna, a slightly cooler Himalayan salt sauna (which makes you feel like you are at the seaside), an infrared sauna (good for aching joints), a steam room and a warm bubble pool. Cool down under an experience shower or beside the ice fountain afterwards.

Outside on the spa terrace, two infinity pools accommodate eight guests a piece. We loved wallowing in the warm, bubbly water looking out over the green fields down to the lake. You’ll find plenty of recliners and stacks of extra towels to pick up as needed. One of the two couple’s treatment rooms has a Rasul.

The compact post-treatment relaxation room has just enough space for six comfortably-padded recliners. Help yourself to water, Suki teas, dishes of fresh fruit and tubs of fruit, nuts and seeds.

We tried the Nàdarra by Natura Bissé treatment (90 minutes, £129).

Nicole, my therapist, established what I wanted to gain from the treatment whilst washing and exfoliating my feet – a good way to begin.

Using an OTO oil containing cannabis extracted from hemp, Nicole began the treatment with a back massage which left me feeling very relaxed indeed.

For the facial, Nicole inspected my skin so that she could tailor each element to tackle problem areas, namely blocked milia, fine lines, congestion on the chin and some sun damage. Nicole combined a Natura Bissé Cleanse and Tone with an Enzyme Peel on my chin; an Eye Recovery Balm around my eyes and a C+C Vitamin Complex to brighten my skin.

A lifting massage around the jaw-line, some ‘draining’ on my cheeks and a relaxing neck and shoulder massage completed the treatment.

Nicole offered me a mirror so I could see the difference: the fine lines around my eyes were much less noticeable and the congested areas, which had looked quite red, had faded. My skin looked brighter, too.

My spa partner returned from his OTO AMPLIFY Signature CBD Massage Experience  with Nam wishing he could replace the treatment with his weekly physio. Nam used a bamboo roller to work on the deeper levels of his back muscles and anti-inflammatory chamomile to ease his back pain.

Nàdarra Spa has lots to entice the spa-goer, including facials, massages and body treatments from ishga, Aromatherapy Associates, OTO, and Natura Bissé, as well as some more unusual treatments from Forest Therapy and Moment of Restful Sleep to Inner Strength and Resilience.

Nàdarra Spa also runs yoga retreats, meditation and mindfulness classes and Pilates sessions.

Spa lunches are served to guests in their robes in the Blossom kitchen. My cous cous, avocado, spring onion and pomegranate salad was the holy grail of healthy and delicious; the fruit plate that followed was resplendent in plums, blackberries, strawberries, banana, kiwi, persimmon and raspberries. My spa partner indulged in a wild mushroom risotto followed by a rich chocolate and pecan torte.

Afternoon tea in The Blossom Kitchen is Asian-inspired and served in wooden bento boxes. Later that day we tucked into bite-sized pulled pork Bao Buns, vegetable spring rolls, Thai basil goat’s cheese tarts and pea and Wasabi wraps. Everything was tangy, light and more-ish.

Sweet dishes included scones with clotted cream dusted with Macha, Yuzu and white chocolate macaroon; lemongrass, lychee and poppy seed drizzle cake; and a ginger and date pudding.


 

We loved

The spa terrace: two good-sized hot tubs and plenty of well-padded recliners tempt almost everyone to spend as much time outside as possible. There is even Pimm’s on tap at the spa bar with waiters to deliver drinks to loungers.

The range of treatments and products: the luxurious Natura Bissé products make a visible difference to the skin; Aromatherapy Associates encourage calm, while OTO offers healing and restorative treatments.

The views: this piece of ‘God’s own country’ is heavenly with green, green trees; rolling hills where sheep safely graze; and a lake where more than seven swans were a-swimming on our visit. If that wasn’t enough, an arrowhead skein of geese ducks flew in formation overhead.

We didn’t love

The post relaxation room is a little on the small side.

The walk across to the spa from the hotel. Granted, it’s not far but could be a problem on a wet a windy day.

Anyone after wellness with a side of indulgence: the treatments are pretty amazing, the food delicious with some lovely treats, and good customer service makes you feel well looked after.

Those in need of relaxation: we defy anybody not to feel at one with the world whilst sitting in a hot tub looking down onto a lake and the hills beyond.
 
Treatment aficionados: whether you need a good massage after walking in the Dales or some expert attention for your skin, the therapists know what they are doing - and good quality products make a real difference.

We awarded Nàdarra Spa at The Coniston Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its excellent treatments, good service and tantalising food. The spa is quite small but careful booking of guests prevents it feeling overcrowded.

Top Tip

Book a room in the hotel with a view of the lake… therapy in itself.

Sybaritic Spy visited in July 2021 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.