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Abi Manning undertook an odyssey of restorative wellness at Boringdon Hall Hotel, winner of Exceptional Spa Experience at the Food Lifestyle Awards 2024
The greater the disparity between ‘normal’ life and spa life, the more pleasurable the latter – in my experience. So I thanked the spa gods for the particular trauma of getting my children to bed the night prior to my Calming Spa Break at Boringdon. Being slathered in mud, exfoliated from top to toe and having my knots satisfyingly crunched away led to a euphoria which may not have been reached without the help of two small children.
The theme of contrasts continued on arrival. Gaia Spa is set within Boringdon Hall’s 16th‑century country estate yet, on stepping through glass doors to the wellness wing, the building’s ornate carvings and ancient oak panelling give way to airy tranquility. This modern building houses the spa and treatment rooms but also a serene Spatisserie and slick accommodation with in‑room freestanding tubs and decked balconies.
The building’s separate and self‑contained nature allows spa visitors to waft in dressing gowns through wide hallways of moss‑covered living walls, without the usual self‑consciousness of squelching past hotel reception in flip‑flops.
Holistic healing
Gaia treatments range from beauty, facial and massage to Journeys and 120‑minute Rituals. The latter are designed to take guests on a mental, physical and spiritual odyssey with the goal of reaching spa nirvana.
The Total Holistic Ritual made some big promises: the release of ‘tension and stress, bringing mind and body into harmonious balance’. It started with a foot scrub then a choice of four oils. I was drawn to the spicy ‘Strengthen’ blend of ginger, black pepper and ylang ylang – blame the kids.
After a few deep inhalations came a top‑to‑toe buff and polish. Skin baby‑soft, I was coated in a ginger‑scented Gaia mud wrap and swaddled in warm towels. While marinating in this cocoon, an ASMR‑inducing head massage delivered a hypnagogic state.
A reviving shower cued the next chapter: a full‑body massage incorporating the long strokes of the Hawaiian lomi lomi technique and a facial treatment. A dose of forest berry elixir provided sweet motivation to unpeel from the table for a moment before the final step: floating off to one of the curtained‑off beds in the relaxation room for post‑treatment basking.
In the hot seat
Considerable time is needed to immerse fully in the Gaia Spa experience. Begin the journey by easing into the gently warming Roman‑inspired Laconium, then turn up the heat in the saunas (herbal and traditional Finnish), aromatherapy and crystal‑salt steam rooms, hydrotherapy pool with swim‑through area, tepidarium‑style loungers and patio hot tubs. Punctuate the heat with a breathtaking splash under the cold‑water bucket shower. There’s also a well‑equipped gym.
Gaia getaway
For a one‑night sojourn to serenity, opt for the Calming Spa Break which includes an overnight stay, four‑course dinner at Boringdon’s Michelin‑star restaurant Àclèaf, breakfast, full use of the spa and gym facilities, a 60‑minute treatment and a discount on additional treatments.
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