Spa of the month

Each month we check out one of the amazing spas that Sussex has to offer; to review the facilities, the food and of course the treatments. This month Frida and Sam went to check out Wickwoods…

TELL US ABOUT THE SPA
With spas it’s location, location, location a lot of the time. Spending time and money at a spa is all about putting yourself in a lovely space and it doesn’t come much lovelier than Wickwoods.

Set deep in the Sussex countryside – in the rolling South Downs – the venue is surrounded by beautiful gardens, and vast towering trees. It’s heavenly. The spa itself is not just a place to relax and get pampered in, but also has a great gym, lovely tennis courts outside and a good-sized swimming pool for getting your lengths in.

So you can tick the ‘keep fit’ box too if you were thinking of joining. As well as the pool, there’s also sauna and steam room, and a fantastic, massive Jacuzzi with one of those punishing but muscle-loving giant taps that hammer down on your shoulders – bliss!

It’s also worth mentioning that this is a hotel and has rooms for those who want to stay on site. We didn’t get to check those out so we can’t vouch for them, but if the service and spa are anything to go by, they’re probably lovely too.

The-Glass-House-Restaurant-2

WHAT DID YOU DO?
Wickwoods offers a really cool ‘Your Time’ spa day which is a great package that includes use of the facilities, lunch and a 55 minute massage or facial. On arrival you get the lovely gown and slippers that always signify that you’re about to plunge into a melting spa experience, but there’s a lovely added extra complimentary gift bag with mini shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body moisturiser.

The ‘Your Time’ package is a lovely way to spend a day with a friend or family member, to shoot the breeze and have a nice lunch and enjoy a treatment. The lunch is a two or three course meal with a glass of wine – and the food was really lovely. Healthy but delicious.

You’re free to top up the package with other treatments, or do something else entirely of course, but by the time we’d had lunch, enjoyed the pool and Jacuzzi and had a 55 minute treatment, we can safely say you’d be a very happy and relaxed bunny. It’s great value for money.

WHAT DID YOU TRY?

FRIDA
Customised Guinot facial
This is exactly what it sounds like. Your therapist will talk through what your skin needs and how you’d like your treatment and everyone gets a personalised facial, so you feel really special. I thought the treatment was very relaxing and I like the fact that I was offered extraction as well was a bonus. The heated beds are really nice, and the therapist was very attentive but not too fussy. Afterwards I got small testers which is a nice touch. I got hot stone massage for neck and shoulders whilst the mask was on and that was really lovely!

Treatment-Room

SAM
Full body aroma massage
I spend so much time hunched over my laptop that if there’s ever chance, I always leap for a massage. And this one is lovely. Like Frida I loved the cosy warmth of the heated bed, and the slow working of my muscles from literally top to toe – what luxury. There’s some flexibility with this treatment too, like how much pressure you want, or whether you want your feet massaged or more time on your scalp, and which kind of aromatherapy mix; that kind of thing. Me, I like it rough, but not too many elbow digs, and the level of pressure was perfect. I honestly floated out of that treatment room.

COST
Prices for individual treatments vary but the ‘Your Time’ spa days…
During the week: £90 pp
At the weekend: £95 pp

Wickwoods Country Hotel & Spa
Shaves Wood Lane
Albourne
BN6 9DY
01273 857567
www.wickwoods.co.uk

About Sam Harrington-Lowe
As the managing editor Sam is responsible for all the Title publications and works diligently to develop the brand and support relationships with all partners and clients. She runs things with her dedicated PA Ms Alice Pickle Pug