If you fancy a break from the city after all the Christmas and New Year festivities, or want to treat your other half in time for V-Day in February, whisk your someone special away to The Malvern Hotel and Spa to indulge in their newly-launched Spa-Cation package.
Situated on the edge of the Malvern Hills, the hotel is a great location for a relaxed weekend away – right in the middle of an area full of stunning walks and bridleways and a stone’s throw from Worcester.
The hotel has 32 contemporary bedrooms, all with TVs with freeview, wi-fi and REN products in the bathroom. Downstairs guests will find a fully-equipped gym (looks great, but I have to admit I didn't go in...not my scene...) and state of the art spa facilities.
The spa boasts some of the most extensive relaxation facilities in the UK. The unique 20-metre indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pool is filled with natural Malvern spring water and includes vigorous bubble massage stations, powerful water jets, gentle hydrotherapy beds and spacious, relaxing booths – heated to 35°C, it’s simply delicious to head outside on a cold dark evening under the stars!
The thermal suite includes 4 separate heat experiences. The Salt Grotto is the place to lie down and warm your body on the heated tiled seats while being enveloped in salt steam. This rich, natural source of salt microns and negative ions is reputed to have a restorative effect on the respiratory system, skin and ionic balance of the body for a complete feeling of wellbeing. The Crystal Steam Room is a large, fully tiled steam chamber with fibre-optic ceiling display, infused with essential oils that fill the intensely warm and humid air with relaxing aromas. A fantastic way to open the pores and relieve tension in your body, it leaves you feeling calm and refreshed. Thhe Herb Sauna is a more contemporary sauna; seasonal herbs and natural essential oils are gently steamed to cleanse body and mind, radiating a soft heat with a higher humidity than the harsh dry heat found in a standard sauna so you can relax for longer. Finally the Kelo Sauna is the first of its kind in the UK. This unique rustic sauna is constructed from naturally fragrant wood found only in the Arctic Circle.
If you’re doing the spa thing properly, after any heat therapy you should close your pores with a cold one! Should it tickle your fancy, the ice fountain is a self-administered treatment involving scooping handfuls of crushed ice from a large central fountain and rubbing vigorously onto the skin to stimulate circulation and close the pores. Definitely not one for the fainthearted! Alternatively the bucket (drench) shower is a much quicker way to cool down. It does what it says on the tin – you essentially pour a bucket of ice cold water over yourself for an exhilarating end to your fire and ice experience.
Next to the spa area sits the Grand Salon. A luxurious Italian-styled area featuring Jerusalem stone flooring, beautiful 200 year old Olive trees and big squashy sofas, it’s subtlety divided by grand pillars create zones for maximum comfort and privacy. It’s the perfect place to relax and read the paper, snuggle down for a snooze next to the stone fireplace. The Grand Salon leads to 10 treatment rooms, where highly-trained therapists will indulge you in a menu of spectacular treatments, using ESPA, REN and CACI products. I indulged in a 60 minute ESPA massage which worked the knots out of my back and (as usual) put me to sleep. Bliss.
The food at The Malvern is definitely worth a visit. As well as an informal brasserie serving drinks, snacks and light bites, the restaurant serves a selection of fabulous fine dining dishes. The award-winning Chef, Steve Rimmer, prepares seasonal menus filled with the finest locally sourced and organic produce to create beautiful dishes bursting with taste and presented with flair. I enjoyed a starter of venison, rabbit and pheasant terrine with pear chutney and walnut and pear salad, followed by a leg of guinea fowl with Dauphinoise potatoes and artichoke puree and a delicious dark chocolate fondant
with mini doughnuts, white chocolate ganache, vanilla clotted cream, raspberry sauce. I also greatly enjoyed a slice of my friend’s woodpigeon breast – it was definitely a bonus seeing so much local produce and wild game on the menu.
The fabulous two night package includes dinner, bed and breakfast, two 30 minute treatments, a personal training sessions and a spray tan, all at £355 per person. For more information and to book visit www.themalvernspa.com
