Spa Breaks Guide

Going on a spa sojourn is an exciting break from the monotony of daily life. Inject some passion and flair into your life by feeling inspired by hot stone massage therapy at a rural retreat or go for an eclectic seaweed wrap at a country spa estate.

Both of these options and more can be within your grasp if you choose to go on a spa break. These beauty-centred holidays have two focal points: the treatments you will choose during the break and where you can go for your spa break. Read this detailed guide to decide what treatments are right for you during a spa break. With a diverse array of places to visit in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, spa breaks are the ideal tonic for hard-working people who want to be pampered.

What should you expect from a spa break?

Treatments
Spa treatments are the reason dozens of people go on spa holidays. Whether you like quirky spa treatments that are edgy and innovative or you prefer tried and tested methods, there are many spa options available for you to try out:

• Aromatherapy massage: This is a unique type of massage that incorporates scent to relax human body muscles. A favourite of celebrities and models, it takes any stresses you may be feeling away because it touches into your nerve system through the aromas it produces. This is the type of massage you should choose if you want to relax for at least an hour. A brilliant way to start a spa break with your friends who are also coming to the spa is to go for aromatherapy massage. It is calm and soothing; a cleansing way to start your spa holiday. Aromatherapy massages are on the menu at many spas.


• Head massages: It has been found that a quick head massage once a day can give bursts of energy by getting rid of any knots of stress that a person may have. Indian head massages are some of the most popular varieties of this technique because they relieve stress on the skull, neck and shoulders. A head massage is a great spa treatment to opt for the day before you leave your spa holiday. An Indian head massage is the first choice for people who lead busy working lives. Taking time out once a month to go on a spa weekend break so you can have a long luxurious head massage will ensure that your brain is working at its best. As countless messages are sent within the nerve endings of the brain each day, head massages stimulate the brain to work harder. If you work in a field where you need to be alert at all times such as teaching or if you work in construction, a head massage during your spa break is the perfect tool to make you a better functioning person.


• Foot massage: If you spend the majority of your day on your feet such as if you work in retail, your feet will feel the wrath of wear and tear if they are not soothed correctly. Envelope them in the safe hands of massage professionals who know what they are doing when you go for a foot massage. These spa massages work in the following way: key muscles and limbs in your foot can be swirled and swivelled around to release tension and tough spots in your feet.


• New life: Pregnancy spa treatments are the new buzz word in the industry. If you are pregnant and you want to stimulate the life of your child, a soft pregnancy spa massage is a brilliant way of doing this. It has been documented that pregnancy spa treatments revitalise mother-to-be because they stimulate stomach muscles. If you are over 12 weeks into your pregnancy, choose a spa treatment that will make you celebrate your womanhood and your future as a mother.


• Face: Getting that trademark Hollywood glow is no longer a dream - it is a reality for many women who go on spa breaks. There are different types of facials you can choose. If you want to uncover glowing skin hidden underneath, choose an exfoliating facial treatment at your spa. Go for something edgy by choosing a facial therapy option. Facials tend to be the first areas of spa treatments that innovate with how spa professionals create treatments. If you like the idea of trying something new, choose a facial at the start of your spa holiday.

Where can you go for a spa break?

• Surrey and Sussex: There are plenty of spas that make you feel like you have entered a paradise with their marbled floors and tall Greek style columns. Surrey is a county where classic spas meet with countryside living to create a safe haven for people who want to experience luxury-drenched spa treatments. Come to Surrey for true flair in the spa beauty world. Facials are complex and intense and you also have the chance to go try electrical facials, a new innovation in the spa industry.


• Hertfordshire: Try a holistic spa treatment in Hertfordshire if you want to go back to basics. This county is quickly giving spa havens such as Cornwall and Cheshire a run for its money with its focus on organic spa treatments that cater to women and men. Hertfordshire is easily reachable from London if you live in the South or from Manchester if you are lucky to be in the North. As Hertfordshire offers bumper discounts for weekend spa breaks, this is the county of choice for spa followers who want luxurious spa treatments with a value for money.

Top tips: If you have your heart set on two counties for a spa holiday yet you are unable to choose one place in particular, try going to both! Spa holidays are affordable which means if you book a two week spa break, you can spend one week in Cornwall and you can spend another week in Gloucestershire if that's the other county you have chosen.