March means the start of spring and a time for renewal, so indulge in a reviving treatment at one of the county’s top spas. Follow our guide and find a new you
Clarice House
Clarice House offers the perfect residential and day spa retreat. Their three spas are all conveniently located, and easy to get to, with each offering a unique but classic country house charm, set in beautiful parkland settings. Each site features an exclusive health and fitness club, day spa and health and beauty salons, including a hair salon at Ipswich. In addition, the Bury St Edmunds venue provides luxurious residential spa break accommodation, and both Colchester and Bury St Edmunds have intimate award-winning restaurants.
They say: “Clarice House in Bury St Edmunds offers an idyllic retreat for our day spa and residential guests. The house itself is extremely grand and the parkland setting is absolutely beautiful. Our clients can really escape from it all here and forget about the outside world.”
Debbie Lawes, spa manager
Try this: Superior Bliss Day which includes a facial, back and neck massage, manicure, use of pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms and a two-course lunch
www.claricehouse.co.uk
Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa
Peake Spa is a haven of relaxation in the family-owned Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa – a perfect retreat for relaxing breaks and days out with family and friends. With its luxurious 18 metre pool, saunarium, steam room and 14 treatment rooms, including exotic Rasul and Hammam suites, Peake Spa is a popular destination for indulgent spa breaks. They also offer a wide range of Decleor therapies, OPI nailcare and Jane Iredale mineral makeup.
Try this: If you would like to upgrade a Spa Day into an indulgent break, make the most of the hotel’s amazing Spa Day sleepover offer from just £39.95pp for B&B.
They say: “Rest and relaxation is an integral part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and we believe that every client should be treated to an experience suited to their individual needs, which is why we employ highly trained therapists and offer top-of-the-line products in our treatments.” Stephanie Harris, spa manager
www.stokebynayland.com
Ickworth Hotel
The Ickworth Hotel Spa is below stairs at the Ickworth hotel, which itself is part of the magnificent Ickworth estate.
Ickworth was home to the Hervey family from 1702 until the seventh Marquis left in 1996, and the interior is a treasure trove of period and contemporary furnishings, marble flooring and chandeliers. The hotel has contemporary style and family facilities, making the perfect country retreat for children, pets and parents.
They say: “The spa is small, intimate, welcoming and full of character of the eighteenth century country house. Offering a number of wonderful facials and body treatments, the spa uses Comfort Zone chemical free, organic products made for us in Italy. We also offer Indian head and hot stone massages, Monticelli mud wraps, 90-minute face and body treatments, and reflexology.”
Manager, Hazel Knox-Johnston
Try this: Special offer – £329 for a two-night dinner inclusive break, valid until April.
www.ickworthhotel.co.uk
SK Clinic + Spa
SK Clinic + Spa in Bury St Edmunds is a day spa offering a sanctuary of relaxation and wellbeing within the lovingly converted facilities of a Grade II listed chapel at the heart of bustling Bury St Edmunds. SK offers an extensive award-winning treatment menu, state-of-the-art amenities and award-nominated expertise, which cater to the needs of every guest.
They say: “Spa is a lifestyle, it creates an equilibrium in anyone’s life and enhances the performance of the body, mind and spirit, easing everyday stress, allowing the human body to relax and regenerate!” spa manager, Sian Thomas:
Try this: Stay and spa . . . SK Clinic + Spa has teamed up with a number of local hotels to offer overnight options. Check the website for details. Try a rustic chic spa retreat combo – stay at Tuddenham Mill Hotel, at Tuddenham between Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket, and enjoy SK’s wonderful treatments in Bury St Edmunds. Starting price, £320 for two people.
www.skclinic.co.uk
Lifehouse
Nestled in leafy Thorpe-le-soken, Lifehouse Spa & Hotel offers a place to revitalise and recharge. The contemporary spa hosts leading health, spa and fitness practitioners and offers an array of wellness programmes including the Detox for Life, Fast Break (based on 5:2 diet) and Nifty at Fifty. Dedicated experts, such as esteemed resident naturopath Sue Davis and holistic therapist Michael Barthaud, both previously at Chiva-Som in Thailand, provide a personalised approach by advising guests on the best treatments and therapies to fit their individual needs. Additionally Lifehouse’s therapists are specially trained to provide recuperative treatments and breaks for those with or recovering from cancer.
Try this: Love Life spa package for two from £69 per person. Includes two-course dinner and a 25-minute treatment each. For romance, friends or a mother and daughter day.
www.lifehouse.co.uk
The Gainsborough Health Club & Spa
Nestled in the heart of the stunning Suffolk countryside in the grounds of Houghton Hall, The Gainsborough Health Club & Spa combines a luxurious day spa with excellent health and fitness facilities guaranteeing the perfect escape from everyday life!
They say: “At The Gainbsorough Health Club & Spa we encourage our guests to book time with us, not specific treatments. Once they arrive with us, our team of experienced, friendly therapists can best advise each individual on the most appropriate treatments depending on how they are feeling when they arrive at the spa, and perhaps more importantly how they want to feel when they leave us; relaxed, revitalised or restored.”
Amanda Coppock, spa manager
Try this: Midweek packages start at just £50 for a half day and £90 for a full day.
www. thegainsborough.co.uk
Flawless Image
An oasis of tranquility in the heart of Ipswich. Flawless Image uses Temple Spa products, a total lifestyle brand that seeks to fuse product, philosophy and spa. The result is professional skin care and body care, aromatherapy and spa treatments that replenish, revive and renew.
Flawless Image has a range of over 50 different treatments, including hot and warm waxing, Lash Perfect lash extensions, tinting, threading, massage, facials, non surgical face lift (Perfector) and CACI Microderabrasion.
Try this: Stay and spa – Flawless Image offers ovenight spa packages in partnership with the luxury Salthouse Harbour Hotel. Overnight package £199 per couple, full day spa £99, half-day £59.50, afternoon tea £55/£65
http://www.flawlessimage.co
Ufford Park Health and Spa
Ufford Park Health and Spa is part of the family run hotel and golf club just outside Woodbridge. It is a relaxing, friendly spa that offers a full treatments from fully qualified, experienced therapists, using products made from the finest ingredients.
Try this: Spa Experience packages range from the two-hour Discover Experience (£39 per person) to full day Luxury Experience (£129 per person) and include access to the Health Club and Thermal Suite together with private treatments.
Twilight Spa Session – £20 per person, a great way to unwind with two hours of relaxation between 5pm-8.30pm, Monday – Friday.
www.uffordparkspa.co.uk
The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel
In the heart of Newmarket, The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel is one of the most recent additions to the county’s spa scene and offers a luxurious experience. It has a full range of spa facilities including hydrotherapy pool, outdoor rooftop hot tub, experiential showers and ice fountain and a range of treatment rooms and suites. Visiting cosmetic doctors offer non-invasive procedures and there is a spa lounge for indulgent and healthy food and beverages. Fully qualified therapists use ESPA products, a British natural skin and body care range found only in leading spas around the world.
Try this: Stay and spa . . . try the Recovery Break – Hot Stone Massage, two-course dinner and coffee at the award-winning Squires Restaurant, bed and breakfast at the stylish Bedford Lodge Hotel, use of hydrotherapy and heat experiences on the day of treatments, robe, towel and slippers provided – one person single – £231, two person double – £385
www.bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk
Bathsheba
A delightful boutique day spa in the heart of Woodbridge offering an oasis of calm, self spoiling and femininity in a warm, welcoming environment. Bathsheba provides a full range of treatments for face and body using superb REN Clean Skincare products, selected because both products and massage therapy techniques fit perfectly with Bathsheba’s ethos of kindness and professionalism.
Try this: Stay and spa – Bathsheba Spa has joined with The Crown Hotel, Woodbridge to create two indulgent packages – a perfect gift for your or a loved one.
Half Day Spa Break includes the choice of a REN Body or Facial Treatment and a Jessica Manicure or Pedicure. At The Crown – the choice of either breakfast and a glass of Bucks Fizz or brunch and Bellini cocktail, or a two-course lunch, or a Champagne cream tea
A night away . . . dinner, bed and breakfast in one of the beautiful ensuite bedrooms at The Crown Hotel, cocktail on arrival and a bottle of Prosecco in your room, two luxury spa treatments at Bathsheba Spa. One Night Spa Package from £200 (call The Crown for room rates)
http://bathshebaspa.co.uk or http://www.thecrownatwoodbridge.co.uk
