The dictionary defines ‘pamper’ as: ‘indulge with every attention, comfort, and kindness; spoil.’ Clearly whoever is in charge at Spa by Kasia, in the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel just a few minutes from Chester, has taken this definition very seriously and cascaded this understanding to the entire team.
The pampering starts from the moment you arrive, to a warm greeting from the reception desk and the delivery of the Afternoon Tea menu, which before you even enter the spa proper gives you the sense you’re in for a treat.
The spa itself offers a large swimming pool with a hot tub and seats on which to recline while chatting you your spa buddy, before you head to your treatment. Spaces to sit and chat are in abundance, in fact, and there’s a dark and restful relaxation room to retire to once your treatment is complete, too.
I chose to indulge myself in the I’m Dreaming of a Spa Day package, one of the two spa days specially designed for the festive season. This included a massage with suitably seasonal cinnamon and orange oil, followed by a 25-minute facial – pretty much bliss from start to finish, I anticipated. I was right. Oh my.
My therapist, Lucy, has not only read the definition of ‘pamper’, but seemingly lives and breathes it. From her first smiling greeting to her explanation of what I might expect, she was putting me at the centre of my day and making it great. As she smoothed warm, fragranced oil into my back with long, firm strokes, I quickly sank into a stupour, my usually over-busy mind wandering galaxies as I drifted in a sea of scent, sinking deeper and deeper into the warm, soft bed. I didn’t want to it to end. Sadly, all good things must, and Lucy gently woke me before commencing my facial.
Spa by Kasia is an Elemis spa, and Lucy chose their Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm to start my treatment, massaging it in using firm, lifting strokes. This was removed with hot cloths, and finished with Optimal Smoothing Toner. A further massage with Elemis’s Pro Collagen Marine Oil preceded a Papaya Enzyme Peel mask, during which time Lucy undertook a scalp massage which was wonderfully relaxing, well, would have been were I already not completely zen. More hot cloths left my skin warm and ready for the finishing touch of Pro Collagen Marine Cream. All this facial bliss in just 25 minutes!
My spa buddy Eileen opted for a deep tissue massage, which, she says, didn’t hurt (despite expectations it would) but did leave her feeling a lot less knotty and tight, which is the dream, really for a deep tissue massage.
After sipping ginger and lemon tea in the warm and dark relaxation room we headed to the Spa Eatery for our Afternoon Tea. The weather was so freakishly warm we took it outside, and sat in the sun feeling beyond spoiled.
The garden at Spa by Kasia has been designed with Japanese Zen Garden as its guiding theme. The large space is filled with pools, water lilies gracing the surface, with pathways weaving between, and lots of seating options, from recliners to egg chairs, with plenty of tables, too. We were lucky with our weather, warm enough to sunbathe (as some guests were) in October, but even in the colder months, it would provide a restful space in which to drift for a few moments before settling down for your meal.
Table service was swift and courteous, and on arrival it was checked if we had any food allergies the kitchen needed to be aware of, so our tower of goodies and pots of tea came quickly. An array of delicious sandwiches, in the freshest of bread, was accompanied by a mix of cakes from a raspberry and pistachio opera cake to a lemon and strawberry tart via an éclair filled with mango crème patissiere and, my personal favourite, a white chocolate and elderflower cheesecake. There was also, of course, the necessary warm scones, with a generous portion of clotted cream and strawberry jam.
After our repast, we moved to a large daybed and chatted some more, while debating the merits of a gin and tonic. We decided, however, that our day must end at some point and headed back inside to shower, change and depart. My skin felt soft and smooth after my massage, and my face positively glowed, my skin feeling plumped and firm.
If you want to experience the definition of pamper, Spa by Kasia has you covered.
