Trying to plan events for a milestone birthday can often seem overwhelming, especially when you and your friend are located in different parts of the UK. Researching a midway point to meet, we find the perfectly located Champneys Springs, is situated in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in the East Midlands.
Collecting the birthday girl from Tamworth station, approximately 20 minutes away, we drive along quiet country roads until turning on to the impressive driveway leading to one of the UK’s first custom built spas. On entering the hotel, we are impressed by the large welcoming lobby, where we are warmly greeted as we check in, being given our bath robes and flip flops for our stay. Before heading to our room, we stop to browse the collection of shops offering a wide range of Elemis and Clarins beauty products, along with Champneys Springs’ beauty and spa products. Tempting too were the range of gifts and exercise wear.
First impressions of our room do not disappoint. Called the Lake View, the sizeable suite looks out over a serene lake view, where the autumnal russet leaves of the trees are reflected in the water. Featuring twin double beds, the room is vast and has a lounging space with a sofa and armchairs. Tearing ourselves away from the room, we head to the spa restaurant for our lunch.
As part of our Champneys Springs package, lunch and dinner are included, and we simply need to book in on arrival. Situated next to the café, which also serves a selection of snacks and sandwiches (and alcoholic drinks, this spa is all about balance!), we settle down to enjoy a generous buffet. Now if you are scared (like me) that the spa will only serve healthy, diet-like food, fear not. Offered up are healthy options, along with some more filling options (thankfully!), from a wide salad selection, a Caesar salad station and tofu noodles, to chipotle chicken, penne pasta with cream sauce, jacket potatoes and a selection of desserts.
A quick wander around the spa, finding plenty of comfortable areas to relax, we decide to get started on improving our wellbeing by attending the Body Stretch class held in one of the fitness studios. Well equipped with mats, the large fitness studio looks out on the grounds, which is a beautiful vista to admire whilst bending our bodies into poses that stretch our muscles perfectly, the instructor getting the balance right between being challenging and gentle at the same time.
Leaving the fitness room, we pass a large room full of spin cycles which is gearing up for what looks like an energetic class, but that isn’t for us, we take things at our own pace visiting the treatment rooms for the ultimate spa treat. With muscles nicely warmed from the stretch class, I head for a full body massage. Although relaxation is the top priority, the therapist Faye asks me what pressure I am comfortable with and replying firm, boy it does not disappoint. Working knots across my neck and shoulders, the massage satisfyingly manages to unkink some long-held tension, using wonderful smelling oils that leave me floating on a cloud and feeling a couple of inches taller…
The swimming pool and jacuzzies are large and spacious and we wile away a couple of hours swimming and then chatting in the bubbles. With the sauna and steam rooms being in the changing rooms, it meant we don’t have to wait to use the rooms, enjoying the heat on a cool autumn day.
Dinner at the restaurant does not disappoint, offering three courses as part of the package, with wine an additional cost. Do we go for all three? Of course, we are celebrating! Starting with a mouth-watering Middle Eastern spiced fish cake with a mango mint salad, and a very chargrilled halloumi tomato basil salsa on grilled sourdough, the portion sizes are just enough to enjoy without spoiling our appetite for our following courses. With many tasty dishes to choose from, we opt for the tikka-marinated fillet of cod with spiced sweet potato & aubergine, and the lamb biryani red onion & gem salad with cucumber mint raita. Rounding off the meal with a palate cleanser we both choose citrussy dishes, opting for the lemon parfait, and the blueberry & lemon Eton mess.
Enjoying the peace and quiet of the hotel, we have a couple of glasses of wine to celebrate before heading for an early night, so we can rise early for use of the spa before breakfast. A slightly less energetic use of the spa first thing in the morning does wonders to clear our sleepy heads (the beds are sooo comfortable!), and we have the option to order from the menu for table service for breakfast or to help ourselves to their breakfast buffet. Choosing the latter, we make the most of the wonderful variety of breads on offer, along with the yoghurt and fruit and cereal options, impressed by the different type of milk alternatives available.
Getting ready to leave, we reflect on what a wonderfully rejuvenating stay it has been, already planning our return visit. With the gift shops luring us in one last time, we stock up on oils and creams so that we can take a little bit of the Champneys Springs magic home with us.
