You might have noticed that I haven’t blogged in a few weeks. That’s because my full time job has been as busy as I’ve ever known it and my spare time has been eaten up with boring but necessary things things to do with the house, leaving my brain completely frazzled. But now I’m back and raring to go, thanks to a date with a white fluffy toweling robe and a matching pair of slippers at the Y Spa in Bedfordshire!
The Y Spa is on the Wyboston Lakes estate, mid way between Cambridge and Milton Keynes. I jumped into the car on Saturday morning and zipped up the A1 from Peterborough to meet my friends. Our first order of business was (of course!) a spot of brunch.
Some of the spa packages include a two course hot and cold buffet in the Spa Cafe, so the chefs treated us to an indulgent taster session. All of the choices are nutritious but absolutely delicious: parma ham and grilled melon on toast with poached eggs, made to order omelettes, freshly made sundried tomato bread, chicken liver pate pots, toast topped with smoked salmon…
…and a huge platter of colourful fresh fruit.
The big surprise for me was the melon on toast. It’s a combination that I’d never have thought to try myself but it worked exceptionally well and I’m going to have to give it a go at home now.
To accompany our meal those of us not partaking in a dry January indulged in Bloody Marys and Blackberry Bellini cocktails too. As it happened this turned out to be all of us, including those who HAD been partaking in dry January until they saw the cocktails being prepared and swiftly decided that half of January was a good enough effort!
I tried out some non alcoholic alternatives too though, with my favourite being the kale, apple and kiwi smoothie which was super refreshing and not at all ‘leafy’ tasting.
As we all proclaimed how full we were feeling and that we couldn’t eat another mouthful, the chefs reappeared with a tray of panna cotta desserts. We all hastily decided that we might be able to fit in a few mouthfuls.
I’ve been harbouring a food baby since Christmas (I ate ALL the cheese) and the idea of putting on my swimming costume had been giving me the jitters. However the good thing about visiting a luxury spa is that once you’ve checked in you’ll be given a plush bathrobe and slippers which are yours to live in for the day. Thus whilst you do need to brave wearing a bathing suit, the only time you need to take off your robe is when you head into the treatment rooms; hanging them on hooks by the entrance and retrieving them at the end. Most of the treatment rooms are softly lit and full of steam anyway so self consciousness soon gives way.
Even the cafe restaurant is located centrally in the spa so you can wander through for a spot of lunch without having to worry about getting changed – it’s all very relaxed.
Saturday was freezing cold but we decided that we had to try out the outdoor Hydrotherapy pool. It runs at a much hotter temperature than a normal pool and is like getting into an Olympic sized jacuzzi – utter luxury!
The only problem is that when you get out you suddenly realise how mother flipping cold it actually is. It was 2 degrees whilst we were there!
You can either wrap yourself in blankets and curl up by the log fire in the outdoor seating area…
…or for true warmth head to the ‘Some Like It Hot’ kelo wood sauna. The lower seating is warm enough, but dare to go up to the top row and you’ll soon get a healthy sweat on, with temperatures exceeding 85 degrees! (There’s a ‘Softy’ sauna for those who prefer things a little more sedate).
Although I like saunas, I love steam rooms even more. The difference is that a sauna is a really dry heat, whereas a steam room has a much higher humidity. The Y Spa has a traditional steam room but my favourite was the ‘Salty’ room which left me feeling wonderfully refreshed and invigorated. It can get really hot in there and a couple of my friends only lasted a few minutes before retreating to the sauna, but I could have stayed in there for ages!
With all this pampering, I was feeling so relaxed that I could have happily gone for a nap. I found a couple of different relaxation areas in the Y Spa, including a softly lit room with waterbeds warmed to body temperature. You just walk in, get under the covers and can either read under the lamp or more likely, drift off into a peace slumber. Does anything sound more idyllic?
Even better though, are the reading pods! It’s not until you get into one that you realise how soundproof it is – perfect for a no distraction reading sesh or just enjoying a few quiet minutes to yourself.
Here’s a friendly warning though: They do rotate and if your friends have been on the Prosecco you might end up being spun around so fast that you feel like you’re on the Waltzers.
We totally didn’t try this. Okay yes we did. Sorry Y Spa.
Before I left there was one final bit of pampering in store for me – an energising, detoxifying Elemis Superfood Pro-Radiance facial. I lay back under blankets listening to soothing music as my skin was cleansed, toned, massaged and moisturised using a variety of aromatic Elemis products and hot and cold cloths. The time flew by and I was almost drifting off to sleep when it finished. My skin felt completely pampered and has been glowing all weekend.
Sadly with that my day at the spa came to an end, but I slept like a baby that night and woke up on Sunday feeling ready to take on 2017 and own it.
Thanks Y Spa – you were just what the doctor ordered!
*My stay at the Y Spa was complimentary, however all thoughts and opinions on my experience are honest and my own. I truly couldn’t fault the day – take me back someone please!
