Last week I was delighted to be invited to review The Garden Spa in Warrington. And what was even better was that I got to take a friend with me. As it happens, Warrington is about half way between where I live near Preston, and my friend Claire who lives just over the Welsh border not far from Chester, so we took the opportunity to meet up and spend a relaxing few hours together without our children!
The Garden Spa
The Garden Spa opened in February 2019 in the Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub. The community hub houses a library, swimming pools, gym and other indoor and outdoor sports facilities along with The Garden Spa.
The Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub is well sign-posted, and easy to find not far from the motorway (and IKEA if you wanted to fit in a visit!). There is plenty of free car park space too.
Arriving at The Garden Spa
When we arrived we were asked to take a seat in the reception area where we had to fill in our registration forms, indicating any health issues as is usual when you are receiving any kind of spa treatment.
After a few minutes we were shown through to the spa itself. One of the members of staff showed us around; she explained the different aspects of the thermal spa experience, where we could get a drink, and where the changing rooms were. We were then left to get changed and make our way into the main spa area.
Changing facilities
The changing room was clean and had everything we needed. There were two toilets, two cubicles and two showers, plenty of lockers, sinks with a selection of beauty products we could use, plus hairdryers and straighteners.
We were provided with robes and flip flops for our spa day (and got to keep the flip flops at the end of the day) so after getting changed we popped our robes on and headed to begin our Thermal Spa Experience!
Thermal Spa Experience
So what is a ‘thermal spa experience’? Well, at The Garden Spa the thermal spa consists of a traditional sauna, an infrared sauna, a salt inhalation room, an aromatherapy steam room, a spa pool and an ice fountain, plus heated loungers to relax on.
The theory is that thermal bathing promotes relaxation, improves breathing and cleanses the body. We certainly felt relaxed as we tried out the different saunas and steam rooms. We had a two hour session in the thermal spa which would normally cost £22.50 for non-members or £18 for Livewire Members.
We were well looked after whilst in the thermal spa. Members of staff appeared regularly with offers of water. We were also brought cold flannels, a salt body scrub, and even ice cream! There was also fruit infused water and fresh fruit available in the corridor that we could help ourselves to if we wanted.
There were plenty of hooks on the walls to hang towels and robes, and a couple of chairs in addition to the three heated loungers. When we arrived there were I think three other people in the spa with us. They left after about an hour, and then a couple more people arrived so it never felt crowded or too busy.
Relaxation Room
After our time in the thermal spa was up (and someone helpfully came to remind us of the time in case we had lost track) we went for a quick shower before moving to the Relaxation Room.
The relaxation room was quiet and dimly lit with comfortable beds to lie back on. It was available to use any time we wanted but we were only there for a few minutes whilst waiting for our treatments. We could have come back after, which would have been lovely but unfortunately I was rushing off for the school run.
Spa Treatments
The Garden Spa offers all sorts of treatments, including massages, facials, body treatments and waxing. They also have specific treatments for men or teens, and even offer treatments and products suitable for people undergoing cancer treatment, thanks to the provision of ‘Jennifer Young Beauty Despite Cancer’ products and training.
Claire and I were booked in for an express massage and facial. We actually had our treatments in the same room which is great for couples or if you are visiting the spa with a friend like we were.
Our treatment started with quick foot soak while the therapists explained what would be happening next and asked about an issues they needed to know about. We then had a very relaxing 25 minute back massage, followed by a 25 minute facial.
I really enjoyed my massage, and although it wasn’t a deep tissue massage like I sometimes have I was happy that the therapist took on board my request for firm pressure – there’s nothing I hate more than a massage where I just feel like I’m being stroked!
The facial was lovely too, and I came away with my skin feeling super soft, and strict instructions to make sure I moisturise every day!
Would I recommend The Garden Spa, Warrington?
Most definitely! The Garden Spa is quite small but it has everything you need for a relaxing experience. The Thermal Experience is available to be booked on its own or alongside a treatment or two, with various packages available. Or you can just come for a treatment if you wish too.
All the staff we met were friendly and helpful, and I think both the thermal spa and the treatments are very reasonably priced. It’s in an ideal location for Claire and me to meet up too so I’m sure we’ll be back some time in the future.
Disclosure: We were provided with this spa day free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
