The Spa at Carden invites guests to ditch the January blues and enjoy a little love this winter
The multi-award-winning Spa at Carden, located in the beautiful Cheshire countryside, is declaring this winter as the season of self-care. Known as the month of post-Christmas blues and detoxification, Carden Park Estate invites guests to reframe their January and enjoy its limited-edition spa experience, A Little Winter Love, exclusive to the beginning of 2024.
Understanding that our skin, mind, body and soul could do with some TLC after the Christmas period, A Little Winter Love takes a new approach to the arduous morning routine, encouraging guests to pick up new, slower habits to take with them for the rest of the year. Available on weekdays as a spa morning package, the spa session begins with a warming glass of wellness tea or a refreshing detox smoothie, where guests are encouraged to enjoy slowly whilst they set intentions for the day. Guests have spa access from 9am until 1pm, and with it the opportunity to create lasting wellness habits to see them through the winter and beyond, choosing from many of the spas facilities as their place of contemplation.
Also included in the morning is a healthy brunch, created with vitamin and antioxidant rich ingredients, as well as a 50-minute Indulgent Escape Ritual Treatment; a restorative journey that nourishes not only the soul, but also soothes skin. As we transition between seasons, naturally the skin can suffer from dryness, so The Indulgent Escape Ritual uses products from the Oskia skincare range formulated to provide much-welcomed rehydration, improving the texture of skin using natural and effective ingredients.
The Indulgent Escape Ritual Treatment:
The journey to relaxation commences from the moment guests lie down on the heated treatment bed beneath the gentle glow of the dimmed twinkling lights. The ritual begins with a reflexology point massage, where gentle pressure is applied to the solar plexus on the feet – the area responsible for core energy and emotional grounding, followed by a deep cleanse with Oskia’s signature Rose-Lychee perfume, to decongest and soothe. The Oskia Liquid Mask, infused with lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, super nutrients and multi-vitamins is applied to face to condition and revitalise the skin, whilst the therapist begins an Indian acupressure head massage, aiming to release tension and improve circulation. Once the mask has been on the skin long enough to intensely hydrate, the therapist performs the The Oskia Signature Glow massage, using products tailored to each individual guests skin care needs, using a combination of anti-ageing and glow-inducing techniques to uplift the skin, leaving the face, body and mind feeling rejuvenated and the skin visibly illuminated, hydrated and toned. The treatment finishes with the neck and shoulders, addressing the knots and tension that may have accumulated in this often-neglected area, and to complete the experience, a stimulating compress of warm mitts followed directly by a cold towel is held to the face to close pores and lock in all the nutrients absorbed throughout the experience, ensuring guests leave seeing visible results.
Set in the grounds of the privately owned Carden Park Estate, The Spa at Carden is famed for its instantly recognisable spa garden, boasting stunning views over the Cheshire rolling countryside. Renowned for its superior service, world class facilities and seamless spa experience, the indoor and outdoor spa facilities are amongst the most impressive in the UK, including two large vitality pools, an extensive thermal suite, a glamorous beauty lounge and a variety of soothing relaxation spaces. Priding itself on still being able to provide guests with five-star luxury, whatever the weather, guests can choose between numerous thermal experiences in the indoor thermal suite, and an all-weather Bollinger champagne bar to add a touch of indulgence.
At the back end of 2023, the spa ranked as one of the best in the North West by the AA, and was also named ‘Best Spa in the North West’ by industry body the Good Spa Guide. The Spa at Carden also took home three awards at the prestigious World Spa Awards, furthering The Spa at Carden’s reputation of being a top global wellness destination.
Spa Day, from £140 per person
Morning Spa Garden & Indoor Thermal Experience Healthy brunch (morning) overlooking the spa garden 50-minute Indulgent Escape Ritual Treatment Either a detox smoothie or wellness tea
Spa Break, from £250 per person based on two adults sharing a standard double or twin room.
Overnight stay with breakfast and access to the Hotel Leisure Club Dinner allowance of £30 Morning Spa Garden & Indoor Thermal Experience 50-minute Indulgent Escape Ritual Treatment Either a detox smoothie or wellness tea
Available Weekdays only, from the 2nd January - 2nd February 2024
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