Spa Review: Center Parcs, Longleat Forest

Photo by hendry.

At the weekend I visited the Aqua Sana spa at Longleat Forest Center Parcs. It was my first trip to a spa so I was very excited. I’ve used steam rooms and saunas before at swimming pools and gyms but never in a spa.

On arrival, I was given a warm white robe to change in to and a towel to take round with me. The spa was very peaceful and everyone who was using it was very respectful of each other keeping talking to a minimum so that we could all benefit from the relaxation experience.

Soft relaxation music was played in to the steam and meditation rooms and the surrounding relaxation areas. There were about 15 different rooms to use including steam rooms, meditation rooms, saunas, relaxation area, experience showers, ice fountain, and a small outdoor heated pool.

I spent 3 hours in the spa and spent most of the time in the steam rooms and saunas. If I had had more time, I may have also made use of the relaxation areas as they were amazing. There was a zen garden, water beds, giant beanbags, and loungers that all looked very comfortable and inviting.

My favourite steam room was the Indian Blossom steam room which was the hottest and most humid of all the steam rooms and the steam was infused with eucalyptus and menthol which did wonders for my sinus congestion. My second favourite was the Japanese salt steam room which had heated seats and the steam was infused with mineral salts and mint.

My favourite sauna was the Tyrolean Sauna which was a traditional wooden lined sauna with the aromas of pine and mountain herbs and was very hot indeed. After some time in the sauna, I rubbed a handful of flaky ice from the ice fountain all over my body which felt really refreshing.

I felt amazing afterwards and my skill felt so soft – I don’t recall it ever being that soft before! In the evening I did have a bit of a detox/healing response but it didn’t last long.

I loved my first spa experience very much. I can’t decide whether I like steam rooms or saunas more. Planning my next trip to a spa as I write…