Editor Issy Chamberlain visits Riverhills Health Club & Spa for a day of fire and ice relaxation A spa trip has always been, and always will be, the best way to unwind – be it after a period of high stress or just from the general tension of everyday life. Riverhills has created a space for you to completely shut off from the outside world. The breathtaking views are a fantastic first impression of what your day is going to look like; Riverhills makes you feel uplifted as soon as you arrive – generous parking is a small bonus but offers peace of mind! As you walk through the doors, you’re greeted with friendly staff with cheery smiles. Riverhills is not only a spa but also as a sports facility; so, if you’re lucky enough to live near it, it can also be your regular gym. As you’re guided towards the spa section of this impressive building, you’re transported into a zen kingdom. The spa area is headlined by great big doors that open out into the newly refurbished garden, designed by Ade Sellars. Once you check in with the impeccable reception team, guests are given a wellness drink for either immunity or detox – I was at the tail-end of a cold when I visited, so opted for the immunity shot to give that much-needed boost – after this, it’s time to explore! THE FACILITIES Riverhills offers your classic large swimming pool for leisurely floating or for lane swimming – I prefer a lazy float on a spa day, but I appreciate some of our readers might want to take this opportunity to get some cardio in! There’s also a luxurious hot tub, heated to the perfect temperature to soothe aching muscles and powerful jets to massage out any lasting tension. What’s more, the Vitality Pool – much like the hot tub – is a warm-water facility with jets in and out of the water! These are designed to offer high intensity massaging for trouble areas like your shoulders or lower back. Now, these are quite intense, so I’d approach cautiously on your first go! This is all within the first room and what a fantastic start – but as you move through to the next section, you are also met with an opportunity to head outside for sunbathing. It was a glorious day when I visited and there were people stretched out on this courtyard like lions dosing in the sun. They do say there’s no better therapy than sunshine, so the addition of this space felt like a natural fit. Once you pass the sun-soaking guests, you find the ultimate relaxation cove. This area of the spa holds the steam room, salt sauna, volcano sauna, foot baths (complete with jets), heated tiled beds, monsoon shower, and the highly anticipated snow shower. The salt sauna and steam room are classics in any spa and were the perfect examples of wet and dry heat. The volcano sauna is a variation of wet heat but leans more on the heat side, as opposed to the clearing wet heat the steam room delivers. Once you’ve tried out all of these, go for a submersion in the monsoon shower – the multiple heads hit you with a refreshing shower and is the perfect reset following the exfoliating heat of the sauna. Now it’s time to step into winter! The available snow shower is constantly running and kisses you with chunky snowflakes. The idea of this facility is to simulate the conditions Scandinavians experience, having to step out into snowy conditions after a session in the sauna. The Scandinavians are stronger than I will ever be because I lasted mere seconds under this snowstorm. But if this sounds like something you’d take on, then give it a go – it’s colder than you think it is! To warm up, I consoled myself on the heated tiled beds. These beautiful gems are shaped to perfectly hug the natural curves of your body, and they are heated to the ideal temperature. After this, you can finish with foot baths; lined with jets to massage your feet while you sit on heated chairs! THE TREATMENT Tiana who delivered the Driftaway Massage has magic hands and I wasn’t afraid to tell her that on the day. Before the massage, you’re asked what sort of pressure you would like, and being the delicate flower I am, I asked for soft. Typically, masseuses will ignore this and apply slightly more pressure to make sure the knots get out – but not my girl Tiana. She listened to what I needed, perfectly executed this, and delivered the best massage I’ve ever had. The room was filled with reviving aromatherapy and the products used not only allowed a silky rub but left my skin feeling like a million dollars. The massage started with dry brushing the length of my body – this was my first time experiencing dry brushing and I’m a convert. This was a fantastic sensation and was the ideal way to kick-off the treatment. This was then followed by a multitude of lotions and potions that transported me to a serene island with no stresses or concerns of the outside world. Couples especially, need to head for the mud room right at the end. You are given a selection of muds/clays to rub yourself down in and these work their magic while the room fills with revitalising steam. You’ll sit basking in this for around 30 mins, after which the room turns into a rainforest; with water features that accurately simulate the feel of being in an actual forest! FINAL THOUGHTS If you are looking for a local fitness club or a regular spa to attend, then Riverhills ticks all of the boxes. The facilities are modern, rejuvenating and create the perfect atmosphere to unwind. I left my day at Riverhills feeling lighter and ready for a jolly good nap – I couldn’t recommend them more! To book 01473 463 262 or visit riverhills.co.uk Time to Unwind 20
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