It's a well known fact that we all need some down time and give ourselves the opportunity to truly relax and unwind away from the pressures which we have day to day. We've all got different ways of relaxing, from exercising, going out with friends, watching our favourite TV show etc. I love to go to new places and see what my region has to offer, so when I was kindly invited to experience a 'Make My Day' spa day at one of Durham's most highly esteemed luxury spa's, Ramside Spa, I was delighted and couldn't wait to see what they had to offer as I absolutely love going to a spa, it's one of those special, indulgent things which really puts you into a different zone of total tranquillity. Our spa day included full use of Ramside Spa, including all of their facilities, from the 25 meter main pool, state of the art gym and fitness suite, heated outdoor pool, four different steam rooms including a sanarium and one which has herbal essential infusions in it which evaporate and smell amazing, hydrotherapy pool (with optional bubbles!), a two course lunch in Ramside's very own Pan-Asian Fusion restaurant and a 60 minute therapeutic treatment. A truly decadent day by any accounts.
Main pool area at Ramside Spa
Upon our arrival at 10am, we were greeted at the reception (all of the staff are so friendly and welcoming and that really makes such an amazing difference to your whole experience) and escorted us to the bar to fill out our personal details, select our two courses for lunch that afternoon and also write out our hopes of what we wanted to get from our spa day treatments. We had a glass of fruit smoothie whilst doing so which really set the revitalising day off to a fresh and healthy start. Once we had done this, we were given our wristbands (they're electronic and allow you to enter the different rooms in the spa such as the hydrotherapy pool room) and our fluffy robes and directed towards the changing room to get ready and allow the spa day to commence!
Poolside at Ramside Spa // check out more over on my Instagram here ♡
We initially took up our spot around the main pool area - their pool is 1.2 meters deep so the perfect depth to have a proper swim or just relax and chill out. It was also warmer than a typical pool which was really good. Ramside has a large 25 meter pool so if you're into your swimming, it's the perfect place to do a few lengths. People were swimming, relaxing reading magazines, talking with their guests and everybody was just having a lovely time, which is a great atmosphere to be in, as collectively everyone was there to relax and as it was a Friday, start their weekend early! You can also order drinks around the pool if you would like to.
Complimentary flip flops which can be used on your spa day
The outdoor spa garden, perfect for relaxing on summer days. Outside they also have their heated pool which is popular year round - it could be snowing outside and you'd still be toasty in it, it's that warm!
Clockwise from top: main 25 meter indoor pool, shallow part of the pool for dipping in, Jacuzzi, door leading into the hydrotherapy pool room (centre back)
Check Out Ramside's Spa Day packages here // Connect with Ramside Spa on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Within the hydrotherapy pool room, not only do they have an incredible hydro pool which you can create bubbles pretty much everywhere in, it is also heated like a really good bath and the interior décor is simply stunning. Everywhere is beautifully tiled with iridescent silver / lilac pieces and there are three water coolers which have different flavour waters in them, as it's important to stay hydrated throughout your treatment day as it is really warm, which really helps you to relax, as it makes you feel like you are on holiday! Plus, they tasted great. You could choose from refreshing cucumber and mint, zingy orange or cleansing lemon iced water.
Of course, there are also cosy indoor alcove-like bamboo rooms which you can unwind / have a nap in by the pool. They're a perfect spot for some reading or just general relaxation. It's fair to say I would like one of these in my house, as they're so unique and plush!
We were all booked in for lunch at 12:30pm in the Fusion restaurant and we had both opted for a main and dessert because that's just how we like to do it! Fusion specialises in traditional recipes from South East Asia, so every option promises to be an explosion of taste. Each main sounded amazing and well worth trying, so choosing just one seemed a tough call. Obviously, we weren't the only ones who felt like this, so there was actually an option on the menu called a Bento Box - this enabled us to try any four options as well as having a side of steamed jasmine rice; I opted for Shanghai Chicken Noodles, Bang Bang Chicken Salad, a Vegetable Spring Roll and some crispy fried vegetables. My guest got the noodles and spring roll too, but opted for the Sweet & Sour Tom Yum and the Green Chicken Thai Curry instead.
Bento Boxes at Fusion - perfect if you like to try a 'lil bit of everything!
I am all about that minty hit in drinks, so my accompanying drink was a Virgin Pink Mojito which complimented my meal so well and it also had a bit of fruity zing which I really like. A drink I'd certainly recommend if you like refreshing and uplifting flavours.
You can connect with Fusion restaurant at Ramside Spa on Instagram here and check out their menus here.
If you are anything like me, then you'll know what I mean about being excited for dessert. It's the best part of the meal, am I not right? All of the options sounded delicious and I went for a Mango & Coconut Crème Brule which came with a shortbread cookie, vanilla cream and raspberry sauce and my guest got a Ginger and Green Tea Cheesecake with a mint and mango fruit side and vanilla cream. They tasted as good as they look (aka very good!). I loved how they were presented and they were just oh so delicious!
After lunch, a quick dip back in the pool and a browse of a magazine, it was treatment time!...
The treatment rooms at Ramside Spa are upstairs from reception and the sense of ease and relaxation you get as soon as you walk in is pretty amazing - the corridor was paved with tall cream candles in glass cases, a mood lighting which is a sure winner. We had a double treatment room as we were going to have the same treatment plus I thought that would be fun! Our 60 minute treatments were full body aromatherapy massages, including a neck, shoulder and head massage to really release any of that pent up tension from the week gone by.
The treatments were carried out using ESPA products which were also available to purchase after. Their products were amazing both in how they made my skin feel after and also in their properties, as they harness natures pure power to restore balance and make you and your skin not only look but feel wonderful, as the essential oils work not only on the body but also the mind and soul. After my pre-treatment consultation with my beauty therapist (who was so lovely by the way!), I had selected a carrier oil that was to leave me feeling uplifted. She also put some of the oil I had chosen in a inhalation bowl underneath where I was lying - this helps you get the maximum benefits from your chosen oil's special properties. The massage started with back and shoulders, before you switch to lying on your back and have your legs, arms and then neck shoulders and head gently worked on.
60 Minute Aromatherapy ESPA Massage - Detail and Prices ♡
Double treatment room with heated massage beds
After our treatments, we were taken to the relaxation or 'sleep' room to relax before heading off for the day. This photo shows it fully lit, but when we went in it was completely sleep inducing and very dimly lit, with only the hanging lights switched on slightly. The reclining chairs I just have to mention because they were state of the art. With two remotes to control the position of each part of the chair in isolation, and another to vibrate the different sections like back and shoulders, it was a perfect place to chill out before heading home totally relaxed and smelling completely amazing! It was a blissful day and one I most certainly would like to do again soon! Have you visited Ramside Spa before? If not you certainly should give yourself some "me-time" and book a spa day! Bilgi x
This feature is in collaboration with Ramside Spa. All views and opinions remain honest and my own.
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