Planning a wedding can be stressful. Juggling the preparations with an already busy life, along with the pressure to make every detail perfect can get to even the most laid back bride-to-be.
So the spa at Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel in Bath has devised a bridal pamper package to give brides a little bit of time out.
Emma Dance went along to try it out.
Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel doesn't feel like a city centre hotel.
It's only a 10 minute walk from the centre of Bath, but set back from the road, surrounded by peaceful, landscaped gardens you could be forgiven for thinking that you were in a country house.
It's the sort of place where it's easy to feel relaxed even before you make it to the spa.
But trust me, after a few hours of pampering you'll be so chilled out you can barely stand up.
Not long ago the spa underwent a £3million refurbishment and it was money well spent.
It's not like there's any shortage of spas in Bath, but this one has shot straight to the top of my list of favourites.
I was booked in to sample the bride-to-be package which includes a 90 minute aroma ultimate body massage along with a Jessana manicure and pedicure - three and a half hours of unadulterated, top to toe pampering.
I was advised to take advantage of the spa's thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool first to warm my muscles and make the massage even more effective.
I didn't take much persuading.
In a nod to doing some exercise I began with a few lengths of the indoor pool. There is a fully equipped gym if you're feeling energetic, but my day was all about relaxing so sticking my head round the door for a peek was the closest I got to the machines.
My token bit of exertion over I decided to try the outdoor hydrotherapy pool.
Forget standing round the edge of a luke warm pool, huddled in a towel trying to work up the courage to get in - this isn't your standard outdoor pool.
It's designed purely for relaxation, not for swimming.
The water is heated to the temperature of a hot bath, and you even get into the water indoors so there's no chance of getting cold and there's bubbles and jets to gently massage aching muscles. Lying back in the bubble seat, the steam rising around me, breathing in the cool air I could just feel the stress melting away.
It would have been easy to stay there but I was eager to try the thermal suite. There's a salt infusion room, aroma steam room, rock sauna, infra red cabin, massage showers and an ice room, so there is plenty of choice.
By the time I had sampled them all I was already so relaxed I was almost horizontal, but the real treat was still to come.
The treatment rooms are downstairs in a haven of soft lighting, gentle music and that wonderful fragrance that you only ever seem to get in spas.
My treatments began with the ultimate body massage. My therapist, Frankie, offered me the choice of four aromatherapy Decleor balms to suit my mood. In the spirit of the new year I opted for Detox, a light and refreshing scent with hints of grapefruit, designed to encourage detoxification and drainage.
Frankie seemed to have magic fingers as she applied just the right amount of pressure to ease away the knots. It really was a top to toe treatment with even my feet and scalp being massaged.
The 90 minutes seemed to fly by and I almost floated out at the end.
Next it was time for my manicure and pedicure. There was such a choice of colours I felt like a child in a sweet shop trying to decide.
Much as I love bright colours my nails are always short and I don't think they really suit flamboyant shades so I opted instead for a sparkly bronze on my fingers. I decided to indulge my love of colour on my toes though and opted for a shimmering turquoise.
Before the painting my hands were massaged and moisturised and my cuticles pushed back and trimmed so even without the nail polish my hands looked in a better state than they had for years.
While my finger nails dried my feet were soaked, exfoliated and pummiced until they were soft and smooth. Cocooned in boots for the past few months my feet had been sadly neglected so this was a real treat. I just wish the weather was warmer so I could show off my pretty blue toe nails.
I am generally a bit of disaster with nail varnish. Usually my lifestyle means that it is barely 24 hours before it starts to chip and peel. But three days on and it is still flawless which is something of a record.
I retired to the relaxation room to allow the polish to try. Curled up with a soft blanket, a pile of magazines and a cup of herbal tea I could happily have spent the whole afternoon there but a late lunch was waiting in the hotel's Alfresco and Terrace restaurant.
This is the hotel's more casual restaurant which suited me well as they allowed me to keep my slippers on for lunch as I had made the mistake of forgetting to bring flip flops with me to wear post pedicure.
It is a stunning space with windows running along one wall, looking out on to the gardens, and frescos on the other wall.
I had already chosen my dishes when I had arrived at the spa that morning so I didn't have to wait long. My Greek salad, salmon with potatoes and a yoghurt and coriander salad and sorbet was the perfect light and refreshing meal to finish my day.
Although I was eating late and was clearly the last person left in the restaurant, I was never rushed or made to feel under pressure to leave which I appreciated.
By the time I was ready to leave I could not have felt more relaxed. For a few hours I had locked away the mobile phone and forgotten about the outside world. If you're stressed about weddings or work a visit to the spa at Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel is the perfect antidote.
Bride to be packages start from £240. For more information visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk.
This article was taken from The County Magazine
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