As you drive passed the honey-stoned, thatched cottages of Chipping Campden, which lies in the heart of the Cotswolds and is the epitome of English countryside, towards Temple Spa it’s hard to believe you are minutes away from stepping into a Mediterranean retreat.
England’s green and pleasant land is instantly replaced with a splash of Mediterranean blue and burnt orange the moment you step into this atmospheric spa.
The founders of Temple Spa Mark and Liz Warom have taken their inspiration from the diet and lifestyle of the people living in this sunny part of Europe and have created products which claim to “replenish and revive” and say their products promote “wellbeing: not hope in a bottle”.
Stepping in from the April showers I was all too willing to retreat into the changing rooms and replace my work clothes for a soft, fluffy white bathrobe and slippers to begin my journey.
My therapist Sam led me upstairs to the treatment room and as I settled myself down on the bed I quickly realised I was being warmed by an electric blanket underneath the towel – sheer bliss.
This was one of the best starts to a treatment I have ever had as the warmth on your back makes you feel immediately relaxed.
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The second surprise came as my therapist then focused on my hands and feet instead of my face. After wiping them with a warm cloth and ensuring they remained warm during the treatment this also helped my body to de-stress.
The Repose Aromatherapy facial promised “to soothe, calm and nourish a tired irritated or unhappy complexion”. Exactly what I was looking for…
As I lay on the warm bed mentally floating off to the warmer climes of the Mediterranean my therapist then removed my make-up with Dual Act which contains tomatoes, wild yam, olive and apricots. Toning
Essence was then used which is a mixture of citrus fruits along with basil and ginger. Although these exotic mixes were used on my skin I didn’t pick up the scent of tomatoes or olives as they all smelt quite fragrant.
Sam had quickly assessed I have combination skin so all the products were being selected for my skin type.
Next to be used was Moisture To Go which also boasts tomatoes along with grape seed and olives. However, she pointed out this moisturiser had been developed to feel like pure cashmere on the skin and brings balance which is what you need when you have split personality skin like mine.
Next to be administered was Be Strong serum, which contained the unlikely ingredients of liquorice and sunflower. However, this turned out to be the most amazing super juice for the skin and the main product I was tempted to buy.
As I relaxed with a cocktail of products on my face including the mask Exalt neck gel (containing red peppers) and Window of the Soul eye cream (edelweiss and milk thistle) my therapist then came up with the third surprise.
She not only massaged my hands and feet but then placed hot mittens and slippers on me blasting them with heat to ensure the cream was absorbed.
Fifteen minutes later in the chill-out room I finally felt as though I was treating my body like a temple and in return I now have a glowing complexion.
| The SPA Traveller
tips |
• Parking is
available outside the spa – to find the car park take a left just after
passing the
hotel and go down Back End. Look out for the small sign of Cotswold
House Hotel on your left
• Get your pedicure and manicure up-to-date, or have one at the
Temple Spa before your treatment, as some facials start with a
foot and hand massage
• If you are attending the spa from the hotel, spa capes and boots are
provided for your walk through the walled garden. In the summer sarongs
are provided |
www.templespa.com
www.cotswoldhouse.com
»
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