Gloucestershire spa guide

Visiting a Gloucestershire spa is the perfect way to enjoy some rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. Check out SoGlos.com’s 2012 guide to the best spas in Gloucestershire and treat yourself to a luxurious spot of pampering in the county.

Whether you want to leisurely unwind in a tranquil setting or treat yourself to a quick pamper, a visit to one of Gloucestershire’s sensational spas comes second to none.

With the help of SoGlos.com’s handy Gloucestershire spa guide, you’ll be settling into a fluffy white robe in a flash – enjoying luxurious treatments, from full body massages and lavish facials, to polished manicures and precise pedicures, not to mention relaxing dips in the pool or Jacuzzi.

Plus, lookout for sensational signature treatments and specialist products on offer at many of Gloucestershire’s top spa venues.

The Spa at Ellenborough Park

The lowdown: Situated at one of Gloucestershire’s finest country house hotels, fully restored as an exceptional destination venue, Ellenborough Park’s Indian-themed spa near Cheltenham is popular with overnight and day guest spa-goers alike.
Facilities on offer: Highlights include seven treatment rooms – one is a couples’ suite – a spa pool, sauna, steam room, tropical experience showers and juice bar.
Treatment menu: Don an Ellenborough Park robe and plump for facial treatments including an express discovery prescription facial or sea creation facial ritual; body treatments include the detoxing algae wrap and fake bake golden tan; and massage treatments take in everything from the aromatherapy back, neck and shoulder massage to the fab-sounding four hands massage. Essential treatments include make-up, manicures and pedicures, while you’ll also find mother-to-be, treatments for men and spa experiences on offer.
SoGlos.com loves: The Journey Rituals – a trio of treatments inspired by exotic destinations and offering spa guests the chance to be transported around the globe, including Khanya of Africa, ScenTao of Asia and Nemaste of India – all sans a long-haul flight!
Opening times: Daily from 9.30am to 8.30pm
To book: See Spa at Ellenborough Park, call (01242) 545454, email spa@ellenboroughpark.com or visit ellenboroughpark.com directly.

The Montpellier Chapter Spa

The lowdown: A haven of calm in Cheltenham’s Montpellier, this elegant hotel spa offers both guests and local customers an extensive range of pampering treatments in modern, Scandinavian-style, surrounds.
Facilities on offer: There are four treatment rooms – two including twin beds, perfect for couples or friends – as well as a steam room and relaxation room.
Treatment menu: The Montpellier Chapter Spa’s massage menu alone is commendable, with highlights including Ultimate Aromatherapy, Intense De-stress Muscle and Deep Sleep options – all using Aromatherapy Associates products. With fabulous facials, body scrubs, hands-, feet- and eye-treatments also available, not to mention beauty essentials.
SoGlos.com loves: For the ultimate spa indulgence, the Chapter and Verse takes some beating – spanning 170 minutes of top-to-toe pampering through the course of a day, the signature treatment includes a tailor-made massage, facial and manicure or pedicure. Bliss.
Opening times: Daily from 10am to 6pm
To book: See The Montpellier Chapter Spa, call (01242) 527788, email montpellier-spa@chapterhotels.com or visit themontpellierchapterhotel.com directly.

Health du Vin Cheltenham

The lowdown: Located within the stylish Hotel du Vin Cheltenham, the Health du Vin spa offers a secluded sanctuary in Montpellier where hotel guests and customers from across Gloucestershire can relax and unwind.
Facilities on offer: The Health du Vin spa has four treatment rooms, a nail bar, a relaxation room, steam room and powerful drench showers.
Treatment menu: Therapeutic and holistic treatments range from aromatherapy and hot stone massages to salt scrubs, algae wraps and regenerating facials – all using luxurious ESPA products. Spa-goers can also treat themselves to St Tropez spray tans, Jessica manicures and pedicures, essentials such as waxing, as well as express treatments. Plus, there is also a specific range for the boys.
SoGlos.com loves: As well as half- and full-day pampering packages, Health du Vin Cheltenham has a range of options for discerning hen parties. Costing from £75, these include champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries, as well as thermal back treatments or rejuvenating foot treatments – perfect for girly get-togethers.
Opening times: Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 9pm, Saturdays from 9am to 6pm and Sundays from 9am to 5pm.
To book: See Health du Vin Cheltenham, call (01242) 588450, email info.cheltenham@hotelduvin.com or visit hotelduvin.co.uk/hotels/cheltenham directly.

C-Side Spa at Cowley Manor

The lowdown: Recently named ‘Best Spa in a UK Hotel’ by Condé Nast Traveller readers, C-Side is Cowley Manor Hotel’s revamped spa, near Cheltenham, which is open to both hotel guests and as a day spa to visitors.
Facilities on offer: As well as a luxurious slate-lined indoor swimming pool, C-Side offers guests an outdoor pool, a manicure and pedicure area, a gym, steam room and sauna, as well as four treatment rooms.
Treatment menu: C-Side’s therapists offer a range of pampering treatments – including massages, wraps and facials – using the group’s own gorgeous Green & Spring products. There’s also C-Side’s signature ‘Cloud 9’ massage, which combines aromatherapy, reflexology and acupressure, as well as the top-to-toe ‘Green & Spring Indulgence’.
SoGlos.com loves: When the sun shines, the Spa’s Pool-Side is one of the most exclusive places to head in Gloucestershire – complete with sun loungers, chilled music, waiter service, cocktails from the bar and alfresco mini spa treatments. On less warm days, the heated outdoor pool is still heavenly.
To book: See C-Side Spa at Cowley Manor, call (01242) 870902, email relax@cowleymanor.com or visit cowleymanor.com directly.

Chapel Spa

The lowdown: Tucked away in a historic former chapel in central Cheltenham, Chapel Spa offers both a staggering range of treatments and unique day spa facilities – making it a popular destination for those quick beauty essentials, as well as more leisurely pampering packages.
Facilities on offer: As well as Moroccan-themed treatments rooms, Chapel Spa is home to a hydrotherapy pool, steam room and gym, as well as a traditional Arabian rasul, with yoga taught in the gallery.
Treatment menu: Chapel Spa-goers are spoilt for choice, with more than 10 facials – including Carita’s anti-ageing and Eminence’s organic options; more than 15 massages – including Elemis’ deep tissue and Mama Mio’s maternity choices; and Jessica manicure and pedicures all on the spa menu. There is also wraps, waxing, spay-tans and more on offer.
SoGlos.com loves: To truly transport spa-goers to exotic climes – and offer couples and up to four friends a novel experience – Chapel Spa’s Arabian rasul is hard to compete with. Combining steam, therapeutic mud and a warm rain shower, this is a unique and modern take on the ancient cleansing ritual, which is sure to leave customers revitalised.
Opening times: Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 9pm, Saturdays from 9am to 6pm and Sundays from 10am to 6pm.
To book: See Chapel Spa, call (01242) 518075, email info@chapelspa.co.uk or visit chapelspa.co.uk directly.

Hallmark Hotel Gloucester Health Club & Spa

The lowdown: Newly-refurbished in 2011, Hallmark Hotel Gloucester’s Health Club & Spa offers extensive facilities perfect for a spot of day spa pampering and residential spa breaks.
Facilities on offer: As well as a large heated swimming pool and children’s pool, the Hallmark Hotel Gloucester Health Club & Spa is home to a spa bath, steam room, sauna and several treatment rooms, as well as a state-of-the-art gym, aerobics studio, squash court and two tennis courts.
Treatment menu: Spa treatments include multi-vitamin facials, non-surgical face lifts, therapeutic, stress-relieving and La Stone body massages, holistic treatments, as well as manicures, pedicures, spray tanning and more.
SoGlos.com loves: As well as spa packages tailored specifically to men, women and brides-to-be, there’s the chance to combine a day at the spa with afternoon tea at Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, for an affordable treat which is proving popular with groups of friends and families.
Opening times: Mondays to Fridays from 6.30am to 9pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 7am to 8pm.
To book: See Hallmark Hotel Gloucester Health Club and Spa, call (01452) 525653, email gloucester.leisure@hallmarkhotels.co.uk or visit hallmarkhotels.co.uk/our_hotels/gloucester directly.

The Garden Spa at Barnsley House

The lowdown: Situated near Cirencester, Barnsley House’s luxurious Garden Spa is reached along a winding pathway through the hotel’s famous gardens, and offers a choice of pampering holistic and beauty treatments to both hotel guests and day visitors.
Facilities on offer: The Garden Spa is equipped with five treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna and relaxation room, as well as a glorious heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool.
Treatment menu: Very fittingly, essential oils specialist Aromatherapy Associates has created a selection of treatments ‘that capture the rejuvenative power of plants and flowers,’ with a spa menu featuring the Garden Spa top-to-toe signature treatment; bespoke facials; Swedish and aromatherapy massages; Jessica manicures and ZenSpa pedicures. Popular morning, afternoon and evening spa experience packages are also available.
SoGlos.com loves: With its gardens originally designed by world famous gardener Rosemary Verey, the spa is designed to bring the tranquillity of Barnsley House’s magnificent gardens inside – featuring floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the views, as well as tree trunks and plants at every turn, dry stone walls and aromatic herbs hanging from wooden beams. Sensational.
Opening times: Weekdays from 9am to 7.30pm; Fridays to Sundays from 9am to 8pm.
To book: See The Garden Spa at Barnsley House, call (01285) 740900, email spa@barnsleyhouse.com or visit barnsleyhouse.com/spa directly.

To get your venue included in Gloucestershire's most popular spa guide, call Melanie Jones on (01242) 210330 or email melanie@soglos.com for details.