Lifestyle: Pampered at Titanic Spa

SPENDING a day sipping fizz in an oversized fluffy dressing gown with matching slippers followed by an hour-long full body massage is pretty much a day of bliss, isn’t it?

Nestled down a few windy country lanes on the edge of the Pennines in a beautiful old secluded mill – built in 1911, the same year as the ill-fated liner RMS Titanic – lies Huddersfield-based Titanic Spa.

A newbie to the world of spa-tripping, I was urged to try it for myself by a colleague who has spent many a day slurping the Champers in her spa robe here.

I think I joined the mass of spa-day lovers as soon as I got through the doors. Greeted with soothing music – even the staff seemed serene and calm – it’s as if there was something in the air.

Mix in a spot of pampering and tasty food, and you’re set for a great break away. We started off the day with a spot of lunch in the bistro – goats cheese, beetroot and chorizo salad – had a swim and then headed off for treatments.

We both had full body massages – a Decleor Aromassage – a massage from the tips of your toes to the tension points of your scalp. It was absolute bliss. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it and felt fantastic for at least two days afterwards. My spa buddy – my spa-savvy sister-in-law – enjoyed a facial too, and came out glowing.

There’s a good choice of treatments with all the things you’d expect such as pedicures, detox wraps and there’s “alternative” treatments such as reflexology and Hopi ear candle treatment. There’s a mud chamber, too, which sounds rather intriguing. On this occasion the spa was pretty female dominated, but there are treatments available for men, too.

Once relaxed and refreshed, we spent some time in the Heat and Ice Experience which includes the Crystal Steam Room, Herbal Infusion Room, Foot Baths and Sauna Cabin. We then had a swim in the salt-regulated swimming pool. The area was lovely, however it felt a bit distant from the treatment area, as to enter, you must walk through the bistro.

We decided to make a full day of it, so also stayed over in one of the apartments. The two-bed accommodation was very spacious with a fully-equipped kitchen, dining and lounge area, two double rooms, bathroom and en-suite. We were comfortable and certainly not short of space. It made us think the Titanic, which claims to be the UK’s first eco spa, would be a great place to go to with a group of friends.

There are twelve deluxe apartments which are within the Titanic Mill each with their own balcony and the panoramic windows with views of the surrounding countryside. The evening meal was delicious. I opted for a beautiful salmon and gnocchi dish and my guest, the chicken curry.

There’s no strict dress code, but most were in smart casual clothes. There were however a couple of diners still in their dressing gowns, so do as you please seems to be the rule. I think the spa could benefit from a bar area, as once we’d finished our meals, there wasn’t really anywhere to head to, other than our room, without leaving the spa.

There are various different packages on offer, a Sunday Night Stopover and Fabulous Friday (which is what we did) and Time to Indulge. Prices depend on packages. Contact: http://www.titanicspa.com/; 01484 843544; enquiries@titanicspa.com