A Day at Gaia Spa

On the beautiful grounds of Boringdon Hall, nestled on the edge of Dartmoor, lies an oasis of tranquility. The Gaia Spa is the perfect place to take away all the stresses of modern day living and allow your body to reset and recharge. This month I was lucky enough to be given the chance to review this beautiful new spa.
By Emma-Jane Corry.

On arrival I was greeted by my host Megan who gave me my welcome guide and a tour of the spa. Megan was fantastic and took the time to explain all the features including the impressive selection of heat rooms, the fully equipped gym and the gorgeous changing rooms with all the complementary toiletries a girl could want. Making sure I knew where everything was, Megan then left me in the beautiful Spatisserie where Chef Ben bent over backwards to accommodate my vegan diet. Nothing was too much trouble for Ben and his team who explained all the dishes and even agreed to rustle me up some vegan scones for my afternoon tea. I settled on the Beetroot and Lentil Salad and the Citrusy Adzuki Bean Stew. While I waited for my meal I had the chance to take in the breathtaking views of both Plympton and Dartmoor. The food was beautifully cooked and I would thoroughly recommend the bean stew.

With a very happy tummy I left the restaurant and made my way to the changing rooms, excited to experience Gaia’s amazing heat rooms. Each of the lockers contains a fluffy robe, towel and flip flops, all designed to make your experience totally relaxing.

I headed in to the Laconium, as Megan had explained that this was the best room to start my journey. The room is heated at 30°C – 35°C which slowly raises the body’s temperature and tricks your body into thinking you are starting to get a fever, this in turn helps improve your immune system. As I took in the relaxing aromas along with the soft coloured lighting, I could feel my body start to unwind.

After a quick rain shower I headed into the herbal sauna which uses Eucalyptus and lemongrass plant oils to create a healing aroma. This sauna is slightly cooler than a standard sauna allowing you to use it for a longer period and really make the most of the medical benefits.

Next up I ventured into the Crystal Salt steam room – the softer heat of this room with the added benefit of the salt inhalation injection system is particularly great for the respiratory system and skin. This room was definitely my favourite heat experience, my skin felt wonderful and my breathing was so much more relaxed.

Knowing scones and champagne where waiting for me after my treatment I decided to do a few lengths of the pool…best to burn those calories before! The pool was the ideal depth at 1.2 metres and the water was set to the perfect temperature. With a few lengths performed (clearly the amount of a scone) I made my way to the hydrotherapy pool which has an indoor and outdoor section perfect for all weathers! Thankfully the sun was shining so I had the chance to experience both the indoor and outdoor section. After all that swimming, lying on the hydrotherapy beds was the perfect way to relax before I headed to the treatment area.

A quick, brave dunking of the cold water bucket and I’m ready to head to the treatment room to start my Gaia Raindrop Therapy. I was greeted by my therapist, Jasmine, who explained that Raindrop therapy is a healing technique using pure essential oils. The ritual combines aromatherapy oils and moist heat to bring total balance, harmony and body wellness mentally, physically and emotionally.

Techniques are used through the massage to release toxins and lymph, boosting the immune system and bringing the body back to its natural alignment. Jasmine started my treatment with a welcoming foot ritual and consultation to decide which oils would best suit my current needs. The foot ritual included a lovely foot scrub and massage which is definitely the perfect way to get you relaxed and ready for your treatment. The 2 hour treatment includes a full body massage in which the purest essential oils are added as droplets to the back, spine and feet. Jasmine was clearly a very experienced therapist who made light work of all my knots and soothed my tired, tight and aching muscles. With the warmth of the bed and Jasmine working on every area of my body, including a scalp massage, I could feel my body becoming more and more relaxed until I drifted off into a light sleep.

Straight after my treatment Jasmine led me to the relaxation room which is a beautiful room filled with soft beds and pillows. Its the perfect to area to help you ease back into the real world. I was given a cup of Gaia Tea – the tea blend was selected to complement the oils I had chosen for my treatment. As I sipped my tea and allowed my body to wake back up, I enjoyed the beautiful garden views whilst snuggling up with a copy of Vanity Fair.

Next it was off to find my vegan scones and champagne, thanks to the Spatisserie being a private area for members and guests only, I could enjoy my bubbles while still wearing my fluffy robe and flip flops. The scones were amazing and topped off my day of relaxation perfectly.

I left Gaia Spa feeling relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated. Anyone looking for a stress-free atmosphere, somewhere to wind down, a gift for a loved one or just in need of a little me-time, then I would thoroughly recommend booking in to the Gaia Spa for the ultimate luxurious way to unwind.

Call:
01752 344455
Email:
info@gaiaboringdon.co.uk
Visit:
www.gaiaboringdon.co.uk
Find:
Boringdon Hill, Colebrook, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 4DP