Travel - Eat - Sleep » spa treatments

Refined Rural Retreats – The Timeless Appeal of Country Hotels

Tushar Mathur — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:48:32 +0000

It’s almost nine o’clock on a weekday morning and you’re stuck in traffic or sitting on a crowded commuter train that’s been delayed; you’re going to be late for work. You emerge into a rush-hour crush of people, at least half of whom seem to be bawling into their mobile phones or texting furiously, heedless of their surroundings. Hurrying your way through the noise and traffic fumes of your town or city you eventually arrive at work to face another demanding day. Sometimes the pace of modern urban life can seem suffocating, and you deserve a relaxing escape. A break in a country hotel is the perfect solution.Whether it’s for a weekend getaway, a special occasion or a longer holiday, a stay at country hotel provides the opportunity to unwind in comfort and enjoy some peaceful time out from the hubbub and hassle of everyday routine.

The benefits of country hotels are numerous; you don’t have to travel any great distance to find a welcoming stay in a beautiful location. A stay at a country hotel is more convenient and affordable than a break overseas, there’s generally a wealth of leisure pursuits for you to enjoy (anyone for a round of golf? Croquet on the lawn? Or perhaps a relaxing stroll amid gorgeous landscaped gardens or a picturesque country estate)? And, of course, country hotels offer a level of four- or five-star luxury, plus tranquillity and excellent dining that will quickly ease away your stresses and cares.

Many country hotels also feature their own fully-equipped spas, so if you know someone who would thoroughly enjoy being pampered from head to toe a spa break at a country hotel could be the perfect, unforgettable gift. And in the thoroughly metrosexual twenty-first century spa treatments, massages and facials are no longer the exclusive provinces of ladies! In fact, his and her spa treatments at a country hotel could be just one aspect of a wonderful romantic break.

Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, a birthday or an anniversary, what could be better than waking up with your loved one in a sumptuous four-poster bed to the sound of birdsong instead of traffic, succumbing to the indulgence of a delicious traditional breakfast and then spending time exploring the grounds and surrounding countryside together, enjoying a massage each or taking advantage of sporting facilities such as a gymnasium, swimming pool or tennis courts? And who knows where a romantic break at a country hotel might lead? After all, country hotels make idyllic and unforgettable venues for those extra-special weddings, wedding receptions and honeymoons…

Country hotels offer something for everyone to enjoy, all year round. Perhaps your ideal break is a winter walk in a snowy landscape followed by a warming drink by a roaring open fire. Maybe you’d prefer to stay somewhere near the coast but away from the holiday crowds; somewhere you can take in the invigorating sea air but still enjoy the countryside before winding-down in comfortable surroundings. It might be that you’re simply a fan of fine historic buildings, opulent luxury, fine dining and first-class facilities. Whatever your preference for a leisurely break, there’s a country hotel that’s perfectly suited to you.

Everybody deserves a little time out from the headlong rush of the modern world once in a while, and country hotels provide a relaxing refuge in which to recharge your batteries and enjoy some of the finer things in life. Best of all, country hotels place luxury and leisure within easy reach and since many of them offer special rates and seasonal offers, arranging your own little luxury getaway or country hotel spa break is probably less expensive than you imagine.

John is a blogger at Elite Hotels. He enjoys writing about country hotels and sussex wedding venues.

The Coolest Spas on Earth

Tushar Mathur — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:11:30 +0000

Travelling is one of the most rewarding activities that human beings can do. If you love to travel then you may be interested to try out some spa treatments that represent the culture of the country that developed them, usually over hundreds of years. The spas are not only found in beautiful hotels but also local places, where locals view going for a holistic treatment as part of an everyday ritual.

Feast your eyes on the following spas and if you are passing through, enjoy a really special experience.

Ayurveda – meaning the science of life, is a way of life for the people of Southern India. Using ingredients from nature, their spa rituals are said to heal the soul as well as the body. There are many of these holistic spas throughout the south of India but the Keraleeyam Ayurverdic Heritage Resort in Alleppy is a truly special place. The setting itself in the backwaters of Kerala are stunning. The jungle greenery and the beautiful canals evoke a very calm and relaxing atmosphere. Treatments here can help with all sorts of ailments but they can be tailored for relaxation.

The sanctuary in Thailand offers a comprehensive treatment menu but also offers a really beautiful environment to stay in. You can stay on the shores of the tropical palm fringed beach, in hardwood bungalows or houses on stilts. Koh Pangan offers a real treat for travellers but if you can include a visit to the Sanctuary, then be prepared for the treat of a lifetime.

Ever thought about a spa stay in the middle of Kruger National Park, South Africa? TheMangwanani Safari Spa in Limpopo offers a unique experience. They have lodges in the Park itself but they also have nomadic tents that are set up in various locations throughout the Park. The spa offers various treatments but if you are looking for a spa with something special, then the Mangwanani Safari Spa can offer a unique experience.

The Thermae Bath Spa is a fabulous experience in Bath, England. It is the only place in the world where it is possible to bathe in the same place and manner as the Celts and the Romans did nearly 2000 years ago. The waters in the spa are naturally rich with minerals and have healing properties. They are heated naturally through rocks and the spring reaches temperatures of 35 Celsius. The open air rooftop pool is a real treat to indulge yourself at night. The warm waters relax and heal your body whilst you splash about and admire the amazing views over Bath.

To enjoy these remarkable spas, then simply choose the location, find a couple of cheap flights and head off to a travel adventure with a spa bonus thrown in.

Written by Elizabeth James, a blogger for the natural skincare company Maisondanu.

Copyright by Travel-Eat-Sleep
The Coolest Spas on Earth

Review: Westin Hilton Head Resort

Tushar Mathur — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:45:27 +0000

This 4th of July weekend, we (along with my wife and daughter) went to Hilton Head Island, SC for a weekend getaway. Our lives were getting too hectic and breaking the routine was kinda important. So we decided to visit the island which was a 5 hour drive from Cumming, GA (suburb of Atlanta). Since we were not planning to do touristy stuff, the best way to enjoy was to stay in a resort. So that’s what we did. We decided on the Westin Hilton Head Resort. The price of the room per day was $350 including a $50 “resort fees”. Yeah it was pricey, but we wanted to pamper ourselves.

The drive was very comfortable and as we approached Hilton Head the scenery was just gorgeous. You could see all the major stores and restaurants that you would expect to see on a tourist town, but they were all tucked in behind beautiful palm trees and greenery.

We quickly checked in Westin since indoor parking was located conveniently and there were elevators to take us to the lobby. The room was a good size and the KING bed was very comfortable. Soon it was time for dinner and we decided to order Room Service. Of course the prices were a little steep , but hey, we were not here on a budget vacation. So I ordered a meat pizza and fish sticks for my daughter. When the food arrived, it was hot and pretty good.

Then we decided go down and explore the resort a little. There were 2 outdoor pools that full of vacationers and there were hotel staff giving out marshmallows to toast them in the fire, to make S’mores. That was awesome. We then moved on to go to the beach. It was just a few steps from the pool. It was quite windy, but it was very beautiful.

Once back in our room, we decided on going to bed early (It never happens when we are home). Now for the annoying part. In our room, whenever the air conditioning turned off it made a clunking sound loud enough to scare my daughter. We didn’t report it though (which we should have done right then), since we were tired and just wanted to sleep and once asleep the noise didn’t really bother us.

The next morning we ordered some breakfast from Room Service. Eggs, bacon and some various breads including muffins, danish, toast etc. It was very good!

Later in the day we had spa appointments at the ‘Westin Heavenly Spa’ that I review in a later post.

By the time we were done with our spa treatments (me and my wife), it was lunch time. Now we really didn’t want to leave the resort to go for lunch, but we were craving for Thai food. So I asked the Concierge at the hotel. She said that there was just one Thai restaurant and they did not deliver. So I asked her if there were any Chinese restaurants that delivered. She promptly gave me the menu for Yummy House. So I ordered some Chinese food for us. It came in 20 minutes (I thought that was fast). But the food itself was not very good. It was pretty tasteless and just full of large cut veggies, that I don’t really care for. I would NOT recommend this restaurant for Chinese.

We managed to fill our stomachs with some of the food and then off to the beach we went! The hotel was renting 2 beach chairs with an umbrella for $30 for the day. And most of them were already reserved. By the time we reached the beach, half the day was over and it was not that sunny. So we just rented the 2 chairs for 11 bucks. The beach was quite clean. It was as if we were at a private resort beach. Oh wait..we were!

Then after that, the best way I could think of to remove the sand from us was to take a dip in the pool. So that’s what we did. There is a beach side restaurant called “Turtle Cafe” that serves cocktails, burgers sandwiches etc. all day. So we both took a cocktail and lay by the swimming pool. The cocktails were very good.

Then dinner time rolled in and we headed back to our room to dress for dinner. We decided to have dinner at the Westin restaurant “Carolina Cafe”. They serve a very good seafood buffet and the desserts were sensational. Although a bit pricey ($32 per person), it was totally worth it. I highly recommend it.

We were going back home the next day, so we went back to the room, watched some TV and then slept off.

Next day, we ordered breakfast checked out of our Westin Resort and headed back home.

All in all, we were able to spend some quality family time together which is what we came for. We also relaxed at the spa and tried our best not to talk about work and our worries. We came to Hilton Head to unwind and that’s exactly what we did and the Westin hotel was a good choice for us.

Here are few photos of the Westin Hotel.

Copyright by Travel-Eat-Sleep
Review: Westin Hilton Head Resort