Aquarias Spa at Whatley Manor

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Whatley Manor does not widely advertise the fact that their wonderful Aquarias Spa is open to the public for day use from Mondays to Thursdays, and those that have discovered this gem keep it a well hidden secret.

Here you will find the facilities associated with many day spas – a good hydrotherapy pool, tepidarium, sensory wave room, sauna, steam rooms, well equipped gym, bistro and gardens – but without the crowds so often associated with day spas. The spa is set within Whatley Manor Hotel, Wiltshire, a luxurious hotel in a former manor house. The spa feels bright, clean and new, and is set in well established south facing gardens with access via the hotel as well as a separate entrance.

Facilities include:

Tepidarium with heated stone relaxation beds
Sensory wave room
Sauna
Steam room
Thermal scented cabin
Salt rub showers
Indoor/outdoor relaxation areas
Modern bistro area serving coffee, fresh juice, light lunches
Well equipped gym
Treatment room with a range of treatments including La Prairie Facials
Revolutionary Iyushi Dome detoxify system
VIP suite for treatments as a couple
Indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool

As soon as you arrive at Whatley Manor you experience a sense of calm. The spa reception staff were more mature than at other spas, giving you the feeling that you would be nurtured and cared for. I was given a tour of the facilities which were on two levels centered around the pool before being cocooned in a thick toweling robe and slippers. Between us we tried a La Prairie facial, a deep tissue massage and the Iyushi dome. We found the therapists were friendly, cheerful and skilled, and the products were divine.

The Iyushi Dome was an interesting experience – you lie in a heated tunnel with nothing but your head exposed while your body is heated up to the point when you sweat profusely. The treatment claims to cleanse, detoxify, burn fat and calories, and we certainly felt more energised after the treatment. As part of the treatment your BMI, base metabolic rate and various other interesting measurements were taken, all using a set of clever scales, and without the need to yield your wobbly bits to a set of calipers.

The hydrotherapy pool was a very comfortable 35 degrees and was equipped with bubbling beds, a reflexology area and water jets. In common with many spas you can swim through a curtain to the outside heated area. Suitable for anyone looking for the full day spa facilities but in a quieter more exclusive setting. Great for couples, with a dedicated suite so that you can have treatments together, indeed most of the users there when we visited were couples.

Whatley Manor
Easton Grey
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 0RB
Telephone 01666826120
info@whatleymanor.com

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About the author

Written by: Alison Hargreaves

Alison is a highly respected wedding expert with over 25 years experience of the wedding industry. As the founder of Guides for Brides, Beyond Weddings, Pride Guide and various other online brands, Alison frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. Known as a trusted voice in the wedding industry, she is here to give you an expert opinion about venues, guest accommodation and spas across the UK.