NOW I don't need an excuse to try out a luxury spa.
But throw in being in the middle of planning a wedding and 24 hours away from it all sounded like pure bliss.
Ready to swap our seating plan for a swimming pool and place names for a pedicure, my husband-to-be and I headed off to Moddershall Oaks for some much-needed, pre-wedding downtime.
My other half isn't exactly what you'd call a spa regular — we had to stifle a giggle when we had to fill out a form detailing his skincare regime (does good old soap and water count?)
But Moddershall Oaks is a friendly and welcoming place that should appeal to diehard spa fans and newbies alike.
Just over an hour's drive away — down the M6 to Stone in Staffordshire — the five star country spa retreat is a world away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
After enjoying our refreshing welcome drink, we were shown to our plush and beautifully-decorated suite complete with huge, comfy bed, seating area and patio.
Each of the 10 suites share an outdoor hot tub and we were lucky enough to have it to ourselves that evening.
It may have been a dreary Sunday evening in April but we could've been in rural Spain as we kicked back, relaxing in the warm and bubbly loveliness of the tub.
As you would expect, there are treatments galore on offer and I opted for the chocolate, sweet orange and vanilla scrub (£30 for 25 minutes) — a salted body scrub filled with delicious but guilt free ingredients.
Thinking of my forthcoming nuptials, I decided to go for this in a bid to achieve glowing pre-wedding skin.
The therapist was lovely and the scrub smelt divine, good enough to eat, although it wasn't the most relaxing treatment as it felt like I was being scrubbed with sandpaper at times. Still, no pain, no gain and I was in need of a good polish — dead skin removed, skin cleansed and circulation stimulated.
In June 2014, Moddershall Oaks unveiled a new spa extension including an outdoor landscaped spa garden and courtyard terrace with a raised vitality spa pool, kelo sauna cabin, feature shower and outdoor log fire.
In addition to the new spa area, the family-run Moddershall Oaks created a glamorous express beauty suite, The Snug.
The pampering zone includes a luxury treatment bar dedicated to manicures, pedicures, make up classes and product sampling — perfect for hen parties, baby showers, graduations and birthdays for groups of four to 12.
If you're thinking, why should I go to Moddershall Oaks over and above other spas with similar facilities, then I have two words for you — the food.
The three-course meal we enjoyed wouldn't have been out of place in any high end restaurant.
I enjoyed a starter of Crispy Gressingham duck croquets followed by roast rump of lamb, dauphinoise potatoes, baby spinach with sherry vinegar, pine nuts and smoked paprika, pea and tarragon jus — simply stunning.
After our stay, we were more than refreshed — and ready to tackle that seating plan again.
FACTFILE
Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
Moddershall
Near Stone
Staffordshire
ST15 8TG
01782 399 000
enquiries@moddershalloaks.com
www.moddershalloaks.com
Prices:
Spa Days from £75.00 per person
Time Out includes:
Arrival at 9am
2 course lunch in lakeside restaurant
Full use of indoor and outdoor spa facilities until 5:30pm
Spa Breaks from £249.00 per person
Snooze & Fizz includes
Arrival at 3pm
Overnight stay in a 5* boutique suite
Bottle of House Champagne
Cooked breakfast
Check out at 11am
Full use of the spa facilities on arrival day and day of departure until 5pm
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