Clarice House Spa Colchester
Kingsford Park, Layer Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 0HS
Tel: 01206 734301
Email: [email protected]
www.claricehouse.co.uk
I’d always wanted to go on a spa day with my mum but I’d never had the opportunity before. So when presented with a voucher for a Superior Bliss Day for 2, I was ecstatic.
I booked the day for a Thursday about 2 months in advance. The great thing about the voucher is, it was valid for a year so there was no rush to book it, but I wanted to book it for 2 or so weeks before the wedding as I knew me and my mum would need some mum and daughter time with all the craziness a wedding brings.
We left my house around 9am and it took about 35 minutes to get to the venue. We drove up the driveway and I was instantly impressed, the grounds were gorgeous and lush. It was a nice hot day as well so the sun was shining and we both thought OK this is a good start.
We walked through the reception and were directed to the Lunchroom where we had to check in. We were asked to take a seat and were given some forms to fill in. The room we were in was really calming, the sun was filtering through the large windows and we could see outside seating. We ordered a couple of coffees, filled in our forms and selected what we wanted for lunch.
We were then given the robe/towel/slippers. Then we were shown around. We were both impressed and super excited when we saw the swimming pool facilities. Clarice House offers a large swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool, Jacuzzi, sauna room, steam room and an aromatherapy steam room. I’d been to nice hotels before but had never had this much choice. It was huge and we couldn’t wait to get in.
We were super lucky as our treatments were booked in for an early start at 11am. We had our neck/shoulders/back massage booked for 11, then our facial at 11.30, followed by our manicures at 12. Then lunch was booked for 12.45 meaning we had the rest of the afternoon to make full use of the fab swimming pool area.
I have to tell you my mum and I have had some bad experiences with massages abroad so we were a little bit nervous when we first went in, I find them extremely painful around the shoulder area as does my mum.
We sat in the waiting area which had these massive plush couches that you just sunk into, clad in our robes and slippers it was bliss. Poppy and Donna then came to collect us for our massages, we had to do the usual, undress down to just our bikini bottoms and get on the bed face down. From the minute Poppy started right through to the end I was shocked, her hands are incredible. My shoulders grind and crack but she worked them so that after I felt amazing and it didn’t hurt. I turned to look at my mum and burst into laughter she looked really sleepy with a big grin on her face, we had a quick chat and she said hers was amazing as well.
Now ladies comes the best bit, the FACIAL. OMG I’ve never had a facial before and man was I missing out.
I was completely and utterly de-stressed, the smells of the products and Poppy’s expert hands made for a show stopping combination.
So they double cleansed the face, then toned, then exfoliated with this amazing product that smells minty and gives ya skin a tingling cool sensation and then they moisturise. Both of our faces looked toned and radiant, it was heavenly. Me and my mum were nearly asleep at the end it was so relaxing. I bought the exfoliator at the end of the day I thought it was that good.
I’d have liked to buy them all but with the wedding I couldn’t afford it, however you can buy all the products online so me and my mum are going to treat ourselves to everything after the wedding!
We were then shown to the waiting room while they prepped for our manicures. We could hardly walk our legs were like jelly because we were so relaxed. We choose our nail colour, my mum went straight to this glittery bright ruby red colour and I thought yeah I’ll join her.
While Poppy and Donna did our manicures we had a good old girly chat which was really nice.
The girls were brilliant really professional but down to earth.
We then headed off for lunch feeling well and truly sated. We ordered a couple of glasses of sparkling wine and tucked into to our Crayfish salad. It was yummy, then the main came out., we’d chosen the same thing – Pork Belly with mustard infused mash, mange touts and spinach, there was this lovely milky buttery sauce on there as well and the pork crackling was stunning, we felt stuffed after.
I’d highly recommend the food, the flavours were stunning, hats off to the chef.
We spent a bit of time outside in the sun letting our bellies go down after our meal and then headed to the swimming pool area. When you walk in its really hot and has a tropical feel to it. We spent about 3 hours or so going from the Jacuzzi to the sauna to the steam rooms and back again. We had such a laugh as the Jacuzzi is really powerful and with our hair in ponytails on top of our heads we were trying to keep our hair dry but the Jacuzzi had different plans, It kept shooting up in our eyes and hair, I even drank some of the water!
Overall it was an absolutely brilliant day. I’m a huge fan of Clarice House now and would definitely recommend this to everyone. The staff are really helpful and smiley not the fake smiley they seemed genuinely happy to help with any queries we had. The food was gorgeous but the best bit was the treatments. I’d like to say a huge thank you to Poppy and Donna for making my mum and daughter day so good, they are both masters of their craft. Me and my mum plan to go on a regular basis maybe very few months because it was a great way to de-stress and spend some quality time together.
Products by Germain De Capuccini:
- Total Comfort cleansing Milk – 150l – RRP £23.75
- High tolerance Toning Lotion – 200ml – RRP £19.80
- Exfoliating Facial Scrub – 100ml – RRP £23.45
- Hydrating Cream Normal/Dry skin – 50m – RRP £40.85
- Central Park EAU – 50ml – RRP £49.95
For more information visit their website at www.claricehouse.co.uk
