With the constant stresses of Christmas shopping and temperatures plummeting daily, winter can often seem an altogether long and dreary season. To combat the winter blues, Grapevine suggests you start off the New Year by checking out some of the best spas in Brum. Whether you desire stress-relief or celebration, relaxation or rejuvenation, we have compiled a list of our favourite havens in Birmingham for the ultimate indulgent experiences.
‘thespa’ at The Cube
My Rating: 3/5
What they say: “With luxury and indulgence at its core; this is Birmingham’s best kept secret.”
What I say: “A popular and affordable spa experience.”
The Cube is a state-of-the-art complex nestled in one of Birmingham’s most popular luxury locations, The Mailbox. Alongside the canal and boasting picturesque views of the city skyline, The Cube is a fantastic, upmarket retreat.
thespa is commended for its impressive range of facilities. A thermal suite with a Himalyan salt room, Kelo or Bio-sauna and a vitality pool promises a complete sensory experience. The spa also contains a fully-equipped gym, offering exercise classes and personal training. A Marco Pierre White restaurant onsite offers a relaxing and ultra-trendy dining experience for visitors.
In spite of its grand exterior, the facilities at thespa are rather small, especially the gym, and can easily become cramped on weekends when the spa is flocked by hen parties. These overcrowding issues can sometimes interfere with what would otherwise be a very luxurious experience. In spite of being marketed as Birmingham’s “best kept secret”, thespa is a highly popular destination for unwinding in opulence.
‘At One Day Spa’ at the Great Western Arcade
My rating: 3/5
What they say: “Removing you from the noise and hustle of the city streets, to a peaceful haven.”
What I say: “This warm and welcoming boutique spa is perfect for dependable day service.”
The Victorian arcade in the heart of Birmingham’s Colmore business district is a timeless and elegant location for an afternoon of pampering and, if you have time, ideal for a spot of shopping afterwards. At One Day is clearly focussed on the quality of the treatments they are delivering. This independent day-spa is praised for its friendly team and the warm, relaxing atmosphere they create. It is no surprise that At One Day boasts a large, regular clientele who return to At One Day for their favourite treatments and commend the spa’s consistently high-standards and excellent value for money.
The only downside is that this spa is not equipped with the full package of Health and Wellbeing facilities; there is not a gym, pool, sauna or steam room. For clients who are looking to splash the cash on a weekend of luxury, with a slightly more limited range of relaxation facilities At One Day is perhaps not the best option for a package extravaganza. This spa is ultimately tailored for those looking for a dependable practitioner delivering regular day-time treatments to an excellent standard.
‘Amala Spa’ at Hyatt Regency
My Rating: 5/5
What they say: “The luxurious Amala Spa is a haven of serenity that is comprised of state-of-the-art facilities and services.”
What I say: “A luxe location for an upmarket experience.”
Located in the heart of the city centre the Hyatt Regency is a very popular and elegant, four-star hotel. The spa does not fail to match the hotel’s grandeur with rich facilities and a luxurious set-up. If you enjoy traditional Turkish treatments there is a Hammam (hot bath) as well as a private Hammam treatment room. Packages are tailored to a variety of different audiences: both men and women, couples and mums-to-be with a range of dining options to company.
If you’re wondering what unique selling point should seal you a spa deal at the Hyatt Regency, hear this – the sauna has a TV! Who would have thought watching an episode of Eastenders on a sweaty coach could be quite so luxurious.
‘Santai Spa’ at Genting Hotel, Resorts World
My Rating: 5/5
What they say: “Whether you’re looking to relax or rejuvenate, Santai Spa will leave you looking and feeling your best.”
What I say: “Resorts World is the one-stop-shop to retreat like Royalty.”
Resorts World Birmingham is the first complex of its kind in Europe. The £150 million development in the NEC encompasses fifty shops and eighteen bars, as well as the largest casino in the United Kingdom. Voted the best spa in Birmingham on TripAdvisor, Santai Spa really delivers if you desire the ultimate escape set within Birmingham’s most exciting retail and leisure complex.
Santai Spa strikes the perfect balance between luxury and modernity making for a truly unique take on the conventional pampering experience. The treatments are innovative and trendy: a ‘Lava Shell Massage’ using genuine Tiger clam shells, ‘Stem Cell facials’ and ‘IV Vitamin Infusions’. The original treatments menu is complimented by cutting-edge facilities such as an outdoor Jacuzzi (with stunning views over Pendigo Lake), stone heated loungers and a salt cave. Several luxury packages include a ‘Malaysian High Tea’, an exciting Asian twist on the conventionally English tradition.
Santai Spa makes a cut above the rest of its competitors in Birmingham for its luxurious fusion of modernity and opulence. Although this is definitely reflected in the pricetag, the majority of reviewers claim this is little to pay for the sublime quality of services offered at Santai Spa.
Article by Elin Kaemmer-Bailey for Grapevine Birmingham