You’ve just got to make a date with Ragdale Hall! It’s a health hydro and thermal spa in Leicestershire which has the accolade of being Britain’s number one spa retreat.
What makes Ragdale Hall Health Hydro so special is not just the luxuriously comfortable hotel and facilities but the warm welcome when you arrive. Its wonderful staff cannot do enough to ensure you are having the best time. Nothing is too much trouble.
At Ragdale, or ‘Raggers’ I like to affectionately call it, ‘normal life’ does not carry on. Instead you are ensconced in a world of fresh-faced people wearing white robes, lotions and potions and steamy rooms filled with scent. I had three days of wonderful pampering with William for our wedding anniversary. Pra was most jealous she wasn’t invited!!
We relaxed, swam, read, ate and drank and were in and out of luxurious treatments feeling pampered and restored. We looked around for other ‘men’ and couples and surprisingly there were quite a few, apparently numbers of male guest are on the rise, although the yearly number is only 10%! But don’t let that put you off, there are plenty of men who can certainly do with a break and it’s not all about facials and pedicures. What’s more this spa escape is perfect for friends and mothers and daughters and lovely to see everyone just relaxing and able to spend precious quality time together.
The range of facilities is all under one roof. The Thermal Spa with five pools and 11 heat facilities offer a world class spa experience. There’s a gymnasium a Mind Gym and lot of great exercise classes plus outdoors there was boot camps to Nordic walking and cycling.
On the beauty side, it has just launched a new retail shop which stocks the products the therapist use in your treatments. The favoured ones are Clarins, Decleor and Elemis as well as Ragdale’s own brand spa range ‘Ragdale Hall Spa’ you can find it here: http://bit.ly/1NrCs1t or in Marks & Spencer.
A lot of our quality time was spent in the state-of-the-art Thermal Spa. Being a water-baby, this was perfect. The outdoor hot Waterfall Pool with massage jets was lovely, especially at night time when it was hot and steamy and ideal to relax and chat.
There’s a lovely range of steam rooms, my favourite being the Volcanic Salt Bath which was filled with Eucalyptus. Others to indulge in include the Colour Flow Cave, Thought Zone, and rose scented sauna. Also lovely was the Candle Pool. You walk down steps into a hidden cavern and this area is lit up. Starlight in the cave-like roof creates a tranquil atmosphere allowing you to float away in quiet contemplation.
If you’re feeling energetic then there’s a well-equipped gym complete with personal trainers, a 25 metre swimming pool complete with more massage jets, a waterfall and a whirl pool.
There’s lots of loungers to relax on by the pool or you can choose to spend time in some other areas of the hall, such as the Garden Room, the Verandah Bar, Lounge or Pavilion.
Included in our package were a superb 50 minute facial and back massage using Elemis products and a Soft Hands Massage. I topped this up with a Decleor Aromatherapy Body massage, which was carried out using aromatic balms. The therapists were brilliant and the care and attention they devote to making you feel on top of the world is truly incredible.
Entering the oak-panelled dining room filled with chandeliers for lunch, the chit-chatter of ladies who are all wearing white robes is surreal. The buffet is overwhelming and brimming with all kinds of lovely salads and hot food. We had delicious Pea and Mint soup, chicken and salmon for lunch and the evening menu was stacked with a great assortment of pasta, steak and meat dishes. Gone are the days of the serious health farm where you were only allowed 500 calories a day. Food is included in your package and you can eat as much or as little as you wish and opt to have breakfast in your very comfortable bedroom!
If you want to look busy you can paddle off to talks on various subjects, such as Household Remedies or go to the many fitness classes or else relax, read or snooze. I tried out the new Beauty Express bar, where you can get super quick treatments from a manicure and pedicure, threading or having your hair done. This is a perfect little place to drop into when it’s your last day – so you can go home feeling and looking great.
It’s not surprising that Ragdale has become a regular fixture in the diaries of so many women and men who need to unwind. I have always been curious to know what the draw has been and now I do, this little piece of heaven is going to be booked on a yearly basis. The warm welcome you receive, the care and attention while you’re there deserves the cupboard full of awards and accolades it has.
Best of all it is unpretentious, home-from-home and lives up to its reputation as being one of the best spas in the UK.
How Much Does it cost?
Enjoy a Soothing Summer Break, a three night package and the choice of two 40 minute treatments and meals starting from £387.00 per person. (June to September).
Look out for special packages and breaks in 2016 on their website: http://www.ragdalehall.co.uk/
What’s included?
Comfortable bedrooms with ensuite bathroom, breakfast in bed, three course buffet lunch, three course dinner, exercise classes, mountain bikes, tennis courts, unlimited use of the Thermal Spa, Gym, Mind Gym, talks & show, robes, towels & free WIFI.
How to get there
Ragdale Hall Health Hyrdo & Thermal Spa, Ragdale Village. Nr Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. LE14 3PB. Tel: 01664 433000
To keep up with their news, download their new App, follow them on Facebook or Twitter @RagdaleHall.
KT xx
