As I scurry through the city streets trying to escape the worst of the pouring rain, I glance up to the grey sky and wonder how anywhere else on this planet could be blessed with sunshine and warmth. But Manchester has a hidden secret; an oasis of calm and relaxation among the buzz of the Northern Quarter offering a splash of exotic colour against the dreary, drab streets of the city in winter.
Finally I spot my my destination. Rather unassuming from the outside, the Sarasin Spa, in Bradley Street, looks like the usual hairdressers or beauty salon you’d expect to find in Manchester, but I urge you not to be fooled by its newbuild, typically British exterior.
I cross the road with a hop, skip and a jump, in a desperate attempt to avoid the puddles and the embarrassment of a Bridget Jones-style soaking from a passing vehicle, and turn round to nag my husband who I convinced to come along with me to try out the spa’s couples massage.
A world of relaxation in Manchester
We were greeted at the door by a friendly member of staff, and as soon as she invited us in, all images of washed-out Manchester faded away as we were faced with all the beauty and calm of a faraway paradise.
The first thing you notice are the flowers; bright, bold petals that completely eclipse the concrete jungle of the outside world, and are coupled with the blissful scent of fragrant flowers that instantly transports you to a tropical island.
As we moved through reception, the pitter-patter of raindrops were replaced by the bubbling of a fountain and we were finally shown into our treatment room.
Cosy but simplistic, this little haven decked out in traditional Thai fabrics had already begun to melt away the strains and stresses of life, and the thought of spending the next hour in this calming place instantly lifts your spirits.
Both my husband and I opted for traditional Thai massages, and as spa novices, we were slightly unsure of what to expect.
This type of massage has been embedded in Thai culture for thousands of years and is an ancient healing process that combines a number of principles such as acupressure and Yoga, manipulating the body to release pressure.
Although I had read up about the technique before my visit, I was taken a little by surprise when my masseuse clambered on to my back on all fours.
However, by using a combination of hands, elbows and knees, the masseuse is able to put much more pressure on your muscles and really work through any knots.
My masseuse continued to work her way up and down my body, using oil from the beautifully fragranced Janjira massage candle that left my skin feeling soft and smooth, in addition to smelling wonderfully of Jasmine and Ylang Ylang for the rest of the day.
As my legs and arms continued to be pulled and pushed in all directions, my masseuse explained that the traditional Thai massage wasn’t supposed to be relaxing like popular Swedish varieties.
Almost bordering on painful at a number of points, my body was truly contorted to its max, but once it was over, I felt a huge sense of release as those niggling knots that had been lingering in my back and neck finally disappeared.
I left the room almost skipping back to reception feeling as light as a feather, where I was introduced to more of the spa’s Janjira products, which included the aromatic scents of Jasmine and Ylang Ylang, Thai Lime and Ginger, Acai and Pomegranite and Argan Oil.
Sampling the products at home, I was amazed at how nourishing these products felt, and just how much they improved my skin.
I suffer quite badly from dry skin, particularly on my hands, and the Janjira hand soap has worked wonders for this.
Feeling as though a weight had been lifted, my husband and I waved goodbye to the friendly spa staff as we made our way back through the idyll of the reception area, and back out into the Manchester rain.
Just a stone’s throw from the hubbub of the Printwoks and Arndale, the Sarasin spa is in an ideal location.
With prices starting from as little as £25 (depending on the type and duration of your massage), a visit to the Sarasin Spa is the perfect pre-wedding pick me up that is guaranteed to melt away the stresses of wedding planning.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a rare moment of calm with your other half before the big day, or a girly splash out with your nearest and dearest while hitting the shops, indulging in a little me-time at the spa before the big day is the fast-track way to luxury relaxation in the heart of the North West.
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