Titanic Spa: My weekend of guilt free relaxation

With ever mortifying headlines and now the tragic news of Michael Jackson, it’s about time we all had a bit of a break from it all. Save up for a day at Titanic Spa and get pampered, preened and polished the eco way, while watching your troubles float away faster than Andy Murray’s double-handed backhand.

As ever rising recession woes slice their way into all of our lives it’s stressful enough just turning on the television at the moment, let alone being able to afford the many apparently de-stressing spa breaks on offer. But luckily for us, spas aren’t doing too well in this less than steamy economic climate, and so suddenly a weekend in one of the country’s top spas is obtainable for everyone.

With the world’s troubles on my curiously clicking shoulders, I visit the UK’s first eco spa, Titanic Spa in Yorkshire, for some extreme steaming, de-stressing and lazing around like an MP with limitless unsupervised expenses.

What is it?

Although eco brownie points might not spring to mind when you think of spas, some of them are really making waves in a bid to become greener this year, one of which is Titanic Spa which already clutches a heap of spa and beauty related awards.

Situated on the more than glorious Pennines near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, Titanic Spa hits the first eco nail on the head by sitting smugly in an old textile mill. This traditional looking local landmark, although quite stunning as it was, would otherwise be left to fall apart. The building, Titanic Mill, has since been turned into luxury apartments as well as the spa, making a wasted space fully useful and adored once more, which is something we always like to see.

How is it green?

Proudly announcing itself as the UK’s first eco spa, Titanic Spa has already taken the first steps to getting a whole lot greener. As soon as you walk in the doors you are greeted with information about how the Titanic Mill is working with energy consultants to become completely carbon neutral, and has already invested £1.5 million in the project.

The spa uses high levels of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources through processes such as solar panels and locally sourced water through a bore hole. Even the swimming pool is regulated with salt rather than chlorine, and cold water is used to save energy in the laundry systems.

Especially interesting to ethical pampering princesses is the fact all of the spa’s heat and electric comes from sustainably managed trees’ wood chippings. Genius.

Is it as good as a normal spa?

My weekend at Titanic Spa surpassed any other spa break, as not only was everything done in opulent style, it really was a guilt free experience which aided my ability to chill out and kick back after the long (and maze-like) travelling to get there.

Everything made me feel like royalty, from the super sumptuous bear-like brown dressing gowns that everyone saunters about in to the two floor apartment with views over the Pennines which was pure penthouse luxury.

What treatments are on offer?

Titanic Spa uses Carita, Decléor and Elemis products, which although they are not completely eco brands, at least Titanic Mill is focusing on the big energy wasters through their heat, water and electric projects.

After getting stressed and lost on the way to the spa that morning, to walk straight into a detoxing Decléor seaweed massage as my first treatment and being kneaded like a lump of bread was literally heaven sent. Now bendy, dreamy and delightfully dopey, the massage had prepared me for the ‘Heat Experience’ which is a series of steam rooms, saunas, icy plunge pools and minty fresh aromatherapy heated rooms which in a nutshell aim to target your well being and cellulite by freezing and melting… and freezing and melting you repeatedly. It might sound like torture, but believe me, my thighs now feel firmer than the Titanic ship itself. In case you were wondering, the Mill and Spa are named after the boat due to it being built the same year. How romantic!

One of the treatments that will bring out your inner naughty child is the Mud Chamber. Left to your own devices in your own steam room with a bowl of three neat blobs of different types of mud for your face, upper body and legs in front of you, the temptation for a full-blown mud fight with your nearest and dearest is hard to resist. Once the steam hits full pelt, the sludgy mud you’ve plastered all over yourself starts to melt off and a final surprise shower of water cleans you up afterwards. I leave the private chamber feeling refreshed and tingling in my newly detoxed skin.

After a few laps in the salt water pool and jacuzzi and some very natural relaxing in the sunshine I’m ready to hit the cloud-like pillows in the swish apartment, but not before catching a last glimpse of the Yorkshire scenery out on the balcony with a glass of organic wine.

Titanic Spa comes highly recommended, and it is truly making those all important first and pretty fast steps to becoming carbon neutral, so your weekend of relaxation can be totally guilt free.

How much is it?

Although a whole heap of juicy offers for June have just ended, there are still plenty of recession proof bargains to be had for the rest of the Summer. Until July 31 on a Tuesday or Thursday you can partake in the Summer Spa Day package which includes that cellulite busting Heat Experience, buffet lunch and a 55 minute treatment, all for £65.

There is also a fantastic offer called the Summer Spa-Cation, which for £178 gives you a two night stay in the Titanic Mill including three meals, the Heat Experience, a 55 minute treatment and a manicure or pedicure – and with my highly complimented on, perfectly rectangular and bright coral nails I can also elegantly vouch for that.

So go on, just for one weekend, do absolutely nothing for the greater, greener good this Summer.

Visit Titanic Spa for more information.

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