BumpH2T: Pregnancy Massage at the Chamomile Sanctuary Spa

One of the best things about any visit to the Chamomile Sanctuary Spa in Edinburgh, is seeing all the lovely staff. Justine the owner clearly takes so much time in selecting the right team and their knowledge and skills always speak volumes about the ethos of the spa. This was my first visit with Lola who was in charge of my first ever pregnancy massage, and she made it such a fantastic experience. Chamomile  is such a favourite of mine as the standard there is just so high both in terms of therapist but also just the all round atmosphere, it really is such a calming, beautiful and tranquil place to be. Sadly not all spas actually deliver on that all important relaxation!

I was in a fluffy robe and sipping herbal tea before I knew it, and Lola gave me the full run down on what a pregnancy massage can actually do for a mamma to be. Aches and pains and general discomfort certainly come with the territory as well as a pretty tired mind too. A massage like this is ideal for helping create some relaxation and help work towards ironing out some of those niggling pains too. Not everywhere can offer a decent pregnancy treatment as they do require a bit of a set up in order to be able to do the treatment safely. You shuffle yourself on to a bed as normal just with the addition on a big cushion with all the right spaces for you to get a bump and an ever-growing chest into. Lola then propped my legs up with additional cushions to allow for maximum comfort and blood flow and we settled into working on my creaky back and hips.

post massage glow!

Having slept so poorly for recent weeks getting into position was utter heaven, so as she started to work, I was already away in bliss. She explained to me what kinds of products should and shouldn't be used on pregnant women so I was going to be having rose and geranium from Aromatherapy Associates used on my skin to help with elasticity ( yes please) and providing a balancing scent which I also definitely needed. It felt so magical as it was worked methodically into my skin and it was literally a head to toe treatment, as no part of me was left out. Moving my limbs in just the way they clearly needed and working away a lot of the stresses I had been feeling, made this a beautiful treatment. Helping me move on to my front and further propping up the appropriate points to keep my comfortable, Lola was excellent at paying attention to what I needed and it makes such a difference. I didn't even realise how much I had needed a massage until I was in that moment and noticed just how many different parts of my body had actually been suffering!

I left the spa on an absolute cloud which is just what a good treatment should do for you, I can't recommend a pregnancy massage enough, if you have someone who could benefit this Christmas, they will definitely thank you!

You can contact the spa on 0131 220 1000

Edinburgh Reviewed; The Indulgence Package the Guerlain Spa

The Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh just knows how to do Christmas. From stunning meal and party options for the office, to Christmas Day meals and festive afternoon teas, there really is some amazing offerings on their Waldorf Winter brochure. Of course the Hotel is home to just more than gorgeous rooms and restaurants, it also boasts the beautiful Guerlain Spa that  I am always so eager to find out what they have planned. The work the staff have put in here to build bespoke packages for each season is really impressive and always of an incredibly high standard. The treatments themselves are built to incorporate innovative moves that combine the ultimate in relaxation and pampering, and the really friendly team provide that extra element of luxury that makes the Guerlain Spa such an ideal place to visit.

I have been a couple of times but never actually had the time to really try out the whole health facilities on offer at the spa so this time I was sure to keep a few hours free and pack a swimming costume to try out a whole shebang. The Indulgence package is one of 5 on offer for the whole of December in the spa which include a gorgeous couples massage package and a full body exfoliation option which is perfect for the party season. From the moment you walk in you are treated like a VIP and you can feel your self instantly start to de-stress and unwind with the unmistakable aromas of the various Guerlain fragrances sitting in reception surrounding you. I was shown to the locker area for the pool to get myself set up in my robe ( you might remember before I pointed out that this is not just any robe, it is literally the greatest duvet style robe you will ever experience) and I got settled into the treatment waiting room ready to experience the Caledonian Chic massage. With little nibbles and fruit and water laid out alongside a host of high end magazines to peruse in comfort, I was definitely read to shrug off the stresses of the week and unwind.

You start a treatment with a fragrance journey which allows you to match your experience to how you feel that day, you might want to leave feeling sexy and party ready and opt for Idylle or want to feel invigorated and full of energy with a light floral number like La Petite Robe Noire. On this occasion I wanted to fully relax so was most drawn to Insolence which was the perfect background to my treatment. The experience then leads to a lovely foot bath which is such a fantastically grounding start to the massage as it really gives you a moment to take in where you are and just let go of the outside world before the treatment begins. My therapist was fantastic at explaining the Caledonian Chic and the history of the hotel and the area that was used to inspire many of the moves used within. I think that  level of thought creates such a wonderful connection between guest and the spa and really feels on another level from many massages I have had in the past. I also had the opportunity to talk through any problem areas I was struggling with which was ideal as I was struggling with my shoulders and lower back.

The Caledonian Chic is an exquisite performance of moves that are executed with such skill from the therapists who clearly know their stuff. Particular attention was paid to my problem areas while still ensuring the massage encompassed the whole body. Quite literally this treatment is luxury from head to toe- each individual toe was worked on right up to the most wonderful head massage! I left the room completely walking on a cloud and the pains I has been struggling with felt absolutely amazing. It was such a pleasure to then be able to enjoy a glass of bubbles in the relaxation room and really just let the whole experience soak in before hitting the pool. The facilities here are really lovely and offer such a good overall package. I got to relax poolside between enjoying a few lengths and sitting enjoying the warmth of the Jacuzzi- all with being able to look at the stunning Edinburgh Castle through the windows.  There is a small but perfectly formed sauna to enjoy, right next to the steam room that no matter how hard I try, I still only lasted a few minutes in :) all together though it made for such a wonderful series of relaxations that left me feeling completely invigorated and incredibly keen to stay put for a few more hours! Lucky for me there is a host of beautiful Guerlain makeup and cloud nine straighteners on offer for guests to use to help get themselves real world ready- a wonderfully luxurious end to a luxurious few hours.

Ally giving his best hotel catalog pose

As always this visit to Guerlain was nothing short of magical, it is no wonder it is the Scottish Hotel  Awards Spa of the Year!

A trip here would make an ideal Christmas experience for you or loved ones.
You can contact the spa on 0131 222 8836.

Glasgow Reviewed; The Ocean Rooms Spa at Hilton Glasgow

Last weekend I was lucky enough to get to head along with Ally to the gorgeous Hilton Glasgow to try out their Ocean Rooms Spa and take a good look around. I am often asked for recommendations for Spas in Glasgow and I am happy to have a new one to give the full BeautyH2T stamp of approval to. Especially one that offers some seriously affordable pampering deals too!

We headed along before out appointments to try out the hotels leisure facilities where they kitted us out with big robes and towels, and we enjoyed a lazy couple of hours swimming and swapping between the sauna and steam room. It is so nice to get ready for a treatment by fully unwinding and switching off. I will say that the pool area can certainly get busy as there were hotel guests along with a number of people taking advantage of groupon vouchers there, but when you are getting the use of the facilities for free with your treatments you can't be too bothered and there was plenty of rotation as people headed off for treatments. We were then collected poolside ( making you feel so VIP!) by our therapists and headed into the sumptuous couples room which was really beautiful and soothing.

We each had a therapist who discussed with us what we were looking to achieve both in massage pressure for the full body treatment and in our tailored Elemis facial to follow. Ally had never had a facial before and although looking panicked at being asked if he used Elemis before ( a foreign language to a man I had to wean off soap) he was guided through the products and what would work best for his very sensitive skin.



First up was the deep tissue body massage and I am so pleased to say this was the BEST I have ever had. The therapist left no stone unturned and I was truly worked from the roots of my hair to each individual toe, I was in heaven! Her use of pressure and combination of styles including spine stretching and abdomen work to help digestion were so expertly executed that it was a complete joy. The little details such as how they incorporate their movement of the various towels they require during the treatment just gives that extra professional touch that leaves you unaware of how they are working around you and allow you to fully lose yourself. Usually in a massage I struggle to relax and spend half my time wondering how long is left etc, but this just kept going which was amazing, every time I thought there was no where left to be worked on- there was!

I was completely in another world when it was then time for the facial which included further massage of my neck and scalp ( bliss) Elemis products for my clogged combination skin were applied and worked into the skin and all smelled heavenly and left me looking really bright afterwards. I was super intrigued to hear how Ally had found it and pleased to report he loved it, of course he nodded off in parts ( he could sleep through a colonic I imagine) but his skin which reacts to pretty much everything and is painfully dry, looked rested and hydrated. It was amazing to get his opinions on the whole experience as often men perceive it as a very 'girly' thing to do, but he was really impressed with how his therapist worked so hard on the major trouble areas of his back and how soothing the facial was.

The couples room was a really fantastic experience and it would be fab for friends to enjoy together too- there is no interruption from having someone in a bed a little away from you and it was nice to get settled in and ready again afterwards together. We were both thrilled with our  experience of the Oceans Rooms Spa and I am even more impressed with some of the deals I noticed they were running, with half day escape packages for only £35 pp and including an Elemis Facial, a back, neck or shoulder massage and facilities use thrown in- a real bargain! They are also still offering the amazing overnight stay for two complete with breakfast and an Elemis treatment for £99 pp which would make such a lovely getaway.

It doesn't hurt that the spa and pool are located in such an attractive hotel complete with gorgeous Bars and an afternoon tea I have heard rave reviews about, and you can even have a cut and blow dry for only £20 in their in-house hairdressers!

Thanks so much to the lovely team for having us both along- to discuss any of the deals you can contact the spa on 0141 248 8372 you can even check out their superb last minute deals here

Edinburgh Reviewed: The Castle Thai Spa

A review today of an entirely new experience for not just me, but Mr Beautyh2t ( also known as Ally) too. I often take friends along to any blog related activities I am fortunate enough to get to do but when I was invited along to do this review I knew I had to book him in for something while I was there. He has long suffered with a sore back from an old injury and is constantly trying to stretch himself into ridiculous positions on the floor and basically getting in the way of me watching Eastenders! One thing he has always wanted to try is a traditional Thai massage as whenever he has seen it on TV ( mostly on Take me Out!) he has been so envious of the people being bent and twisted into all kinds of positions he shouts 'That's what I want! Help me bend like that!" Being the dutiful girlfriend I give it my best shot, but my feeble attempts to pull or move any of his limbs in the right way are totally useless and do no good whatsoever- so when the lovely team at the Castle Thai Spa invited me along to try out a treatment there was no way I could leave him behind.

Nestled underground on Castle Street ( a superb location just off Princes Street) the Castle Thai spa instantly envelops you with its dark decor, sensuous scents and relaxing music inviting you down their stairs, where staff will fall over themselves to be of help. I was led to my room to prepare for their Thai Body Scrub treatment which is a beautiful hour in which my skin was exfoliated top to toe followed by an incredibly relaxing massage.

I was really impressed with the body scrub, helping to revive and refresh the skin by removing toxins and impurities the scrub was invigorating yet relaxing at the same time. My therapist was a delight and guided me through process, asking me once the scrub had been applied to use the bathroom facilities to shower off in preparation for the next step. Incredibly soothing, and expertly delivered, the massage was very relaxing and luxurious and she even took me through some traditional moves in at the end- hopping up on the bed and moving her legs around my back she was applying pressure exactly where I had been needing it- it felt amazing! These closing moves to the treatment left me desperate to try out the full Traditional Thai Massage. The Body Scrub  was perfect for relaxation and the ultimate in pampering and luxury ( I was honestly the smoothest thing you have ever felt after it!) but I think because of my tight shoulder muscles I would really love to experience the massage in full. You could really feel the strength and skill in the moves my therapist was using and you could tell she could work some serious magic on your aches and pains. 

As for Ally... well it was just everything he could have hoped for and more- I have never seem him look more pleased! When I came out of my treatment he was relaxing in the waiting area with a cup of green tea looking like he was floating on a cloud. He says it was exactly what he needed and wanted and that his back has never felt better. He was moved and manipulated by his therapist to enjoy the maximum stretch and massage from head to and he adored the whole experience, he didn't want it to be over!

Overall I found the spa to be welcoming, relaxing, friendly and very well presented (Elemis products in the bathroom is always a tick!) The services being offered are authentic and unique and they really have something to offer everyone, from a relaxing massage with the scrub or oil to the full works for anyone in need of ironing out a few kinks. I cannot wait to get back and give the traditional massage a go in full and find out what all the fuss is about as Ally is still going on about it now- which makes a lovely change from him going on about his aches and pains :) 

The Castle Thai Spa is on Castle street in Edinburgh and have the amazing opening hours of 10am till 10pm everyday ( 7pm sundays) which makes it perfect for an after work visit. Prices are very reasonable for the level of massage being given, with a 30 minute traditional massage offered at only £30. You can contact the spa for bookings on 0131 629 0794 and you can keep up to date with them on facebook here.