Deputy editor Yvonne Martin checks out Titanic Spa, near Huddersfield
After a busy few weeks at work I went along with my partner to Titanic Spa on the edge of the Pennines in West Yorkshire for an overnight stay, looking forward to unwinding my body and mind.
The surprising thing was that while the lovely facilities in this converted textile mill all helped me towards this lofty aim it was the facial in the spa that truly tipped me in to the deepest relaxation.
Massage-based facial
I booked in for the Decléor Orexcellence Facial Pilates (£89 for 55 minutes), which is billed as a Pilates session for the skin. No, you’re not actually doing any exercises, essentially it’s a wonderfully cleansing facial.
They use Decléor’s range including the Aromessence Magnolia Youth Serum and the Aroma Cleanse Cleansing Milk plus the brand’s professional use products, Reflet de Pureté Deep Cleanser and Matière à Gommer Velvet Sensation Peeling. What’s different about this facial is that it involves the most intense (in a good way) massage of your face and neck. This part lasts about 30 minutes.
The therapist used a variety of techniques to warm up my muscles before massaging more deeply. Then she applied the Orexcellence Energy Concentrate Youth Mask. She followed this with a hot towel, then toning and moisturising. It’s all so relaxing. I don’t usually feel like drifting into a deep sleep during a beauty facial, but my goodness that’s how it was. It made me simply let go of all that tension I normally, and involuntarily, hold in my face.
By the end of it I was positively floppy with relaxation and when I looked in the mirror I noticed something. That annoying vertical line (furrow might be a more accurate description) on my forehead that makes me look a bit grumpy, was greatly diminished. Not gone, but certainly softened. I was happy with that, and floated out of the treatment room.
Heat and ice experience
Another big attraction at Titanic is the palatial Heat & Ice suite, where there is every sort of heated treatment area, from steam room to sauna, plus an icy plunge pool to refresh you between the warming experiences.
There is also a herbal infusion room that’s like a steam bath, with the aromas of pine, lavender and eucalyptus. On entering we at first whizzed around everything trying it all out before settling for a good long session of going in and out of the sauna, with brave plunges into the rather bracing pool. Resistance is futile, you just have to relax.
The spa also has a swimming pool and gym, but in all honesty, after my treatment, sauna and a go in the hot tub I didn’t want to spoil that wound down feeling so retreated to the relaxation area, where I draped myself over a lounger and zoned out.
The building is quite something, it’s an imposing structure built in 1911 – the same year the ship Titanic was launched, hence the name. I did wonder as we lounged in the outdoor hot tub looking up at the structure, what the mill workers who were once employed there would make of today’s goings on!
Cocktails before dinner
We stayed in a large apartment, which was super spacious and very comfortable. On arrival we enjoyed a great lunch and had a delicious and well-presented two-course dinner in the evening. We also tried out a couple of carefully-prepared cocktails before our evening meal.
Titanic is calm and luxurious with all you need to escape and chill for a day or two. I certainly enjoyed the experience of having nothing to do but unwind there. Mission accomplished.
Visit information
