As you all know, I am a self confessed spa and travel addict. And any time the word “massage” or “travel” is whispered, I am there in a flash. So when you receive an invitation to test out a new spa in Devon, I already had my bags packed before I said yes.

The Gaia Spa is the newly built wellness sanctuary connected to the Boringdon Hall Manor house just outside of Plymouth. At Gaia Spa they focus on your wellness, naturally. The name Gaia is also known as mother of nature and after a visit to the spa you will definitely feel very nurtured.

My girlfriend and I spent a pampering weekend there last month and left feeling oh so very magical.

HERE ARE MY TOP 8 REASONS WHY YOU ALSO NEED TO VISIT GAIA SPA:

1. The Secluded Location

Connected to a 16th century manor house, the Gaia Spa is perched on lush green manicured grounds on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. I felt a million miles away from civilisation although I was only five minutes drive from Plymouth. It was my perfect escape from city life.

2. The Gaia Spa Ethos

Throughout the spa treatments, bespoke products and restaurant menu, the notions of awakening, balancing and calming have been used and intertwined throughout their design. They have carefully selected ingredients, herbs and spices for their products and services to have an effect on the mind, body and soul. I think this is quite unique to the Gaia Spa and something I’ve never experienced before. You can really tell that a lot of thought and planning has gone into the creation of the spa’s experience.

3. The Gaia Spa Treatments and Rituals

The Gaia Spa treatments have been designed to lift your mood and and awaken the soul. Their range of treatments and rituals are unique and different to what you will find on your normal day spa menu.

While visiting the Gaia Spa I was pampered with a Hot Poultice Massage and Gaia Jade Facial which were both unique and different to anything I had experienced before. During the the Hot Poultice massage, my therapist used herbal compresses that were firmly pressed and kneaded onto my body to help increase the flow of energy. The Gaia Jade facial uses healing Jade crystal wands to softly massage the products into the skin which left my skin feeling firmer and more plump. I was literally glowing after both of my treatments and left floating on cloud nine.

4. The Hydro Pool and Saunas

The luxury indoor pool area offers multiple options for pre or post spa treatments. You can do a few laps in the 14 metre pool, soak your muscles in the hydrotherapy pool or sweat it out in your choice of the herbal or Finnish sauna and the aromatherapy steam room. The entire space is calm and tranquil with glass windows overlooking the gardens. Just divine.

5. The Spatisserie

The Spatisserie is the spa’s relaxed roof top restaurant which spills onto outdoor terraces with gorgeous expansive views of the county. The menu is encapsulated by the spa’s awakening, balancing and calming philosophy and is designed to renew or nourish the body. I fell in love with the menu and also the decor – it was a Wood and Luxe delight! Definitely try the Asian noodle broth with pan roasted salmon and there was something special about their poached hen egg and crushed avocado on toasted rosemary bread.

Enjoy a light meal pre or post treatment or you can indulge in an afternoon tea and glass of bubbles.

6. The Fitness Facilities

The Gaia Spa has an generously sized gym space, fit out with state of the art cardio equipment and weight machines. Any wellness warrior would be very happy with this space. They also have personal trainers manning the space each day just in case you want some help with your workout.

7. Yoga on the Lawn

For a little something different, you can take a yoga lesson out on the manicured lawn of the hotel. My girlfriend and I enjoyed a calming yoga and breathing session with their in-house trainer Steve. I would say the lesson was more relaxation yoga then I usually practice but the setting on the grass in the morning sunshine was perfection. 

8. Service With a Smile

The staff at the Gaia Spa were super welcoming and made you me feel like a queen. They went above and beyond to make us both feel very special and pampered during our stay. They even sent for some almond milk so we could enjoy our morning cappuccino. All of the team wore their uniform with pride and had an smile from ear to ear. It’s not often you visit a spa where everyone is so excited to be at work!

I could go on and on with more reasons why you should visit the Gaia Spa but I would be here all day. The bottom line is: the treatments are holistic, the setting is gorgeous, the food is spot on and you will leave feeling a million dollars. If you want to know more about the experience, pop a comment below and I answer any questions you have.

For more information,  please pop on over to the Gaia Spa website. 

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Phoebe

Phoebe Greenacre was a welcomed guest at Gaia Spa in July 2016.