I wasn’t sure what to think as I dipped my feet into the tepid water full of tiny little fish that immediately “attacked” my toes and ankles.  As quickly as I put them in the tank, I whisked them right out, took a breath and thought “heck, they’re only tiny little fish that want to suck at my dead skin”!  So in they went again and after a minute or so I was at peace with my mini pedicurists, the Garra Rufa fish (also known as “doctor fish”). Aqua Sheko, the chic fish spa in Soho London, has a clever way of describing what this 20 minute treatment consists of: “Submerge your feet into a warm pool of finned therapists for an exotic exfoliation by a team of tiny mouths.”

Though that might not be enticing to all, it’s exactly what it’s like!

And there is a strong history to these little “suckers,” they were discovered centuries ago in a hot spring in Turkey.  Some bathers innocently put their feet in the water and fist started nibbling away.  Today the fish are exported all over the globe and are very popular paritcularly in Asian spas (Japan was one of the first countries to start using the fish in modern treatments) and have recently made a big splash (!)  here in the UK.

The treatment might be fun to do with friends (and Aqua Sheko in Soho has a great vibe and promises to offer up sake cocktails in the very near future), but it also has health benefits that have been celebrated for ages – they are said to relieve the discomfort of psoriasis and other skin ailments.  In fact, the other gentleman visiting Aqua Sheko the day I was there was there for the curative properties – he’d discovered the fish in a Google search and was thrilled to find that he didn’t have to travel to Turkey to give them a go!

If you don’t yet, you will soon!

We hosted our launch party for our new brand – Glambition - last week.  The event was held at Citi Studio in London and was a huge success (if I do say so myself!).  It was such fun to get folks together from various industries – we had medi-spa operators, salon owners, fitness studio owners, lots of people from the corporate and incentive gift world – and of course, spa and beauty journalists and bloggers.

The fun bit was that (in addition to munching on canapes and drinking bubbly and hearing the details about Glambition from Kevin – our fearless leader), all the attendees also had the opportunity to sit down for a professional makeover and then get their photos taken by Citi Studio’s professional photographer.  If you’re ever looking for a great night out, this was it!  People were queuing up to treat themselves to a whole new look and everyone was loving it – even the men got in on the action (I didn’t see any actual male makeovers but they had plenty of (positive!) comments to offer all the ladies and were happy to jump into the photo studio whenever called upon).

So the night ended very glamorously indeed.

Check out this “glammed up” photo of Liz Terry (Editor of Spa Business) and me!

Cotswold House Hotel

While Kevin was busy experiencing the sights, sounds and spas of Tokyo during the annual Leading Hotels of the World Conference (SpaFinder has the pleasure of being invited to this impressive get together every year as a strategic partner of Leading Spas of the World), I decided to take some time off  to visit a spa nearer to home.  The new Temple Spa at the Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Camden was just the ticket.  If you haven’t heard of Temple Spa yet, I think you will soon.  The concept is simple – your body is a sacred place and a spa is where you can look after it and safeguard it from the stresses and strains of daily life.  The products and treatments all conjure up a Mediterranean spirit, designed to take you on a holiday wherever you might be.  The spa at the Cotswold house did just that as I basked in the warmth of the Turkish hammam and laid poolside (indoors, of course! it’s winter in England!).  I opted for an hour “Vespers – Drift Away” massage and truly did drift away to another world.  It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to happily doze off during a treatment…it was delightful.

The spa had all the makings of a perfect setting for a girl’s spa day, which is just what it was.  I met four other friends at the spa and all resoundingly approved of their treatments, with one caveat: the facialist was apparently selling products through an entire 30-minute session while also trying to upsell on the time (“30 minutes just isn’t enough!”).  The good news was my friend loved the products and the results so it cancelled out any annoyance.  But it just goes to show that it’s all about the therapist and the way they interact with you that makes a real difference in how you feel about a spa.

Other places to find Temple Spa treatments and products in the UK include Alexander House Hotel and Rowhill Grange Hotel.

Travelling to Bad Ragaz from Zurich airport couldn’t have been easier. Despite a slightly temperamental Tom Tom sat-nav – the man in the box having some difficulty connecting to his friends in the sky – it was down the main road from Zurich, take the Bad Ragaz exit, then look for the hotel on the right – not difficult to miss as it consists of two Grand Hotels, a tower of Spa Suites, a spa and medical centre, a public therme and a golf course. With California Sequoia trees (more of those later) growing on the front lawn.  Again, easy to spot!

We stayed at the Spa Suites and checking into the Hotel lobby (at the Grand Hotel Quellenhof in Bad Ragaz ) our first impressions were “big and grand,” “Swiss and swish” – a chocolate box palace in extensive, manicured gardens.

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

The Spa Suites are gorgeous and completely contemporary, full of the latest technology (definitely not for the technophobe!). Every suite has everything – from B&O flat screen TV’s, Nespresso coffee machine, adjustable air filled individual mattresses (Cassandra said she felt like Goldilocks – filling her mattress with more and less air, until it was “just right”!), white leather furniture and a lighting system for all moods (romance, reading, spa-ing). PLUS a bathing area with jaccuzi bath, Swedish sauna and steam room/shower. And we’re not even at the hotel spa centre!

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

As we arrived a bit late, we decided to go to the public Tamina Therme – a modern, light and airy mineral water swimming complex with different temperature pools and steam and sauna experiences that is right next door and open a bit later than the hotel’s spa. Great for just lounging in the waters and full of health afficionados – even on a Saturday evening.

I should say at this point that the rain was not dampening our enthusiasm. July had been one of the hottest months – gorgeous blue skies in a perfect Alpine setting (apparently!). But August had kicked off with a steady drizzle being the key metrological highlight. We were not dismayed (much) and accepted that we were here to blog where no one had blogged before!

So here we are in Bad Ragaz  and wow! – what a place – more of that next time.

In geographical terms, Switzerland is about the same size as Wales or West Virginia; while in terms of population (around 8 million), it’s no bigger than London or New York City.  It is a land of contrasts and surprises – lakes and mountains, skiing and walking, banking and engineering, watches and clocks, cheeses and wines. It has 26 cantons, each with their own parliament, constitution and judiciary. It has 4 languages, its own currency and has never been part of the EU.

Switzerland Spa: Grand Hotel Bad Ragaz

It also has a burgeoning spa and wellness industry, among Switzerland Spas there are famous names like Clinic La Prairie, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa and new kid on the block Tschuggen Bergoase. So what makes Swiss spas tick? We took a few days this summer to find out!

Travelling from the UK, Switzerland is an easy place to get to. We flew into Zurich, hired a car and decided to head for the hills to get a feel for the Swiss Alpine spa scene. We were targeting the east of the country – adjacent to Austria, Lichtenstein and Italy and home to some famous ski resorts including Arosa, Davos, Klosters and St Moritz. We singled out a number of key destination spas in Switzerland  – not necessarily in the glamour hot spots – but ones that would give a feel for the spa industry in this part of the country.

First stop Bad Ragaz, a charming town 62 miles south-east of Zurich and home to the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz. Very fancy, very 5 Star, very Leading Hotels of the World and very much the subject of my next blog!

Would I like a spa treatment for Father’s Day? You Bet!

Do I remember the first time I went to a spa? Hmm…. yes I do. I was unprepared and apprehensive – I simply had no idea what to expect!

But  don’t be a sissy and forgo what could be a life changing experience (honest!) – here’s some advice for the manly spa novice:

Naked… or not! This seems like a big issue – but (trust me) it’s not. You get changed in the changing room and put on a soft gown and slippers. Sometimes there are paper briefs or shorts to wear. Your therapist will tell you what to do (face up/down) and the usual rules are: the therapist leaves the room, you take off your robe and watch/jewelry, you get on the treatment table under the blanket, the therapist returns and off you go! The staff are all trained in draping the towel around your body so your naughty bits are always covered. So… just relax and go with the flow!

Male or female therapist? Your call – who would you feel more comfortable with (the spa doesn’t  really care – all the therapists are trained). Best massage I’ve ever had was by a bloke; some of the deepest massages I’ve ever had were by women. Bottom line – you choose. If you have a particular preference tell the spa before you arrive. Same goes for things like tender parts of your body (injuries or operations) – the therapist should ask before the treatment  but if they don’t – tell them! And if you are not keen on deep tissue massages (they can be ouchy!)… tell them! They want you to enjoy the treatment as much as you do.

After the treatment … your therapist will tell you the treatment is finished and will wait outside for you. This is not a signal for a snooze! But you can take your time getting ready. Your therapist will take you to a relaxation area – well worth it as it enhances the de-stress/chill-out experience – and will usually offer tea or water.

Tipping!  Is not mandatory – but if the treatment and the service was good, it’s usual to tip the therapist personally or add something to the bill when you leave. Around 10% is common in Europe; usually a little more in the US (up to 15%).

Ask questions … about the treatment and the product used on your body if you are curious. The spa will usually tell you what products were used and you have the opportunity to buy some for the home if you want. Don’t feel obliged to buy (you’re not!) and don’t be shy to ask for samples. My pet hate is NOT being told what products were used – I don’t expect a hard sell but I do like to be informed!

And finally … I hope this helps because visiting a spa is a great experience at so many levels – it’s de-stressing and relaxing; it’s invigorating and refreshing; and it’s fun! And, who knows … it just might change your life. That’s not bad for a Father’s Day pressy!

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Hawaii (the Big Island), one of my most favourite locations on this fine earth we dwell upon.  It’s one of those places that make you feel in touch with every spiritual and physical aspect of your being.  You can’t help but feel engaged and switched on to everything around you because it’s all simply so stunning – from the smells that fill the air to the soaring vistas that greet your eyes to the glorious sunshine that warms your bones and the turquoise water that soothes your skin.

In between visiting pristine sandy beaches (both black and white); snorkelling clear, untroubled waters and exploring the history of Hawaii, I had the pleasure of visiting Body Temple Boot Camp.  Discovered by my travel companion and truly amazing friend, Caroline, the camp is located on the eastern tip of the island (an area where few tourists are found but where there’s plenty to see – including the village that the Kilauea volcano trampled through not too many years ago), and is run by raw-food author and former natural body building competitor, Kieba Blacklidge. This article is a great introduction to Kieba’s raw food methods.

This trip was just a taster of what could come from being under the tutalege of “crazy coach” Kieba – and it was fantastic!  After sleeping in our eco-cabin to the sounds of birds in the trees and waking to roosters crowing, we ate our “raw” breakfast – yummy porridge full of healthful things and surprisingly edible; then an hour or so of weight training in Kieba’s gym which is designed as part of the landscape so you won’t miss out on any of the Hawaiian beauty by being shut in doors; then to the nearby Olympic size pool for laps.  Because we weren’t doing a real boot camp experience – Kieba let us off the raw diet thing and gave us the freedom to choose from the dozens of lovely eateries in nearby Pahua.   (She’s not too tough!  I had some of the best Mexican food I’ve had in a long time – and guiltily sipped a margarita in the evening!).

Now we want to find a week to spend with Kieba to train for our next big thing – whatever that might be!

Nothing really beats a spa celebration (a growing trend we are seeing here at SpaFinder), especially when the champagne is flowing and the  ambiance literally forces you to “chillax”.  I was lucky enough to visit The Sanctuary in Covent Garden last week for just such a day.  It did the trick – leaving me feeling ultra spoilt and extremely pampered by the best-known day spa in all of the UK – and, why shouldn’t I be? – it was my birthday after all!

The famous swing at The Sanctuary

One of my best friends was also celebrating her birthday so she joined in the fun. It wouldn’t have been the same on my own.  The Sanctuary is very much about sharing the experience.  From the hot tub (our first stop) to the Koi Lounge, where you can lay together in double loungers, gossiping, eating and drinking and watching the biggest, most beautiful koi frolick in their indoor pool.

Anyone who’s been there will know that The Sanctuary is a perfect place for a girlie get-together – whether it’s a big bash in the evening for a hen party, a low-key mum-daughter spa day or just a few friends looking to chill out.  Since it’s an all-female spa, the atmosphere is unique and, I must say, welcomed.  I’ve been to many spas in my day and there was something special about the female camaraderie here – whether you’re on your own or in a group.  It really changes everything…women are just different when they’re not around men!

I had two treatments – a body scrub that was particularly amazing, but both were far too short!  I wished they’d gone on much longer than the 30 minutes I had booked.  Note to self: must always book full hour treatments, especially when I return for my next visit to The Sanctuary!

If you’re anywhere near London, I would strongly suggest and immediate visit to the newly opened So SPA at the Sofitel St. James.  Housed in a glorious building, the So SPA is uniquely French and uniquely good.  They has somehow transformed an old bank into an oasis of relaxation and beauty – and have done a remarkable job of saving all the “listed” features (marble, bank doors, vaulted ceilings) and making it all somehow feel light and airy.  This is a serious 5-star experience – small but perfectly formed. Expect to be taken care of in a way that will make you want to come back again and again.  I loved the French macaroon and tea upon arrival and the way that you felt like you were the only one there – but not in a “where is everyone?” kind of way…in a well-managed way where you knew other clients  were there but that you wouldn’t necessarily be running into one another.

I treated myself to the “Ko Bi Do” facial, an anti-ageing facial by the French spa company, Cinq Monde. Oo la la! Loved it.  And because So SPA was running a SpaFinder special deal – the Ko Bi Do, plus a free manicure, I got a perfect OPI manicure for the holidays and saved £45!

It’s almost time to head home…Grossetto to Pisa to catch our flight back to London.

But that’s after we stay at Bagni di Pisa Medical Spa Resort – the last stop on our Tuscany spa sojourn. Bagni di Pisa is right on trend with its combining of medical and spa tourism. Its wellness center is overseen by medical doctors and surgeons and guests can opt for one-off aesthetic/holistic treatments or weeklong wellness programmes.

Situated in the centre of San Giuliano, this a beautiful building is rich in Italian architecture – you can just glmpse the leaning tower of Pisa in the near distance. There’s a secluded swimming pool and an extensive spa area – with plans in place to add another spa ‘wing’ to the property. A unique feature was a small natural spa in a cave, with a deep stone bath and hot hammam bed to relax and have your troubles soak away into the rock of Mount San Giuliano.

The massage here combined several disciplines to create a treatment that was unique and gloriously relaxing. The quality of the experience was superb and not to be forgotten.

The hotel room was stunning – and classically Italian – high ceilings with frescoes, beautiful Italian furniture, a great big comfortable bed ( in fact all the properties we stayed in had great beds and bedding – and we’re fussy)!

It was a perfect end to a hugely enjoyable experience – both the visit to Tuscany and the spa properties where we had the pleasure of staying. Without question, these are some of the best spas in Europe in one of the most glorious natural settings in the world.