The Best British Spa Break

Every now and again I just need a break.  Of course the problem comes of course when I try to find the time, and the money because there isn’t any time and I really don’t have huge budget. However I think I found the perfect solution at Ragdale Hall and, of course, being the foodie that I am the food had to fabulous too!

So last week I asked my friend Robyn to come with me and went on a reviver break to Ragdale Hall health hydro.  It was exactly what I needed! Ragdale Hall itself is set in beautiful rolling Leicestershire countryside and manages to combine state-of-the-art facilities whilst keeping the charm of traditional the Victorian architecture.  To be fair I have to say it one of the most luxurious and relaxing health spa’s I’ve ever been to and not surprisingly it was recently voted Best Spa in Europe.

In just twenty-eight hours I left for home feeing totally relaxed and refreshed as though I’d had a week away! The treatments were heavenly, the food was fabulous and the staff were wonderful.  It was, as you would expect from a spa that has won some serious awards, fantastic, however the two things that stood out above any other spa I have ever stayed at was the friendliness of the staff and the absolute cleanliness of all areas, especially the changing and showers.  The staff really seem to love their jobs, and delight in making you welcome. Nothing is too much trouble and even as my friend Robyn called the night porter at 11pm beacuse she had forgotten her toothbrush the duty manager opened up the shop and had a new one at our door in minutes.

Certainly as I met and chatted to other guests I discovered that most guests are on their umpteenth visit.  I caught up with a group of ladies who regularly meet up there and you can listen to what they say below… they love it at Ragdale for sure.

One of the things that I find in spas that I have stayed in before is that the general area’s are not always up to the same standard of cleanliness as one would hope. My two nick names from my father and husband are water baby and bleach baby and if cleanliness is next to Godliness then I am saint Vanessa, so I was really at home in the common area’s at Ragdale because they were exceptionally clean.

The other thing that I really loved was just how British you can make your stay.  With local food in the restaurant, British wine on the wine list and Elemis being a British brand the treatments were seriously luxurious, but the prices of the treatments, including Ragdales manicures and Pedicures were on par with my local beauty salon.  It was refreshing not to have to wince at inflated prices!

Of course me being me I have to catch up with the chef and ask him about the food, and I must recommend the Steak .. it was melt in the mouth tender and from the local Hamblton herd.  I caught up with Chef David Ross and asked him about the Ragdale Hall recipe book   - you can listen to our chat below and asked him how he managed to produce such delicious food that was so healthy and that  really made the stay extra special.

So after several swims, a massage, a facial, manicure, pedicure, two delightful lunches, a seriously delicious supper, a great catch up with my friend Robyn and a bouncy beautiful wash and blow dry in the hair salon I found myself leaving on a high totally refreshed and I booked to go back in January.

So it is my absolute delight to offer you the chance to enjoy the same reviver break.  Simply comment below and tell me what is the best thing about staying at a spa … and who would you take with you if you won?

Good luck!

Click here to see the full details of the reviver break and here to see what is included in every stay at Ragdale. You will need to book your stay and use with in 6 months of winning

RULES

Please see competition Rules before entering. This giveaway is open to all readers over 18 with a UK mainland address.  The winner will be chosen at random by randomizer.com.  You need to leave your e-mail address in order to comment, I am the only person that can see it. Please do not include your email in the actual comment as well.

This competition on behalf of Ragdale Hall and they will be responsible for organizing the prize with the winner. Their decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

There is one main way to enter and there are 3 more chances to win .. . and you must leave a separate comment for each bonus entry otherwise they will not be counted. 

For a chance to win please comment and tell me what is the best thing about staying at a spa … and who would you take with you if you won?

For a 2nd chance to win  please follow @RagdaleHall on Twitter and comment below to tell me you have done so.

For a 3rd chance to win please like Ragdale hall on Facebook and comment to tell me you have done so

For more chances of winning Tweet this article and comment below to tell me you have done so. Each comment counts and an entrance and you can have a maximum of 1 entry per day to win this break  - but you MUST comment with your twitter ID telling me you have done so!

Automated Entries are not allowed.  There is no cash or product alternative.  The invitation must be used by

Closing date of this competition is 4pm Tuesday November 15^th 2011, The winner will be announced on Wednesday 16^th November 2011