eh&l designer Nicola Burgess tries out the Garden of Inspiration Body Ritual treatment at The Ritz Carlton’s ESPA in Powerscourt, Co Wicklow
THE TREATMENT: Garden of Inspiration Body Ritual (two hours long) Price: €245
THE LOCATION: The gorgeous drive alone into the Ritz Carlton through the grounds of Powerscourt will relax you before you even enter the spa. The beautiful scenery shrouds you with a feeling of pure escape.
THE SPA: The spa boasts a beautiful, spacious reception where you are greeted by friendly staff. You are then guided through to the immaculate, comfortable changing rooms. Once you’ve put on your soft and fluffy robe and slippers you wait for your therapist in a tranquil relaxation area, where you can languish on one of the extremely comfortable chairs or loungers and enjoy the stunning views that surround the spa.
THE TREATMENT: The therapist begins by cleansing your feet and while you sip tea she talks you through a consultation to tailor the holistic treatment for your needs. The treatment can be purifying, tension relieving, sleep enhancing or energy boosting depending on how you are feeling at the time. The oils smell gorgeous and apparently you are naturally drawn to what your body needs.
The treatment begins with an invigorating and restorative sea salt and essential oil body scrub to cleanse and smooth the skin. Next, warmed ESPA oils are poured onto the body and used for massage. This was something I really needed and I can say it helped enormously with some very tense and stiff shoulders. A heated body mask was then smoothed on and I was snuggly wrapped up while the therapist began an Oriental head massage.
VERDICT: It was an entirely relaxing, revitalising and comforting treatment, which left me feeling pampered and renewed. I felt like I floated home. The treatment may seem pricey but it would be a fantastic present for someone or even just a treat for yourself.
The only very minor drawback for me was having to shower twice – after the scrub and then the mask – but only because I was so relaxed it was difficult to move, but needs must! However, you don’t have to go far since the shower is within the room. Overall, I felt fabulous after it, and my skin was lovely and smooth. Highly recommended!
MORE INFO
The Ritz Carlton
Powerscourt, Co Wicklow
Tel: 01 274 8888
Web: www.ritzcarlton.com
