Put the Tring back into your step

Pedicures, fluffy robes and three minutes in an ice chamber; Champneys Tring certainly has something for everyone as Natalie Glock found out.

 
Whether you put it down to how hard we all work or that we have just mastered the art of pampering, spa breaks are now firmly fixed on our beauty radar as the ultimate 'me time' treat, and rightly so. Topping the list of reasons to step off the daily grind is surely the luxury of taking time to concentrate on nothing but yourself and your body, and given my experience at Champneys Tring, I've found the perfect place to do just that.

 

When the old meets the new 

Pulling up through the wrought iron gates, having long left the motorway behind us, the long gravel drive wound around giant pine trees and through endless stretches of greenery, before culminating at the foot of the elegant stately house that was to be our home from home. I don't think it's too much of an exaggeration to say that on walking up the entrance steps, images of Jane Austin's Elizabeth Bennett, aghast at seeing Pemberly for the first time, sprang to mind. However we were in for a thoroughly modern stay thanks to Tring's recent £14million refurbishment and subsequent new pool, state of the art gym and fitness studios, plus flat screen televisions in every room. Period charm with just the right amount of modern excess.

 

On arrival we received wallets containing our room card keys and what little schedule we had to keep to. Our pre-booked luxury pedicures and an invitation to try out Tring's innovative new Kriotherapy treatment the only diary entries in a sea of blissful free time. Before heading to the room to don our very welcome spa uniform of fluffy white robe and slippers, we stopped by the beautiful terrace café, all pink upholstered chairs and leather booths, for tea. Overlooking the manicured rose garden we slowly began to let go of mobile phones and emails, replacing it with giggling chat and an innate stillness that was to become our overwhelming memory of our time at Tring.

 

Room with a view

Rooms are graded at Tring and range from suites and premier rooms in prime areas of the resort, to standard or superior rooms which are all decorated and designed as restful spaces. Each room comes complete with en-suite bathroom, tea and coffee facilities, flat screen TV and DVD player and complimentary Champneys toiletries. Our superior room also came with our own patio area and sun loungers, the perfect way to while away a July afternoon, overlooking the tennis courts and grounds. As with all overnight stays at Tring, all of the resorts facilities were at our disposal and all our meals included. Having filled up on the nutritionally balanced buffet lunch of meat, fish and an array of delicious salads, we were all set for our afternoon of exploring. We had decided that we would spend our first day testing out the fitness facilities and the second day recovering, so our first stop was an hour long Pilates class for both beginners and those more advanced, with a friendly and well-informed teacher. Then it was off to Kyriotheraopy.

 

The spa

Tring's world class spa treatments cater for all the pampering you are likely to ever need from facials, to body wraps, massage to manicures using their own range of products as well as La Prairie and Elemis alternatives. In addition to the truly indulgent there are a variety of treatments that are designed with health benefits in mind and Kyriotherapy is one of them.

 
Used to ease muscle tension and boost the circulation this extraordinary experience is used in many parts of Eastern Europe as a mainstream health treatment, to ease osteoporosis and arthritis, and it is a firm favourite with professional sportsmen and women.

 

We were slightly daunted by the prospect of walking between two chambers set at temperatures of -60 and -135 degrees for three minutes anyway, and then we saw the outfits! Special 100% cotton shorts, cropped top, socks, gloves, face mask and wooden clogs meant that a sense of humour was vital. But I have to say having walked around the chambers in our small group for the allotted time, I certainly felt more energised for the exercise that followed on the Vibra-Gym. Given that it aids sleep problems too, we naturally slept like babies that night, after our three course dinner of course.

 

Time on our hands 

Returning to our robes and slippers, day two saw us padding around happily enjoying our breakfast of perfect scrambled eggs and cinnamon bagels, followed by a short stroll to the elegant drawing room, complete with the perfect armchairs for an afternoon's reading. The luxury of a completely free day meant that the hours trickled by rather than flying past you as you plough through your normal daily tasks. A couple of hours before we left we headed back to the spa for a luxury pedicure, the hot booties being a particular highlight.

 

The thought of doing anything that meant not being in our robes felt like an affront but unfortunately check-out arrived, despite the staff kindly extending it as long as possible for us. Pulling out of the car park and returning to the motorway, we couldn't help but wish we could turn around as we felt so completely relaxed and at home at Tring. So it seemed only right that as soon as we got home, out came our not so white and fluffy robes and slippers, and natural order was restored.

 

Champneys Tring information

 

Champneys have four resorts located around the UK, as well a selection of town and city spas. Overnight stays at Tring start from £149 per person for one night which includes full use of the facilities and all meals. Treatments can be booked prior to your stay and a full treatment list is available online. Kyriotherapy is £50 for a 55min session and the luxury pedicure costs £40.

 

For all information visit www.champneys.com

 
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