Yesterday we gave Heather her birthday present from James and me - a Spa day at the One Spa in Edinburgh. When I booked it about three months ago it seemed very far off, but the time has flown by. Around the time of booking it, Ewan had expressed interest in getting a Swedish massage, and James was up for it too, so all four of us went along.
I really enjoy a Spa day and I wanted us to try somewhere that none of us had been before, so the spa at the Sheraton in Edinburgh sounded good especially as I know a few people who have enjoyed it. It was a lovely day and we all enjoyed exploring the facilities. It has a rather complicated layout or so it seemed on a first visit; we started by having a coffee while we registered at reception and then we headed to the gym for the first hour. James and I took it easy (he hasn't been to the gym since he was ill and I haven't been for ages) and we were both impressed by Heather and Ewan's vigorous use of the equipment, they are a fit pair. Then we made our way to the swimming pool - a decent size - and the outdoor jacuzzi which was on the roof. I do love an outdoor jacuzzi and I found it very pleasant but (and I am being a bit demanding here!) I had expected an amazing view over the rooftops of Edinburgh and instead there was a view of the neighbouring office blocks! I did like being in the warm jacuzzi pool while the chilly wind nipped my face, that's part of the fun for me. I remember loving being in the outdoor hot tub at Gleneagles in the rain. We also visited the "thermal suite" which consisted of a selection of spa rooms of different temperatures reminiscent of the spa at Center Parcs but smaller. Luckily it was not crowded and we could wander at will from room to room.
Soon it was time for lunch, which we had pre-ordered in the café earlier. Heather and I followed Ewan's suggestion to dry off our swimsuits before lunch by using the mini drier in the changing room, but we couldn't find it at first so we briefly tried to insert our cossies into a heater which was very funny. Luckily someone directed us the the drier! We had all ordered boxes of "superfoods". These were subdivided into small compartments each with a mini portion of various healthy treats e.g. Salmon with oatmeal, quinoa salad, crowdie and beetroot, granola with fruit and yoghurt, chocolate and beetroot cake. It was all rather self-conscious designer food and I felt as if it was "the emperor's new clothes!" type of lunch! However I did actually find it quite novel and tasty and we all entered into the spirit of the day and ate it up.
Back upstairs to the thermal suite we went until it was time for our treatments at three o'clock. We sat in a waiting area until a little procession of therapists trooped in and spirited us away to our separate treatment rooms. James and Ewan both got their Swedish massages. Heather had chosen a body wrap and a hot stone treatment, and I chose a massage and a facial. The treatment took nearly two hours and I felt so relaxed that I'm sure I nodded off from time to time, what with the warmth and the relaxing music. The first time I ever got a massage many years ago I remember feeling very self conscious, but now I really enjoy it. When I met up with the others in the "relaxation" area afterwards they all seemed to have enjoyed their experiences. And so we headed home after a day of serious chilling out and good company. I felt very relaxed and twenty four hours later I still do!
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