Wednesday 30 July 2014

Review: Viva Urban Spa (Warrington)


If there's one thing that I excel at, it's being stressed and feeling run-down, and I often crave a moment away from reality to realign my chakras. I could have hugged Tanya through my laptop screen when she emailed me inviting me along to experience a spa day at the Village Urban Resort not far from where I live. After scouring their online price list I decided that I could do with a back, neck and shoulder massage, a manicure and also an eyebrow shaping, because let's face it, I'm lazy. I was also allowed to bring a friend to enjoy the experience with me (the perks of knowing Frances, eh?) and so I grabbed my good friend and gym buddy, Kayla, and we headed down to the hotel for a spot of pampering.

We were greeted by very friendly staff and handed a pair of fluffy white robes before being shown to the gym and pool area which we were free to use as we had arrived a little early. Admittedly, we spent so much time in the changing rooms trying to perfect our robe selfie that we only had time for a quick dip in the pool, but they also offer a fitness suite, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.
When it was time for our treatments, Kayla and I were shown to the relaxation area where we were given a glass of water before being introduced to our therapists and taken to our separate treatment rooms, which were dimly lit with a calming-yet-modern purple colour scheme, cosily heated and smelled amazing with the scent of ESPA's essential oil-infused candles. My lovely therapist, Victoria, talked me through the treatments; first I was to enjoy an ESPA personalised upper body massage, followed by an ESPA facial and eyebrow shaping, and finishing off with a manicure and pedicure. Spoilt rotten!

I hopped up on to the massage table and lay face down whilst Victoria dimmed the lights and turned on some relaxing music and suddenly I was away in some heavenly place for the next fifty minutes. My treatment consisted of a 25 minute back, neck and shoulder massage which eliminated the tension in my neck and spine, immediately followed by me flipping over and lying on my back for a twenty minute facial and scalp massage, during which Victoria treated my skin to a hydrating cleanse, a refining skin polish, an essential cleaning mask and a 24-hour replenishing moisturiser. I could have fallen asleep at this point, but my relaxation was soon slightly tarnished by having hot wax applied to and ripped from my eyebrows- the things us girls have to go through!

After this, Victoria led me out to select a shade from their huge collection of Jessica nail polishes whilst she set up a foot bath for my pedicure. I must say I feel sorry for spa therapists sometimes- as somebody who hates her feet, I usually avoid subjecting other people to them as I find them really gross, but Victoria seemed unfazed and told me they weren't bad at all as she massaged them with lotions and hacked away at them with a foot file. Barf. Once all twenty of my nails were perfectly filed, buffed and painted, I was led out again to meet Kayla in the relaxation area, admire her nail shade of choice and sip on another glass of water with no hurry to leave at all.


Our spa treatment was part of a package which meant we were also treated to a meal and a hotel room for the night. After our treatment, we checked in and went up to our room to find that the lovely ladies from the spa had spoiled us with a glass of champagne each (even though we were advised not to consume alcohol after our treatment- naughty!) and a little goodie bag filled with mini ESPA products and a Jessica nail polish!

With the hotel being a less than ten minute walk from Warrington town centre, Kayla and I wandered out for a while and shopped ourselves to exhaustion before heading back absolutely ravenous for our three-course-meal in the hotel's Verve Bar & Grill. We both ordered the same dishes; soup of the day to start, roast fillet of pollock for our main, and although we were both absolutely stuffed after the first two courses, we still managed to squeeze in a slice of Irish Cream & Chocolate Cheesecake- I mean, come on... when have I ever turned down cake?!

I would absolutely recommend a stay at a Village Urban Resort if you're looking for a relaxing night or two away with a friend or your other half. Over the Summer, Viva Urban Spas are also offering "speedy simultaneous treatments", which means you can get your facial and your manicure done at the same time, meaning you can still relax and have a bit of "me time" even if you're on a tight schedule. To find out if your nearest Village Urban Resort has a Viva Urban Spa, you can check the list here, and book a much-needed indulgent spa break package or individual treatments if you're just after a bit of after-work pampering!

Happy relaxing!
Have you ever visited a Viva Urban Spa?

Frances x

*DISCLOSURE: A huge thank you to Wildcard PR and Village Urban Resort Warrington, who provided me with this experience free of charge in return for a 100% honest review.

6 comments:

  1. This looks lovely -and driving distance from my parents! I may have to treat myself next time I have a special occasion. X

    forever Rebecca xx

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  2. This looks so lovely! A spa day always does wonders! :)

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  3. Was looking for somewhere new to try and this looks amazing, thank you x
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  4. hi! ive been reading your blog for a while but never got round commenting. really like it though :) . you and your friend have such a nice tan on! is it a natural tan or did you both use any fake tan products? if so can I ask which? xxx

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    Replies
    1. Hi lovely, thanks very much for your comment :) Our tans are both natural, thanks to the bout of sunny weather we had here in the UK, haha! :) x

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    2. thank you for your reply! didn't know it had been that sunny in the UK recently, you managed to get a nice tan then! :) do you both use any fake tan products during the cold winter months though? xx

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