The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary:
A women only spa in the heart of Covent Garden in London. Feels a bit unfair to the lads but if the boys reading this are anything like mine you're just happy to watch your favourite team win and east some good food. The Sanctuary believes that if you feel good about your body, you feel better about yourself and the world around you. Sanctuary products are available exclusively from Boots so if you can't make it to the spa then ...
...requiring a signature. I took the little Royal Mail red card and wondered up to the post office. The whole way up I was babbling on that I wasn't expecting anything and with my luck it would be a bill or something evil like that. I walked into the post pick-up office and handed my card over to the chap at the counter. He went into the back room and emerged with what looked like a wedding invitation type envelope. After signing for it I turned it ... more

The Sanctuary:
A women only spa in the heart of Covent Garden in London. Feels a bit unfair to the lads but if the boys reading this are anything like mine you're just happy to watch your favourite team win and east some good food. The Sanctuary believes that if you feel good about your body, you feel better about yourself and the world around you. Sanctuary products are available exclusively from Boots so if you can't make it to the spa then try a little at home therapy.

The Gift:
It was about a week after my birthday and I had missed a delivery of something requiring a signature. I took the little Royal Mail red card and wondered up to the post office. The whole way up I was babbling on that I wasn't expecting anything and with my luck it would be a bill or something evil like that. I walked into the post pick-up office and handed my card over to the chap at the counter. He went into the back room and emerged with what looked like a wedding invitation type envelope. After signing for it I turned it over to peel it open from the back and noticed the return address ... The Sanctuary! My eyes looked straight at my other half who had a Grinch-like smile coating his face. My son then couldn't take it anymore and shouted we're sending you away for a massage because you're nice! I can accept that!

Once I had gone through the contents of the envelope I looked into booking my day away. The gift voucher I had was called Sanctuary Escape. With this I could pick a day between Monday and Thursday to have full use of the spa facilities. Also included was a 50 minute face or body treatment, a 25 minute face or body treatment, a two course lunch and a Sanctuary gift. I had been to the Sanctuary before years ago so was already planning in my head what I was going to do with myself on the day.

Booking:
I picked out a Tuesday during the school break. My other half already had that week off so childcare was pre-sorted. I phoned up the customer care number to book everything. The lady on the other end of the phone was a good laugh. Although I had done the booking thing before she didn't assume I knew everything and walked me through the process which was brilliant. The day I wanted was available so now it was just time to book my treatments. You can see if other things are available on the day but it's best to book in ahead of time to save disappointment. I selected a Sanctuary Full Body Massage, Prescription Body Polish and added to my gift voucher an express manicure. The lady I spoke with took only a couple moments to organize everything into a schedule and even rearranged my lunch time as I like to eat a bit earlier normally.

Arrival:
I left Covent Garden station and turned right and very shortly after turned right down Floral Street. About half way down the cobbled road you will see a little white store which is the entrance to the spa. The store has a sign saying The Sanctuary so you'll not go past it (don't worry). Don't worry about walking straight through the store ... the stairs are at the rear of the little shop. Go to the top (not far) and you will be greeted by a member of staff who will point you in the direction of the check-in desk. The spa opens at 9:30 and I arrived at 10:00 so there wasn't a queue to fight through. I do suggest getting there early if for no other reason but to have more time relaxing. Check-in took only 5 minutes and I was then pointed in the direction of the changing rooms. The front desk was very different from how it had been years ago and in my opinion was a change for the better. I was offered a juice on my way to the changing rooms and got a lovely fresh orange.

Lockers:
The front desk will give you a locker tab that is waterproof and can be worn like a watch around your wrist. I told the lady in the changing room I already knew about the lockers so that she wouldn't have to go through her speech again as she had just finished with some one else. It's very simple really. Change into your swim gear, take what bits you want with you in you sanctuary bag, put everything else into the locker and shut the door. To lock it merely press and hold the locker tab to the red light for a couple seconds until you hear it make a click sound and then you're done. Easy Peasy!

After attending an all girl's school where you aren't given the option of being shy I haven't got an issue about changing where people could see me. If you do want a bit of privacy there are a few little changing booths available.

Off I go:
I had an hour before my first treatment and I used this time to remind myself what was where and to investigate what else might be new. The pools were all the same as were much of the facilities. The only changes were that the smoking area was obviously no more (thankfully I've quit), and little quiet sleep area above the Koi Carp Lounge was now part of sleep retreat sessions so you couldn't just go in there as and when you pleased. I walked around for a few minutes in the Koi Lounge before spotting a comfy looking seat. I put my bag down to claim it and ordered a cuppa from the bar. It was nice just to sit there and have a quiet moment to myself without one kid wanting me to put a video game on and the other trying to eat the cat food!

Treatment One (Prescription Body Polish):
My schedule said to arrive 5 minutes early and to wait in the waiting room. The lady called me in and had a quick look at my medical forms just to check I was ok to have the treatment. Everything ok, let's begin. She handed me a headband and some disposable knickers. I know what you're thinking ... Dead Sexy! I positioned myself on the bath-bed thingy and waited for her to return. I then had a choice of products. Sento, Kuan Jin or Spa Essentials. I had never used the Kuan Jin so I went for that one. The Body Polish is lovely. You feel as if you're had a really good scrub and walk away feeling rather fresh. I guess putting it into simple terms it's a lovely bath with an excellent scrub. I'd label this treatment as refreshing.

After the treatment I went back to the Koi Lounge and read my book for a bit. I spent about an hour there and then decided to have a swim. I went to the exercise pool and did a few lengths of the pool before heading upstairs for lunch.

Food:
The restaurant only had a handful of people in it when I got there so I was able to sit right down. I eyed up the menu for a bit before making my decision. I chose to have a gazpacho starter and spinach and ricotta pasta main. The food was so wonderful. Both dishes were gorgeous. My only complaint is that there was a bit too much rocket on my pasta dish for my liking. I had a little giggle to myself at one point. I saw a lady looking around before ordering and she looked at what I was having. When the waiter took her order she said she wanted to start with the soup I had. Moments after she got her order she signalled for the waiter to return and complained that the soup was cold! He he he!

gaz*pa*cho:
A CHILLED soup made with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers, and herbs.

Facial Awareness:
After food I read my book for a bit longer and treated myself to a glass of champagne in the lounge. Whilst I was there I had a look in the spa shop. One of the shop ladies told me about some treatments they run there. One is to look at the condition of you hair and what you can do to improve it and that other is looking at your face under blue lights and discussing your skin condition. I jumped at the chance to know if my normal routine was right for my skin type and there was an opening just then so we got started. It was interesting to see just how dry my skin was. I've been using the stuff she told me for a few weeks now and it's amazing how right she was and it wasn't like she was trying to sell me the expensive stuff either. The products I was told were best for my skin were among the cheapest!

The Atrium Pool:
Most people know The Sanctuary by the picture of the lady on a swing over the pool. This is the Atrium pool and yes I have been on the swing! This pool is warmer then the exercise pool and is situated under the lounge. I had a little soak before my next treatment.

Treatment Two (Sanctuary Full Body Massage):
Third floor! I'm not overly lazy or fat but after a relaxing morning those stairs nearly killed me! Ok maybe not that bad but it still felt like a small mountain. Before starting the massage I was asked if there was any part of my body I wanted more massage attention. I chose my back and neck and asked for my feet to be left out of it as I was gritting my teeth during my body polish. I thought I was going to fall asleep at one point because it was so relaxing. During my massage the lady said that there was a lot of tension in my shoulders and she concentrated on them for a bit to try and work some of it out. Heaven! After my massage the masseuse allowed me to laze there on the table and just relax for about 5 minutes as I didn't want to move! I finally got up and put my bathing suit back on. I really should have brought two so that I didn't have to put a wet suit back on but oh well.

I was told not to go swimming for a little while so I went up to the shop lounge and had a nose through the lotions and magazines. I got the face wash and toner I had been told was best for my skin and as it came to over a certain amount I was given a 100ml perfume which I have fallen in love with for free. With my spa day gift voucher I was to get a Sanctuary gift and they popped that into my bag as well which was a little Sanctuary orange pouch with travel samples of lotion, body wash and a few other bits. I didn't have all that much room in my locker so they offered to keep the bag behind the main desk for me.

The Koi Lounge was relatively busy and I wanted to relax quietly somewhere so I went down towards the exercise pool thinking I would have a quiet moment in the steam room. I noticed that no one was in the whirlpool hot tub that is situated half way down the stairs so I hung up my robe and bag. I walked down the stairs into the hot tub and didn't realize it was going to be as deep as it was and nearly dunked myself! Glad no one else was around to see my near tumble. As I got comfortable I noticed the sign saying how deep it is! Oh well, too late now! I left after the recommended 10 minutes and set myself up in the steam room.

It was lovely having all these facilities at my fingertips! Speaking of fingertips it came time for me to make my way back up the stairs to the top floor where I after the whole day took my first look out of a window to see rain! So glad I was missing the miserable weather. I was called in for my manicure by a chatty lady about my age. We had a good chat whilst she worked on my nails. She asked if I had been to the spa before so I told her of the changes to the layout I had noticed. I was then told of a fire in January of this year (2009) that damaged a number of areas in the spa. This was why things were different in some areas. The spa had brought in a special designer in to do the work. According to her it was the upstairs that had the worst damage. Although obviously the fire wasn't a good thing she said it worked out well for her as the spa offered staff training whilst the work was going on and so she was able to take advantage of the chance to learn a new skill.

There were some people who had brought friends with them but I was quite happily on my own. It meant I could do things to my own schedule and not worry about anyone else. I can imagine it's probably nice to have a ladies day out so maybe next time.

Every visitor is offered a sleep therapy session. Mine was booked as the last thing on my schedule. I didn't want to be pampered all day and then spend my way home squished on the tube so instead of going I checked out at the front desk to avoid the potential queue later on and went to take a shower. To get to the showers you walk through a make-up area where you can do your little routine of face wash, tone and moisturise. In this room and in the showers there are bottle of body wash, shampoo, conditioner, face wash and toner. There is a supply of fresh towels by the showers as the ones you've had all day have been used getting out of the pool and such. Forgot to mention earlier that there are a few towel stations set up around the spa if you'd like a new towel.

Take a virtual tour ... http://www.thesanctuary.co.uk/the-sanctuary-covent -garden.htm

OOPS!
I'm on the train and half way home when I suddenly look at my wrist to see that I am still wearing the locker key! I put it into an envelope with a note and sent it to them the next day. A lady rang me up at home a few days later saying that they had received the key and thank you.

An expensive day out but I loved every minute of it.

© znh3ra54 & oioiyou on Dooyoo 2009  

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