In another world…. once I get to be a wealthy entrepreneur who delegates rather than does!  ... one of my favourite places to be all day on a Friday (after a stressful 4 day week in the boardroom) is about a 5 minute drive from our front door (rather conveniently)….The Chewton Glen Spa.

Bit of a story but my dear brother-in-law called me in a panic last November to gain some inspiration for my sister’s birthday present. Without repetition, hesitation or deviation I advised him  a Spa day for 2 at the Chewton Glen would be just the ticket to my sister's heart.  He was delighted with my idea and promptly booked a Spa day for 1…the deal being that I go too…Men they just don’t get it!

Anyway, brother-in-law's inconsideration aside, we gathered ourselves first thing Friday morning, took the children to school and made our way up the gliding drive to another world of pampering luxury.  Once swim-suited and gowned in a CG robe we perused our spa menu over a light breakfast of fresh fruit juices, croissants, granola and a splendid latte in the Health Club restaurant …

We had a busy day of relaxing ahead of us so we slipped off to the steam room for 15 minutes before our first treatment. I just love the spectacular healing crystal and the space of the steam room. I also, incidentally love the fact that it was just us in the steam room. I have been to London spas without naming names, where you end up almost queuing for the facilities. Even on a Friday, when I am sure there could have been many more takers (we booked before Christmas for our Spa day) there is capaciousness to the space, in my mind all part of the luxury of the experience. The spa also has 10 treatment rooms, a 17-metre ozone-treated swimming pool, a gym (should you feel the need, we couldn’t fit it into our busy schedule) a hydrotherapy spa pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi.

All in a days work… after our express facial which felt anything but, we lazed around in the indoor pool room for a while flicking through glossy mags and catching up a little on our busy lives. Far too relaxed to read the novel I had brought with me, I prefered instead, to dip into Tatler and Vogue. My only little whinge is that there were not enough copies of new glossy titles … my dear sister had to make do with the Telegraph at one point!

After being bubbled and pummeled in the wonderfully therapeutic hydrotherapy pool, we decided rather than brave the massage on a full stomach, we would dip into the restaurant for a quick macaroon and coffee, then head off for our massage. The Chewton Glen Spa has been named the favorite spa in the UK by SpaFinder this year and I suspect some of those voting must have had a back and shoulder massage from Daniel, my masseur on Friday. Both reinvigorating and calming. I am always a bit wary of the male / female thing, when I have a massage (maybe it is just the Irish Catholic in me), but, any ‘Catholic’ discomfort was dispelled immediately by his expertise in the art of massage. I could feel my back muscles loosening and the unwinding and relaxation setting in…very lovely  and very clever!

Back to the restaurant for a light buffet lunch and a little glass of Sauvignon (the only extra we were charged for all day) and then off downstairs to the grooming lounge for our mini manicure. We finished off the day by braving the outdoor jacuzzi (and it is so worth braving)… a grim and grey day in March suddenly felt Spring-like and cosy in the hot spa surrounded by the mature trees and sprawling CG grounds.

As we drove away from our spa day, rejuvenated, relaxed and still giggling about some sisterly thing and back to collect the children, we thought we might just hatch a plan to return in October before my sister’s new baby arrives on the scene… the perfect antidotal plan to  the juggling act we call life!