Are spa days still the luxury we think they are?

An honest reflection on how true luxury comes from connection, care and experience - not big-brand spas

I recently spent the day at Champneys for a Spa Day to celebrate my 8th wedding anniversary - David came too by the way!!

Having a spa day immediately bring up feelings of luxury, pampering, somewhere special to relax with its marble floors and fluffy robes.

What struck me most was how un-special it all felt. Don't get me wrong, It was good to catch up with my husband in new surroundings, the whole ambience was quite nice, albeit a little shabby in places with 'out of order' sauna & jacuzzi... The treatments were efficient, the staff polite, but it just didn't feel special like it used to and I wonder if that's down to a now diluted mass-produced brand that seems to have lost it's sparkle over the years? The little retail shop that once was now resembled Boots with hundreds of gift sets having 2-for-1stickers on!

I'm wondering whether spa's have become an outdated concept - fairly polished on the surface and a nice day out with friends, but the luxury pampering just isn't there anymore and that's all down to not having any personal connection. I never once felt seen - I was just a name on a piece of paper, making many transactions throughout the day. It didn't feel very special or luxurious being surrounded by strangers who didn't make eye contact, and how can you truly feel pampered when you are just a name on a list without any real conversation?

So while I can't offer you marble floors or a pool to swim in, I am proud of the way I work differently to a spa and this is how I treat all my guests:

Ahead of your time with me, I'll have been looking forward to seeing you and have been thinking about your current skin concerns and how best to serve you.

I'll check in with you on arrival and instead of carrying out a service off my treatment menu - I'll create you a luxury facial that's wrapped up in a bespoke relaxing experience that reflects your mood as well as your skin.

When I recommend skincare, it comes from knowing your skin and what will really benefit you the most.

The luxurious, relaxing bespoke experience I continually offer you at Serenity Skin Studio can't be mass-produced or bottled. For you to feel good in yourself, you need to feel seen, heard and cared for, and that's exactly what will happen.

I'm always learning and evolving and that's to continually give you the very best.

I don't think I'll be rushing back for a spa day with the masses any time soon, give me my little studio retreat any day!