By Bronwyn Murray
Your Holiday Planner recently helped my husband and I to find a country spa retreat to celebrate a special anniversary. It was the prefect treat to take some time out, from work and our hectic family life.
We wanted a relaxing, retreat in the country, within 1.5 hours drive from London, with good food and a fantastic spa. Carey’s Manor & SenSpa fitted the bill completely.
Location
Careys Manor is in Brockenhurst, in the heart of the beautiful New Forest, about 1.5 hours drive from London and very easy to find.
Accommodation
There are 79 rooms in the hotel and our room was on the first floor overlooking the gardens. The room was tastefully decorated and the bed (and even the pillows!) were extremely comfortable. The bathroom was a bit small, but absolutely fine.
Food
Our rate included dinner and breakfast and the food was excellent. There are three restaurants to choose from: the Manor Restaurant, which has been awarded two AA Rosettes, and two additional restaurants, serving French and Thai cuisine.
Leisure Facilities
Our rate included use of Careys Manor leisure facilities (swimming Pool, sauna, jaccuzzi, steam room and gym), but as this was our anniversary, we decided to upgrade to use the SenSpa and book some treatments. I’m so glad we did; the staff in the spa were very discreet and professional and the treatments were wonderful.
SenSpa has fantastic hydrotherapy facilities, to ‘deeply relax and ease tired muscles’. There are so many ways to experience water and it was fun trying everything – from the jets and bubbles of the hydrotherapy pool, the Herbal Sauna and the steam room, to the different shower experiences (tropical rainforest was my favourite) and yes, even the Ice Room.
Service
The service at Careys Manor was excellent. Staff were very friendly and helpful. We had forgotten to pack our swimming costumes (!) and the staff at the SenSpa opened up the shop especially so that we could buy some. Thoughtful touches like a welcoming ‘anniversary’ balloon in our room were very much appreciated too.
Overall Verdict
A special and wonderfully, relaxing break and I can thoroughly recommend it.
About the Reviewer: Mother of three, Bronwyn Murray is a chartered accountant and provides bookkeeping services to businesses in the Elmbridge, Surrey area. http://www.rosemarybookkeeping.com/elmbridge
