The Spa at Carden
Anne-Marie Pattenden, Food & Drink Writer
Five years ago, the Carden Hall resort opened what can only be described as a mega-spa in its verdant Cheshire country estate. Despite launching in the thick of the pandemic, the concept not only survived but thrived. It’s not hard to see why.
Most spas tend to be installed in a pre-existing building, but this one is purpose-built, and it shows. Every detail is tailored for the perfect spa experience, from the impressive spa gardens dotted with hot tubs, thermal lounge pods and a Bollinger bar, down to the ergonomic wristbands which act as both contactless locker key and waterproof payment method.
Our advice? Begin with one of Carden’s dazzling array of luxury treatments. The Muscle Melt Massage is a truly wonderful experience, sure to wind you all the way down. First, you’ll be invited to relax with a cooling drink in a sunny relaxation room. When it’s time for your treatment, you’ll be taken to a room softly lit by a ceiling made of twinkling stars. You’ll sink down into a padded, heated massage table and have all your cares expertly kneaded away. Goodbye, knots!
Relaxed and tension-free, now’s a great opportunity to enjoy a healthy lunch in the spa’s very own restaurant, Elements. The dishes are full of those vibrant colours that let you know you’re eating a well-balanced meal packed with nutrients – but the sweet potato fries are still to die for. We recommend the lamb shish kebab and the tofu banh mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwich).
But wait, there’s more. Choose from three types of sauna: recline on cushions in the garden’s Herbal Lounge, breathing in the scent of dried herbs hung from the ceiling; enjoy a panoramic view of the Cheshire countryside from curved wooden loungers in the Bio sauna, or make sure you wear your complimentary flip flops to bask in the Himalayan salt brick glow of the extra hot Finnish sauna.
Enjoy an indoor or outdoor heated vitality pool dip, complete with bubbling massage recliners and forceful neck massaging jets, quite literally on tap. Sip a Carden Royale in one of the three hot tubs or beside the garden fire pit. Pamper yourself with a manicure in the Bollinger Beauty Bar. Try the salt or soothing aroma steam rooms, or a slightly cooler version with optional cool water jets in the mosaic-tiled tepidarium. Or let an Experience Shower transport you to tropical climes at the touch of a button with scents, lighting and music.
The Spa at Carden is the ultimate indulgent escape, offering a seamless blend of luxury, relaxation, and rejuvenation. With its intentional design, world-class treatments, and an abundance of thermal experiences, it delivers an unforgettable retreat.
Whether you’re melting away stress with a treatment, savouring a nourishing meal at Elements, or unwinding in the Thermal Suite, every moment is crafted for pure bliss.
