ᵃᵈ* How often do you get a whole day to yourself, responsibility free, and getting pampered?

No, I know, not that often, so when they come around you’ve got to make the most of them!

Recently the team at Southampton Harbour Hotel were unbelievably kind and invited me to try out HarSPA, a beautiful zen zone packed full of tranquil treats.

This spa in central Southampton is a real hidden gem in the city. Take a look because everyone needs a little luxe in their life now and then and this might be just the right escape for you, it certainly was for me!

On arrival my spa package included a morning smoothie packed full of berries and bananas to start my day right. Er, Harbour Hotels, it’s like you know how I like to start my day!

After getting checked in and finishing the refreshing smoothie I swapped my jacket for a cosy towel robe and headed into the spa.

Spa

The building is gorgeous, very modern, lots of long seeping lines, curves all in very calm neutral tones. The entrance looks more like an art museum with a sweeping spiral staircase that takes you up to the treatment rooms, gym and changing rooms.

I decided to arrive a few hours before my appointment to make the most of the access to the spa facilities and to start relaxing before heading to the massage appointment.

This was really beneficial because, I don’t know about you but, sometimes I struggle to relax and I wanted to get over that feeling so I could make the most of the massage.

I took myself into the relaxation room and took some time to do absolutely nothing.

After letting my brain decompress and half-meditating-half-sleeping for a little bit I then wrapped myself in a big cosy duvet and caught up on the latest magazines. I slowly eased into the day and found my pace…slow!

The hotel had all my favourites, hello to some serious time with the latest issues of Vogue and Cosmopolitan. I also took with me the latest Blogosphere magazine too – perfect!

It meant that by the time I got to the massage I’d managed to get out of my head, I felt calmer and was ready for the benefits of a massage.

Temple Spa Massage

Forty five minutes can seriously change the way you feel.

I walked out of the treatment room on a cloud after a back and scalp massage that made me seriously mellow and my muscles so much looser.

My therapist Anca did a detoxifying, deep tissue massage using Temple Spa oils that smelt out of this world.

The ‘Work It Out’ massage oil was a blend of Juniper, Lavender and Cypress that have detoxifying properties. It also helped that Anca worked on all the knots and tension in my upper and lower back – she really listened to me on the pressure too, I said I like really firm massages and she delivered.

(FYI – I like them very firm but she did check in with me though to make sure I was happy with the pressure and would have adjusted accordingly.)

I’ve not had a scalp massage before and I loved it! If you enjoy someone playing with your hair, it’s like that but amplified, and my hair was so big afterwards that it looked like a lion’s mane.

Swim, Sauna and Steam

I was so happily mellow that I didn’t know what to do with myself afterwards, so I went and sat in jacuzzi which was lovely and warm with powerful jets and bubbles.

Then I went for a little swim, took a bake in the sauna followed by a cold shower and then the steam room followed by another cold shower. I mean you really have to be brave to have a cold shower because ‘Brrrrr’ what a shock to the system but, I felt revived!

That to me felt the right time to get some food so I went and had a great shower and very unwillingly gave up that big white fluffy robe.

FYI – the spa had GHD hairdryers and straighteners so you can do your hair, such a bonus and so nice not to have to lug all of that stuff with me! It also had good shampoo and conditioner so I didn’t need that either and, even more bonus points, I came home smelling like the spa!

Self Care

After a great start to the year I’m focusing on keeping my well being on the up and this spa day could not have been more well timed.

I don’t know about you but sometimes I really struggle to unwind. It’s also hard to notice when you start heading down the slippery slope to not feeling so good.

I’ve decided this year to check in more regularly with myself and schedule in days or activities that will help keep me on the straight and narrow, yes I’ll be embracing those #SelfCareSundays.

Self care comes in so many different forms and a day reconnecting with myself was really beneficial. This is why spa days are really important, I felt so much better just for dedicating some time to myself.

I can’t always do that at home because I feel guilty I’m not cleaning up, or doing life admin or house projects. Do you feel me? Home guilt is REAL.

Getting away from home removed all of those concerns and the time was my own to be totally selfish with. And, there’s nothing wrong with being a little selfish and treating yourself well for self preservation!

Lunch

The spa has a deli bar cafe situation so you can grab a snack, a healthy lunch or a drink.

I really needed some food once I’d showered and got ready as it was half past two in the afternoon and all that chilling out and being pampered had built up a hunger.

I had a tasty salmon salad and a tall glass of Prosecco to complete the day and oh my goodness, what a great end to the day.

The massage and spa day at Southampton Harbour Hotel impacted my whole week in such a positive way, I must do this more often.

ad* – PR Gifted Experience – Thank you so much to the spa team at Southampton Harbour Hotel, especially my wonderful therapist Anca who I’ll be seeking out again.