Most people would jump at the opportunity to have a spa weekend. The concept of indulging in a few days of relaxation, switching-off from the world and being pampered is one we could all benefit from but it isn’t always a treat you can afford to spend the time and money on. Pure Spa aim to offer a middle ground to this, with their chain of drop-by spa facilities around the UK.
The idea is simple, you can stop by for a quick treatment on the go or you can fully immerse yourself in the spa experience and commit to a day of pampering. There are both package deals and single treatment options to choose from.
Take a look at our Beauty Reviews for a look at all of our recommended locations in the north west.
Cheadle Pure Spa
Becky Woodhouse started the brand a few years back, leaving behind a career as a chartered accountant to take a gamble and pursue a passion in the beauty industry. The risk paid off it seems, as Pure Spa is now present in thirteen locations across Scotland and England and shows signs of continued growth in the future. The only north west branch is situated in Cheadle, sharing a space with the David Lloyd gym.
As you enter, Pure has it’s own internal shop within the gym lobby, this serves as both a meeting point for spa goers and as a salon for beauty treatments separate to the spa. If you have a treatment or spa day booked, a host will greet you in the shop and take you through to the additional space upstairs where treatments are held.
For massage bookings, guests first change into a robe and sliders, provided by Pure Spa and then are led into a relaxation waiting area. Only a few robes were available on the day of this review, it would have been a little bit better to see a wider range of robe sizes and sliders offered to guests, as the women’s options were very small sized. The relaxation room is a low-light space with loungers and beds to chill out on as you wait for your booking, the room is painted purple to enhance the dimness and seats are covered with throws and pillows to enhance comfort. There are stacks of up to date magazines (always a good sign) on the side for guests who prefer to take in some light reading as they relax, drinks are also on offer in the form of water, herbal teas and juice.
The treatments themselves are executed professionally and pleasantly, massages take place in a private room and guests listen to calming music as a masseuse does your treatment. It’s easy to fall asleep in such a comfortable and relaxing environment (which most people surely do). Your masseuse can either be chatty or quiet, according to what you prefer. This isn’t established before the treatment was begun so you may need to mention if you don’t want to dish about your life through your experience. On the review visit, both the massage and facial experiences that were reviewed were to a good standard, the guest service was great and treatments were as expected.
Treatments are priced competitively for the area, a standard facial starts at £55 and a hot stone massage from £80. All treatments come with a complementary foot ritual prior, this includes bathing the feet and using a scrub to help you feel at ease and cleansed from the offset.
Things to know before booking
- You must arrive 15 mins before your booked time to fill out details and be briefed on any information
- Any medical conditions or illnesses must be disclosed before your treatment begins
- Parking is available at the spa but it gets busy on weekends so allow time to get there earlier to find a spot
- All therapies include a complementary foot ritual
- The relaxation lounge is available for use as long as you wish after treament
- You should let your masseuse know your preferred pressure prior to massage to ensure your experience is tailored to preference
What is a hot stone massage?
A hot stone massage involves the use of stones as part of a regular back massage, this involves the stones being pressed into the back and moved to relax the muscles and relieve tension stored. The stones are smooth to the touch and are heated to enhance the massage experience and aid relaxation. This type of massage can be undertaken at a range of pressures, from low to to high, to suit the guests choice.
Can you feel the stones?
It is very difficult to tell that the stones are being used. They are typically smooth, so there is no friction or discomfort that should be felt. This combined with the use of hand massaging, means you shouldn’t feel it.
How hot are the stones?
The stones are at a warm to hot temperature when they are first heated, so if you have issue with the heat you can always make it known to the masseuse to let them cool a little before use.
Do the stones hurt?
Not at all. Any good masseuse will know the difference between pressure and pain. Of course, massages can be high pressure if requested, which can feel briefly uncomfortable whilst the muscle is being worked but that is down to the guests choice.
