Have a spa weekend - final chapter - Do I Recommend It for the Never Too Late List?

As mentioned in an earlier post, my stay at Ragdale Hall (www.ragdalehall.co.uk) was mid-week rather than a weekend, but the principle remains the same, is a couple of days away at a spa worth it?

It is not a cheap break, despite the Take a Friend for Free package because by the time you have added in extra treatments and hit the boutique with your flexible plastic friend, you can be left with a bill that you feel you need to double-check, just to be sure your room account didn't get hacked. That said, if you just take the inclusive treatments, don't have wine at dinner (yep, we did that too) and avert your eyes from anything glamourous or glimmering in the all-too-accessible shops, then it is possible to get quite a lot from a little.  The thermal spa can be used as much as you like, ditto the pool, ditto the gym, ditto classes and various lounge areas.  The car parking is also free.

I like being around water, I like beauty treatments and I like the fact that Ragdale is fairly well on the doorstep - less than an hour away from where I live (if you don't get lost, like I did).  What I was not convinced about was that in only two half and one full day away I could be persuaded to leave all my worries and stresses behind me and just live for the moment.  It did take me quite a while to unwind.  The first day I was still in business-mode and I went to bed that night still with work on the brain and dreamt of falling buildings and dark corridors.  But after my early swim on day 2, after my detox-breakfast (though I hate to say it) and as I sat waiting for my Balinese massage, I realised I had left my phone in the bedroom.  I smiled at this. 

By the afternoon of day 2, I was already 40 pages into my book and contemplating what was on the menu for dinner.  Day 2 night I slept long and well.  Sitting in the Rose Sauna (again) on day 3 morning, I did not want to go home.  So, would I recommend it for my Never Too Late List.  I suppose I would. :-)

Going back again.  Soon, I  hope.