Give Yourself the Spring Clean Treatment in Edinburgh this February
It’s that time of year again when the optimistic ones
amongst us start their spring cleaning. For many, February signals a time to
get our lives back in order, new starts and fresh ideas. We all know it’s
supposed to happen in January – the New Year’s Resolution period where we chuck
out Christmas trees and frantically join fitness groups. But in reality, the
endless drizzle and return-to-work slump make us sluggish, so changes go on
hold for a month. Fortunately, Spring’s blossom-covered, daffodil-scattered
head is just starting to peep over the horizon.
This year, I’ve decided to apply the spring cleaning process
to ME as well as my home. Now don’t get me wrong – I do wash. I’m a big fan of
baths: wallowing around hippo-like under a blanket of bubbles is one of life’s
great pleasures. But I’ve decided I need to take better general care of my
bodywork because I’m starting to show some wear and tear. There are visible
chips and dents and if I’m not careful, my bumper might fall off altogether. A
regular service is in order and in Edinburgh there’s only one place to get the
kind of attention I need.
Aware of my MOT mission, a kind aunt treated me to the ‘New
Year, New You’ offer from The Scotsman Hotel for Christmas. I’d been for
cocktails and a festive meal at the hotel before – both decadent and delicious –
but I’d never been to the spa. This was finally my chance to be pummelled,
polished and slathered in good stuff by expert hands and I couldn’t wait. So I
finally chucked out the remnants of Christmas stodge left in the house, dusted
off my gym-wear and headed to the Aveda Scotsman Spa & Health Club,
gift-card in hand.
I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from the spa before I
arrived. The foyer, bar and brasserie at the hotel are so classically Edwardian
with polished wooden panels, stained glass and marble columns everywhere – was
this Art Deco glamour extended to the spa? I suddenly felt very out of place in
my scruffy (and slightly tight) gym kit but the staff greeted me with warm
smiles and helpful directions. I couldn’t have been more wrong about the
furnishings downstairs though – or more pleasantly surprised.
As I descended the stairs into the basement level (where a
cool 20,000 square feet of space is dedicated to relaxation – a slight
improvement on my own 5x9ft bathroom) I was taken aback by the décor. The spa
has a sophisticated, minimalist design – all contemporary metal panelling,
slick granite surfaces and chic spotlighting. I instantly felt my stresses melt
away in this underground hideaway – the street noise evaporated and the muted colours
were already lulling me into a hypnotically soothed state.
My first port of call was the gym… a word which usually
strikes fear in my heart. But if I was going to enjoy some of the luscious spa
treatments on offer later, I had to earn them first. It was my first gym
experience in three years – my first ever yoga class – and try as I might to
tell myself I hate exercise, I really did end up rather enjoying it. The Scotsman
Hotel studio is well-equipped and the instructor endlessly encouraging and
energy-boosting. Soon I understood my Downward Dog from my Baby Cobra and was
feeling my body unwind. After the class, I had an unfamiliar feeling of wanting
to do more… so taking full advantage of this strange compulsion, next I headed
for the pool.
Having not worn my cozzie in a while, I was relieved to see
there were only two other people in the pool – so I made a dash for it. No
sooner had I entered the water, than I felt my self-consciousness ebb away as
quickly as my muscle pangs. The pool is kept at an inviting 30 degrees which
is, not only like a big warm hug in the middle of winter, but the optimal
temperature to help you get the most out of a swimming workout. The room itself
is a stunning structure, featuring Scotland’s first stainless steel pool, and
it certainly makes for an interesting swim as you take in your sleek, urban
surroundings. I found myself doing more lengths of back-stroke than usual, just
to enjoy the view.
Once I’d completed 20 lengths (a number I was quite pleased
with – I’m no Rebecca Adlington) I sprawled myself out on one of the pool
loungers for a well-earned rest… but the Tropical Showers were calling me. I
mentioned before my love of baths, well if I had a shower like this in my home,
I’d never leave the bathroom. The idea behind the steamy, fragrant heat of
these showers is that, post-swim, they keep your muscles supple at a nice warm
temperature – perfect for those about to enter the steam room (as I was,
naturally, going to do). I needed all the toxin-sweating,
circulation-improving, ache-soothing help I could get… so reluctantly prising
myself away from the exotic stream, I entered the steam room.
This time, I was the only one in there – I felt like Viking
nobility! I found a spot and allowed the humidity to settle around me, soaking
my skin and I slowed my breathing. The Scotsman uses eucalyptus essence in the
vapour of their steam room, so those with a lingering winter cold will find
instant relief. By the time I climbed out 15 minutes later, my body was feeling
amazing and my head pleasantly dozy – this was exactly the TLC I knew it was
craving… and then it was time for the follow-up Arctic Shower. From my reading,
I knew that following the extreme heat and moisture of the steam room with a
burst of cold water is essential. It allows your body to regulate a normal
temperature again and for your freshly-cleansed pores to close up. Knowing this
fact, is very different to actually taking a step into something that has ‘Arctic’
in the title. I took a deep intake of breath and reminded myself it was all
part of my Spring Clean project. It was certainly invigorating and my
drowsiness was gone in an instant.
For the final part of my Aveda Spa visit, I was led into the
treatment room – think serene Indian retreat – by a welcoming therapist. I had pre-booked
my Stress-Fix Body Massage (though my morning so far had definitely helped wash
some of those stresses away already) and had looked forward to this session all
day. This bespoke massage means the therapist really listens to you first to
find out your problematic areas. Then once they start, they listen to your
body, identifying unknown weak spots, muscle knots and joints that need extra
care. I’m not quite sure how 60 minutes passed, but in a blur of deep tissue
massage and reflexology, relaxing music and aromatic oils, the masseuse
informed me we’d come to the end… until next time.
After a hot shower, blow-dry and cuppa, I practically
floated out of the building and glided down the street back home. Anyone who
saw me – a large tranquil smile spread across my face – probably thought I’d
either struck gold somewhere on The Royal Mile or sampled one too many
cocktails at North Bridge Brasserie. But I honestly felt better than if both
those things had happened! I was finally able to give that bodywork the
much-needed care and attention it needed and in the most stylish, luxurious
surroundings the city has to offer – this is one Spring Clean that I won’t mind
keeping up all year round.
