Happy Monday lovelies, hope you all had a good week and weekend! Mine was pretty great as you can see here…
I was so lucky to have spent a full day last week at the breathtaking Stobo Castle Health Spa with my cute sister who as much as me needed a day of pampering in the middle of nowhere away from all the madness, computers and our usual mum duties, house work and work. We even enjoyed the 1.5 hour drive on a rainy day to Peebleshire, where Stobo Castle is nicely hidden.
I’ve never been to Stobo Castle before even though I have heard so many amazing things about it. I’ve just never got round to visiting it because of the fact that I’m always too busy but it’s not an excuse anymore. After our Stobo experience, my sister and I have agreed we will always make some time for ourselves at least every couple of months – in Stobo. It really felt like a spa retreat with nothing around us apart from gorgeous scenery, Japanese gardens and stunning Castle grounds and I hadn’t even mentioned that facilities, service and treatments.
My sister and I are also going to the Musselburgh Races on the 13th of June and wanted to pamper ourselves in style before the event. In fact, we’re even considering staying the night at the Stobo Castle before the races with some spa and beauty treatments to set us off for a day of glamour. It was that good we were even looking at their monthly Spa Club membership options, but decided to keep Stobo Castle Health Spa as our own little “retreat” / happy place and as a place to get pampered before special occasions away from the cities – like the Musselburgh Races.
Let me tell you some of the best things about Stobo Castle Health Spa…
When we arrived, we entered in to the gorgeous Olive Tree Brasserie, which was also the main reception and chill out area, where people simply hang out on the settees wearing bathrobes and slippers reading books, drinking herbal tea, having Afternoon Tea or waiting to be called out for their treatments. As soon as we entered – the tranquility hit us. It was bliss. We got given a quick tour of the castle and spa after we put on our bathrobes and slippers and before knew it, we were in that infinity pool with the view looking over the castle’s gorgeous green garden and rolling hills. However, it was the informal atmosphere, yet this really luxurious vibe that made me feel so at home. I didn’t need to worry about what I was wearing or my make-up all day, we even had our 3 course lunch with Prosecco (which was divine) in the main dining hall wearing our bathrobes – how cool? We were there to relax and everyone around us made sure we did exactly that.
After some time in the sauna, steam room and pool, I couldn’t wait for my first treatment of the day. I went for a Darphin Express facial which is a Parisian skincare line based on botanical and plant-based products. As you know I have some on-going skin concerns and didn’t want to make them worse, but my therapist carefully examined my skin and had used an inflammatory procedure with a specialised mask to help reduce oily breakouts. The face massage, foot scrub and hand-massage being part of the facial treatment almost sent me to sleep, which I could have easily continued on one of the sofas later to be honest. My sister also had a facial – her skin glowed instantly.
My second treatment was called Phytometer Sculpt Zones, this targets the cellulite on my thighs, bum and abdomen. I have cellulite, we all do, and although it never really bothered me, I was just curious to try this treatment – perhaps I’ll need a course of those when I’m older? Again, a very relaxing procedure and an unforgettable scalp massage by Sofi, whilst my body was covered in specialised body mask and wrapped in foil. I was talked through everything before and during the treatment and was shown exactly what to do and where to put things, last thing anyone wants to worry about is where to put their paper pants before leaving the room. True though…
After our delicious 3 course lunch with Prosecco, we chilled out in the two hanging chairs looking over the pool (I need one at home) and explored the castle a little more before it was time for my Jessica manicure and my sister’s brow shape. Isn’t it cute that we all get a complementary nail polish used on our nails with every Jessica Manicure? Ideal for taking it with us to the Races if our nails chip, don’t you think?
I can go on and on about the amazing Stobo Health Spa, but if you haven’t been there and would like to go – lets plan a girls spa retreat day (and night) eh? I want to try the Afternoon Tea, outdoor hot tub, go for a walk around the gardens and more treatments. Who’s with me? See you at the Races!
Wearing:
Jeans – Topshop* (thanks for Arcadia Group)
Top – H&M (in stores)
Holdall – Scaramanga*
Cross-body bag – Rebecca Minkoff
Sandals – Papillio Birkenstocks* (thanks to LuisaViaRoma)
Maxi Cardigan – ASOS