If there’s a better way to spend two hours in the company of a stranger… I’ve yet to find it. (Don’t be filthy.) 

Knockranny House Hotel is a four-star deluxe hotel and spa destination situated high on a hill overlooking the picturesque Mayo town of Westport. From check-in to check out the luxurious hotel offered peace, indulgence and outstanding service, with delicious food, incredible bedrooms and dedicated staff. More on that another time, but it was the Spa Salveo we were really here to experience…

I was at this destination spa in the gorgeous wild, wild, west of Ireland to experience the Spa Salveo signature treatment, The Wellness and Radiance Ritual. Advised to arrive at the spa at least thirty minutes ahead of my scheduled treatment, I was instantly at ease in the relaxing surroundings and in the company of the spa professionals.

After filling the therapists in on any aches and pains, allergies and conditions, I was invited to change into my fluffy robe and slippers, and make my way to my individual treatment room.

It was at this point that I really felt this treatment promised to be something special. My therapist asked in detail about my skincare routine, my health and wellbeing, my exercise habits and more. She gave me feedback that was individual, particular, and at no point did she attempt to hard sell me on products - a pet peeve of mine in other spas.

The Wellness and Radiance Ritual is a top to toe treatment. It takes two hours, which can seem long in other circumstances, but within the first five minutes you’ll lose all sense of time and just float away…

The ritual begins with a foot treatment, to stimulate circulation and re-mineralise the feet. Kerstin Florian’s Mineral Wellness Salts are used for a relaxing foot soak, and this is followed by a Turkish exfoliation scrub and a de-stressing foot massage.

Then it’s on to the massage table, covered in fluffy warm towels, for the Radiance Body exfoliation, a full body scrub that cleanses the whole body and left my skin feeling baby soft from head to toe. While my therapist was working her magic, I was breathing in deeply to enjoy the refreshing eucalyptus scent.

A warm shower to wash the salts off, and it was back to the bed with more fluffy towels. Next up was my Wellness Back Massage. After consultations about pressure, (a lot, for me), I was in bliss as the tension knots of previous weeks melted away.

Massage is a treat that promotes deep relaxation, improves circulation and relieves muscular tension, and if you’re stressed, like many of us, is a treatment you should opt for from time to time.

The finally step in my treatment, my Pro-Radiance Facial awaited. All of my therapist's questions and analysis was put to use here, as products are selected on a person-by-person basis to best suit your skin’s exact requirements. Kerstin Florian were again the products of choice, and it felt like my skin was lapping up the attention, which, I’ll admit, is something it had been sorely missing.

A new woman, it was time to put the robe back on and head for the after-treatment relaxation room, over-looking the pool, sauna and steam room. Here I joined several others in the same blissful state as I, and enjoyed a Salveo Cooler, a post-treatment drink containing watermelon, coconut water, passionfruit, ginger and blood orange and lime juice – ingredients all designed to promote your radiance and well-being from the inside out.

From start to finish, this treatment is two of the best pampering hours you’ll ever spend in your life, and for those looking for an escape from the madness of modern day life… I can’t recommend it highly enough.

  

Designed to take care of every inch of you, The two hour Wellness and Radiance Ritual costs €105 per person, and is beautifully complemented with a light lunch, which is available in the bar at Knockranny House Hotel. To book, or find out more, call 098 28600 or visit the website here.