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Spa Review: Spa Illuminata Danesfield House in Buckinghamshire

By Caroline Cooper   |  

Spa Illuminata Danesfield House is the ultimate luxurious spa that whisks you away from the daily grind to a relaxing world of calm and wellbeing in the stunning setting of the quintessential English countryside. And with its unrivalled range of face and body treatments on offer, there’s nowhere quite like it for the ultimate spa day.

Perched high on a plateau of sweeping grounds and landscaped gardens, Danesfield House is a magnificent country mansion located just outside Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Upon arrival of the grand driveway, you can’t help but be impressed by the immaculate gardens and mansion house.

My husband and I arrived on a sunny Sunday at the beginning of spring and had booked the ‘Spring into Summer’ spa day, with access from 9 am – 5 pm, we arrived mid-morning and were invited to have a coffee and read of the Sunday papers to start the day. This for me was such a treat, as being a mum to a two-year-old, I can’t recall the last time I managed to read a Sunday paper let alone supplement.

The pool area overlooks the gardens with views of the River Thames and the Chiltern Hills

Before long, we were given a tour of the impressive spa with its gymnasium with an extensive schedule of classes. But being a ‘date’ for the two of us, we choose to make our way straight to the pool area.

With floor to ceiling windows on one side, the pool area is flooded with natural daylight that overlooks the beautiful formal gardens and outstanding views over the River Thames and the Chiltern Hills. It’s the perfect spot to take a moment to yourself – and with no access to my phone, any worries of the world gently slipped away…

After spending some time going between the sauna, steam room and pool, which was truly divine for my aching body, it was time for our treatments.

The ‘Spring into Summer’ is tailored to add ‘new life and beauty to all that is.’ Something as parents we were definitely in need of. It’s set to help refresh and revitalized skin (it was almost as though the day was bespoke to our every need).

Couples can share a treatment room which adds a touch of romance to the day

To my delight, being a couple we shared a treatment room which did add a touch of romance to the day. Our therapists were professional, utterly lovely and talked us through our treatments, and areas that we thought were in need of some TLC.

We started with a full body exfoliation which was so relaxing. The treatment itself lasted around half an hour with fifteen minutes to shower and soak off any access. The showers were even running for us and at the perfect temperature, meaning we didn’t have that awkward moment of trying to work out how the shower works.

My skin felt incredible after my shower, soft and fresh. It was then time for the moment I had been waiting for. The Aroma Blend Back, shoulder and neck massage. I constantly have backache and of late have even found it hard to roll my shoulders back due to the strain I put on them; my therapist worked so hard to alleviate the knots – and it has to be said is probably the best massage I’ve had to date. I felt so relieved afterwards and still do a few weeks on.

Facilities include the large indoor pool, a sauna and steam room

Our final treatment was the Jasmine booster facial. I am always wary of facials in case I have a breakout afterwards. Yet, thankfully I haven’t had one single pimple since the treatment, and my skin still looks remarkable fresh – my husband keeps telling me how good it looks!

Feeling utterly relaxed we then headed back to the pool area before our lunch in the main reception area. The menu offers everything from salads, detox juices and champagne.

We both utterly loved our spa day at Spa Illuminata and will certainly be returning again.  And with three fantastic treatments included in this spa day, then for me, everyone needs to experience it.

The ‘Spring into Summer’ spa day costs £196pp.

For more information, visit: danesfieldhouse.co.uk/spa/spa-days.