insideKENT Magazine Issue 69 - December 2017 | Página 123

HEALTH+WELLNESS
Escape, relax and rejuvenate at
REYNOLD’S RETREAT
WHY IS IT THAT WE ARE ALL SO BUSY? WE SEEM TO INTERCHANGE ‘BEING BUSY’
FROM A STATE OF BEING TO AN EXCUSE AND OFTEN END UP EXASPERATINGLY BUSY
SIMPLY BEING BUSY! IT’S BECOME SO EPIDEMIC THAT MOST OF US CAN EASILY END
UP NEGLECTING EVERYTHING FROM OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO OUR FRIENDS,
AND, AS IMPORTANTLY, OURSELVES. BY SAMANTHA READY
Enough was enough, after yet another
apologetic ‘busy’ conversation with the bestie,
there was a glaringly obvious solution – a get
away from it all, gossip catch up and restorative
spa day at one of the county’s and indeed one
of my own favourite day spas, the Reynolds
Retreat at Borough Green.
The Reynolds concept of health, wellbeing
and fitness is relatively straightforward, but it
is the delivery of it that stands it apart. The
refurbishment and rebuild of the existing
character building, which is surrounded by
well manicured gardens and comes into view
at the end of the lime tree lined driveway, has
created a spa haven with a two-storey gym
and fitness centre on one side and a tranquil
spa complex on the other. The central areas
are home on the ground floor to a welcoming
bar and lounge, where we caught up over a
cup of herbal tea, and upstairs houses the
therapy rooms, lounge and Waterleaf
Restaurant.
Every space is designed to harness the
amazing view to the rear of the property
meaning you can run, stand, sit or swim right
up to the edge of nature, and during our early
winter visit this meant a tranquil mood
enhanced by autumnal colours below clear
crisp skies – this welcome nod to nature is
harnessed further still by the soft décor palate
of greens, browns and natural stone
throughout.
First heading to the pool, we took full
advantage of the huge steam room, a modern
wood-clad sauna, foot spa benches and
monsoon showers complete with a
‘thunderstorm’ setting where hydrotherapy
jets and sensory lighting transport you to your
own rainforest experience. We chilled out in
the relaxation area on solar-heated reclining
beds losing ourselves in the vistas of the
canopy of trees beyond. And, last but by no
means least, we took a dip in the infinity pool,
where you can literally swim to the edge of
nature.
It was hungry work all this relaxing and
chatting, so we were both more than ready
for one of the Retreat’s generous afternoon
teas. Taking a windowside table in the
restaurant, we were delighted at the arrival of
a heaving platter of finger sandwiches, fresh
duck-e gg mayonnaise miniature rolls, hot
quail scotch eggs, fresh scones and a trio of
desserts: mini brownies, pineapple posset and
lemon curd meringue pies. Heaven.
Time to digest, relax and unwind yet further
came in the form of two treatments each from
the day spa menu. My friend looked radiant
and relaxed after her facial and gentle massage,
while I emerged reinvigorated and revived
from my neck, back and shoulder massage
and soothing scalp massage.
Unable to resist another few lengths of the
infinity pool and one last play in the monsoon
rainforest shower, my guest and I emerged
from the Reynolds Retreat relaxed, refreshed
and inspired to book our next escape from
simply being busy.
Reynolds Retreat
Quarry Hill Rd
Borough Green
TN15 8PB
01732 446051
www.reynoldsgroup.co.uk/retreat
ReynoldsRetreat
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