Stimulating oxygen facials to protect against winter in a warm, roomy spa
USP
A winning combination of a spacious spa area, reasonable prices and fabulous facials in the heart of Birmingham.
AMBIENCE
The basement spa of this 24-floor hotel building is decorated in contrasting brown tones giving a warmth and elegance that matches the hotel above.
The spa has six secluded treatment rooms, including a therapy suite for two and a Hammam treatment room. There is also a nail bar big enough for four manicures at any one time.
There is no relaxation area, just a waiting area with leather seating where some groups come to take tea. It was quiet when I was waiting but rather noisy when a group of tea-drinking ladies arrived during my manicure.The clean and tidy changing rooms are shared with the Amala Club – a health and fitness centre that houses a Jacuzzi, cold water plunge pool, sauna, steam room, solarium, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a 16-metre indoor lap pool.
EXPERIENCE
I was looking forward to my Limited Edition Orange and Cinnamon Winter Facial followed by a Delux Manicure - with snow outside it seemed the perfect remedy to chapped skin. The treatment room, already filled with the treatment's aromas, was warm and inviting. I got off to a relaxing start with a complementary back massage using Karin Herzog’s Anointing Oil – a warmed coconut oil with cinnamon and orange.
The Winter Facial followed, a deep cleansing treatment with oxygen to stimulate cell renewal, circulation and collagen production. My face was cleansed, exfoliated, massaged and then put under Mask Niveux, a face mask containing the oxygen that fizzes and stimulates as it hits the skin.
Post treatment my skin felt firmer, more hydrated, smooth to touch and, might I say, glowing and remained so for some days to follow.
The treatment ended with a luxury manicure with softening heat treatment where my dry hands were smothered in a rich moisturising cream and put into plastic gloves before being heated and allowed to warm so the moisture enters and stays in the skin. My nails were polished with Orly Nail Varnish in a warm plum colour ready for the Christmas week ahead. My hands felt better moistured, softer and less chapped than before
FOOD
The Atrium Lobby serves a traditional afternoon tea every day, priced at £14.50 per person. Champagne is also available. Aria Restaurant provides alternative lighter or more substantial meals. Bar Pravda offers a bar food menu of pizza, burgers and fish and chips among other dishes unlikely to appeal to serious spa goers.
IN-CROWD
Amala Club members, hotel residents and local workers. Hen parties are particularly popular, with afternoon tea taken in the Atrium afterwards.
WALLET WATCH
My treatments were reasonably priced: the Limited Editon Orange and Cinammon Winter Facial was £50 for 60 minutes and the Luxury Manicure £35 for 45 minutes.
NEED TO KNOW
Hyatt Regency Birmingham, 2 Bridge Street Birmingham B1 2JZ (Tel 0121 643 1234; www.hyatt.com)
