Rosanna Spence visits the world-famous Thermae Bath Spa for the Twilight for Two Package – which includes a two-hour spa session and meal for two – plus a relaxing treatment
How much time do you set aside for self-care? I’m guessing it’s not as much as you’d like. Whether oversubscribed with work, family commitments or otherwise, we’re all guilty of neglecting ourselves now and then. But look around you, dear Bathonians… millions of people visit this fine city each year, and with good reason: one of its major draws being the spa culture. We live near Britain’s only naturally-thermal spa – the famous Thermae Bath Spa, which keeps the area’s world-renowned waters’ heritage alive and well. With such a unique experience on our doorstep, it’s about time you carved out an evening for some much-deserved relaxation under the stars, following in the historic footsteps of self-care seekers over thousands of years.
The Twilight session at Thermae Bath Spa might just be one of the best ways to unwind at the end of the day – whether you’re visiting on your own or with another. This special package has just about everything you might need to rest, reset and recharge: two hours to spend in the spa (including full use of the multi-sensory Wellness Suite, indoor Minerva Bath and open-air Rooftop Pool), a spa treatment, a sharing platter and seasonal side – plus drink – in the Springs Café, and complimentary use of towels and robes. We also upgraded our visit with a spa treatment. The last entry is at 6pm, which is ideal if you need to organise childcare or finish a day’s work before switching off and fully embracing the experience.
Arriving at the Thermae Bath Spa is a slick process from the very first moment. Your phone is put in a water-protective, locked pouch – providing the perfect excuse for a digital detox – and you’re handed a soft towel and robe. A pro tip if you’re worried about your footing is to bring your own clean flip flops as slippers aren’t provided. Make a mental note of the building’s layout as well using the map by the entrance, as there are indulgences to be found on every level of the spa via the Rotunda staircase – though there’s plenty of helpful signage to point you in the right direction once you’re inside and your belongings are safely away in the spacious lockers (you can access them easily throughout your visit via a digital wristband).
On our visit (the Twilight for Two package), we had about 30 minutes to enjoy ourselves before heading to the Minerva Treatment Suite for our spa treatment. We decided to spend this time in the Minerva Bath – the largest thermal bath in the building, named after the Roman goddess of health and wisdom – so it was an easy 10-second commute when the time came. The Minerva Bath’s waters flow gently like a lazy river and it’s wonderfully relaxing to enjoy gentle conversation while letting the current carry you; for people seeking even greater invigoration, there’s an integrated whirlpool.
Our chosen upgraded spa treatment was a 50-minute traditional full body massage in a warm, welcoming room, using high-quality Elemis products (including the Warm Up Massage Balm, which is now on my ‘to buy’ list). If, like me, you’re plagued with tension and muscular aches and pains, this medium-pressure massage including feet, legs, arms, upper chest, back, neck, shoulders and scalp is exceptional. My spa partner was a new mother and realised it was the first time in four or five months that she’d done anything just for herself. We had time to unwind in the relaxation area afterwards, sipping herbal tea in a dreamlike state, exchanging delirious giggles and wondering how long this bliss would last before desk jobs and babies beckoned our bad habits back.
It’s amazing how much you can fit into your Twilight package without feeling rushed. Once we finished our teas, we wandered up to Springs Café in time for our meal booking: a luxurious platter for two, complete with zingy tomato soup, fresh bread, and a selection of crackers, meats and cheeses – plus grapes – and a choice of drink. I went for a cranberry juice; my friend squeezed every inch out of a baby-free evening with a glass of white wine.
The remainder of our experience was spent touring the rest of the facilities at our leisure. A bitingly cold night meant that the rooftop pool looked awesomely atmospheric lit up, with steam rising off into the darkness of the city skyline. We pottered downstairs to the Wellness Suite – swapping stimulating sessions in the ice chamber with a choice of two themed elegant, aromatic steam rooms (with nods to Bath’s Roman and Georgian roots), a restorative glowing infrared room that transmits soothing infrared waves of light deep into the muscles and joints, and a serene celestial relaxation room waiting to transport us to a another dimension with heated loungers (inspired by the work of siblings William and Caroline Herschel, the Bath–based astronomers).
Even showering off in the Wellness Suite is a heightened sensory experience, almost impossible to recreate at home, with colourful lighting, fragranced air and music meaning your final moments enjoying the thermal waters become the perfect summation as to why it’s important to recharge our batteries – whether you’ve spent too long in front of a computer, are a new mother or simply need some ‘me time’.
The Twilight package can be booked by calling Thermae Bath Spa’s Reservations team on 01225 331 234. Mealtimes are allocated at the time of booking. Friday evenings are very popular, so advance booking is advised. The package is available Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) from 3pm, with the last full entry at 6pm. Subject to availability | thermaebathspa.com
