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Relaxing Spa Treats in the Heart of Kent

November 2009

As the year draws to a close why not get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life and indulge in a luxurious spa treat?

The Heart of Kent area includes Royal Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Ashford, Tonbridge, Maidstone and all the surrounding villages, many of which are home sumptuous spas and stunning accommodation, all offering the finest in rest and relaxation in the Garden of England.

The Heart of Kent tourism partnership, which is well known for its creative itineraries, has put together a list of some of the best spas in the region for visitors to enjoy.

Royal Tunbridge Wells is well known as a spa town, with its Chalybeate Spring (chalybeate means it contains iron) which visitors still drink from today. But if it hadn't been for nobleman, Lord North, stumbling on the spring back in 1606 the town's history might have been quite different. At the time, Lord North was staying in Kent recovering from a spot of over indulgence at the court of James I. Already familiar with the health spas of Germany, he drank from the spring with rust coloured edges and claimed to be cured. On his return to London he told all his rich friends about the amazing curative powers of the Tunbridge Wells' spring, and before long ladies and gentlemen were flocking to the town to "take the waters".

Within two years, wells were dug and by 1636 the town sported two coffee houses - one for ladies, one for gentlemen. Then in 1687 the Pantiles - known then as The Walks - were built, and Tunbridge Wells was firmly established as an elegant spa town - much visited by royalty and gentry.

The Royal Day Spa & Member's Health Club - Royal Tunbridge Wells
Voted the best day spa in the UK by the professional beauty awards 2009, The Royal Day Spa offers the ultimate in spa luxury. In the five treatment rooms you can enjoy a wide range of scientifically advanced treatments and herbal therapies with organic products. There is a range of energetic classes to take part in and a state of the art gym, offering an alternative to outdoor pursuits. Visitors can unwind in the saltwater pool or in the Haman Suite with an elegant sauna and steam rooms. The ballroom offers a luxurious place to relax where visitors can sink into the large cocoon floor cushions surrounded by flickering lanterns. Here guests can flick through a paper or magazine whilst enjoying picnic lunches or afternoon tea as well as a range of refreshing drinks. The bedroom is a temperature controlled space for post treatment relaxation. The giant bed has a Tempur mattress that moulds to your shape, allowing you to savour the lasting effects of your treatments. The spa offers a variety of packages to choose from. www.royal-dayspa.co.uk

The Spa Hotel - Royal Tunbridge Wells
Located on the edge of Royal Tunbridge Wells, the Spa Hotel is an 18th century mansion with 70 rooms nestled in 14 acres of idyllic grounds. Visitors can enjoy the 'Spa Health', complete with indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gymnasium. The 'Spa Spa' offers a variety of luxurious treatments and therapies which help guests relax and achieve a sense of well being. Visitors can book treatments or choose from the range of day and break packages on offer. The hotel offers a selection of menus to suit all tastes in the Chandelier Restaurant and Zagatos Champagne Bar, or visitors can enjoy the extensive lounge and orangery menu or afternoon tea. www.spahotel.co.uk

Champneys - Royal Tunbridge Wells
Champneys Town & City Spa in Royal Tunbridge Wells is located in the pretty High Street of the town and provides the perfect environment in relaxing surroundings to enjoy an impressive range of spa therapies. The impressive glass atrium on the first floor contains the spa's manicure and pedicure area where you can have a pedicure and watch the clouds go by. There is a good range of Champneys facials and body treatments to choose from including the popular Chocolate Wrapper body wrap. Beauty treatments feature prominently on the menu -- waxing, eyebrow shaping, eyelash tinting. You're also spoilt for choice when it comes to manicures and pedicures -- eight to choose. Champneys Tunbridge Wells: 7 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, www.champneys.com

Eastwell Manor - Ashford
A quality, four star country house hotel, Eastwell Manor has a well deserved reputation for its accommodation, spa and leisure facilities. The hotel has a selection of rooms, all decorated to reflect the historical elements of the hotel. The spa and gym area can be accessed by guests and day visitors. 'The Pavilion' is one of the finest luxury leisure and spa experiences in the South of England and embodies the very best in health, beauty and fitness in keeping with the unique quality of Eastwell Manor. Visitors can enjoy a 20-metre heated pool, a major therapy pool, a Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, showers and other surprises. Visitors can also use the gym which has the very latest state-of-the art 'Technogym' equipment. 'Dreams', the extensive beauty and therapy area, has 15 luxurious treatment rooms available for ladies and gentlemen alike. The dedicated and trained team of therapists and beauticians offer numerous and varied treatments. Clients of 'Dreams' can relax in the tranquil 'Silks Lounge' before or after treatments, and enjoy wonderful views over the Kent countryside whilst taking light refreshments. Eastwell Manor also has an all weather tennis court and outdoor heated pool, surrounded by picturesque formal gardens and the 3,000-acre Estate. The hotel has two restaurants, the Manor Restaurant and Brasserie where visitors can indulge in a range of delicious dishes. www.eastwellmanor.com

London Beach Country Hotel & Spa - Tenterden
London Beach is a secluded country hotel located just two minutes from the picturesque town of Tenterden. The hotel offers a selection of en suite rooms with balconies overlooking the surrounding countryside. The newly opened spa area offers a hydrotherapy pool with built in underwater loungers, an infinity pool and sauna and steam rooms. In the special, ladies only area, female visitors can take advantage of a beautiful relaxation room, complete with its own Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, where they can even plug in their IPODs to the sound system and relax. The expert staff offer a variety of beauty treatments and beauty therapies including exfoliation treatments, massages, facials and much more. After visiting the spa, visitors can relax in the Juice Bar and enjoy healthy snacks and light meals. There is also a main restaurant where visitors can enjoy a range of meals, either inside or outside in the conservatory or on the terrace. The hotel also has a golf course and gym which can be accessed by members. The hotel offers a selection of packages including overnight spa breaks, gardens breaks and fishing breaks. www.londonbeach.com

Kalmora Day Spa - Goudhurst
Located in the picturesque village of Goudhurst, Kalmora Spa offers outstanding views across the Kent countryside. At the spa, visitors can enjoy a wide range of luxurious treatments from Dead Sea hydrofloatation, anti-ageing facials, and inch-loss body wraps to Indian head massage and Fake Bake tanning. The Kalmora therapists are on hand to recommend a personalised spa treatment and product programme. www.kalmoraspa.com

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa - Sevenoaks
Brandshatch Place is an elegant Georgian Mansion built in 1906 situated in a picturesque country setting, with individual and beautifully furnished rooms. The hotel restaurant, which has been awarded two AA rosettes for exceptional cuisine, offers an assortment of original English dishes, which can be enjoyed in the restaurant, or in one of the private dining rooms. The hotel has a Health Club which includes a tennis court, a gym, a swimming pool, and a squash court. The Spa has treatment rooms, a relaxation room and amber lounge, as well as hydrotherapy pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms. During time in the spa visitors can enjoy a range of treatments as well as full use of the health club facilities. The Spa Brasserie serves a range of refreshments and healthy dining options, however guests can also order from the hotel a la carte menu. The spa offers a range of packages and deals as well as spa events. Driving tuition at the nearby Brands Hatch race track or golf at the London Golf Club can be arranged by the Hotel. www.handpickedhotels.co.uk

Ashdown Park Hotel - East Sussex
Ashdown Park is a remarkable country house set in 186 acres of grounds in the heart of Ashdown Forest. The hotel offers luxurious accommodation in a selection of beautifully decorated rooms and dining in either the award-winning Anderida Restaurant, in front of an open fire in the Drawing Rooms, or in the Fairways Lounge. Visitors can enjoy walks through the surrounding woodland or take advantage of the year round golf club, the indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room or enjoy a game of tennis, croquet or snooker. Visitors can also work out in the well equipped gym or take part in a variety of classes in the air-conditioned aerobics studio. Ashdown is home to an award-winning salon which offers a wide range of beauty treatments including massages and heat treatments as well as prescription facials and makeovers. The professional therapists are happy to advice guests on the best treatments to choose. The hotel offers a selection of packages for visitors which include musical and gourmet evenings, romantic getaways and spa breaks. www.ashdownpark.com

International Hotel - Ashford
Ten minutes from the channel tunnel rail link and new fast train to London, the Ashford international hotel provides a perfect escape. The hotel has 179 rooms and delicious dining opportunities in the trendy Horizon restaurant and bar or the Quench bar. The hotel's spa and leisure club is open to the hotel guests, pamper day guests and leisure club members. The gym has an array of equipment to choose from and a trained member of staff is on site to show guests how they work and find the best fitness programme to suit them. The spa offers a relaxing haven where visitors can indulge in treatments and therapies after enjoying the heated loungers by the pool or releasing stress in the steam room. Before each treatment guests will have a mini consultation and afterwards have the opportunity to purchase their favourite products for use at home. www.qhotels.co.uk 01233 219988

Marriott Tudor Park Hotel & Country Club - Maidstone
Having undergone a £4.5 million renovation, the Marriot Tudor Park Hotel offers a luxurious break for all visitors. There are two gymnasiums on site offering free fitness classes as well as a pool and sauna, where visitors can unwind before entering the spa. The park health and beauty salon offers a relaxing atmosphere, allowing guests to revitalise body and mind as they enjoy the range of luxurious treatments on offer. Treatments include body scrubs and wraps, facial treatments, fitness counselling and massages. Visitors can complete their day with a delicious meal in either the Conical Grill, with views across the golf club and surrounding area, or the Zest Bar or Mezzanine Bar. The hotel also has a golf club and there is a variety of other activities on offer in the nearby town of Maidstone. www.marriott.co.uk

Ramada Hotels - Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells
It's all about indulgence in the health club at our Ramada Hotels in Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone. Swim fast laps in the heated indoor swimming pool or simply soak in the spa bath. Melt your tensions away in our steam room and sauna and treat yourself to a makeover from a full range of beauty and spa treatments. www.ramadajarvis.co.uk

The Heart of Kent tourism partnership encourages holidays and short stays in the area and the website www.visitheartofkent.com has details of all accommodation as well as attractions and events.