4.5
Cleanliness
4.5
Location
4.0
Treatments
5.0
Service & staff
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
Food
The Location
Nirvana Spa is a purpose built day spa located close to Wokingham, in Berkshire. Being well served by the M4 motorway, it’s easy to get to from most places.
The spa itself is tucked away along a country lane, helping to put the chaos of city life behind you from the moment you arrive, and there’s plenty of free parking on sitei if you do decide to drive.
First Impressions
The building itself is rather unprepossessing, being a single story brick building with nothing but the large windows to give away what’s inside. As soon as you walk in, you are straight into a carpeted reception area, furnished with comfortable sofas.
As a member, my guest and I were welcomed at the Member’s entrance, where my guest was signed in. This meant that we didn’t have any introduction to the facilities, however I believe that this is provided for day guests.
Luxurious white robes are provided to anyone booking treatments, or they can be hired for a small fee.
The changing rooms are large and have plenty of locker storage as well as hairdryers, and even GHDs, meaning that you needn’t be without the essentials.
The shower facilities are good, although the frosted glass between cubicles does make one feel rather self-conscious!
Being a purpose built day spa that is open for upward of 16 hours a day, the standards of cleanliness were very good. We didn’t actually see any cleaners/rotas at all throughout the day, however everything was spotlessly clean.
The Treaments
We had treatments booked for 10am, shortly after we arrived. The treatment area has had a facelift recently, and now offers a beautiful large, darkened, candle lit room where spa-goers can await their treatment.
We had opted for the hour-long hot stone massage, at £65. The treatment itself was lovely- very relaxing and in a lovely treatment room. The therapist was very competent, and friendly, without being too chatty. Upon completion of the treatment, we enjoyed herbal tea whilst relaxing on one the heated loungers in the treatment waiting area. A really nice touch and something that sets you up for the rest of the day.
The Facilities:
Feeling thoroughly blissed out, we spent the rest of the day moving around the spa enjoying all that it had to offer. In my eyes, the best feature of Nirvana has to be the enormous hydrotherapy pool, offering jets to target every area of the body in a Roman-esque bathing room.
We also visited the steam rooms (there are several, all offering different aromas and experiences), braved the ice scrub (not nearly as bad as expected), and chilled out in the Tepidarium- a room full of heated ceramic loungers and silence (aside from the odd snore!).
Because we were lucky enough to be experiencing one of the warmer days of the late Summer, we also spent a lot of time outside, both in the hot tubs dotted around, and sunbathing next to the heated outdoor pool.
Food & Drink
In terms of the food and drink offerings, the restaurant (a large orangery with additional seating outside), offers a range of sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes and main meals. There is also a very impressive buffet, featuring a range of hot and cold items, and even has a gluten free section.
Nirvana is not a health spa, so wines, beers, cakes and puddings are readily available should you fancy a little extra indulgence without being scorned upon.
Portion sizes are reasonable, although the salad was a little small, more of a fillet of salmon with a garnish than a salad. We felt that the prices were fair, given that they have a captive audience, and paid around £10 for a pasta main course.
The Verdict
All in all, Nirvana remains my favourite spa of all the ones that I have visited. You genuinely feel like you have escaped the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and, being open until at least 10pm every night, you can enjoy over 12 hours of non stop relaxation.
The Nirvana staff are warm and welcoming, the facilities are second to none, and the treatments are of a high quality. It is not a cheap day out, but it is an indulgence, and one that I feel is worth every penny.
The Spa Critic
This review of Nirvana Spa was provided by Clare, mum of two (both under 3) and our mummy spa critic at SpaGuide.co.uk. Like all of our reviews, this is based on a real-life experience of the Nirvana Spa and without the company (or staff) being aware that the spa was being reviewed.