February: Farnham Estate
Friday 1st February 2008 by Elizabeth Richards
Feeling in need of some R&R? Is a bit of 'me time' just what the doctor ordered? Or are you after a gift for someone who has everything?
A spa break, whether it's for an hour of an evening or a long weekend away, always does the trick so tune in monthly for our resident Spa Expert's pick of the very best spas selling their experiences online.
 For February, Farnham Estate got our vote.
Where is it?
Farnham Estate, Cavan, Ireland
www.FarnhamEstate.ie 
The line
Ireland’s largest health spa located within the luxurious Farnham Estate.
The scene
Ninety minutes from Dublin and surrounded by 1,300 acres of unspoilt woodland and rolling countryside, the Farnham Estate is truly a world away from everyday life. The health spa itself – brand new and occupying 40,000 square feet over two floors – has nineteen wet and dry treatment rooms and is beautifully styled with state of the art facilities.
Those in need of a bit of R&R will enjoy the thermal suite, trio of steam chambers and stylish relaxation rooms while exercise junkies should try the modern gym, yoga studio and forest running trails. There’s also a seriously sexy indoor-outdoor infinity hydrotherapy pool with leg and back massage jets.
Who goes?
High profile personalities from the world of business and entertainment as well as honeymooners and professional couples looking for a bit of downtime. Expect to see families at the weekend and in school holidays although only in and around the hotel – the health spa is strictly over 18s only so peace and quiet is almost a certainty!
The menu
Choose from treatments for face and body including hydrotherapy baths, hot stone rituals, wraps and scrubs, reflexology and aromatherapy massage. Waxing, tanning, health and fitness testing and a range of indoor and outdoor exercise classes are also available. There’s even a tiny salon so you can freshen hair with a wash and blow dry and have your makeup done.
The names
Aromatherapy Associates plus Swedish spa brand Kerstin Florian.
We tried
The signature Farnham Estate Cure, €180 for two hours. Carried out in one of the spa’s two Trilogy treatment rooms, this comprehensive treatment sounded scary but was incredibly luxurious.
Left for half an hour to enjoy a hydrotherapy bath (low lighting, a gently glowing tub and plenty of bubbles), a moor mud wrap was then applied to the body and allowed to dry while a mini facial was performed. After showering off the mud, the treatment continued with a full body massage before myrrh oil was applied to the nails to finish.
The results
Showering off the mud was a challenge but the results were impressive: skin looked and felt soft, smooth and toned for at least a week post-spa. The massage was exceptionally good, finding and fixing tense muscles from top to toe (even in hands and feet).
Special mention
Take time to unwind, revive and cleanse the body in the Water Mint Thermal Suite which is simply styled, spotlessly clean and (when we visited on a Friday) surprisingly quiet. Facilities include the amethyst salt grotto, herbal steam bath, laconium, Finnish sauna, ice fountain, snail showers, reflexology foot bath and Kniepp walk.
Accommodation
With 158 bedroom and individually designed suites, the world class Radisson SAS Farnham Estate hotel blends original features (the house is over three centuries old) with modern design for a sophisticated, very stylish weekend break. Dining offers a choice of three restaurants (one for private hire) while there is also a cosy cellar bar and three beautiful drawing rooms for morning coffee or afternoon tea. An 18-hole Jeff Howes golf course opens this year.
Gift vouchers
Monetary gift vouchers are available online with delivery to yourself or a recipient (allow several days). For last minute panics, choose their email voucher which is delivered immediately. There is a minimum purchase of €100 on all gift vouchers.
Visit www.FarnhamEstate.ie
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