Christmas comforts: spa treats at Lush and Fortnum

Knots. Don’t talk to me about knots. My knots have knots. If a toddler is a sapling, tall and straight, then I’m an oak tree, wizened and knotted and starting to bend.

At least every winter I am. I don’t know, something about the combination of the weather, darkness and general tiredness of the year coming to an end seems to wear me down. Added to that, the frenzy of the Christmas build-up, the shopping, the planning, the booking of holidays, meeting up with friends – yes, it’s great and I love it, but it doesn’t half do my back in.

What’s the solution? A massage of course! In the busy run up to Christmas, here are two of my favourites.

All-over body massage at Lush

We all know Lush on the high street; you can clock the heady fragrance half-way down the street. What you might not know is that some Lush stores also have spas, perfectly placed to soothe stressed shoppers in their time of need.

A brand that plays with names and flavours in its products – Dashing Santa, Snow Fairy Sparkle, Reindeer Rock – will have no problem creating an inventive treatment list. And so it is; I choose The Good Hour (lasts 70 minutes) from a list that includes Hard Day’s Night, The Spell and Validation Facial – each with its own unique soundtrack, specially created for Lush by Grammy award-nominated musician Simon Emmerson.

It’s the promise of sea shanties that draws me to it, as well as the knot-untying anticipation of full body, deep tissue massage. Note: if you like the sound of gentle bells or birdsong while you spa, this one’s not for you. But I loved the rousing tunes, the jigs and hornpipes and the chanting of ‘sailors at work’, untying the knots in the ropes of the ship as the knots were untied in my back – clever, eh?

It begins with a blast of ‘sea mist’ as a furiously fizzing Big Blue Bath Bomb is diffused in the room. Then with a rumble of thunder and a crashing of waves, we’re off! The pressure applied was nice firm – I was told to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10 as went along – so I always had the option of increasing or decreasing intensity; the knots in my back and shoulders were worked on intensely and with vigour by Holly – an excellent therapist.

I got the chance to choose my massage bar at the start – a refreshing mix of cinnamon and cloves – and Holly also used a cooling green jelly bar during the treatment, it helps work out the knots. I get to bring the rest of the massage bar home with me afterwards.

I also get treated to a cup of specially-created tea afterwards – I can add a few drops from the bottle of sea rum on my tea tray if I like, and I do like! There’s also a jar of biscuits and some fruit, all served in the lovely little rustic kitchen in the spa area. I enjoy it all and feel invigorated with a straighter back. I’m ready to do battle on the streets of London again!

The Good Hour is a 70-minute massage treatment and costs £80. Lush spas are located in London, Kingston, Leeds, Liverpool, Poole and Edinburgh. For more information visit www.lush.co.uk

The Flagging Shopper at Fortnum & Mason

You may be familiar with Fortnum & Mason as the purveyor of fine foods, fashion and homewares, grocer to the Queen and the home of gorgeous musical biscuit tins at Christmas. But, tucked away on the third floor, in behind babywear and charming children’s toys, Fortnum’s Beauty Rooms are a well-kept secret of elegant pampering. It’s a true oasis in the middle of busy Piccadilly, with sumptuously appointed rooms – all luxurious wallpaper and mirrored boudoir furniture – with beautiful beauty products to sample post-treatment (well, I assume it was okay to help myself to the lovely hand and body creams, plus fragrant spritzes on the dressing table at the end of my massage).

The Flagging Shopper treatment is the perfect way to pep-yourself up mid-shop, or work out the tension before you head home. The 50-minute foot refresher and back massage won’t eat too much into your shopping time, but will put a spring back in your step, while smoothing tired muscles. Lynette, my therapist, is clearly a legend in the Beauty Rooms; the visitor book is overflowing with compliments for her top techniques. One reason to finish Christmas shopping with a  smile!

The Flagging Shopper treatment lasts for 50 minutes and costs £50, for more information visit Fortnum & Mason’s beauty rooms website www.fortnumandmason.com

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