Why it works: the couple’s chocolate spa treatment for Valentine’s Day

Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa is always a romantic place to escape to, but for Valentine’s Day this year they have surpassed themselves with their bespoke Sweet Treat couple’s spa treatment made of chocolate…

What does the Sweet Treat couple’s spa treatment involve?

It’s a Valentine’s themed couple’s spa treatment that’s all about love and revolves around a chocolate candle massage. The candle is lit before you enter the room, so it smells like warm chocolate from the start. Once you’re on the treatment bed, the candle wax is used directly onto the skin. It has a really low melting point, so it feels warm and nice to the touch. 

We then do a back and neck massage before applying a thermal chocolate back wrap. The longer the wrap is on the skin, the more it warms up, which really helps to soothe, restore and ease muscles. Whilst wrapped up, you also have a lovely scalp massage, for which we can use coconut oil or do it dry if you don’t want oil in your hair.

The coconut oil really helps to relieve psoriasis or eczema, as well as softening the hair, while the massage itself is relaxing and eases tension. For the last bit of the treatment we use warm towels to remove the wrap, leaving skin feeling soft and moisturised.

Where does the Sweet Treat couple’s spa treatment come from?

The products we use are from the Natural Spa Factory, but we put the treatment together ourselves, so it’s our signature Garden Secret spa treatment. Natural Spa Factory is a fantastic company to work with as a spa because we can choose products but we have the freedom to create completely bespoke treatments from them.

What is the treatment supposed to do?

The really nice spin on this therapy is that while we know chocolate isn’t great in large quantities when it eat it, on the skin it’s wonderful for detox and helping with blemishes. It has quite a lot of caffeine in it, which is also good for speeding up the metabolism. 

The candle itself is formulated with soy beans, coconut oil and beeswax, all of which are wonderfully moisturising, while the warmth of the oil helps to relieve tension. It’s a relaxing spa treatment, but it’s also uplifting as well, so it’s a nice journey to go on. 

Who do you recommend the treatment for?

It’s nice for everybody, and while we have designed it as a couples’ spa treatment, we have also been mindful to make it so that it’s not restricted to that. It’s also great for mums and daughters, or as a treatment to have with friends. Of course, it’s also perfect for any chocolate lovers!

Is there anything you do to enhance the treatment?

As part of the Sweet Treat Limited Edition Package for Valentine’s Day, you have your treatment together in the private spa suite, where there’s a bubbling spa bath, bijoux sauna for two and a relaxation space with Prosecco and canapés provided.

Is there anything you recommend people do before or after to make the most of the treatment?

Make the most of thermal spa before your treatment to warm up the skin and muscles, and then spend time relaxing afterwards. We recommend you avoid using the spa for 30 minutes after your treatment to let your skin absorb the products. 

Is there anyone who shouldn’t have the treatment?

We can adapt it for pregnancy but apart from that it’s fine for everyone. As a spa we do have the Jennifer Young range of products for anyone going through cancer or beyond, so we can adapt treatments for personal requirements there as well.

More couple’s spa treatments for Valentine’s Day

Spa and Cinema Suite Elysium Escape at Rudding Park

At the exquisite Rudding Park, their luxurious Spa and Cinema Suite Elysium Escape includes a Couples Connect treatment (complete with Champagne and chocolates in a shared copper bath in the VIP treatment room. That is followed by a Garden of England Massage, using a trio of Rose, Camelina and Poppy seed oils.

Alternatively, you can enjoy a Duo Masterclass (again with Champagne and chocolates in a shared copper bath in the VIP treatment room), followed by a soothing side by side back massage where expert therapists teach you techniques for continuing the deeply therapeutic benefits of massage at home. Both couple’s spa treatments are an hour and 45 minutes. 

Stay in the Cinema Suite and Spa Room, which features private access to a mini cinema with three-metre-wide screen and starlight ceiling so you can watch your favourite movies back to back. The suite will have a super king size bed, a private terrace and either its own spa bath, sauna or steam room. 

Zeus & Hera at Gaia Spa at Boringdon Hall

Surrounded by the Devon moors, this romantic Valentine’s spa day is fit for the gods. It includes a 90 minute side by side couples’ spa treatment, choosing from a Gaia Serenity Treatment, a Gaia Poultice Massage and Scalp Therapy or Gaia Hot Stones Massage. You will also have use of a private relaxation space with Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Luxury Elysium Spa Break at South Lodge

Any visit to South Lodge is intrinsically romantic, but on their Luxury Elysium Spa Break you can really unwind together with an indulgent retreat that includes a Mud Room experience for two.

It starts with a cleansing head-to-toe scrub whilst steaming in your private steam room, then apply a natural mud to detoxify and finish by choosing from a selection of skincare to rehydrate and moisturise your skin.

You will also be treated to an 80-minute botanical spa treatment to restore the skin, using rose quartz, sage, chamomile, calendula, edelweiss and jojoba, a private tour and tasting at the nearby Ridgeview Winery and enjoy an eight course tasting menu in award-winning restaurant, Tom Kemble at The Pass.