Nirvana Spa Wokingham

Nirvana Spa's beautiful Relaxation Pool

Nirvana Spa

“This is cheaper than the Dead Sea,” laughed a costume’d lady to my right. She was right.

This was my first-ever flotation treatment (£59) and I was enjoying every second. Initially, I had been sceptical about the benefits of taking a soak in a spring-fed tank packed with – let’s face it – a lifetime’s supply of heart-corroding sodium chloride.

But combine 100 tons of salt with 21 body-enriching minerals from the legendary Israeli sea in 36°C heated water, add dim lighting and soporific music and the result is blissful relaxation.

Nirvana Spa's flotation tank is packed with Dead Sea salt
Nirvana Spa

In fact, 40 minutes of slumber in Nirvana Spa’s Celestial Pool (complete with domed, starlit-effect ceiling and stylish, zodiac-themed décor) was equivalent to four hours sleep in a bed, according to our spa therapist.

Impressed, I resolved to have a snooze in the pool, but I ended up flailing my limbs whenever the gentle current caused me to nudge one of the five other women in the tank, who were all remained steadfastly unflinhing. Following their lead, I closed my eyes and slumped my body in the water, trying hard to mentally and physically relax and enjoy the sensation of simply floating. Tranquillity soon enveloped me – and there were moments when I indeed felt close to sleep. When the lights switched on at the end of our treatment, I was sorry to leave the flotation tank.

However, there was plenty of enticing other facilities to explore in the Nirvana Spa. Wrapped in a soft white robe, I headed for the beautiful Roman Room, the spa’s crown jewels.

Nirvana Spa's Roman pool is show-stopping
Nirvana Spa

Here Italianate columns, tropical artwork featuring Mediterranean inspired gardens and sea views, exotic fauna and bird life and palm trees overlooked a central, pure water pool flooded with light from a wall of arched windows. The stylish, elegant interior from the rustic brickwork to the sophisticated loungers and non-intrusive background music made me feel like I was in the lap of luxury.

Yet there was nothing pretentious about the Nirvana Spa. Casting my eye over my fellow spa users, I saw women – and a sprinkling of men – of all ages, reading magazines and newspapers, chatting discreetly, listening to iPods and snoozing. The atmosphere was soothing and peaceful.

I lingered for several minutes and took a dip in the pool before my curiosity got the better of me. As the largest spa in the UK (the self-guided maps come in handy), I was keen to see what else what on offer.

I padded to the Surf Room where a large hydrotherapy pool featured 53 hidden jets. Wading through the swirling, bubbling water, I did a circuit of the pool, enjoying a variety of powerful massages which pummelled my feet, hips, back, neck and shoulders. It was great fun, and judging from the beaming smile of one woman, I could tell it was restorative too.

My next stop was the 25m-long (82ft) fitness pool elegantly decorated in Egytian-themed murals, but in my quest for further pampering, I decided to shun exercise for the tranquil Nirvana Room where a number of prostrate bodies lay splayed on heated ceramic loungers. The only sound came from the tinkle of water from a central fountain. I tried once again to enjoy a slumber but gave up after 20 minutes, unable to relax on my stone mattress.

Instead, I took refuge in the Aromatherapy Steam Room, Squinting through a thick, cloud-like haze whilst my nostrils tingled with a Menthol-like vapour, I found a seat and let the steam work its magic. Ten minutes later, I felt wonderfully revived.

Over the course of seven hours, I wondered in and out the spa’s various pools and also enjoyed two treatments. My 25-minute Celestial Head in the Clouds (£33) massage of my neck, shoulders, head and back succeeded in allieviating knots that had ravaged me for weeks. A 55-minute Swedish Full Body Massage (£60) was excellent despite the fact the masseur failed to apply stronger pressure when I asked.

A Head in the Clouds massage at Nirvana Spa
Nirvana Spa

Throughout the day, I used my swipe card to enjoy complimentary hot and cold drinks. At lunchtime, I ate in the light and airy Garden Café. The menu offered everything from soup, salads and wraps to vegetarian and gluten-free options. I decided to eschew the rather overpriced mains such as salmon steak (£10.75), vegetarian curry (£8.95) and beef fillet (£13.95) for the complimentary salad buffet, which was substantial and delicious. My health kick hit a hurdle later in the afternoon when I decided to treat myself to a glass of sparkling wine and a cake but what’s pampering without a few calorific indulgences thrown in?

The Nirvana Spa takes some effort to reach for Londoners, but if you want a special treat, it costs £129 at the weekend. Certainly cheaper than a holiday to the Dead Sea.

Nirvana Spa
Mole Road, Sindlesham, Wokingham, Berks, RG41 5DJ
Tel: (0118) 989 7575.
Website: www.nirvanaspa.co.uk
Prices for day spa experience costs £108 (Monday-Thursday) and £129 (Friday-Sunday).