INTRO: Seaham Hall Hotel’s Serenity Spa is constantly evolving to offer clients the very best in luxurious treatments and leisure and relaxation facilities. That includes the new Skin & Aesthetics clinic, offering everything from advanced facials to non-invasive surgical treatments.
EDB editor Leanne Fawcett went along to experience the Hydra Radiance Spa Day, with a Platinum HydraFacial by Novara and a two-course lunch in the new Japanese restaurant, Geko. Here’s what she thought…
Over the past 16 months I have been on a real lifestyle and wellness journey.
After turning 43 last year, and giving birth to my son, Ellis in 2023, I decided enough was enough and I was getting myself into shape.
I knew how to lose weight, but what I also wanted was to change how I approached everything, from what I put in my body to how I look after my skin and the clothes I wear. I was determined that when I reached my target weight, I’d keep it off.
And I must confess, having lost just over 50lbs, I am a little bit obsessed with how I care for myself, so when I was given the chance to visit the new Serenity Spa – Skin and Aesthetics at Seaham Hall Hotel to try out the Platinum HydraFacial, I could not get there quickly enough.
Offering the very latest in skincare treatments and non-invasive cosmetic surgery, Skin and Aesthetics is one of several additions and improvements the spa has introduced in recent months, which has also seen the Ozone restaurant replaced by a new cleaner, healthier Japanese restaurant, Geko.
My solo spa day was on a dreary Monday (if only every Monday could be spent this way!), but, driving into the grounds of the 5* hotel, I immediately felt my mood lift. Solo spa days have become my new favourite indulgence, giving me the perfect escape from my busy life running a business and being mam to my three children.
Having been advised that my 60-minute Platinum HydraFacial was booked in for 2.30pm, and lunch at 1pm, I knew I had a lovely few hours to relax in the spa, splitting my time between reading my book and trying out the various facilities which the Serenity Spa offers, from the indoor pool to do a few lengths and the outdoor hot tubs, to the steam room and sauna to give my skin a pre-facial detox.
By 1pm, I was more than ready for a bit of lunch so headed round to Geko. With an extensive menu offering raw and cooked small plates, main dishes and a selection of sides, I opted for the King Prawn Open Sando (I’d heard about them on MasterChef Australia and was keen to try it) and the Halibut, which came with a tomato and chilli sauce.
In keeping with my new healthier lifestyle, I ordered water rather than a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which was one of dozens of choices available on the drinks menu.
When food arrived, both courses together, I was impressed with my choices. The Sando was packed full of juicy king prawns – the best way I can describe it is that it’s like an elevated prawn toast – while the halibut was incredibly light, accompanied by pak choi and a beautiful oil come sauce, which also included sesame seeds.
The food was delicious, and having eaten many times in the Ozone restaurant and never had a bad meal, what I would say is Geko’s offering is much more in keeping with the overall spa – everything is lighter, cleaner and fresher, and there seems to be more choice too.
After lunch I headed back to the spa until it was time to go for my treatment.
I was genuinely intrigued about what to expect from the HydraFacial, in comparison to facials I have had in the past.
My treatment was being carried out by LesleyAnne, who told me from the off what to expect. I was in no doubt this was not like anything I’d had before – this was to be a facial delivered in the main by machine, using Vortex Fusion Technology. As she pointed out to me, she isn’t a massage therapist, she’s a skin technician, but would conduct each of the seven (yes seven) stages to my treatment herself.
Now, this is where I get a bit technical, to really explain what this facial is all about.
As I said, this is a process of multiple stages, starting with an initial cleanse of the face, which was carried out by LesleyAnne, and the lymphatic drainage therapy, which essentially moves built-up fluid through the lymphatic system. Then it’s over to the machinery. Around £60,000 has been invested in two of these bits of kit, which use the very latest in skincare technology for each stage of the treatment.
These include gentle exfoliation, pore extraction and intense hydration, where serums rich in hydraulic acid, antioxidants and peptides are penetrated into the skin to nourish and revitalise.
What’s unique about this treatment is, it includes a booster which is specifically targeted to your skin needs, in my case fine lines (it could also work for skin conditions such as acne).
The treatment concludes with LED light therapy to stimulate collagen, which is designed to leave your skin glowing and rejuvenated. Although this stage feels a bit like I’d imagine you’d feel being in space, you are treated to a simply wonderful hand and arm massage which was an added bonus while the light works its magic.
At the end of the treatment, LesleyAnne showed me the ‘gunk’ which had been extracted from my skin. I couldn’t believe it – you can actually see the dead skin floating around in the fluorescent liquid. Quite remarkable!
Afterwards, my skin genuinely felt revitalised and so soft, and for days after I did feel like I had a lovely natural glow.
So, would I go back for this type of facial, which costs around £180 for the Platinum experience and £120 for the 30-minute signature treatment?
Yes I think so. While this isn’t your run of the mill facial which will have you so relaxed you could float away, it will leave your skin looking radiant and more youthful. Which, for me as a woman in her mid-forties, is all I can ask for!
*** Serenity Spa – Skin and Aesthetics offers a course of HydraFacial treatments for the most transformative skin results: These are the Signature HydraFacial course of six from £600 and the Platinum HydraFacial course of six from £900. This programme works out that you get six treatments for the price of five. ***
For more information visit seaham-hall.co.uk.