Careys Manor SenSpa – luxury retreat
Every now and then, I feel the need of being pampered; and not that I mind my husband’s foot rub and two minutes massage, but there comes a time when leaving professionals do their work will do wonders in a relationship. When we packed two weeks ago to indulge on a spa weekend to Careys Manor in Hamsphire, it started pouring outside, and the nature was unraveling in an unpredictable way. The perfect time to spend inside, my husband said. And with all the treasure inside Careys Manor hotel and spa, we couldn’t care less of the weather outside. 
English traditional accommodation: comfort and tranquility
Nestled away in the historic trees of the magnificent New Forest National Park, the hotel is a sanctuary where you can unwind your mind, detox your soul and indulge your senses. With 77 luxurious and elegantly designed bedrooms and suites, Careys Manor is not only the best retreat you could find in the area, but is also an award winning SenSpa with 3 top restaurants and 4 star award winning service. We’ve witnessed the quality of their service first hand upon our arrival, when we were approached by smiling and helpful staff at the reception, and everywhere we went, actually. After a tour of the entire complex, we went into our spacious room and I personally was impressed with the comfort and tranquility in this sanctuary. The view outside our room was mesmerizing, everything green with a blooming pink tree at the centre of the garden.
Dine in style at Careys Manor
We started our relaxation with a well deserved lunch at Zen Garden, inspired from the authentic Thai cuisine. Offering a fresh infusion of exotic flavours that create exquisite Thai cuisine, the menu is sourced only from the finest ingredients and uses local and organic products, while the traditional Thai decor adds value to the tranquil and relaxed dining atmosphere. I started my lunch with a golden king prawns with bitter nut leaves in light curry batter and served with tamarind sauce, while my husband had the best salad I’ve ever tasted: Spicy New Forest Mushrooms flavored with fresh mint leaves and crushed roasted rice. 
For mains we’ve indulged in a symphony of Asian tastes: Crispy seabass Fillet on sweet and sour with pineapple,mushroom,tomato,bell pepper and cucumber; and Sautéed Chicken with vegetables in a sweet chili sauce with cashew nuts. The lunch of a champion, really filling, tasty, and fun at the same time. 
Discover award winning Senspa facilities
We’ve booked a couple massage a few hours after lunch, and we were both met by two lovely masseuses who were constantly showing care, professionalism and serenity. I’ve had the pregnancy massage. So relaxing and nurturing full body massage, using traditional Swedish techniques to ease out tension and soothe the aches and pains related with pregnancy. Such an amazing massage, felt like a baby right afterwards and must’ve fell asleep for a few minutes, wondering in other lands.
My husband had the Essential relaxation massage, a full body therapeutic treatment using Swedish massage techniques with cold pressed, organic oils blended with essential oils. A popular choice from what I’ve heard, where all the major muscle groups in the body are encouraged to release stored tension with long, soothing strokes, circling and kneading movements, thumb pressures and chopping movements, working from feet through to neck and shoulders, where tension is often held. Essential Relaxation massage calms the nervous system, releases muscle tension, improves the texture and tone of the skin, encourages deeper breathing, aids insomnia and improves circulation. 
We’ve spent the rest of the day at the Spa facilities. The state-of-the-art hydrotherapy facilities, combined with world-class spa treatments performed by the UK’s top Thai and Western therapists, offered us an experience that is out of this world. Because I am pregnant, I couldn’t access some of the saunas and Jacuzzi, but I still got to enjoy the Tepidarium room and the hydrotherapy pool. With over 20 different facilities, there is plenty to choose from. The sauna and treatment rooms were my husband’s favourite, and I must confess, I was peaking through the door and made a mental note to come back after I give birth, and properly enjoy the crystal salt room and herbal sauna. There is also a gym available for energizing workouts, if you want your stay to be complete.
A luxury retreat in the heart of the New Forest
Pure relaxation and rejuvenation at Careys Manor Hotel and Spa, but you also need to eat. With three restaurants, each appealing for every taste – whether you prefer fine dining in the award winning hotel restaurant, a relaxed atmosphere in the French bistro or a taste of the exotic with authentic Thai cuisine, you will feel pampered every time. For dinner we went to Le Blaireau, providing a relaxed enjoyable atmosphere offering simple, high quality authentic French cuisine. The menu is inspired by regional French cooking and the food is really tasty, the service is excellent, no wonder the entire location has won awards for their accommodation and staff. 
In conclusion, you definitely need to visit this beautiful hotel and Spa set in Brockenhurst, the perfect place to enjoy afternoon tea, delicious dining, luxurious spa facilities and treatments, whilst exploring nearby New Forest attractions. Combining elegant English tradition with contemporary oriental sophistication, it is the ideal place to enjoy a unique relaxation break. The friendly staff are on hand to ensure your stay is relaxed and as comfortable as possible. We’ve had an incredible time at Careys Manor, with all the heavy rain outside, and we’re looking forward to return!
