NEED TO KNOW
WHEN most people drive down the M57, they’re either in a rush for work or on their way to Knowsley Safari Park. But it’s worth taking the turn off to switch off and chill out, because Knowsley Suites Hotel and Spa, there, takes wellness seriously.
Superb facilities, fantastic food and welcoming staff make this the ideal place if you are looking for a little luxury pampering mini-break or to ease the stresses of a business trip.
The traditional exterior belies the beautiful décor inside – particularly the spa – where a combination of browns, white and deep purples create an Arabian-infused backdrop.
Close your eyes, take a sip of one of the many herbal teas on offer, and you could be deep in a Dubai souk.
Suites is arranged through multiple rooms all aimed at increasing your relaxation. The thermal suite features a double Rasul (an arabic mud treatment) chamber, foot spa, rainforest shower, hot beds, Himalayan salt inhalation steam room, sauna and ice room. And that’s just one part.
The relaxation room is a secluded sanctuary of double beds, soft blankets and unlimited teas, coffee and water – Oh, and you can enjoy strawberries and prosecco. What’s not to like?
Whether you lounge, gossip with friends or sit back with your partner, the relaxation room is a tranquil haven.
When it’s time to indulge in one of the treatments on offer, a trained therapist will accompany you to one of seven single or double treatment rooms.
My mother and I opted for different treatments. I chose the ‘Drift’ full body massage, which aims to reduce stress.
First a full body brushing session exfoliates any dead skin. Warm soya bean oil then heats the skin’s inflammatory areas.
What’s great about Suites is that the therapists cater to individual needs. I get frequent knots in my shoulders, so we agreed on a medium-to-high pressure massage.
But they don’t just offer massages. My mother picked the ‘Glow Facial’ which was again tailored to her skin needs, be they rehydration, repairing or balancing oils.
In addition to her facial, my mum enjoyed a foot massage and a scalp massage.
After our pampering sessions, we were both in seventh heaven .
If you are planning to stay the night, as the name suggests, at the four-star Suites Hotel & Spa every guest gets a suite.
They have plenty of desk space if you must get on with work, but having a separate bedroom lets you strike a balance between work and leisure.
But by far, the highlight of our stay was the food. It is exceptional, immaculately presented and served by friendly, local waiting staff.
For lunch, both myself and my mother wanted something light and luckily there is plenty of variety, from burgers to afternoon tea. I chose the roasted vegetable cous cous salad and my mother went for the baby prawn and mango salad. ■ LOTTIE GIBBONS stayed at Suites Hotel and Spa, Knowsley as a guest of the owners.
■ SHE and her partner enjoyed a ‘Just the two of us’ package priced at £320 per couple.
■ YOU can book a spa break by calling Suite Hotel & Spa on 0151 549 2222 or through the website suiteshotelgroup.com
My dish was finished with a pesto sauce, which complemented the mixed vegetables well.
However, I was left with food envy after my mother’s salad featured what seem to be an endless amount of prawns garnished with Marie Rose sauce – there’s no scrimping at Suites.
As for the evening menu, our package entitled us to a starter and main or main and dessert. Again, wanting to test the culinary offerings, my mother and I choose different dishes.
I started out with the chicken pistachio terrine, served with onion jam, apricot puree, bread crisp. Once again, the considerable portions were welcome and I was left feeling satisfied after just one course.
For my main, I chose the wild mushroom gnocchi served with cream truffle, which was the final confirmation that this truly was a luxury spa break.
My mother opted for hake fillet served with butternut squash fondant and veloute finished with fennel. Not only was it a visual feast, she assured me it tasted just as good as it looked.
For dessert, she had a crème brûlée tart served in a pastry case and finished with summer fruits which balanced the sweetness of the pastry.
Similarly, the unlimited breakfast bar serving everything from a full English to the sumptuous forest fruits tarte is a foodie’s heaven.
Overall, packages with full-board accommodation and spa treatments are great value considering the quality of the treatments, facilities and location.