USP Located in Hotel de France, one of Jersey’s finest hotels, Ayush Wellness Spa is the first UK destination spa dedicated to Ayurveda – the 5,000-year-old healing science and its principles. The spa combines authentic Indian therapies with luxurious treatments in stunning surroundings.

AMBIENCE At the end of a very long hotel corridor, you step from carpet to stone and enter the sanctuary of the spa - 17,000 square feet of stone, wood and open glass walkways overlooking landscaped gardens. A fabulous infinity pool takes centre stage, surrounded by hydrotherapy, hot and cold plunge pools with sauna and steam rooms to the side. The inner sanctum of Ayush is found upstairs on the second level; beautiful therapy rooms with muslin drapes and wooden beams, a yoga studio, and quiet room complete with water feature. It even has a spa library where you can sip herbal teas and await your treatment. Overall, the spa has an incredible feel of space and tranquillity.

EXPERIENCE Heading off for a spa break with my boyfriend the weekend before Christmas was a little unusual. I know you are meant to do that kind of thing the other side of New Year – but it just seemed like the right time to indulge in a little (or as it turned out a lot) of R&R. Particularly for my boyfriend who’s punishing work schedule had rendered him stressed and exhausted, with little time for himself, let alone me. So, with this in mind, we left a cold, wet London with our melancholy moods behind us - touching down in Jersey, all smiles as we excitedly anticipated what the weekend had in store.

Our Ayurvedic programme commenced the next morning at 11am. Already robed, we made our way to the “inner sanctum” where we warmly greeted by Fiona one of the therapists and then guided into the spa library and given a rather unusual questionnaire to determine our mind and body type constitution or “dosha”. Ayurveda works on the theory that we are a combination of three dosha’s - Pitta (fire & water), Kapha (water & earth) and Vata (air & space) with one or two being more dominant. Ideally, we should be a balance of the three for a healthy, happy and long life - this, according to Ayurvedic principles can be achieved with suitable nutrition and Ayurvedic rituals.

With questionnaires completed, David was whisked away for his first treatment – while I was ushered in to Dr Prassana’s consultation room for an in-depth diagnosis of my dosha. Taking his lead from the answers on my sheet, he weighed me, took my pulse, discussed lifestyle and diet then concluded I was Kapha-Pitta. Treatments and recommendations for regaining inner balance would be prescribed accordingly.

Eager to share the results of my diagnosis with David, I found him in the quiet room, barely lucid, mumbling something about being massaged by two therapists. I soon understood why: a four-hand massage involving two therapists working together in perfect symmetry, pouring warm oils over my body was divine – though the breast massage came as a bit of a shock, the herbalised steam treatment (bashpa sweda) at the end, which helps to release toxins, was a nice touch.

After lunch, we were handed envelopes with Dr Prassana’s recommendations of foods to choose and avoid according to our body constitutions and advice on Ayurvedic healthy eating habits. Then left to our own devices, we took full advantage of the fabulous wet spa facilities - jumping from hot to cold plunge pools and being pummelled to within an inch of our lives in the hydrotherapy baths. Needless to say, we retired to bed early and slept like logs.

Early the next morning we returned to Ayush for the final installment, eager to discover what treatments Dr Prassana had prescribed for us. David was treated to a body exfoliation and hot-stone massage, while I experienced Udvartana - a full body herbal powder massage with specially formulated Ayurvedic herbs that were sprinkled on me like icing sugar and then massaged in until I glowed. I felt Invigorated and silky smooth, but the best was yet to come. Fiona then expertly massaged her way up from my feet and finished by gently streaming warm infused oil onto my forehead, which flowed through my hair sending me to another world altogether. Designed to soothe the central nervous system, it practically shut mine down.

We reconvened in the spa library and reluctantly tried to revive ourselves with pitta tea in preparation for the journey home. Two days at Ayush had turned us into the most chilled out couple in the country, restoration at its very best.

FOOD AND DRINK Liquid refreshments are offered in the spa library or quiet room – choose from pitta, vata or kapha tea. We tried them all – pitta is the best. Our “Ayuvedic “lunch was taken next door in the hotel brasserie – a slightly strange experience sitting among the fully clothed wearing nothing more than a fluffy robe and towel on your head. That aside, the food was good; we had super healthy mung bean soup to start, followed by a simple but delicious salmon salad, naughtily polished off with a very un-Ayurvedic crème brule.

IN CROWD Hotel guests and affluent locals (remember this is Jersey). It’s early days for Ayush, but I imagine that once word gets out people will be flocking here from the mainland.

WALLET WATCH Taking into account the quality of treatments and facilities, Ayush offers excellent value. A two-day retreat including yoga, treatments and two night’s bed and breakfast starts from £175. Longer programmes from three to 21 days are available. Treatments on an individual basis range from £30 for a body exfoliation, £50 for a dosha specific facial and £110 for a two-therapist massage.

NEED TO KNOW Hotel De France/Ayush Wellness Spa (+44 (0) 1534 614000; www.defrance.co.uk)
For travel information visit: www.jersey.com

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