Pregnancy spa break review: Titanic Spa, Huddersfield

First impressions…

Set in a deep valley on the edge of the Pennines, the spa occupies part of a stunning conversion of an old textile mill built in 1911 – the year the RMS Titanic was launched. inside is a gorgeous, white, light-filled contemporary space where spa guests pad about in chocolate-brown, fluffy gowns like blissed-out teddy bears.

As the UK’s first eco spa, the Titanic has excellent environmental cred – most of the electricity supply is solar-powered, there’s mineral water for the salt-regulated pool and drinking water is pumped from a nearby borehole, plus the delicious food in the bistro is organic and locally sourced.

Facilities

The treatment areas include a hydrotherapy bath, a mud chamber and the Titanic Spa VIP Suite, which offers choccies and champagne (or fruit juices for mums-to-be). There’s also a well-equipped TechnoGym and a 15-metre swimming pool with a whirlpool. Around the pool are showers, a steam room and comfy loungers. Beauty facilities include a hair salon and nail treatments. The spa’s party piece is The Titanic Heat Experience which involves a succession of hot and cold bathing rituals, some of these are not recommended for mums-to-be, but partners and friends are guaranteed to enjoy.

Treatments

The Titanic specialises in organic treatments from Pinks Boutique, and a holistic approach with regular treatments from Elemis, Carita and Decléor, and the range on offer is truly comprehensive.

The Elemis mum-to-be massage is a heavenly experience. Suitable from your first trimester onwards, this involves lying on a cloud of huge cushions and a special beanbag in a fragrant, candle-lit room. Bumps are fully supported in a reclined position as you are massaged with Japanese camellia pregnancy oil, which helps to prevent stretchmarks.

A refreshing, cooling gel containing arnica, eucalyptus and menthol is then applied to reduce aches and swellings. Finally, you’ll be helped onto a heated treatment bed for a superb head and neck massage.

Magic mummy moment

Padding out of the apartment in a teddy bear robe for a Sunday morning swim and finding the whole pool to yourself. Take the bump-weight off by floating on your back gazing out to the trees beyond the huge windows and up at the white ceiling – around which rainbow-style lights twinkle and change colour. Divine!

Essential info

• Price - Overnight packages start with The Simply Spa (Sat to Sun), £139 per person.
• Treatment - Elemis mother-to-be massage, £70 for 70 mins ; Elemis Aroma Stone Therapy,
  £80 for 55 mins.
• Location - Low Westwood Lane, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5UN
• Telephone - 0845 410 3333
• Web - Titanicspa.com
• Getting there -15 mins outside Huddersfield centre, just off the A62 towards Oldham, in the village of Linthwaite.