Pamper time

Dec 19 2009 by Liz Lamb and Katharine Capocci, The Journal

FANCY spoiling a loved one with a little pampering this Christmas or help them to chill out in the New Year? LIZ LAMB and KATHARINE CAPOCCI test out two great pamper packages.

This girls' night in is just the thing to recharge your batteries

A GIRLS’ night in which includes pamper time, delicious snacks and a glass or three of vino is the perfect chill-out for those of you feeling the festive strain.

But when it’s a girls’ night in at a chic quayside hotel in the centre of Newcastle and pamper treatments are taken in the cosy confines of their ambient day spa then it somewhat heightens the whole experience.

A girls’ night in at the stylish Malmaison hotel is a pampering experience with a difference, as an indulgent overnight stay is included in the package.

Their basement Le Petit Spa is like a little oasis of calm, just perfect for unwinding and recharging your batteries.

Intimate lighting, scented candles and a chill-out zone complete with fabulous massage chairs all help to put you in the mood for some serious relaxation.

Just what we all need at this time of year. And if you’re still looking for that elusive Christmas gift their pamper packages would also make the perfect present.

Malmaison’s girlie night in packages run on Fridays or Sundays, and include room, breakfast the following day, ‘Mal munchies’, bottle of house vino, and either polish and tan treatment or salt scrub and back massage, for £99 per person.

In need of a spot of me-time, my friend and I checked in to our room at 3pm one Sunday to enjoy maximum use of our stay. The stylish bedroom – all muted shades of brown - offered stunning quayside views, directly overlooking the Baltic and the Millennium Bridge, which was beautifully lit up at night.

Down in the spa area we changed in to waffle robes for our treatments, my choice being the invigorating salt scrub and back massage.

The therapist soon got the circulation moving with a super-exfoliating back scrub.

Next a delicious 30-minute massage followed, using luxurious Espa oils, where stresses and strains seemed to melt into the ether.

My friend, meanwhile, opted for a body polish and all-over spray tan, appearing with a just-back-from-the-Med golden girl look. For those of you who’ve never tried it, a St Tropez fake tan is the business, being both natural looking and fading beautifully over the course of about ten days. And even better, this tan had a lovely sweet smell while it was developing – definitely no digestive biscuits aroma!

We took full advantage of relaxation time in the chill-out area, where we collapsed into massage chairs, sipping herbal teas and reading glossy magazines.

Back in our room – and still in our robes because it’s that kind of a stay – we feasted on a platter of ‘Mal munchies’ accompanied by a bottle of house wine.

Munchies included a selection of ciabatta buns topped with roasted veg and mozzarella, tuna and sweetcorn and cheese and ham, mountains of rocket salad, and French fries.

We chilled out in style, munching and sipping, while watching TV. The following day we feasted on a delicious cooked breakfast – our choices being ciabatta bread topped with field mushroom and poached egg – before heading back to Monday morning reality.

Girlie Night In, £99 per person, includes room, breakfast, Mal munchies, bottle of house wine, polish and tan or salt scrub and back massage.

Malmaison Newcastle, Quayside, Newcastle, NE1 3DX. Tel 0191 245-5000. www.malmaison.com

Katharine Capocci