Visitors to the city of Bath will be able to relax in the same way as the Roman ancestors of the city, thanks to the opening of The Spa at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel. Just like the Romans, guests can luxuriate in the invigorating experience of moving between hot and cold spa areas as they enjoy the rock sauna or aroma steam room quickly followed by the bracing ice room.

The Roman bathing experience always included going from a hot room, or Caldarium, to a cold room, known as a Frigidarium, to energise and refresh the body. The £3 million, Spa at the five-star Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel in Sydney Road opens to hotel guests from July 28th 2006.

The new spa marks the start of a renaissance for the world-famous Spa City, as the nearby Thermae Spa project is also due to open, in August 2006.

Situated a short walk from the city centre and with ample free parking, The Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, the highlight of the extensive spa menu is four new signature treatments that have been created exclusively for The Spa by luxury product house, Babor. These premium treatments draw on the historical spa tradition of Bath, as well as the Scottish heritage of the hotel’s owners, the Macdonald family, and Scotland’s Celtic wellbeing secrets.

The result is four treatments designed to create a sense of ‘wellness’, balancing mind, body and soul by working on all five senses simultaneously.

* Highland Healing is a full-body treatment combining Celtic hot stones with water, oils and herbs to transport you to a world of relaxation. The hot stone treatment is combined with the soothing fragrances of a heather blossom peeling, a seabuckthorn massage, a facial and a restorative facial pressure point massage.

* Gold Elixir is a luxury facial that utilises multi-active ingredients to minimise environmental damage. The ultimate anti-ageing and relaxation treatment, it uses High Skin Refiner - the next generation in skin care - to protect the skin.

* Sea Infinity harnesses the power of the ocean to work wonders on your skin. This facial uses SeaCreation products, containing rare ingredients harvested from the seas, worked deep into the layers of your skin using a specially-created sea shell massage.

* Nourishing Milk Experience employs the knowledge of both the Romans and the Celts to use the moisturising properies of milk. As well as leaving your whole body soft as velvet, the treatment calms and regenerates irritated skin. Your skin is treated to a full-body exfoliation before the milk pack is applied and massaged deep into the skin.

The Spa at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel is part of an 18-month, £10 million complete rejuvination of the hotel.

Giorgio Borgonovo, Managing Dircetor of the hotel, said: ‘In creating The Spa at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel we have tried to combine the practices and knowledge of two ancient cultures: Those of the Romans who introduced the idea of Spas to the city of Bath some 2,000 years ago, and those of the Celts, whose vast knowledge of herbs and healing allowed them to create effective healing and wellbeing techniques.

‘The Spa is likely to attract visitors from across the UK and beyond, looking for the definitive spa destination, a chance to explore this beautiful World Heritage city, and relive a bit of its ancient spa history.’

The Spa at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel includes six treatment rooms, including a larger room for couples or friends to have side-by-side treatments, or to accommodate disabled guests. Before and after treatments, visitors are invited to relax to soothing music in the softly-lit and muted toned Relaxation Lounge.

Other guest facilities include a 15m indoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi and an outdoor hydropool with sun terrace, surrounded by a fragrant lavender garden.

Within the Thermal Suite, guests can choose to unwind in a variety of hot rooms including the rock sauna, infrared cabin, the salt infusion room and the aroma steam room. A trip to the invigorating ice room is a must for the true Roman spa experience.

The Spa also contains a gym featuring TechnoGym equipment. A manicure, pedicure and make-up room, plus a hairdressing salon, complete the range of facilities on offer.
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