So spa so good

"She started off my massaging my lower legs with an orange cut in half! Very cold and refreshing, something very much needed what with the extra weight you carry whilst being pregnant. "

I am: Lucy-Ann, 29 from Chelmsford, Essex and I am currently 27 weeks pregnant.

I went to: Kavala Day Spa and Beauty Salon, Chelmsford, Essex

I had: A Mum-to-be package. Space - a head, scalp and facial treatment, plus a footcial with polish and a file and paint for the hands.

My day: The Kavala spa is conviently located near the train station, it's 10 seconds from their front door! Perfect for all those stressed out commuters in need of a bit of pampering.

From the outside Kavala looks very impressive, like you would need a huge bank balance even to be able to afford a quick manicure. Luxury oozed from the windows and continued once I opened the door. The smell of candles and the sound of relaxing music greet you and the décor is muted chocolates and creams. All extremely soothing. Jo greeted me when I walked through the door by name, which was nice and invited me for a tour of the spa. From the main reception area I was led down a short corridor with the loveliest and softest carpet I have ever felt underfoot! Sounds like a strange thing to remember but the whole spa was carpeted in it and it felt like walking on 3 foot of cotton wool! Wonderful! The spa felt like a maze of rooms, each one perfectly finished in co-ordinating creams and chocolates and dark wood. Scented candles burned in every room along with the music. It really did feel enormously luxurious and expensive. They have an infrared therapy room, which is an infrared sauna complete with colour therapy and aromatherapy benefits. The sauna can use up to 600 calories in just 30 minutes… something to remember once the baby has arrived! I was taken back to the small reception/waiting area and was given the usual forms to fill in. Even the clipboard matched the surroundings! My therapist then arrived, Dani, and she took me off to 'my room' to begin, she explained the treatments I would be receiving, giving me the opportunity to ask any questions and alleviate any worries I might have had.

As my treatment didn't involve any massage below the collarbone, I was able to keep my clothes on. Dani helped me onto the treatment bed and tucked me in under the large fluffy towels. The room was perfect for relaxation, dark wood, chocolate colours on the walls and scented candles. What more could you ask for!

Dani adjusted the bed and offered me extra pillows if I wanted them to get me comfortable. She started my facial, which felt like absolute bliss, she really did have magic fingers and the pressure she applied was perfect. The creams she used smelt divine and also felt amazing on my skin. I loved the fact that there was a towel warmer in the room and she wrapped my face in warm towels occasionally to remove some of the products, I did chuckle to myself the first time she applied one of the hot towels as it reminded me of when men have a 'proper' shave at a barbers! She really knew her job and I was very impressed with the things she told me about the products. She told me my skin was glowing once she had finished, but I must admit I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and to me I just looked bright red and shiny! It didn't help either that due to the head massage she had also done on me my hair resembled a bit of an unkempt birds nest! Oh who cares - she's probably seen worse and I felt too good to worry!

Once the facial was finished she sat the bed up and left me for about 5 minutes to relax whilst she popped off to get the foot spa and the nail polish I had chosen. I love having my feet 'played' with and was really looking forward to the footcial. She started off my massaging my lower legs with an orange cut in half! Not something you would ever think of doing but it felt and smelt lovely. Very cold and refreshing, something very much needed what with the extra weight you carry whilst being pregnant. It was nice to be able to chat to her whilst her doing this, rather than lying there trying not to fall asleep and start snoring! She put the foot spa up on the bed so I didn't have to move, just lift my feet about 6 inches and pop it down in to warm bubbling water. She then began massaging and rubbing my poor tired feet. She wrapped them in some muslin and painted on a cold powered rock of some sort, I should have paid more attention but it felt too good - leaving it to 'soak' in for a few minutes before washing it off with hot towels. I must admit my toenails were in a bit of a state due to me not being able to reach them, plus the end of the bed hadn't helped matters when I stubbed my big toe on it and had split my toenail! I had managed to get the old chipped polish off though so that was something is suppose! She cut them all down and filed them. It's amazing how much difference it made, especially as she was able to repair the damage the bedpost had caused. She painted them and they looked great - very glossy and shiny!

She finished my treatment by applying some rich cream to my hands and leaving it to soak in whilst she led me out to the main reception area where I was to have my fingernails painted. As I had forgotten to wear sandals she gave me disposable flip-flops to wear home so as not to damage my newly painted toenails.

Treatments: A Mum-to-be package - 2hrs 30mins. Space - a head, scalp and facial treatment, plus a footcial with polish and a file and paint for the hands.

Cost: £80

Verdict: All in all I left Kavala feeling 100% better than I did when I arrived, despite looking a little flushed and unkempt in disposable flip-flops dashing back to the car through hoards of people I would thoroughly recommend this mum-to-be package.

The spa test: 5/5

Find out more: Kavala Day Spa and Beauty Salon,Dukes Walk, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GZ

Telephone: 01245 287979

Website: Kavala Day Spa and Beauty Salon