I've got a crippling back pain at the moment, and couldn't get an osteopath appointment but was going for a night in Malvern with my husband (an annual treat as my mother in law lives near by and can have the kids), so I checked out what was available at the spa.
The website was playing games with me - saying there was availability but then not letting me complete the booking, so I rang and left a message. To be honest, I felt the answer machine message didn't really want you to leave a message! And they didn't want you to email - it asked you to email if it was urgent, which kinda implied, "please don't email"! It was just in the tone of the voice. So ringing up wasn't the most welcoming initial interaction with them.
Back massage at Malvern Spa
However, someone later rang me back and was really lovely on the phone. It ended up they had enough people working that day, but no rooms for massages, hence the website being confused - which I can excuse / understand. She explained how if I'd wanted to get a manicure, the website knew there were technicians available and tables dotted around for that, but just not rooms for a massage. She suggested I kept trying incase any one cancelled.
I went back on the website and eventually found a slot that did work - I'd wanted an hour but settled happily for 30 minutes.
I particularly wanted the "The Malvern Back, Neck & Shoulder Cure" massage because it claims to be a mix of "deep tissue massage, trigger points, Swedish massage, myofascial release, quantum healing and energy work". The healing especially I thought sounded like it had potential - I'm not sure what I really think about reiki etc. but I was in so much pain I was willing to try anything. And I really, really wanted it to work.
When you arrive at Malvern Spa, the building isn't very exciting from the outside. It could do with a lick of paint. (But I appreciate that would be a big job.) There's plenty of parking and you walk in the main entrance and go through a turnstile - there are people on reception incase you're there for the hotel.
You follow the corridor and you're in the main auditorium / waiting area, with sofas and seats and a reception desk. You can also see the tables where you'd have a manicure. There's a cafe / restaurant leading on to this, where my husband sat whilst he waited for me and had an enjoyable coffee (and he's quite fussy about his coffee).
I checked in at the reception desk there, completed some paper work and then awaited my therapist.
My short 30 minute massage
My appointment was at 5pm and I'd paid for a 30 minute massage. At 5:01pm I was still in the waiting area, but was collected soon after. I was then back in the cafe finding my husband at 5:30pm on the dot, having gotten dressed and having had some water. So basically, the massage was not 30 minutes long. They allow a 30 minute slot - or less - whereas I think if they're advertising a 30 minute massage, they should allow themselves 40 minutes.
The massage itself was really good - great (firm) pressure and I really enjoyed it. I'm not sure it was different to other massages I've had particularly, but then I don't know what techniques cited in the "Cure" description would be like. There were parts with her arms rather than just her hands so maybe that was it. I was aware she referred to it as a back massage, rather than the full name of what I've booked and I didn't correct her because I couldn't remember the proper name of it. Looking at the website now, their lists of massages is different on their Spa Treatments page accessed via their menu, to the Spa Treatments cited if you click on the "Book now" button in the header... they need to check that!
Straight after the massage nothing felt better, which was disappointing, but the next day the pain was the least it had been for 2 weeks which was amazing. And it stayed that way for a couple of days. That's a much bigger impact than the subsequent osteopath appointment I had - and the massage was cheaper. Obviously I ideally want long term results but I think I'm at the stage of needing to see a doctor.
Relaxation room and Spa facilities
At the end she asked if I'd like to go into the relaxation room, which she said was just a dark room, but I said I should get back to my husband who was waiting. Sorry, bad reviewer, I should have stuck my head in to see what it was like. The rest of the Malvern Spa consists of a Crystal Steam room, Salt Grotto, Foot Spa, Drench Shower and 2 different sorts of saunas, and would be a relaxing place to spend an afternoon with a good book.
The thoughts and views expressed in this blog post are the author’s own and not that of Activibees.com or it's operators.
