Offering a health MOT in spa that gives clients a reassuring once-over is becoming the new norm. Amanda Pauley finds out how Homefield Grange Retreat in Northhamptonshire has nailed this in-depth body service

With a growing number of consumers now turning to spas rather than doctors for a greater understanding of their bodies, wanting a preventative rather than reactive approach to health and wellbeing, offering programmes that deliver this in-depth concept is a winning strategy.

One location that’s leading the way in providing clients with the opportunity for a health MOT is wellness resort Homefield Grange in Northamptonshire, which added a £1.7 million hot and cold spa area to its business at the start of this year.

Not only does the Living Well Spa feature an extensive thermal suite with a Himalayan salt steam room, herbal sauna, aroma showers, ice trough, hydro pool, rasul, hammam and bathing room, but these facilities perfectly match the business’s pre-existing nutritional and mental wellbeing programmes, and diagnostic and holistic therapies, enabling staff to put together bespoke packages that last one, three, five or seven-days.

These programmes differ to appointments with your local or private healthcare provider, with Homefield’s in-house practitioners having the time to identify issues and potential weaknesses, creating a 360-degree plan of action to address them. The business’s list of experts include yoga teachers, naturopaths, nutritionists, fitness trainers, wellness coaches, colon hydrotherapists and holistic therapists. The experience is so bespoke that Homefield only takes in 15 clients per week maximum.

“The concept of our spa is not just about pampering, it’s about offering experiences that are designed to lower stress, ease aches and pains, reduce inflammation, assist heart health and more,” says founder and naturopathic practitioner Suzanne Peck (pictured above, centre).

“The business had been running for 12 years without a dedicated spa area, operating out of four treatment rooms with packages focused on detox, weight loss and mindfulness, but we knew having hot and cold facilities proven to aid our programme results would complement Homefield’s offering perfectly.”

The spa’s ethos is based on a holistic approach to wellness, explaining to clients that you can’t look and feel good on the outside if you’re not looking after your inner terrain. “We’re a temptation- and distraction-free environment,” explains Peck. “We’re focused on good health inside-and-out, so we don’t sell things like alcohol, refined sugars, sweets or cake, opting for vegan and plant-based alternatives, as well as offering raw foods and juice cleanses.” This is partnered with daily health talks and food demonstrations to help clients apply simple changes to their lives. “It’s about empowering people to step away from the excess,” she adds.

Body talk

Half of the business’s client base come back yearly for a full-body health MOT, while many others book themselves in pre- or post-operation. “We get customers staying with us either side of a surgery who need to prepare themselves or recuperate physically and mentally, which involves eating good food, listening to inspiring talks and experiencing holistic therapies,” says Peck. “The client may want to reverse diabetes or get ready for an operation because their knee has gone and the doctor has told them they need to lose weight.”

Living Well Spa fast facts

Opened: January 2019

Cost: £1.7 million

Size: 1,000sq ft

Staff: 25 (split between supporting staff, therapists and practitioners)

Brands: Pevonia, Decléor

Homefield is also ahead of the curve when it comes to emotional wellbeing retreats, creating personalised packages for those dealing with life-changing events such as a break-up, divorce or bereavement. “A detox here isn’t just a physical thing, it’s mental and emotional too, which is why we have a mind-body programme to help clients get through a tough time.”

After an in-depth chat with a practitioner on arrival and a health questionnaire, a programme is devised based on what the client needs. “We offer what we think they will benefit from most, such as body analysis and diagnostics, but it’s their choice. It’s about how far the customer wants to go on this journey,” says Peck.

If, for example, the client was suffering with terrible fatigue after the loss of a loved one then “we would not only look to support that person emotionally but we would look at what their hormones are doing too,” says Peck.

“We would do a urine, blood and saliva test, sending them off to the lab to get a true analysis of what’s going on in the client’s body. It’s a very results-driven treatment approach which could show us that the client needs specific adrenal or thyroid support as well as emotional healing.”

The personal touch

Having the right products in-house to support this tailored journey is also important, which is why Peck partnered with skincare brand Pevonia on body treatments this year. “It’s not your run of the mill brand, it has an air of exclusivity to it which I feel Homefield has as well,” she says. “The products are high-end and the brand has helped tailor-make our packages so we can deliver a true holistic experience to our guests.” Peck is so happy with the brand that she will be launching Pevonia facials in the spa next year, too.

But, this isn’t the only development planned for 2020, as Peck looks to launch an outdoor spa area “to help clients reconnect with nature,” she says. “We want that nice indoor-outdoor connection and we’re lucky because we’ve got acres of fields and grassland surrounding us.” The wellness garden will feature outdoor saunas, relaxation areas and a garden where clients can pick herbs and make their own tea. It is set to launch in the spring