If paddling (translation: sitting) around a heated pool, and then taking a trip to the bar to purchase liquid refreshment without leaving the warm water is your idea of heaven, then I’ve got some good news for you – the UK now has its first ever swim-up bar.
The Manor House in Alsager has made it so that you no longer have to jump on a plane to obtain this blissful experience.
I had to visit myself to find out if it's worth a trip and it may be the end of January when I make my way to the spa, but at the East Cheshire countryside retreat it feels like summer.
As I glance around the pool at guests happily sipping their espresso martinis, hot chocolates and glasses of fizz, it is as if the two hour train journey from London was actually a flight to Spain. My brain associates these kinds of scenes with a big summer holiday that I’ve saved for months to take, so to get it so close to home feels special.
Hours pass away easily in the outdoor pool as I gossip with my sister Abbi who has joined me, and assist my new pool friends in capturing their Instagram content. With a glass of prosecco priced at £6.50, and cocktails coming in at a fairly reasonable £9.50, there is no real need to move. The trip isn’t going to break your bank either – prices for a spa day start from £69.
It would be so easy to spend the whole day in the pool but we prize ourselves away to explore other areas in the English country spa garden. We put on our fluffy robes, and come across swinging day beds, a jacuzzi, sauna, indoor pool and for the brave – an ice cold plunge bath.
We consider it for about 15 seconds, before swiftly moving onto the summer house. I make myself very comfortable on a lounger, listen to meditation music and watch the cows meander around the field in the distance. The amount of facilities and number of guests mean I’m often alone, so there is no need to be embarrassed if I start snoring during a nap.
We are also spoilt with Signature Tribe517 Pure Salt Grain Massages (£95), with the two of us in the same treatment room. I find myself constantly wondering if Abbi is as relaxed at me, and at one point craning my neck to discover that she in fact is.
Lunch is served in the pool house, and we tuck into a Mezze board. Extra points to the staff for bringing out extra pittas to dip in the hummus and camembert, without me even needing to say a word. We love a eatery that doesn’t place limits on carbohydrates.
The comfort food continues at the adjoining Stables bar and grill because after quick showers, and dumping our bags in our hotel room we were sitting at a table tucking into delicious Steak and Ale pies (£16.50) served with mashed potatoes, and vegetables.
Conversation over dinner mainly involved reiterating how relaxed we were.
As I tuck myself up in bed and find Jennifer Lopez's Hustlers film on C4+1 I feel suitably zen… and a little tipsy.
For more information and to book a trip visit ManorHouseAlsager.com.
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