With the evenings getting darker, the days are a bit grey, we need something to lift our spirits a little. Guess what, we’ve found it in Tonbridge in Kent at the Aquavie Boutique Spa. Located just off the main high street in the town, Aquavie offers you a cocoon away from your day to day stresses, the grim weather outside and the chance to let your mind wander to tropic lands whilst you get pampered, relaxed and experience some great beauty treatments.

Aquavie Boutique Spa, Tonbridge

Aquavie Boutique Spa is an award winning Thalgo Gold Spa, run by Elizabeth Dadson located at 126a High Street, Tonbridge, Kent. Elizabeth aims to give a unique approach to the whole spa experience, making Aquavie memorable to their clients. She explained to us during our visit, “We focus very heavily on the healing aspect of a spa visit, treating our clients on a physical, emotional  and  spiritual level.  A treatment with us, isn’t just about looking good, it goes much, much deeper than that”.

At Aquavie it is all about feeling the benefits of the treatment when you leave and having that blissed out feeling, carried with you for the hours and hopefully days after your treatment. The spa itself was born from Elizabeth’s own mindful approach to life.  Her Buddhist beliefs and fascination with Eastern philosophy is reflected heavily through the far eastern theme and decor. They have also built an amazing support system with other professionals within the well being industry, and this enables the Spa to offer other services such as yoga, colonic hydrotherapy and counselling to those that are in search of something that can really enhance what is already offered at the spa.

Treatments at Aquavie

The range of treatments available at Aquavie Boutique Spa are extensive but strong. There are seven ambient treatment rooms and they offer sublime spa treatments such as Thalgo Facials, Anti-Ageing Skin Peels and Dermafirm Cellulite Treatments. As well as the standard treatments of waxing, tanning (with Fake It Baby), Eye lash extensions and of course body treatments and massages. The Chi Stone Massage is a sublimely relaxing warm stone massage to soothe tension and promote relaxation, perfect for this time of year to warm you up but chill you out.

The ethos of Aquavie Boutique Spa is to provide high quality, exotic spa experiences and treatments in truly tranquil and unique surroundings. Always ensuring that the clients needs and general well being are continually at the core of their decision making is what Elizabeth feels is very important.

Spa Fabulous Facials

Aquavie introduced Spa Fabulous during the summer of 2011. Spa Fabulous is the brain child of celebrity facialist Neena Trehan. Offering bespoke and completely prescriptive facials, Spa Fabulous uses 100% organic ingredients, hand picked for their super cleansing, balancing and ultra moisturising properties in the skincare range. All Spa Fabulous Facials begin with a thorough skin analysis followed by cleanse, organic micro dermabrasion and extraction. Having tried Spa Fabulous Papaya and Pineapple Pigment Facial we are hooked on the range. It was luscious to be cocooned in a soft duvet, with not only the facial but a warming hand and foot massage using organic oils as well a lovely neck and shoulder massage. It was the complete package.

Spa Fabulous Range by Neena Trehan, available at Aquavie Spa

The Papaya and Pineapple Pigment Facial is a luxurious treatment to restore a radiant complexion. Using natural fruit acids, the cleanser smelt luscious and the moisturiser felt nourishing. The combination of organic micro dermabrasion in this facial gives a clearer, brighter and more youthful appearance (we hope!). We fully recommend this facial, it is excellent for dull, dehydrated and pigmented skin conditions, that are particularly common at this time of year. Other Spa Fabulous Facials available include Cocoa & Rose Anti Oxidant Facial and Coconut & Aloe Calming Facial.

“I have created the Spa Fabulous organic range to help every woman ‘Glow in Life’.”

Neena Trehan, Creator Spa Fabulous

Neena Trehan approached Elizabeth about her Spa Fabulous range, she had heard about Aquavie through one of her London clients and felt thought the spa would represent her new range perfectly. As a high quality aromatherapy, organic range that focused on producing the kind of results that the spa’s clients would expect, it provides a uniquely indulgent spa facial treatment. The range isn’t tested on a animals and all the oils and ingredients used are ethically sourced.  Neena has Indian origins and her own philosophy fits very much in line with Aquavie’s.

We did a little Q&A with Aquavie Boutique Spa owner Elizabeth Dadson to get a true feel of what the spa is about and what sets it out from the rest, making it an ELLE Magazine Best Spa.

Q. What is the most popular treatment?

A. Popular treatments are usually quite seasonal, but massage always stays top of the leader board throughout the year for us. All of my team have been sent to my own massage trainer in London. She is the sports therapist for the Royal London Ballet, and her love for massage and immense experience in this area, really connects her students to the discipline in it’s truest form. She has helped us make our massage treatments magical.  During 2011 we also saw a big increase in our spa facials and deluxe nail treatments.

Q. How are you seeing the beauty industry change?

A. It’s always evolving, new treatments and products are constantly being launched.  You really need to be on the ball to keep up with it! Since the global turn down, we have seen the consumer focusing on cheaper ‘feel good’ treatments and products. They want more value for money, but don’t expect any compromise on quality.  Companies like Groupon have impacted the industry massively too.  You have to think out of the box to stay competitive and fresh.

Q. What are the new treatments that are coming to spas compared to the usual facials and massages?

A. The newest eyelash treatment is Semi-Permanent Mascara, enhancing natural lashes without the need to use lash extensions.  Many high street establishments are now also introducing laser treatments as a means of treating ageing concerns and also providing an option for permanent hair removal.  These type of advanced skincare procedures have only really been previously available in more specialist skincare clinics.

Q. What’s next for Aquavie?  

A. We will continue to work hard as a team to evolve and improve, just as the industry itself changes and grows. At present I am focusing on perfecting what we have already created, the learning never stops.  After which, who knows, I am always looking for the next beauty project, something that pushes me right out of my comfort zone!  I have recently come back from working in Los Angeles, and I plan on going back early next year to explore things there too.  I do know myself and Aquavie will never stand still. I’m fortunate enough to have a job that reflects my passion, that passion is helping others heal.  I know I will continue to strive to make a difference to peoples lives.  For me, when I keep my focus on helping the people that I treat, not only am I truly happy, but suddenly I am reminded that the universe is a huge place full of amazing opportunities!

Aquavie Boutique Spa is located at 126a High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1AS Kent. Call 01732 353233 for enquiries and appointments.