Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog » Aztec Spa

Kick-Start to 2012 with Fit Camp in Torquay!

Vicky — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:13:11 +0000

Boot Camp – sounds terrifying doesn’t it?! It definitely has overtones of military training or correctional facilities and conjures up images of extreme exercise, denial and general misery!

Originally the term ‘boot camp’ was used by the military and incorporated the initial indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel. Often, but not always, it involved a punishing regime of exercise and drills to really separate the men from the boys!

In recent years the phrase has been coined by the fitness industry to describe group fitness classes that promote fat loss, camaraderie and team effort. They are designed to push people a little bit further than they would normally push themselves alone and participants can expect to see dramatic results in a short space of time.

Beach running

TLH Leisure Resort believes that there is a less scary and more accessible alternative to a true ‘boot camp’. It’s called Fit Camp and comes to the hotel group’s Carlton Hotel & Spa in January, perfect timing for those New Year’s Resolutions! Whether your goals are weight loss, pushing your fitness boundaries or just needing a period of ‘time-out’ from the hurly burly of everyday life, Fit Camp will invigorate and motivate you.

Hosted by professional trainer and fitness expert, Jon Sims, the 5 day break incorporates a range of exercise classes, nutritional advice and a spa treatment in the hotel’s luxury Aztec Spa. Jon has devised a disciplined series of activities designed for weight loss and toning and will certainly kick start your fitness plans for 2012.

If you’re looking to kick start your 2012 call us on 01803 400500 and find out more or check out a more detailed itinerary here.

Kick-Start to 2012 with Fit Camp in Torquay! is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Half Term Family Holidays at TLH Leisure Resort Torquay

Vicky — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:30:10 +0000

Well if this heatwave lasts you could be in for a truly amazing October half term holiday in Torquay! I may be a little optimistic with the weather forecast, but even if it’s not as warm and sunny as it is this week, you can be sure of plenty to keep the whole family happy at TLH Leisure Resort this October.

If you’re looking for a bargain (and frankly who isn’t these days) then TLH’s group of 4 hotels has some great offers to tempt you. All children under 5 stay free in their parent’s rooms, no matter what time of year you come, but your under 10s can also stay for free with us on selected dates. With 2 nights midweek at just £106pp at the Dewent Hotel, then it makes an October family break an affordable option.

A truly all-weather resort, TLH has Kids and Teens clubs offering a full programme of daytime activities or you could take advantage of our TLH Guest Discount card and visit some of Torbay’s amazing attractions. And whilst the children make the most of the indoor pool complex, Aztec Falls, the grown ups can retreat to the Aztec themed Spa and Gym or perhaps try an exercise class in the Aztec Fitness Studio. After dark sees a variety of evening entertainment, including discos, cabaret and comedians, appealing to the whole family.

Of course, October means Halloween and TLH’s Spooky Weekend provides a suitably chilling edge to your weekend away with Halloween themed games, activities and entertainment. The English Riviera’s many attractions also have spooky events planned over this period. Why not plan to visit Kent’s Cavern, Paignton Zoo and Babbacombe Model Village, to name but a few, whilst you’re here?

So, what’s not to like?! An October break can be the perfect time to regroup as a family and prepare for the pre-Christmas onslaught! Take a look at www.tlh.co.uk or call us on 01803 400500.

Half Term Family Holidays at TLH Leisure Resort Torquay is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Toorak Hotel Wedding Fair on the English Riviera

Vicky — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:29:44 +0000

Wedding fairs were few and far between when I tied the knot (20 years ago – gulp!). It would have been so useful to see venues, dresses, flowers and photographers all under one roof.

These days there is much more choice and plenty of wedding fairs to visit to help you plan your big day. If you’re getting married and still aren’t sure where to book, what sort of flowers you want, or which photographer will produce something worthy of Hello magazine, then you need to visit the Toorak Hotel Wedding Fair ,Torquay, on Sunday 12th June.

Biggest & Best!

The fair is in its 3^rd year and this year it really is set to be the biggest and the best, with more exhibitors than ever asking to be involved. This could be because the fair is outside of the traditional wedding fair season, which tends to be early spring and autumn. The Toorak Hotel’s Nigel Beck explains, ‘we find there’s no particular season for weddings anymore and with more civil ceremonies being performed, lead-in times can be later. There’s no reason not to hold a fair in May or June, when our gardens are looking lovely and there is less competition from other fairs. Certainly we have had similar comments from our exhibitors who all seem to like the idea of a June fair.’

FREE Weddings

It may seem too good to be true, but you really can have your wedding reception for free at the Toorak, or the other hotels in the TLH Leisure Resort group. All you have to do is persuade your friends and family to come and enjoy a ‘wedding holiday’ in Torquay with you! You can find out more about the amazing offer at the Toorak Hotel Wedding Fair or click here.

Aztec Spa for Hens

The hotel group’s own luxury spa, Aztec Spa, will also be at the fair when you can find out about the All About You day and overnight packages – just perfect for hen parties! Treat yourself to a free hand and arm massage while you’re at their stand.

Food Tastings

Your first meal together as man and wife is an important one and you’ll get a chance to try a selection of treats prepared by the Toorak’s chefs at the fair, as well have a chat with the Food & Beverage Manager and our Wedding Co-ordinator about your special day.

The Toorak Hotel Wedding Fair, Torquay, opens 11am until 4pm on Sunday 12^th June. We look forward to seeing you there! Call 01803 400400 for more details.

Toorak Hotel Wedding Fair on the English Riviera is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Aztec Spa – Helping You to Look Your Best

Vicky — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:46:55 +0000

Beauty and massage treatments are a fantastic way of relaxing and recharging and as maintenance therapies go, Elemis facials, OPI manicures and regular waxing are an excellent way of keeping us feeling and looking tip top. However, there is increasing demand for that little bit more, and I’m not just talking about the inevitable wrinkles and skin sagging which come to us all, but younger girls (and boys) are asking for procedures such as brow shaping or teeth whitening. Procedures which are common place in the bigger cities, but which we seem to be slow to pick up on in the good old Westcountry!

So what can the Aztec Spa, Torquay offer you to add to your beauty armoury?

It has already ventured into the world of fish pedicures with The Fish Kiss Spa coming on board with us to offer our clients a new and exciting experience. Feet are also well catered for by Jacqui Bremner and her reflexology treatments.
NEW – HD Brows offer a unique 7-step process to achieve the perfect celebrity brow. Already hugely popular in London and the South East, HD Brows has come to Torquay, courtesy of Michelle Mansell. Michelle is a fully qualified HD Brow technician and is now available at the Aztec Spa by appointment only. Celebrity HD clients include Dannii Minogue, Stacey Solomon, Konnie Huq and Alex Gerrard. Your eyebrows really do frame your face and good shaping can act like a min-facelift, opening up the eye area and helping disguise problem areas.
NEW – James Willis Faces is also now working with the spa offering a variety of aesthetic procedures. James Willis has been providing aesthetic dentistry for many years and 15 years ago re-trained in the field of facial aesthetic treatments. He is one of only 3 members of the IHAS (Independent Healthcare Advisory Services Quality Assurance Mark) in the South West and is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. Any kind of cosmetic procedure is a huge step but James’ skill and caring attitude really means you are in safe hands. A full consultation and procedures are by appointment only.

So, not just a spa, the Aztec Spa offers a full range of options to help you turn back the hands of time!

Aztec Spa – Helping You to Look Your Best is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

What to get your Mum this Mother’s Day?

Lee — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:01:19 +0000

Mother’s day is fast approaching and we are all having the usual conundrum – what to get Mum this year? Don’t you get bored of always giving flowers and chocolates?

This year do something different and show her how much you love her.

Why not treat your Mum to a Luxury Elemis Spa treatment and swim, sauna, steam room and give her a day of being treated like a queen by our fully trained therapy team, here at the Aztec Spa, Torquay.

Or, if you want something a bit more unusual, how about a fish pedicure at our new Fish Kiss Spa?! Follow it with an OPI file and polish. You can buy vouchers for the above treatments (or any spa treatments for her to use when it is convenient) over the phone, or at the Aztec Reception desk.

Then on Mother’s day (after your pampering) treat her to a roast carvery lunch at the Carlton Hotel and Spa Restaurant?! Full 3 course menu is available at just £15.95 -booking is essential.

For more info about any of these offers then see our website www.tlh.co.uk or call on 01803 400190.

What to get your Mum this Mother’s Day? is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Latest Elemis Offers – 50% savings!

Vicky — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:07:41 +0000

Elemis Anti-Ageing Face & Eyes – unlock the secret of younger-looking skin!

Another fabulous saving on much coveted Elemis Anti-Ageing products can be found at the Aztec Spa, Torquay. SAVE 50% on this trio of clinically proven award-winners from Elemis complete with luxury vanity case.

Having tried them myself, I’m convinced these products really work and judging by the comments we get in the Spa, I’m not the only one! Yes they are expensive, but a little goes a long way and with regular offers like these you really are getting an awful lot for your money.

This is what Elemis have to say about the new Anti-Ageing Face & Eyes trio:

Pro-Collagen Eye Renewal helps smooth, firm and support ageing skin. Clinically proven to visibly tone the eye contour area and reduce the appearance of wrinkles by up to 60%.*
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth by up to 78% and increase hydration by up to 45% in just 15 days.*
Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream assists the skin’s natural regeneration process and is clinically proven to increase oxygen levels in the skin by up to 41% after just 28 days.*

*Independent Clinical Trials 2003/2005/2006

Buy your Anti-Ageing Face & Eyes from the Aztec Spa today for £75 (value £160)

Free Melting Cleansing Gel

This NEW cleansing gel is yours for FREE when you buy a Maximum Moisture Day Cream for £35.80 from the Aztec Spa.

The texture of this cleanser is gorgeous – it melts from a luxurious gel to a rich milk and leaves your complexion cleansed and silky smooth. I’ve yet to try this myself, but I think it will be great for young or teenage skins, followed by the Maximum Moisture Day Cream. My daughter celebrates her 15^th birthday next week so I think this lovely little duo will be heading her way!

Ask about our full range of Elemis, OPI and St Tropez products at the Aztec Spa 01803 400190

Latest Elemis Offers – 50% savings! is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

An Important Mother’s Day Message!

Nigel Beck — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Attention all Torquay and South Devon Dads! Mother’s Day is on Sunday 3^rd April!

Basically, I’m here to do you a favour – don’t forget Mother’s Day on Sunday 3^rd April this year! Plan ahead and book your table for a really special Sunday lunch at the Toorak Hotel Torquay – don’t leave it too late!

I’m just looking after your interests because forgetting Mother’s Day is a serious faux pas and you could be in ‘big trouble’ with the mother of your children, ‘er indoors, the Mrs, not to mention your own Mum! Now I’m being polite here but… Some of you chaps aren’t the most organised at this sort of thing (and I count myself amongst them!) We know this as we have had many a call on the Saturday night to ask if ‘by any chance do you have a free table tomorrow?’ Many a time we’ve saved your bacon!

Fortunately the Toorak Hotel has the perfect Mother’s Day lunch solution – a 2 or 3 course menu in the elegant (but not so posh you don’t want to bring your children!) surroundings of the hotel restaurant. Finish your meal with a coffee in the stylish Buckingham Lounge or on the terrace if the weather allows. Excellent value too, at only £12.95 for 2 courses, £15.95 for 3.

To really boost the brownie points, you could even book ‘Mum’ a spa treat too in the Aztec Spa – see – I’m full of bright ideas!

So you can’t say I haven’t warned you – woe betide you if you forget! Call us now and get that table booked!

,,,,,Your Guardian angel!

Toorak Hotel 01803 400400 toorakreception@tlh.co.uk

An Important Mother’s Day Message! is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

The Fish Kiss Spa Pedicure

Vicky — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:57:42 +0000

Fish – dead skin – eating……….3 words I’d never normally use in one sentence. That’s before I’d heard of The Fish Kiss Spa. The Garra Rufa fish, related to the carp, are natural scavengers in their native Turkey and for some years now their natural behaviour has been harnessed to give the most amazing pedicures. Strange I know, but surely no odder than injecting botulism into your forehead, or any of the other crazy things we do in the pursuit of beauty.

The great thing about The Fish Kiss Spa is that it’s not just a beauty treatment but an organic and very natural therapy which leaves your skin feeling soft, stimulates your nerve endings and can really help skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

Sometimes known as doctor fish, the Garra Rufa gently suction away all the dead skin from your feet, or hands, or body. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t have teeth but use a gentle sucking and nibbling action, which devotees say tingles a little, but is definitely a pleasant sensation. When sucking the skin off, the fish also salivate an enzyme containing a substance called dithranol, a natural healing enzyme which is found in many rejuvenating therapy creams. This enzyme stimulates the growth of new skin cells, so skin is left healthy and renewed.

The therapy has come to Britain’s shores from the Far East, by way of the States and many UK major cities have fish spas within department stores or on the high street. It has now come to Torquay, with The Fish Kiss Spa opening up at the Aztec Spa on the 7th February. This is the first of its kind in the area and offers a relaxing, holistic experience for clients. Personally I can’t wait to give it a go – it’s not quite flip-flop season yet, but my feet will thank me for being kissed by fishes!

The Fish Kiss Spa Pedicure is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Christmas Party Pampering

Vicky — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:32:29 +0000

AG Photographer

As a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend and colleague, many women today have a lot of demands on their time, especially at this festive time of year. Time spent on yourself is time (and money) well spent. You will feel better able to tackle everything that Christmas throws at you over the next few weeks.

The Aztec Spa knows this to be true! They have come up with two scrumptious party season packages to help recharge your batteries. Depending on your available time and budget you can either plump for the Christmas Sparkle at just £34 or the Ultimate Christmas Cracker at £69. Both packages represent a significant saving on having the treatments individually, so are definitely good value for money. They are a perfect way to feel special before a big night out or as a pick-me-up after a hectic day Christmas shopping.

Even better, why not just treat yourself, for no other reason than you deserve it!

Happy Christmas!

Christmas Party Pampering is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog

Wedding Fairs Galore!

Vicky — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:03:08 +0000

Where can you pick up ideas for wedding invitations, wedding cakes and wedding dresses, as well as sort out your hen party? A wedding fair of course, and that is just where we have been lately. First off it was the Toorak Hotel displaying its wares at the Real Brides Show at Newton Abbot Racecourse. Next the Aztec Spa went along to the Autumn Wedding Show at Westpoint in Exeter.

The country may be in grip of a recession but it seems nobody told these brides and grooms to be! There was no shortage of visitors at either events and with dresses in their hundreds, if not thousands of pounds for sale, couples are still looking for the traditional ‘full on’ wedding.

That said, there is a move towards something a bit different with hog roasts, unusual venues and karaoke being asked for. The Toorak can now offer a twist on the usual celebrations with its contacts with Torre Abbey. You can have your ceremony in the atmospheric, historic Abbey and then stroll through the gardens and across the road to the Toorak for the wedding reception, for example. This idea certainly had several couples interested.

When it was the Aztec Spa’s turn to be in the limelight, at the Autumn Wedding Show, we noticed a definite shift in the hen party trend. No longer are girls looking for a cheap boozy weekend in Marbella, these days spas are the way to go! Who doesn’t love a spot of pampering? There may still be alcohol involved, but it will be the chilled and sparkling kind, served in a relaxed and sophisticated setting. The Autumn Wedding Show exhibitors couldn’t get enough of our All About You spa packages, perfect for a girly get together of all ages.

So, an interesting and informative few days out of the office, which gave us an insight into what our customers are really looking for.

At the end of this month, Affordable Dreams will be holding their wedding fair at the Victoria Hotel and next June, the Toorak will once again be holding their very own wedding fair. It seems romance will out and despite the doom and gloom, couples will always be ready to tie the knot!

Wedding Fairs Galore! is a post from: Torquay and Devon Holiday Blog