Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT, WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="698" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Hotel-Exterior.jpg" alt="Careys Manor Hotel SenSpa Brockenhurst New Forest" class="wp-image-33757" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Hotel-Exterior.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Hotel-Exterior-800x558.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Hotel-Exterior-768x536.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Close to the picturesque village of Brockenhurst, the 77-bedroom <a href="https://www.careysmanor.com/senspa/">Careys Manor Hotel and SenSpa</a> is located on a historic estate in the New Forest National Park. Full of characterful features, the Victorian Manor house was built in 1888 and converted into a hotel in the 1930s. </p>



<p>Since then, Carey’s Manor has had various extensions, including it&#8217;s whopping, 24,000 sq ft, world-class Thai-themed SenSpa. It&#8217;s also claimed a few accolades, including Gold for Spa &amp; Wellbeing Experience of the Year at the Beautiful South Awards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-Zen-Garden-Restaurant-garden-tables-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-37451" style="aspect-ratio:1.4992503748125936;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-Zen-Garden-Restaurant-garden-tables-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-Zen-Garden-Restaurant-garden-tables-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-Zen-Garden-Restaurant-garden-tables-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-Zen-Garden-Restaurant-garden-tables.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As a busy mum, the mental load never really stops. So when my friend and I finally carved out a day to book a proper escape to the&nbsp;SenSpa at Careys Manor, we didn’t realise just how much we needed it. From the moment we stepped through the doors into the calming, East-meets-West spa it felt like a weight lifted. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_spa_2186133-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-37449" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_spa_2186133-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_spa_2186133-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_spa_2186133-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_spa_2186133.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Staff were so welcoming and everything about the place instantly put us at ease. The modern spa facilities&nbsp;are gorgeous – warm, calming, and beautifully clean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-spa">THE SPA</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="972" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_manor-pool.jpg" alt="Pool at Careys Manor Hotel and Spa New Forest Hampshire" class="wp-image-37350" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_manor-pool.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_manor-pool-800x518.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_manor-pool-1000x648.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/careys_manor-pool-768x498.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Facilities-wise you’re spoilt for choice here. If you fancy a swim or workout, there’s a fully-equipped gym, studio with regular classes and indoor UV pool. </p>



<p>Just off the pool, the huge hydrotherapy suite is the real star of the show. We floated between the&nbsp;hydrotherapy pool,&nbsp;herbal sauna and&nbsp;crystal steam room, barely speaking at times because we were just so blissfully relaxed (a rarity when you have kids constantly asking for snacks!). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="677" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-hydro-1000x677.jpg" alt="Careys Manor SenSpa New Forest jacuzzi hydrotherapy" class="wp-image-32545" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-hydro-1000x677.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-hydro-800x541.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-hydro-768x520.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-hydro-776x525.jpg 776w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Careys-Manor-SenSpa-hydro.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There’s also experience showers, an ice room to cool off in and a relaxing tepidarium with heated mosaic loungers and ceilings that imitate twinkling stars in the night sky, keeping&nbsp;the whole atmosphere really relaxed and calm.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you fancy a full Muddy experience (literally), for an extra charge there’s a private rhassoul mud steam chamber. And for spa goers that really want some ‘me-time’, Careys Manor SenSpa’s AlphaSphere Deluxe cocoons you in a pod and promises to help you mentally relax and unwind using sound, colour and aromatherapy. Next time!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-treatments">THE TREATMENTS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="740" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Spa-Treatments.jpg" alt="Spa Treatments Thai Massage at Careys Manor Hotel and SenSpa Brockenhurst New Forest Hampshire Spa Day" class="wp-image-33760" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Spa-Treatments.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Spa-Treatments-800x592.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Spa-Treatments-768x568.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Careys Manor SenSpa has a huge range of wellness treatments inspired by ancient Thai rituals and over 20 (yes, 20!) different types of massage from Traditional Thai to Lava Shell and a Willow Harmonic Facial, incorporating sound therapy. </p>



<p>I chose a blissful one-hour Royal Thai Indulgence massage which involves a lime and lemongrass salt scrub, hot towels, back, leg and foot massage and relaxing scalp massage. My therapist was excellent and found knots I didn’t even know about. The room was so peaceful I nearly drifted off. </p>



<p>My friend had an Eminence Express Manuka Facial which uses a blend of Manuka honey, acai berry, raspberry, carrot and neroli oil to exfoliated and a warm rose quartz crystal to massage the skin. She came out absolutely glowing and said it was the best facial she’s ever had. </p>



<p>One of our favourite moments of the day was just lying in the relaxation room after our treatments, sipping herbal tea, wrapped in robes, not having to answer to anyone for a few glorious hours.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-food">THE FOOD</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Zen-Garden-Restaurant-food-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-37450" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Zen-Garden-Restaurant-food-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Zen-Garden-Restaurant-food-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Zen-Garden-Restaurant-food-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/06/Zen-Garden-Restaurant-food.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>After a relaxing spa session, lunch in the Careys Manor SenSpa’s&nbsp;Zen Garden restaurant&nbsp;was the cherry on top. If you’ve booked a spa package, there’s&nbsp;the option of two-courses, starter, main or dessert, with a third available for an additional cost and a glass of wine or soft drink. All the food is, as you can guess, Thai, with heat indicators for those who are conscious of a bit of spice. </p>



<p>Light, delicious dishes like chicken satay, papaya salad, Phad Thai and steamed seabass felt indulgent but not heavy. We sat there giggling like we were on holiday. Our trip wasn’t just about pampering – it was about reconnecting with ourselves (and each other) outside of motherhood. We left feeling calmer, lighter, and more like us again.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>A total switch off. Treat yourself, have a wellness date with a partner or take a friend who needs it too. You’ll both come back better for it. Or take things up a notch with an overnight Ultimate Sen Sleep Spa Break or smartphone-free 2-night Digital Detox Spa break. &nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Taking the kids. Careys Manor SenSpa is over 16s only. And if you&#8217;re a ball of energy who can&#8217;t sit still, the calming and slow pace of the spa may be too relaxed.</p>



<p><strong>The damage</strong>: Spa days are surprisingly good value for the New Forest – and the quality. Starting at £89 for an afternoon tea and use of the Careys Manor SenSpa Hydrotherapy &amp; Health Club Facilities up to £169 for a weekday spa day with lunch, treatments and use of the hydrotherapy pools (£189 at weekends).</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.careysmanor.com/senspa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SenSpa at Careys Manor</a>, Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire SO42 7RH. Tel. 01590 624467.</em></p>


Spa review: SenSpa at Careys Manor Hotel, Brockenhurst

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