How fortunate am I to have two grown children—an adult son and daughter—who understand that the most precious gift they can offer me is their time. I have enough possessions, but I will never have enough of their company. Many of my friends and peers have children living overseas, and I count my blessings daily that mine are just a fifteen-minute drive away and I see them all the time.
This Mother’s Day, my daughter Kathy gave me a spa treatment at the Maryborough Hotel in Cork. The voucher mentioned a “Mother’s Day Package,” but neither of us knew exactly what to expect. So it was an adventure into the unknown. We arrived at 9:00 AM to enjoy the thermal suite, swimming pool, spa, and steam room. I hadn’t realised there were two thermal suites, but we chose the one adjacent to the women’s changing area as we were first in and had it all to ourselves. It’s a cozy haven, featuring a swimming pool with a gentle waterfall feature and another section where therapeutic water currents ripple through your body, melting away stress and working wonders for the body and particularly the back.
The suite also includes an ice dish, perfect for cooling your face and neck after the sauna. I love this hot and cold therapy, that helps constrict blood vessels, reducing inflammation and invigorating the skin. After an hour of lounging, relaxing, and chatting, we were called for our treatments.
My therapist, Tamarra, was wonderful. The treatment included a back, neck, and shoulder massage, as well as a facial. Tamarra inquired about my preferred pressure, and I opted for firm. She checked in with me to see if the pressure was OK and it was perfect. She also had me choose an oil based on scent; I selected a nourishing and rehydrating one. The massage was excellent—Tamarra skillfully worked out the knots in my back, and as they dissolved, so did my stress. It was both relaxing and invigorating, a combination that might seem contradictory but felt perfectly harmonious.
I can’t recall the last time I had a facial, but my face and neck relished the treatment, almost drinking in the oil. Tamarra mentioned that my skin was slightly dry, likely due to the seasonal transition from winter to spring, but nothing serious.
Afterward, I reunited with Kathy in the relaxation room, where she too was raving about her treatment. The water feature outside the window truly enhances the serene atmosphere and we could have lingered for hours. Although we knew it was five o’clock somewhere, we both declined the glass of prosecco as it wasn’t yet midday and we had planned a brunch and shopping day ahead. Instead, we opted for juice, accompanied by a bottle of water and a refreshing fruit sorbet.
We both commented on the showers in the dressing room. Often, facilities at hotels, can be on the colder side and lack water pressure, but these showers were hot, fast, and invigorating. The cold setting was sufficiently chilly to finish with a cold rinse, stimulating blood flow and keeping the endorphins high after the excellent treatment.
Since the treatment was a gift, I have no idea of the cost, but prices at the Maryborough start at €135 per person for packages like the Spring Spa Package, which includes a one-hour pre-treatment in the thermal suites, full-body exfoliation, a back, neck, and shoulder massage, and a one-hour post-treatment in the relaxation suite, along with a glass of prosecco.
The hotel is blessed with gorgeous gardens, where you can enjoy coffee, brunch, and lunch. It’s a perfect setting to extend the relaxation and spend quality time with loved ones.
For more information or to book a spa experience, you can visit the Maryborough Hotel’s website. www.maryborough.com
Reviewed by Paula Lenihan
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