WHAT? WHERE?

the outside of the Floatwell building in Cambridge

It turns out you don’t need to escape to the countryside or board a plane to somewhere exotic to find peace, tranquillity and work on your wellbeing. In fact, we found complete bliss in the most unlikely of places – in a smart townhouse in central Cambridge, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the main rail station. Floatwell is a wellness sanctuary that occupies a stunning light-filled villa just off Station Road and stepping through the doors is akin to going through the wardrobe into Narnia – it’s a completely different world, where you can easily switch off and destress from the pressures of modern life.

the yoga studio at floatwell cambridge — Image: Marina @see_youinside

Floatwell has been open here for around a year, but is still delightfully under the radar and those in the know come back time and time again to benefit from cool treatments that you can’t find in many traditional spas – we’re talking AI massage chairs, dry flotation beds, infra red saunas and the signature treatment, the flotation therapy pod. There’s also a yoga studio, spa treatment rooms and a lovely lounge with terrace where you can enjoy healthy treats and drinks. It’s the sort of place that you walk into with your shoulders up around your ears and leave a couple of hours later walking on air.

THE VIBE

Finding peace and switching off completely is the order of the day here, so inside the building is blissfully calm and serene with everything from the chic pared back interiors to the multitude of house plants carefully chosen to help you relax. When I visited on a sunny Saturday afternoon it was delightfully quiet, and with each treatment occupying a separate room it felt like I had the place to myself.

I particularly liked that there’s an understanding here that relaxing works in different ways for different people so there are no rules about having to be either in a swimsuit or your birthday suit, the choice is yours. The same goes for the different treatments. The packages are flexible and there’s no strict timetable or feeling of being rushed from one thing to the next. You can quite simply float around soaking up the serenity. Another very big plus point is that the chilled out experience starts from the moment you arrive – there’s free and ample parking right outside the door, which as any Cambridge dweller knows is nothing short of a miracle!

THE TREATMENTS

editor Hollie in the AI chair at Floatwell Cambridge — Image: Marina @see_youinside

In the corner of the gorgeous main lounge area there’s a rather intense looking chair that offers AI massages. If you’re worried about AI and what the future holds this will make you pause for thought because this clever chair has an in-built “chair doctor” that scans your back and creates a map of where you’re holding tension (shoulders and neck unsurprisingly for me!). It then combines this map with a reading of your blood oxygen level and heart rate to create a tailor made massage using a combination of heat, compression pads, foot rollers and shiatsu massagers. Clever stuff!

If you prefer the touch of human hands though and a real brain working out where your tension is, then there’s a beautiful treatment room upstairs where you can enjoy massage therapy as well as targeted facials and radio frequency lifts. I enjoyed a classic back massage and there was something particularly idyllic about being massaged to the muffled sounds of Cambridge life going on in the background, knowing I was in a gorgeous little sanctuary away from it all.

the infrared sauna at floatwell cambridge — Image: Marina @see_youinside

In a private room on the ground floor there’s an infrared sauna, a brilliant alternative to the traditional sauna, where you don’t have to sweat it out in humid and oppressive heat surrounded by other naked strangers. This much more relaxing option uses infrared to gradually warm you up to the effective level, is completely private and is proven to benefit the cardiovascular system and to soothe aching muscles.

So far not so much in the way of floating but, as the name suggests, flotation therapy is central to the wellbeing concept at Floatwell. There are two different floatation options here – wet and dry – depending on how much time you have and what you prefer. If you’re after a quick relaxation fix in the middle of a busy day then the dry floatation bed is the way forward (in fact, owner James calls it the business float as you can fit it in nicely between meetings!). However, if you have more time and don’t mind getting your hair wet and encrusted with salt it’s the flotation therapy pod all the way.

I enjoyed a quick go on the dry floatation bed, where you’re wrapped up like a baby before the bed gives way so you’re suspended in a hammock-like structure on the warm water. After only a couple of minutes I could feel myself drifting off into that special place between sleep and wakefulness (known as the Theta State) and it’s high on my to do list to try this treatment next time I’m feeling the stress take over.

As for the actual floatation therapy pod experience – well I think my face below says it all. I went into a state of relaxation like no other in a very short space of time. My initial concerns about feeling claustrophobic in the strange space age pod were instantly allayed when James assured me I was in control of how much I wanted the lid shut. Unless you’ve been to the Dead Sea, the floating experience is a completely unique and very pleasant experience. As you step into the pod your body lifts up automatically, supported by the 500kg of Epsom Salts in the water and you feel as light as air.

The aim is to reduce all sensory input – sound, light and gravity – to enable your body to entirely switch off. My claustrophobia meant turning off the lights wasn’t an option for me, but I still easily found myself in that magical place of deep relaxation and instrospection. Just be warned – the brain is an odd thing though and your thoughts will go to weird and wonderful places. It’s best to just go with it. You never know it might result in a lightbulb moment that’ll change your life and it’s interesting to see what your brain wants to tell you when you’re not rushing around. I spent most of the time in the pod day dreaming that I was in a lagoon in the The Maldives though rather than having any sort of life epiphany!

And don’t worry, you don’t go home looking like a piece of salt-baked cod. There’s a private shower in the flotation room with complimentary tropical-smelling products and towels and robes are provided too.

PACKAGES

There are lots of different ways to enjoy Floatwell. You can simply pay as you go and choose one treatment or more in special multi buy bundles. If you love your first experience and want to enjoy it more often there are monthly memberships, including a brilliant £75 yoga membership for unlimited sessions each month! And while, I enjoyed trying the treatments on my own, the space is set up beautifully for group sessions of two or more (up to 20 people) so we could see if working for couples, friends, family, or as a really sophisticated hen party or pre-wedding retreat. Floatwell can also work brilliantly as a corporate retreat to help staff de-stress and bond together.

SCOFF & QUAFF

While I had my treatments I enjoyed a herbal tea and healthy brownie, however you can book in for a light nutritious lunch as part of your package. There are also alcohol free drinks and smoothies to try and on a sunny day the pretty terrace is a delightful place to enjoy them. Owner James used to be a chef – so you’re in very good hands.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

With two young children and a full-time job I definitely fall into the “stressed” category and rarely find time for self care. After my visit to Floatwell though, I realised how important it is to give your body and mind a regular break and I loved that the treatments here meant I could find peace and tranquility without taking too much time out of my busy schedule. I floated home that night feeling calm and collected and slept like a baby for the first time in months.

Good for: Anyone who wants to enjoy regular wellbeing sessions that fit easily into their daily life and really make a difference. The treatments here are extremely targeted and evidence-based so you’re truly investing in your health and happiness. Couples, friends, families, corporate groups and wedding parties looking for something slightly different to a classic spa day will love it here.

Not for: Children or spa seekers looking for a traditional spa set-up with swimming pool, jacuzzi, beauty treatments etc.

The damage: Single 60 minute sessions in the floatation therapy pod start at £75, dry flotation is £65, AI massage chair is £25 for 20 minutes, yoga £15 per class, infrared sauna is £35 for 30 minutes and 60 minute massages start at £85. Membership packages start at £75 per month. You can see all the different packages and memberships here.

Floatwell, 6 Salisbury Villas, Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JF

Review: Floatwell, Cambridge

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