"THERE will be very few spas comparable to it in the UK and certainly nothing like it in Manchester," smiles Mike Magrane, General Manager of The Midland Hotel.
"Sleep therapy will be one of the more unique treatment offerings at the spa"
Magrane and Resident Manager, Chris Eigelaar, accompanied Body Confidential on an exclusive (and premature) first look at The Midland Hotel's new £1.5m premium spa. While hard-hats and neon vests are still a site requirement at this stage, it was clear that this city-centre spa resort is set to be a dazzler.
Due to open June 2015, The Spa at The Midland will occupy the hotel's former health club and is currently undergoing extensive renovation. It will see nine purpose-built treatment rooms including two couples treatment areas and a Rasul mud spa (that's a giant mud bath), a gym, on-site café, relaxation pool, four relaxation zones and interestingly, 'sleep chambers' and 'sleep cocoons' (see image below).
Are we talking Tokyo's high-tech sleep capsules or 'napboxes' here?
"Sleep therapy will be one of the more unique treatment offerings at the spa," explained Magrane. "The sleep cocoons will be the main focal point. You'll also be able to choose your own music in pre-treatment rooms - it is really advanced.
"We want to provide guests with hectic lifestyles space to relax within the spa grounds, so the gym is kept quite seperate to the spa and the relaxations zones; we've been conscious to keep those looking for quiet away from large parties."
"There's a wellness theme throughout the spa," added Eigelaar. "For instance, the pre-treatment rooms will include a salt-infused steam room, which is great for the respiratory system. A poolside swan neck will be available for anyone needing that added touch of tension release."
The Spa at the Midland will be working alongside leading skincare and spa brand, ESPA, to offer a wide range of non-invasive skincare treatments. Much like the rest of the spa, the treatments will be premium. Nail brand JESSICA will be on hand for the usual manicures and pedicures.
WATCH this quick walk-through of the developing Midland Spa:
With it's premium offering, 'advanced technologies' and only 200 memberships allowed, The Spa at Midland holds an exclusive feel; though, Magrane ensures us the spa will also cater to individual daytime trade (prices will be released nearer completion).
"You'll be able to just pop in and get your nails done. It will operate as a day spa which will run separate to the hotel with its own entrance, but still open to the hotel's guests of course," said Magrane.
Amongst the hustle and bustle of new restaurant openings and the bang and clatter of numerous large-scale property developments in the city, it's good to know a new major health and beauty project based on calming and wellness will be there to take the edge off.
To find out more please see The Midland Hotel website