Why it works: Rockliffe Hall’s NEOM Spa Treatments

Epitomising the luxury, care, and wellbeing that guests experience at Rockliffe Hall, Treatment Manager Sarah Usher explains why their NEOM Spa Treatments are so special.

What are the NEOM Spa Treatments?

NEOM spa treatments are massage-based therapies with three variations (happiness, sleep and de-stress) for guests to choose from. The idea is that your body picks the treatment that you need through a scent therapy test. You are presented with different candles, and the one that has the biggest impact indicates something that your body is craving. It might not even be the smell you think is the nicest, but the one that stands out the most. We then tailor the treatment with that oil - it’s all about listening to the body.

What does the spa treatment involve?

It’s a full body massage that can be either 60- or 90-minutes long. The treatment is the same in terms of movement, whichever scent you choose, however two use a candle that melts to a warm cocoa butter and almond oil blend that’s then poured onto the skin. It’s rich and nourishing and the warmth is really relaxing. The other two treatments use beautiful, blended oils.

We then use a combination of massage movements, starting with the front of the legs, moving onto the tummy, the arms, décolleté, face and scalp. The guests then turns over and we work on the back of legs and the back.

The different treatments are:

NEOM Happiness Treatment: this purposeful combination of thoughtful touches will lift your spirits, relax you and leave you feeling like the best version of you. It includes a body scrub and massage inspired by Thai, shiatsu and cranial techniques.

NEOM Sleep Treatment: this is about preparing for a deep night’s sleep. Throughout, we drizzle the NEOM Intensive Skin Treatment Candle oil over the skin and provide specialist massage to key stress relieving points of head, face, neck and back.

NEOM De-stress Treatment: this treatment allows tension to drift away and for a calm new you to be uncovered. Again, we drizzle the NEOM Intensive Skin Treatment Candle oil over the skin and provide specialist massage to key stress relieving points of head, face, neck and back.

Where does the therapy come from?

The NEOM brand originates from Harrogate, which is one of the reasons we chose it, because it’s local to us. It WAS launched in 2005 by Nicola Elliott and Oliver Mennell, and they’re known for their use of 100% natural essential oils. The candles smell amazing, even when you’re not burning them. It began when Nicola was finding products for her sister who couldn’t sleep well and evolved from there.

Who benefits from the treatments?

Anyone can have these treatments apart from pregnant women. It’s more than just a massage. It’s got a prescribed routine, but it can be adapted to each person. Because you’re listening to your body it gives you that opportunity to slow down and have a moment to rebalance, especially now - I think everyone needs that.

Apart from pregnancy, there are no contraindications. When it comes to issues like cancer, we always aim to adapt a treatment to individual needs. It depends a little on what you’re going through at the time though as to what/how we adapt it.

Is there anything you recommend doing before the treatment to make the most of it?

It’s always a good idea to use the sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool to relax the muscles before your spa treatment. We also have a unique Mind Therapy bed. We’re one of the only places in the UK to have it, and we would recommend booking that in advance and having it before your treatment. It will allow you to really get into that relaxed state. It’s designed to support mental health, and helps with stress, anxiety, and depression, having originally been designed in USA for soldiers who had PTSD.