The Herb House Spa At Lime Wood Just Levelled Up

Fiona Duncan checks into Lime Wood hotel for a spot of sensational self-care.

C&TH Guide To Responsible Tourism

Lime Wood’s Herb House Spa Has Launched Ayurvedic Treatments

® Helen Cathcart

The best, most profound massage I ever had (and I’ve had a few) was in 2018 at Lime Wood hotel in the New Forest, Hampshire when Ayurveda and Reiki expert Sheena Chandran visited for a week. It was very nearly life-changing; certainly, it was astonishingly and instantly uplifting, as well as de-stressing, invigorating, relaxing and muscle unknotting all in one. At the time, Sheena worked at Kamalaya, the spiritually minded holistic wellness resort on Koh Samui. A few months later I went to Kamalaya myself and made a beeline for Sheena. I’ve tried to cope without her since then, but it’s been tough. Even my husband, not usually given to taking much notice of my mood swings, asked me on both occasions how soon I could see Sheena again.

® Helen Cathcart

Now, joy of joys, Sheena, who is from Kerala, has come to work full time at Lime Wood’s Herb House Spa. Even more wonderful, for me: I happen to live just five miles from Lime Wood and am a member of the Herb House, my happy place. From now on, I shall treat myself to a monthly 90-minute Abhyanga treatment (£200) and my husband need never ask me, plaintively, if I could possibly arrange to see Sheena again, asap.

It’s all thanks to Robin Hutson – the founder of Lime Wood, which opened 15 years ago – that Sheena is here. He and his wife Judy have been regulars at Kamalaya for many years and it was Robin and Judy who asked Sheena to visit in 2018, and more recently to introduce Ayurveda to the holistic programme at the Herb House on a permanent basis. Despite our appalling weather, she has accepted and is now a gentle, smiling presence in the Herb House and in great demand.

® Jake Eastham

As well as Abhyanga, the ancient practice that involves pouring warm oil onto the entire body and continually using long strokes to increase circulation and energy levels, Sheena offers Marma, Shirodhara, Kativasti, Indian Head and Reiki treatments. Sheena qualified in Ayurveda nursing and panchakarma at the renowned Amala Ayurvedic Hospital in Kerala and later studied Reiki healing techniques to compliment her Ayurvedic skills. When the two practices work in tandem, she believes, physical and mental balance is more attainable.

It works for me. And so does Lime Wood itself. Those 15 years, with the same core team at the helm (and Luke Holder and Angela Hartnett continuing to orchestrate the delicious Italian-inspired food), have served the hotel well, for it has never felt, or looked better, with a depth, groundedness and sense of continuity, as well as glamour mixed with homeliness, rarely found these days.

® Helen Cathcart

Talking of long-suffering husbands, here was mine, anxiously awaiting the new me after my latest visit to Sheena and ready to celebrate our wedding anniversary in style with a night Lime Wood: martinis at the bar, then dinner – linguine with red mullet and crab, lamb saddle with aubergine Siciliana – in the lovely restaurant; a bedroom that felt like a beautiful bedroom and not a hotel room; and a stunning buffet breakfast laid out on a long table in the Scullery the next morning.

A night or two at Lime Wood and a treatment from Sheena: to me, there can be no greater treat anywhere.

BOOK IT

Doubles from £495, including breakfast. limewoodhotel.co.uk