A Little Mum and Me Time At Roe Park Resort

What would I do without my mum?

Amazing babysitter, chief cheerleader and dispenser of advice, my mum Elaine is the first person I head to in a crisis.  But since I had my own child almost 12 years ago, I rarely spend time alone with my mum who is these days referred to as ‘nana’ rather than mum.

These days our time together is monopolised by my son Dara, who just adores spending time with nana, baking, playing board games and doing all those other things that only a grandmother has the patience for.

So, with Mother’s Day just around the corner it’s important to spend a little time just the two of us.

Sometimes in our busy lives it’s nice to just switch off from the world and enjoy a little relaxation together.

The Spa at Roe Park Resort is the perfect place for a bit of mum and me time.  Situated on the outskirts of Limavady, it’s very central to all parts of the country.

From Belfast it takes me under an hour and half to get there, while mum has a journey time of five minutes as she is a Limavady native.

With its sweeping driveway and beautiful grounds, Roe Park Resort is an impressive country retreat.  There is a golf course and it’s a favourite for guests looking for a relaxing break in the country.

The Spa at Roe Park is situated in a separate leisure complex. 

Downstairs there’s a gorgeous swimming pool with a hot tub and a relaxation area.  It has views over the golf course, and it is lovely and peaceful to just lie on a lounger and read a book.

Upstairs is the Elemis Spa. I’m a huge fan of the spa brand Elemis and only select spas have the rights to this exclusive product.  The products are fantastic and very effective and Elemis treatments are among the best in the world – so I know we are in safe hands.

The staff at Roe Park are the jewel in its crown.  Everywhere you go in the hotel complex, you are greeted by friendly people who clearly enjoy their work.  Everyone is super-efficient and welcoming, and they always have time for a chat.

We are greeted at the spa by Michelle who couldn’t be more welcoming.  She shows us round and settles us in with lovely warm robes and slippers.

She takes us to the gorgeous relaxation area, and we settle down on the comfortable beds where we sip lemon water and mum and I catch up on the latest news.  It’s right in the middle of the Meghan and Harry scandal so we have plenty to discuss!

It’s lovely just lying there chatting and looking at the treatment menu.  I have had a few visits to the Elemis Spa in London, so I know we are in for a treat!

Mum decides on a prescription facial while I choose a back massage which will include a foot massage.  There is a lovely feeling at Roe Park Spa that time has no meaning.  We don’t feel in any rush and simply chill out until our therapists arrive.

Today I am honoured that Spa Manager Olivia is doing my treatment.  Olivia has worked on board Royal Caribbean Cruise ships, so I am definitely going to love my treatment.

Olivia is in her bare feet which she says keeps her feeling centered when she does a massage.  I lie down on a heated bed and she gets to work on my very sore muscles.

A combination of hunching over a computer and a particularly tough session in the gym has left my upper back quite tender.  Olivia starts off gently but increases the pressure and removes all the tension from my back.

It’s simply blissful as she eases all the stresses and strains from my back and of course I drift off to sleep.  It’s just so relaxing as she expertly works out all my tensions.

When my back is sorted, I turn over and she gets to work on my feet.  Oh, my goodness!  This is just heaven.  Olivia combines a foot massage and reflexology.  At first my toes are a little tickly but as I relax, I just melt away.  It is such an intense and lovely feeling.  I fall into a deep sleep as she works over all the areas of my feet.  I briefly wake up at one point before falling back to sleep.

I wake as she ends the treatment and strangely, I feel refreshed and not at all sluggish.  My body is totally relaxed but I am energised and head back into the relaxation area to tell mum all about it.

She has also had a lovely time with her facial.  All the rough skin was exfoliated from her face and moisture was put back in with masques and creams during her bespoke facial that was prepared with her skin type in mind.

She particularly loved the neck and arm massage and says she has never had such an enjoyable treatment before.  She is really pleased with how her skin is glowing and feels the treatment really worked for her.

We lie on the beds eating little bowls of fruit sorbet and relax in a post treatment haze.  We lie there for goodness knows how long – time has no meaning at the Roe Park Spa – but we leave only when we begin to feel hungry.

We make our way over to The Coach House Brasserie for lunch.  At Roe Park there are several options for spa goers.  You can have a full lunch, snacks or afternoon tea.

Mum and I opt for what we always have – soup and sandwiches, followed by dessert!  You can judge a restaurant well by these relatively simple items and we find The Coach House to be exceptional.

The sandwiches are massive and so fresh.  We have smoked salmon and cream cheese and warm beef with tobacco onions and horseradish.  Both are just delicious.  And served with a cup of tasty homemade leek and potato soup, it is more than enough to satisfy even the hungriest person.

We follow this by sharing sticky toffee pudding with ice cream, which is homemade as well and very, very good.

The lunch is just perfect for us.  Light enough for lunch but hearty enough to satisfy us.  Very impressive.  The waiting staff are very attentive and full of chat and the restaurant is packed full of hotel guests and locals alike – always a good sign.

And so, our spa day comes to an end.  It has been lovely to share this day with mum.  Life is busy and we don’t get nearly enough time together. 

It’s been a fab day and I am back in Belfast in time to collect my son from school.