Struggle to relax? The Wave Reset at the Ye Olde Bell Spa might be just the thing you need to take some time to unwind.
Our editor Eve Smallman gave it a try, as well as spending half a morning in the spa with lunch. This was kindly gifted, but these are her honest thoughts.
The Ye Olde Bell Spa is an excellent spa to visit in Nottinghamshire, and worth making the trip out to Barnby Moor for. For more reviews like this, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
Wave Reset at the Ye Olde Bell Spa — review
Words and photos by Eve Smallman
I find it incredibly hard to stop. I know that I should relax more than I do, but whether I’m making a tea or watching TV, my mind is always ticking or my fingers can be found flicking through my phone.
This is why I was excited to try the Wave Reset at Ye Olde Bell Spa. The 30-minute session combines vibro-acoustic technology with guided meditation, promising to help calm the nervous system, promote deep relaxation, and encourage a profound sense of restoration.
Upon arriving in the room – complete with two loungers for yourself and a companion – you’re ushered in and given an explanation. It’s simple – choose a programme for you on the screen, pop your headphones on, and relax. There are also weighted eye masks and chest plates to help with this. Plus, there are blankets if you really want to get cosy.
The options are split into three categories: restore, positive mindset, and peak performance. Some are guided, and some are peaceful music and sounds. I began with neo nap in the restore category, which had calming vibrations and chiming sounds that surprisingly made me start to nod off. I am not a big napper, so this was very impressive.
However, I did find my mind drifting a little bit, so I thought I’d also try one with narration. I went for a positive mindset, which had options including confidence, self love, attract abundance, and love magnet.
I went for the former (who doesn’t like a little confidence boost?), which had an emotive voice that was only a touch robotic. This told me to picture walking down to a safe space and meeting a more confident version of myself, and choosing an object to help represent that change in attitude. I definitely can see how this manifestation might work for people needing more confidence, with it offering useful takeaways that can be practiced day to day.
Finally, I went back to restore for a soul soak, which – clue was very much in the name – came with a lot of rain sounds. The Shure headphones provided exceptional noise-cancellation, as well as surround sound that made me literally feel like a waterfall was behind me. This made me feel both soothed and invigorated, and was my favourite out of the ones I tried.
Conveniently, I have also started using a Whoop recently, which is a health wristband that monitors sleep, steps, and stress, among other things. During the time period I used the Wave Reset, my stress level was firmly down to low, compared to the rest of the day, where it was about medium – showing that it genuinely helped chill me out.
The only thing I would say is that I wish the room itself had been a little warmer – yes, there was a blanket on each chair, but it was still quite drafty. I also didn’t love the enormous skincare advertisement that was facing the loungers, which felt a bit imposing for a relaxing treatment. Despite this, I still really enjoyed it, and also appreciated the hot tea and water afterwards for taking a final moment to reset.
Ye Olde Bell Spa is also among the best spas in Nottingham, with its host of different rooms, including a steam room, snowstorm, salt room, and tropical shower. It also has spa butlers, which makes ordering extra drinks – coffee and hot chocolate for me – handy. Plus, lunch is included in the half-day sessions (from £120pp), which was a comforting treat. The French onion soup and salmon with creamed leeks that I had were tender, flaky, and delicious.
The session lasts 30 minutes and is from £40pp, and can be added onto half day and full day packages. Compared to other sessions at the spa, this is a more budget-friendly way of having a treatment – a great way to break up a spa day, morning, or evening. It’s fabulous for relaxing the whole body – I get way too tense having massages, so this no-touch, all-relax treatment was an excellent alternative.
Whether you’re looking to relax yourself or know someone who could use doing so (perhaps for a Christmas gift?), I highly recommend giving the Wave Reset a go. Even someone as busy and stressy as me managed to relax – and, let me tell you, that is saying a lot.
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