Review: The Gin Spa, Glasgow • Foodie Explorers | Eat | Stay | See

A gin and tonic at The Gin Spa

I’ve been a big fan of Cup and Gin71 for a while now and have wanted to visit The Gin Spa for what seems like forever. Mr Foodie finally got the hint and bought me a voucher for my birthday so now it was time to use that voucher. Gin pampering ahead!

From the team behind Gin71 and Cup tearooms, The Gin Spa opened in 2017 within Virginia Court in Glasgow's Merchant City.

As soon as I walked in the front door I felt chilled. Spa music with moody dark decor, ah, relax...

I sat down, slipped off my shoes and put on some slippers whilst filling out the health questionnaire. The big question...how did I want to feel after my experience? Hmm relaxed and at ease. I had a choice of two scents from JustBe Botanicals, an all-natural Scottish brand. My nose chose Detox, with other scents named Happy, Active, Tranquil, Pure and Energised. Juniper is one of the ingredients in this aromatherapy mixture, maybe my body was crying out for gin!

I then chose three cards from what seems like spa tarot! My affirmations were “Be true to you”, “Be 100% now” and “Let it go”. I could do that.

A full body massage was just what I needed to get the knots out of my back with some TLC to my calves from wandering around exploring Belfast the past week. I especially liked the hand massage, we forget how much stress they hold.

In no time at all Rebecca, my massage therapist, had me feeling human again. After the massage there was a brief recouperation with some JustBe Detox chocolate, which was dark chocolate with milk thistle and fennel, and a bottle of rehydrating water.

Once recovered it was time to pick a gin and tonic from the selection. I decided a Lind and Lime with Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic was needed.

It wasn’t over yet, I still had afternoon tea, which was a short wander across to Gin71 Merchant City, where my gin and tonic awaited.

Just another look over the menu to make sure there weren’t any surprises and part two of chill commences.

A selection of rolls with fillings such as ham and tomato and afternoon tea fave coronation chicken arrived. A croissant filled with crayfish and rocket was a welcome addition.