Devon

<p>It&#8217;s my friends 60th birthday and I would love to treat her to a day out here.  Looks fantastic.</p>


<p>Wow! I would LOVE to win this prize please 🤞</p>


<p>Great brief innovative breach with latest technology</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41442" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>Fresh out the wellbeing blocks, Aztec Spa, has just added a 60 minute, multi-sensory thermal <a aria-label="Fire &amp; Ice Experience (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.tlh.co.uk/aztec-leisure/aztec-spa/fire-ice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fire &amp; Ice Experience</a> to its pamper-filled bow. Here you can relax in an 8-person hydropool, a herbal sauna, a Finnish sauna, an Eucalyptus-scented aroma steam room, a drench bucket and ice fountain, a fun thermal shower experience, with heated loungers and a Zen relaxation area. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Zen_Seating_Area_1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41446" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Zen_Seating_Area_1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Zen_Seating_Area_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Zen_Seating_Area_1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Zen_Seating_Area_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Zen_Seating_Area_1-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Sounds right up Muddy&#8217;s street, but can it possibly be as good as its languorous, fizz-filled <a href="https://youtu.be/wbv_ITC9O9A" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="promo video (opens in a new tab)">promo video</a> suggests? Only one way to find out…we’re going in.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-2.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-41455" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-2.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-2-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-2-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-2-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-2-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This is the final instalment of a multi-million pound development which started with Aztec Spa, a themed subterranean haven with five treatment rooms offering Elemis pampering. It&#8217;s located right in the heart of Torquay, in the basement of The Carlton, a 7-bed family-friendly hotel owned by TLH Leisure. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-relaxation-area.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41445" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-relaxation-area.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-relaxation-area-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-relaxation-area-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-relaxation-area-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-relaxation-area-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Muddy’s been here before (well, naturally), to try out their signature Elemis Biotech Facial (<a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/beauty/review-biotec-facial-aztec-spa-torquay/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="read the review (opens in a new tab)">read the review</a>) and we were impressed both by the quality of the facial (the husband actually noticed!) and the quirky low-lit vibe. Think panpipes and jungly Aztec decor, not blood sacrifices, at least as far as I know.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41443" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The practice of bathing in alternately hot and cold water dates back to at least Roman times. More recently, the likes of Dutch Iceman, Wim Hof, has brought the benefits of cold therapy to the fore, brilliant apparently for your circulation, skin tone, reducing inflammation, while giving your mood and wellbeing a boost.</p>



<p>In contrast to the bamboo walls and green graffiti of Aztec Spa, The Fire &amp; Ice Experience is modern and stream-lined, decorated in warm neutrals with a calm botanical vibe, thanks to green walls and ceilings. Warm and cosseting, it&#8217;s like stepping off a plane when you&#8217;ve landed in a hot country. There’s no need to wrap yourself in a towel, let alone the waffle robe. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Finnish_Sauna.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41448" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Finnish_Sauna.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Finnish_Sauna-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Finnish_Sauna-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Finnish_Sauna-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Finnish_Sauna-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Muddy loves a spa and this was up there with the best &#8211; like a mini-holiday and just as refreshing. The hydropool was super-hot, like a bath, the sauna and steam rooms, everything you&#8217;d expect, Eucalyptus-scented and dreamily relaxing.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Heated_Loungers.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41444" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Heated_Loungers.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Heated_Loungers-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Heated_Loungers-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Heated_Loungers-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Heated_Loungers-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The heated loungers cradle your body beautifully, <em>way</em> more comfy than they look, and with your eyes shut, you get that same drifting-off sensation of lying on the beach on a sunny day, only with the heat from below rather than above. Really relaxing, hard to peel yourself away.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-4.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-41456" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-4.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-4-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-4-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-4-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-4-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>So much for the Fire &#8211; brace yourself for the ice part of the experience you can drench yourself with a bucket of cold water, walk through a cold shower or pat yourself with ice, or stick to the safety of saunas and hydropool if that&#8217;s too hardcore.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-shower.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-41452" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-shower.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-shower-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-shower-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-shower-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-shower-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Finally, the shower experience was a hoot &#8211; see my little insta video (and marvel at how high I can lift my foot!). Really novel, it&#8217;s a series of four showers just a few seconds long, starting at a shudder-inducing cold, to warm, to hot and finally to tepid. The shower-heads are lit in different colours, nestled in faux greenery, all adding to the fun. Admittedly, the way you move through the showers feels rather like being a carwash (with me the clapped old banger) but I must have done it four or five times, because it punctuates the more relaxing aspects and it&#8217;s the scaredy-cat’s way to acclimatise yourself to the cold water.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anything-else">ANYTHING ELSE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41447" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/Aztec_Spa_Fire_Ice_Hydropool_2-1-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s not as brightly lit it looks in the pics, a GOOD THING as what woman &#8211; bar the Kardashians &#8211; likes a bright light shone on you when you&#8217;re in your cozzie, for heaven&#8217;s sake? It&#8217;s also thoughtfully laid out so you never feel on top of each other. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-changing.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-41451" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-changing.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-changing-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-changing-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-changing-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-changing-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>My only niggle &#8211; the changing room is fairly basic &#8211; just one cubicle and one shower (though it did have Elemis shower gel), and one hairdrier which could cause a jam when it&#8217;s busy. That said, we were in a party of 9 and I didn’t wait a minute as everybody naturally drifted off at different times.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-41453" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-1-667x500.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/aztec-spa-1-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For an extra fiver, you can use the 25m pool which is accessed via a short walk across the reception. I only had time to peer down at it while walking through the Aztec Bistro but I&#8217;d happily dive right in, wouldn&#8217;t you?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="751" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/rich-bonstow-torquay-2.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-41458" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/rich-bonstow-torquay-2.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/rich-bonstow-torquay-2-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/rich-bonstow-torquay-2-666x500.jpeg 666w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/rich-bonstow-torquay-2-768x577.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/03/rich-bonstow-torquay-2-699x525.jpeg 699w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pic credit: Rich Bonstow</figcaption></figure>



<p>Torquay’s pretty harbour front is a few minutes&#8217; walk away, where you can take a vertigo-inducing ride on the ferris wheel, or treat yourself to a Michelin-starred meal at The Elephant. If you have more time, book a boat ride to nearby fishing town of Brixham or take a tootle on the water. Or it&#8217;s good weather, just go for a relax on the beach!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>an express top-up, you could squeeze it into a long lunch; a laugh with girls, a bonding sesh with mum; a date night (the last booking is 7pm); or how about a spa party? You can block-book it to yourselves for parties up to 20 people.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> anyone with specified medical conditions; people who like to dip between their saunas, the pool is a short walk away through reception; the kids, it&#8217;s adults only.</p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>£35pp for 90 minutes, or £45 for two people. (From 1 April 2023 session times for Fire &amp; Ice will be 60 minutes, with new pricing starting from that date.)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aztec-spa-fire-ice-experience-falkland-rd-torquay-tq2-5hs-tel-01803-400190">Aztec Spa <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Fire &amp; Ice Experience (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.tlh.co.uk/aztec-leisure/aztec-spa/fire-ice/" target="_blank">Fire &amp; Ice Experience</a>, Falkland Rd, Torquay TQ2 5HS. Tel: 01803 400190</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fancy-trying-it-out-for-yourself-you-betcha-hotfoot-it-over-to-our-muddy-reader-treat-for-the-chance-to-win-a-fire-ice-experience-sesh-and-afternoon-tea-for-yourself-and-a-pal-worth-80">Fancy trying it out for yourself? You betcha! Hotfoot it over to our Muddy Reader Treat for the chance to <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-aztec-spa-session/">WIN a Fire &amp; Ice Experience sesh and afternoon tea for yourself and a pal, worth £80</a>.</h2>


Review: The Fire & Ice Experience, Aztec Spa

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