Cairndale Hotel: Enjoy the very best winter chill at Dumfries spa

The spa at Cairndale Hotel is on a par with any luxury hotel offering.

The smell of pine hits us as soon as we step inside the Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries. The grand red-stone building on the edge of the town centre is lit up like the Christmas tree that is giving off the most glorious festive scent in the hotel’s reception area.

A sweeping staircase is bedecked in a Christmas garland, while, to one side, the bar and restaurant area is in full festive attire, inviting us to kick off our celebrations early – and we don’t need to be asked twice.

We are in Dumfries and Galloway, the sprawling council area that ranges from Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire to the north, the Borders to the east and Cumbria to the south.

It is an area famed for its tranquility and natural wonders.

Indeed, the last time I visited, I was here to spend some time in the Galloway Dark Sky Park, where I was blown away by the stellar sights above my head.

This time, I have discovered a star of a very different kind in the Cairndale Hotel. My wife, two young daughters and I, are on a pre-Christmas trip in search of quality family time and, with any luck, a little relaxation for the adults.

I don’t know about you but, for me, the time just before Christmas is the best. That magical moment when everything stops. When it is just you and the ones you hold dearest spending some quality time together. In that regard, we could not have timed our visit any better.

The festive decorations and pine-scented air put us instantly in the mood to enjoy this special time of year.

A massage treatment with quality products.

The Cairndale has been owned by three generations of one family, the Wallaces, who have steadily expanded and innovated, thriving in what is the most demanding of industries.

Indeed, when current owner Matthew Wallace Sr bought out his brothers from the business in March 2020, little did he know that he was in the foothills of Covid.

It has no doubt been an incredibly difficult few years for the family but there is no sign of a downturn. In fact, the hotel feels as if it is coming into its own with its new five-star spa experience.

Little wonder then that the Cairndale was recently named in the top three in the Best New Spa category at the Good Spa Guide Awards, beating out a slew of established hotel brands.

It is a testament to the Wallaces but hardly surprising from a family who have a long history of entrepreneurship and innovation. And they clearly didn’t leave anything to chance, with hotel director Matthew Peter Wallace Jr bringing in the best talent, such as Claire Primrose-Harilal to head up the spa experience.

My wife and I have synchronised our plans for this mini break with military precision so that we each can enjoy the stunning Cairndale spa.

My deep muscle massage treatment is up first and Claire is on hand to guide me through the process. She is über professional and helpful and even before my treatment I am completely at ease.

The warm muscle massage uses hot Himalayan salt stones to soothe your muscles – so says the treatment menu, but that hardly does it justice. The treatment is one hour of absolute relaxation and exactly what my tired muscles need.

My massage therapist Pauline is fantastic and very understanding, and she is quickly able to adapt the massage on account of my recently battered thigh – a result of some very below-par football.

After my treatment but before I have to take over the parenting reigns, I am able to enjoy some time in the spa area.

You can even sip a glass of Champagne in the spa’s cafe.

The Cairndale leisure offering has had a complete revamp. Where once there was a pool with a small sauna and steam room, the hotel now boasts a spa offering that is on par with any five-star luxury hotel.

This place has to be seen to be believed. It is huge, luxe and, well, great. The Himalayan salt stones that worked such wonders earlier are here again in the huge sauna. There is a thermal pool, an aroma steam room, a Hammam, a herbal lounge, a cold water plunge pool, water beds, the lot.

The only downside is that I have to leave and allow my wife to enjoy the pleasures of this spectacular spa.

Inspired by the Christmas surroundings, I come up with a cunning plan – what better present for my wife than some Cairndale spa vouchers? I quickly go online and book them. For two, naturally.