From car to spa, this is a girly weekend with a twist
Blue skies and the tip of the bonnet of my 4x4 were all I could see through my windscreen.
Gripping the steering wheel for dear life while the sport utility vehicle pointed towards the heavens at a 45 degree angle, with my foot firmly on the brake, I squealed words which are frankly unprintable. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as my instructor calmly urged me to accelerate to the peak. I did, then saw 45 degree angle steps to negotiate down…
Sound like your idea of fun? After half an hour of bouncing around in a powerful Mercedes-Benz ML 350 on 10 acres of off-road terrain I felt like superwoman who could take on the world. The thrilling experience will stay with me for a long time.
Mercedes Benz World has teamed up with the runnymede-on-thames hotel in Surrey to offer girly weekends with a twist.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
I also hopped into the driving seat of an SL 63 AMG on the historic Brooklands race circuit. The powerful, top of the range sports cars pack a powerful punch – accelerating from 0-60pmh in 4.2 seconds makes you feel like you're about to take off. I zoomed steadily faster around the laps, with the helpful encouragement of my instructor – a former police murder squad detective.
Handling a sleek powerful car is an incredible feeling. Half an hour whizzes by and it doesn't seem quite long enough.
Once I'd tried the speedy sports car laps and conquered the 4x4 trail with "finesse" – I headed to the sleek on-site restaurant to recover my nerves with a glass of delicious crisp white wine.
There are plenty of vehicles on show to make car fans drool and taking them all in after lunch was a jaw-dropping experience. A £1 million vintage Mercedes, in the motoring history museum, positively gleams, while red-leather convertible interiors are shown off to their best and if you've got youngsters who have Formula One aspirations there are a couple of sleek race cars to fire their imaginations.
But back on track – we were there for a girly weekend and after mastering the racetrack, you need a luxurious spa treatment to help you wind down.
We were whisked to the large hotel, a mere 20-minute drive away and given a tour of the expansive swimming pool, steam room and sauna before being ushered into our own private relaxation suite.
Fluffy towels, robe and slippers awaited, along with a table groaning with brownies, Champagne and strawberries. Heaven!
My one-hour full body massage was absolute bliss. Having our own space to relax in afterwards was perfect. Afternoon tea was served and a selection of DVDs offered a chilled out afternoon's entertainment.
I wanted to ensure I had plenty of time to appreciate my lovely, spacious bedroom before dinner and, film credits rolling, ducked up the stairs to take in the peaceful view of the River Thames flowing past my floor-to- ceiling windows.
White Company toiletries were waiting in the big bathroom for my pre-dinner pampering and I had to debate whether to take a long soak in the sparkling white bathtub or opt for the glass-housed power shower.
Dinner at the hotel is a relaxed affair. The Lock Bar & Kitchen is informal and rustic in its décor. My smoked salmon starter was light and delicious. Moules Mariniere as a main was steaming hot with a creamy sauce and chunky chips.
After dinner I lazed in my squashy, oh-so-comfy bed reflecting on just how much fun we'd packed into 24 hours. An opportunity to try out something new and exciting, coupled with the relaxing spa downtime, meant I wasn't exhausted, I was just right; happy and relaxed. The next morning's breakfast in the Leftbank restaurant was just as good as dinner.
The runnymede is a hotel with charm and warmth. It offers a comfortable home-from-home in the bedroom, uber relaxing spa, great food and coupled with the excitement of the Mercedes Benz World experience, for a great weekend away, you couldn't ask for anything better.
So for a girly getaway, fun for the lads or something to keep everyone in the family entertained – get in the driving seat and give it a whirl.
Factfile
Ultimate Drive Experience with the runnymede-on-thames and Mercedes Benz World from £330. Price includes a three-course dinner in the Lock Bar & Kitchen and overnight B&B stay at the runnymede- on-thames for two, and an hour's track driving, or 30 mins track and 30 mins off-road driving for one adult at Mercedes Benz World. Spa treatments from £75 for an ESPA aromatherapy massage. Half-day group spa experience in the private spa suite from £125 pp (for four to eight people).
To book visit www.therunnymede. co.uk or call 01784 220960. Visit www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk.
Advance single fares from Bristol to Reading are available from £24.80 each way. For the best value fares buy before you board at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
Comments