Beautiful Escape Treatment Rooms is a family-run beauty and massage studio in Mortimer near Reading, founded on a passion for expert treatments, genuine client care and creating a calm, welcoming environment where clients can truly relax.
ABOUT US
OUR STORY
Co-owner Ruth qualified over 17 years ago at the prestigious Oxford International College of Beauty, gaining internationally recognised CIDESCO and CIBTAC qualifications in Beauty Therapy. The college places client care and attention to detail at the heart of its training - values Ruth continues to uphold within the business today.
Her career began at Nirvana Spa, where she developed a strong foundation in relaxation treatments and creating the right ambience within the treatment room, before further refining her waxing, manicure and pedicure skills at Anita’s Hair and Beauty.
In 2012, encouraged by loyal clients, Ruth opened Beautiful Escape in her home village of Mortimer, with her Mum supporting on reception. What began as a small village salon grew steadily, later expanding to larger premises in a beautiful barn conversion at Butlers Lands Farm.
It was there that Holly joined as an apprentice. She completed her Level 2 VTCT qualification in Beauty Therapy at Newbury College, where she was awarded Apprentice of the Year, before progressing to Oxford International College of Beauty to achieve her Level 3 VTCT qualification. Training across both colleges, alongside learning hands-on within the salon, instilled in Holly the same commitment to client care and attention to detail.
After nearly a decade working alongside Ruth, Holly became instrumental in shaping the business into what it is today. She remained a constant support through challenging times, including lockdown and personal family difficulties, standing by Ruth with unwavering dedication and loyalty. Ruth openly says she could not have built Beautiful Escape without Holly’s support.
A NEW CHAPTER
Recognising how well they worked together as a team, Ruth and Holly decided to become business partners. With this new chapter, they felt a smaller, more personal setting better suited their vision and chose to return to Mortimer village — where it all began.
Beautiful Escape Treatment Rooms now shares a space with the highly talented Elizabeth Kempson Hairdressers. Like Ruth and Holly, Elizabeth and her team are extremely experienced, client-focused and operate by appointment only, creating a calm and professional environment throughout. The partnership felt like a natural fit, bringing together two like-minded businesses under one roof.
Beautiful Escape is proudly family-run, with both Ruth and Holly’s families continuing to play an important role behind the scenes.
Now as co-owners and partners, they offer a welcoming and professional setting where expertise, results and genuine client care remain at the heart of everything they do.
Meet Ruth
With over 17 years of experience in Beauty Therapy, Ruth is best known for her attention to detail and the way she truly listens. She takes the time to understand exactly what each client needs, tailoring every treatment so it feels completely personal and considered.
Her waxing has become something of a running joke in the salon, affectionately known as “Best Waxed in Berkshire” because she simply won’t let a single pesky hair escape. She understands that waxing can feel nerve-wracking, especially for first-time clients, and has a calm, reassuring way about her that immediately puts people at ease.
A self-confessed skincare enthusiast, Ruth is always learning, refining and evolving treatments to ensure clients receive the very best results. If she arrives in the morning with a new idea thought up at silly o’clock the night before, no one is surprised.
Her massage treatments are delivered with complete focus and care, thoughtfully adjusting pressure throughout to suit exactly what each client’s body needs on the day.
Kind, caring and empathetic, Ruth brings a fun, positive energy to the salon and is always thinking of new ways to enhance the client experience. Behind the scenes, she’s the ideas person (and the one who secretly enjoys a spreadsheet), constantly looking for ways to improve the business and keep clients happy.
Meet HOLLY
With nearly 10 years of experience in Beauty Therapy, Holly is quite simply one of the kindest, most genuine people you could meet. Warm, smiley and naturally empathetic, she has a way of making every client feel comfortable, listened to and completely at ease from the moment they arrive.
She excels in facials and massage, with an almost “x-ray vision” ability to find tension and work through it with care and precision. Her facials are deeply relaxing, with many clients drifting off almost instantly.
Holly is incredibly intuitive, naturally picking up on each client’s mood - knowing when someone would love a chat and when they’d prefer quiet time to truly switch off. Her attention to detail is second to none, and she has what Ruth affectionately calls “a memory like an elephant”, remembering the smallest personal touches that make clients feel genuinely known and valued.
Customer care comes naturally to her. She ensures every client feels comfortable throughout, paying close attention to every detail of the treatment.
Behind the scenes, Holly is the organised one. Calm, steady and always one step ahead, she keeps everything running smoothly, from stock to schedules - and provides constant support both professionally and personally.
Together, she and Ruth balance each other perfectly, sharing the same standards, instincts and vision for Beautiful Escape, always working as a team.
Our AWARDS
We absolutely love what we do and we’re obsessed with being the best at it. And we’ve got the awards to prove it!
![BERKSHIRE WINNERS LOGO 18-2[9804].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608fea39ac5df725b443dcf5/1620228490048-OUZSHEWBZ4HJ0QP4A47Q/muddy-stilettos-winner-berkshire.png)
![English Hair & Beauty Awards 2018[9806].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608fea39ac5df725b443dcf5/1620228727097-TMZ0WP6SQ3VBHAAETDN6/English+Hair+%26+Beauty+Awards+2018%5B9806%5D.png)
![English Hair & Beauty Awards 2016_17[9806].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608fea39ac5df725b443dcf5/1620229542359-Y6NV1HMEQSOI3BB1Y8HK/English+Hair+%26+Beauty+Awards+2016_17%5B9806%5D.png)
