Facilities are accessible on ground floor: reception, relaxation lounge, changing rooms, treatment rooms

Set over two floors, the spa is surprisingly vast. Despite the size, it feels intimate with its ground-floor gym, fitness studio, pool, thermal suite and outdoor area; head upstairs for the treatment rooms, relaxation areas and changing facilities. The setting for Seaham Hall is as expansive as it is exhilarating: the north-east coast (County Durham to be exact). The spa building and facilities are impressive; the treatments superb. The spa journey begins at the fabulous underground walkway that connects the spa to the hotel – walk past pebbles and running water until you reach a huge carved elephant (yep). Inside, there’s an ozone treated pool, a hydrotherapy pool and thermal rooms; head outside for steamy hot tubs.

If time allows, swim leisurely lengths in the spectacular 22-metre infinity-edge, ozone-treated indoor swimming pool before relaxing on a grey rattan lounger, of which there are plenty. Early birds can swim with the sunrise from 6am. bedrooms available: 12 bedrooms in The Manor House and 18 Woodlands Rooms. A suite, family rooms and a dedicated disabled accessible room with twin bathrooms are also available. For lap swimming, head to the 26-metre saltwater vitality poolwhich is bathed in green mood lighting. Swim into the starlit cave at one end of the pool before bubbling away in one of twohot tubsat the other. Relax on a heated lounger afterwards. Feeling restless? Make good use of the spa's well-equipped gymand fitness studio. Upstairs there are three relaxation zonesfor post-treatment resting. Choose from bean bags in the lounge area, recliners in the relax room, cubicles with blankets in the slumber room or water beds in the sleep room.

At 85,000sq metres, what isn’t? Two pools, extensive thermal facilities, 46 treatment rooms (yup), three relaxation areas, a spa restaurant, a new mani/pediboutique, a spa shop and a wellness suite. A handy map will help you find your way around. Even in the cooler months you can venture outside to the Zen Garden to experience the bubbly hot tubs or the infinity hydrotherapy pool, and cosy up in a fluffy white robe next to the firepit. Bask in the heat of the Indian steam room, the Asian herbal saunarium and the hammam, then immerse yourself in the warm bubbles of the jacuzzi. You can cool down in between with a swim in the 20-metre pool, or by sampling the refreshing ice fountain and braving one of the cold plunge pools – an experience that’s sure to make you tingle from top to toe. TheRidgeview Beauty Bar is light and airy with rows of pendant lights; a huge picture of the local Ridgeview vineyard graces the wall behind the double pedicure station. Jessica manis/pedis are on the menu, along with make-up and brows by Mii. Next, a galvanic machine; Louise moved two cool metal prongs around my face which use positive and negative charges to help sculpt. This was followed by an LED face mask – using red light therapy to stimulate collagen. Finally, the oxygen infusion: short blasts of pressurised oxygen to force the active ingredients deeper into the skin. The treatment ended a range of Elemis products to tone and moisturise, leaving me with a next-level glow.Christmas is over, the goose is getting fat (or is that just me)… it’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to healthy eating, shedding the pounds and booking something to look forward to. So where better than a UK spa visit, with its absence of pre-flight testing, some much-needed time out and some good grub? Balinese Boreh ( a massage created by rice farmers to ease pain using a preparation of a paste of ground spices) For our spa goers who are after something a little more casual, The Watershed serve a selection of drinks and light bites for those relaxing by our swim pond throughout the day during the summer months. Facilities on lower ground floor accessed by lift: thermal bathing suite & hydro pool, and changing rooms

The facilities are roughly divided into four areas with the thermal experiences situated near each of the two pools (vitality; hydrotherapy); you'll findtwo treatment areas are a little further along.

A purpose-built detox retreat in the heart of the Essex countryside, the Glass House offers a broad range of treatments, from a cryotherapy chamber to hydrating body wraps and facials. Days tend to be structured (although guests are welcome to opt in and out of activities), with an early morning walk, time for spa treatments of your choice in the morning and afternoon, and wellness talks or vegan food demonstrations. Rooms come with soothing countryside views, vegan spa products and the fluffiest of robes. Lomi lomi is a traditional Hawaiian massage that uses a combination of massage techniques, nut oils, and sometimes elements of prayer, breathing and dance to restore energy and soothe the body. It is also known as the 'loving hands' massage. This name helps to explain its principles - the massage works gently yet deeply into the muscles with continuous, flowing strokes, allowing the recipient to relax and give in to the nurturing touch. Your massuesemay make full-body or under-body strokes, lightly stretch your limbs and carefully rotate your joints. These techniques are thought to free up your energy flow, and she will perform them very gently, staying within your comfort zone and level of resistance. The Kloris Sleep Ritual commenced with a scent test; the uplifting CBD oil with blood orange, vanilla and oud was clear favourite with its earthy, Mediterranean notes.