Sybaritic Spy tries a Tribe 517 Hypnotic Back & Sole Massage

Set in the East Cheshire countryside, close to Stoke-on-Trent, The Manor House Hotel (Alsager) is a real find. Family run since 2013, the unassuming exterior gives way to 53 comfortable bedrooms, an AA Rosette Restaurant and an English country spa garden.

SHALL WE SPA?

The Spa at Manor House Alsager is a spa in a garden, literally - all the facilities are outside with plenty of places to get warm and cosy while getting your dose of Vitamin D. And as we know, being outside helps regulate sleep/wake cycles and impacts the body's serotonin levels, a chemical that plays a vital role in improving mood.

Collect your spa bag containing your robe, a blue and white stripey towel and matching flip-flops from reception and head through the back door of the hotel to arrive in another world: aka spa nirvana.

The English-style garden is a real spa lovers’ playground; make a beeline for the beautiful Vitality pool with its own swim-up spa bar. Four double-sized swing bed loungers surround the pool – each with their own covered pagoda, overhead heater and blanket to snuggle under. Seek out the enormous Salt Steam Inhalation Chamber, too, as well as the nicely hot Potting Shed Sauna. The brave can cool off in the icy cold plunge bath sandwiched between the cold-water shower and bucket shower.

Back in the hotel the indoor pool area has its own steam room, sauna and stylish blue and white striped hanging day bed. The big floating mattress invites you to climb aboard and snooze as you float round the pool – what’s not to love?

Of the delightful hidden gems here, The Summer House – with its flickering flame on a stand, four padded seats with room for two on each and pillows and blankets to snuggle under is a delight. Use the QR code to download the Spa’s own meditation programme; headphones hang next to seats. The Woodshed has a real log fire in the centre and plenty of comfy seats around the edges. You can pre-book time in one of the two secret garden hot tubs, too - look for the wooden doors with little heart shaped windows.

TREATMENT TALK

We tried the Tribe 517 Hypnotic Back & Sole Massage (60 minutes, from £85).

I love having my feet massaged so as soon as Shelly, my therapist, started on the reflexology-inspired foot massage, I was putty in her hands (the pressure points on the feet are thought to link to key areas of the body to promote self-healing and relaxation).

Shelly focused her attention on the base of the toes and the arch of my feet; when stumbling upon tender little toes, she worked on them a couple of times for maximum effect. I started the day with a stiff neck; by the end of the treatment, this had eased (who knew little toes were connected to necks? Whatever the reason, it turned out to be a much more effective remedy than the painkillers I had downed earlier.

Neck loosened, Shelly moved onto the back massage part of the treatment, combining aromatherapy-style strokes with effleurage kneading using the Tribe 517 Hypnotic Sleep Balm. The treatment began and ended with some guided breathing.

My spa partner, meanwhile, enjoyed a Tribe 517 Sound Asleep Full Body Massage (60 minutes, from £85), a full body massage performed lying on his front with no need to turn over (allowing you to drift off) using a Heal and Health oil.

HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?

We both felt rested and relaxed after our treatments; my neck was free – at last – from the muscle stiffness that has been causing me headaches.

SPOT OF LUNCH?

You can eat lunch in your robe in the pool bar, choosing between a ploughman’s, a mezze platter or afternoon tea.

We choose the mezze platter which was fine-tuned for this particular Spa Spy who doesn’t eat cheese (we know…). Instead, we tucked into garlicky hummus, olives, melon with Parma ham, Quinoa salad and stuffed vine leaves. Our spa partner enjoyed a similar selection, along with a range of cheeses. The food was fresh and tasty, and the portions generous.

If you are staying over, head to Stables Bar & Grill for dinner (pictured above). The AA Rosette restaurant is set in a 17th Century farmhouse, complete with wooden beams and a gastro pub feel. The menu features a choice of starters and mains including fish, chicken and steaks. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are all available.

GOT ALL DAY?

Explore the many and various areas of the spa - just when you think you have seen everything, you discover more hidden gems. Bubble away in the sunken hydrotherapy tub or relax on a warm tiled seat in the Laconuim and soak up the lovely green views.

Check out The Summer House and The Woodshed or just rest in one of the three covered pagodas at the end of the garden which look out over the pretty countryside.

SHORT ON TIME?

Hit the delightful Vitality Pool – with its hydrotherapy jets and heated to a balmy 38.C – order a glass of Prosecco at the swim-up spa bar and lie back and soak up the sense of wellbeing that comes with being in the great outdoors.