Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest

Part of Center Parcs Sherwood Forest, Aqua Sana is well signposted from the main entrance and has a dedicated car park for spa guests. Manicured trees lead to a smart white building with glass doors that slide open to reveal a large spa reception with a check-in-desk, a small shop and a seating area. Anna warmly greeted us, handed us a robe, a towel, a wrist band for the lockers, and flip-flops, then showed us through to the spa.

Large changing rooms contain two banks of wooden lookers and a vanity bar with hairdryers and stools. The showers and loos are at the far end; the former well stocked with Aqua Sana's own shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.

Recently rebranded as The Forest Spa, Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest aims to take you on a journey to different parts of the world via six zones and 25 experience rooms/areas. Set over two floors -- and straddling both inside and out -- you could easily lose an entire morning in this spa.

If time is tight, go straight to Aqua Sana's new "wow factor": The Treetop Escape. Head up three flights of wooden stairs and enter The Treetop Sauna, a large wooden cabin perched high in the trees, offering unrivalled views of the forest below through floor-to-ceiling windows. Feeling sleepy? The Forest Terrace's balcony is the perfect place to relax after a treatment. Climb into a large bed and doze off listening to the sound of birdsong and rustling trees.

Not great with heights? Stay at ground level and bubble away in one of two raised hot tubs, each seating around five, or swim in the outdoor heated pool which is large enough for laps.

Inside, Aqua Sana's Nordic Forest zone offers a taste of Scandinavia. Its oversized sauna is handsomely clad in wood shipped over from Norway and easily seats 20 people. This zone also has an ice cave, alpine steam room and rainforest walk experience. We loved the Scandinavian snug: a fabric-clad retreat with a round sofa, blankets and flickering fire pit.

The volcanic steam room and volcanic sauna in The Volcanic Forest are each set a few degrees above the norm and decorated in stylish black slate. Relax in pod chairs in front of a fire-effect feature afterwards with its uplifting aromatic scent.

Other "zones" include The Hot Springs (salt steam room and waterfall showers), Treetop Nestling (forest-themed relaxation) and Forest Immersion (rooms designed for meditation).

Places to relax abound at Aqua Sana: from hanging pods and loungers to warm tepidarium beds and waterbeds. Simply decide how relaxed you want to be and settle in.

We had the Decléor Pilates Facial (55 minutes, £79).

My therapist, Stacey, met me in the relaxation room and escorted me through the corridors to a softly-lit room with a bed in the middle and a trolley of Decléor products to the side.

I sat on a chair while Stacey talked me through the benefits of this particular facial -- to stimulate collagen and plump up the skin -- before asking me to lie face down on the bed.

Like most Decléor treatments, the Pilates Facial began with a short back massage. Applying a citrus-scented oil, Stacey lured me into a relaxed state using the flat of her hands. Her back and shoulder massage used a combination of long strokes and kneading to alleviate knots. My grateful shoulders immediately relaxed.

The facial began with a thorough cleanse using cotton pads dabbed with Aroma Lisse cleanser, especially formulated for 30+ skin. Removing this with a hot cloth, Stacey then toned my skin with a gommage exfoliator which she pressed on and rubbed off. This felt less abrasive than a beaded exfoliator.

The rest of the facial felt like one long, indulgent massage, with Stacey also paying attention to my neck and around my eyes. To finish, Stacey placed a small towel under my neck and moved my head from left and right until all remaining tension melted away.  

A hot towel, an eye cream and an indulgent face cream later, and I was good to go. I left feeling relaxed and nicely pampered. Stacey recommended some products that would particularly benefit my skin before offering me a peppermint tea to sip slowly in the post-treatment relaxation room.

Aqua Sana offers a range of dedicated Decléor and Elemis treatments, as well as a variety of massages, facials, scrubs, wraps and beauty treatments.

The light and modern Vitale café sits in the middle of the spa building and offers views of the grounds through floor-to-ceiling windows.

A deli counter displays a fresh selection of salads, paninis and cakes; we chose a freshly made roasted pepper and brie flatbread with rocket, followed by a banana and toffee muffin before happily munching away in our robes. Both were delicious and sufficiently filling.

The café also serves breakfasts, a selection of juices and some hot dishes such as lasagne. It also caters for intolerances. It was nice to see several guests enjoying glasses of Prosecco.

We loved

The Treetop Sauna: Watching the birds fly beneath you is a fantastic experience. If you have time, resist heading straight up there; build your body temperature up first to enjoy it for longer.

The rainforest shower and steam room: These rooms took us to Asia with their tropical storm showers and rainforest design.

The service and staff: From the warmest of welcomes to being offered chocolate strawberries on exiting the steam room, the team genuinely cares about your spa experience.

We didn't love

The loud lockers: Soft-close lockers would make for a more peaceful changing room expereince.   

Couples: The new Treetop Sauna is wildly romantic, while the treatment menu offers massages for two.

Small groups: Although Aqua Sana actively promotes quieter areas, several spots are perfect for catching up with friends.

Solo spa goers: We used the spa on our own and enjoyed it immensely; ditch the family and claw back some much-needed "me" time.

We gave Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest a Good Spa Guide rating of 5 Bubbles. The Forest Spa has taken Sherwood to a whole new level through innovative experiences and ideas; the Treetop Sauna is particularly pioneering. Service is proactive and, even with 60 spa goers enjoying Aqua Sana on our visit, there was still room for more.

Supreme Spy visited in May 2017 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.