Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa

Armathwaite Hall is a traditional country house hotel set on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake in the Lake District, surrounded by stunning gardens and scenery. The spa is a sympathetically-designed modern extension with a glass frontage looking over the grounds, lake and Skiddaw Mountain.

You can access the spa through the hotel or a separate spa entrance. Spa reception is light and airy with a central water feature and bright glass cabinets filled with beauty products. We were warmly welcomed and asked to fill in a consultation form.

If you come through from the hotel just for a swim, you'll use the changing rooms on the ground floor, which are very health club in feel; you’ll need £1 coin for your locker. The spa has its own changing rooms upstairs with private cubicles for the shy. The area is quite small but has everything you need, including lotion and hairdryers.

The pool and the indoor thermal facilities are separate; the pool has children's swim times but the thermal area is adults-only so retains a peaceful atmosphere.

The 16-metre pool has a waterfall cascading down a slate wall at one end, and a shallow wallow pool ideal for children at the other. Floor-to-ceiling windows show-off views through the conservatory to the deer park beyond.

Between swims, relax on cushioned loungers around the edge of the pool or try the Spa Tranquillity Terrace -- a conservatory with comfortable seating -- which opened in June 2017. Glass doors by the pool open to the outdoor infinity hydro pool with enough bubbly seats for eight and garden views. Push a little button by the side of the pool and you can order drinks via an intercom.

The thermal area is separated from the pool area by a heavy wooden door. The hydrotherapy pool with metal air benches and a swan pipes is large enough for five people, the aroma room was tepid and sweet smelling, and the warm steam room was scented with eucalyptus. The very hot wooden sauna has windows looking out onto the Tranquillity Terrace. Cool off in one of two experience showers mid-session

The spa at Armathwaite Hall has two areas for pre- and post-treatment relaxation. The first floor, circular spa lounge has luscious leather sofas around a free-standing glass fire. You can help yourself to water, tea, coffee and magazines. The Hush Room is for post-treatment zen; curl up on one of eight wicker loungers, snuggle under a duvet and enjoy the woodland views.

Pamper in the manicure/pedicure studio or increase your heart rate in the well-equipped gym, exercise studio or ‘Wellness Clinic’ where you can book a session with a sports therapist or personal trainer.

We had the Holistic Facial and Back Treatment (90 minutes, £95).

My therapist, Lydia, collected me from reception and invited me to sit on a chair in our modern treatment room. She washed and exfoliated my feet in bowl of warm water while we discussed my consultation form.

I de-robed and lay face down on the treatment bed while Lydia prepared my chosen oil -- a relaxing blend of orange, frankincense and rosewood. Using firm pressure, Lydia slowly and rhythmically worked out the knots and tension in my back and shoulders sending me into a dreamy state of relaxation -- the lovely, warming scent of the oil filled the air.

Lydia asked me to turn over and raised the head of the bed for the facial. She trickled warm oil over my forehead, allowing it to drip through my hair as she massaged my scalp. Lydia cleansed, exfoliated and toned my skin using Armathwaite Signature Blend products then applied a raspberry and yogurt mask that felt wonderfully cooling and smelt glorious.

Lydia expertly massaged my face with short, sharp, lifting movements before applying a face and eye contour cream. She finished the treatment with a foot massage including some deeply relaxing pressure point work on the balls of my feet.

Almost purring with contentment, Lydia led me to the Hush Room where she brought me a post-treatment smoothie, flapjack and a glass of water. The knots were eased out of my back, neck and shoulders, and my face and neck felt youthful and uplifted -- exactly as hoped.

Armathwaite Hall offers a range of facials, massages, wraps and scrubs, holistic therapies such as reflexology and Indian head massage and specialist treatments for mums-to-be. If you’re looking to make a life change, book in for the LIFE Regimen day which includes fitness analysis, personal training and face and body treatments.

Spa day guests eat in the Courtyard Bar and Brasserie, just a short walk from the spa. We were in good company dining en robe. The spa menu has healthy choices such as salads, soups, sandwiches and pasta, but you can also go off piste if you want to indulge. Our smoked Applewood soufflé was light and smoky, and the salt baked potato was hearty and fresh. The menu has plenty of options for vegan and free-from guests.

In the evening, try Armathwaite Hall’s AA rosette Lake View Restaurant. The food here is all about the fine dining, we tried the sherry glazed duck breast with red lentils and a rice pudding with apple. Both were delightful.

We loved

The outdoor hot tub: The garden views and intercom to order drinks make this a real treat.

The relaxation areas: We loved basking in the sunshine in the Hush Room post-treatment.

Our treatment: Armathwaite’s own range of local and organic products adds a special touch.

We didn’t love

Armathwaite Hall isn’t well signposted and we ended up at a wildlife park while trying to find the hotel.

One of the loungers in the Tranquillity Terrace was broken during our visit.

Foodies:  With several places to dine, pretty afternoon teas, fresh lunches and elegant dinners in the Lake View Restaurant, the food at Armathwaite Hall is tasty and often beautifully presented.

Couples: Open until 9pm, the spa at Armathwaite Hall is a great place to visit by twilight. Dip into the outdoor hydro pool, order a glass of bubbly and watch the stars come out.

Small groups: The spa has tailor-made packages for groups celebrating a special occasion.

We awarded the spa at Armathwaite Hall a Good Spa Guide rating of 5 Bubbles. With an indoor pool large enough for lap swimming, a dramatic outdoor pool and spa garden, and lovely locally-inspired treatments, the spa ticks all the right boxes.  

Super Spy visited in July 2017 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.