Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa

Nutfield Priory Hotel and Spa is a grand Victorian country house in the Surrey countryside. The Nutfield Priory Spa is in a stand-alone building a short walk from the hotel. Before the property was taken on by Handpicked Hotels, the spa was run as a separate health club; it still has a number of dedicated members who come to use the well-maintained gym and good choice of fitness classes.

We received a warm welcome at the main reception area, where health-club members were booking classes and enquiring about lost keys. The spa's dedicated reception area, through another set of doors, is much quieter, with Elemis products attractively arranged in glass cabinets.

Day spa guests use the smaller changing rooms, with slatted bench, shower (but no loo), and vanity bar with hairdryer, body lotion and cotton wool. Branded waffle dressing gowns and slippers are in each of the lockers (which have ample room to hang clothes), as well as small bottles of Handpicked Hotels' shampoo and shower gel. Pop across to the larger health-club changing rooms if you're hankering for more space. Here you'll find loos, more showers and a swimsuit dryer.

We headed down one floor (there's no lift) and started our spa journey at the 13-metre rectangular swimming pool surrounded by loungers. Beside the pool are a Jacuzzi and sauna, each was clean and suitably hot on our visit, and a spacious steam room with smart mosaic-tiled walls. Sunny day? Head through attractive French doors and lie on a lounger in the spa's pretty garden.

Relax in the Amber Room between classes or treatments and help yourself to a small selection of magazines as well as complimentary tea, coffee and fresh fruit. For quieter, post-treatment relaxation, the low-lit relaxation room has comfortable, adjustable loungers and soothing music.

Nutfield Priory also offers a fully-equipped gym, a spin studio (with 28 bikes), a squash court and a training zone. Day guests can also book one of several fitness classes.

We enjoyed an Elemis Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage (25 minutes, £49) followed by an Elemis Biotec Radiance Renewal Facial (55 minutes, £79).

My therapist, Holly, led me to a smart treatment room with dark wood shelving, neutral-coloured walls and purple fleece blankets. She invited me to sit down so that she could ascertain what I wanted to achieve from the treatment. She then left me to make myself comfortable on the large bed in the centre of the room.

My half-hour back, neck and shoulder massage was a thorough exploration of the areas that hold tension; Holly finding (and working them out) with ease. I certainly felt more relaxed and zen-like afterwards.

The facial consisted of various stages including a plumping serum, a quenching mask, and an ultrasonic wand using galvanic currents to exfoliate my skin. Holly took the time to explain each stage well; my particular facial was designed to pump moisture into the skin rather than draw impurities out.

My skin looked dewy with moisture afterwards and felt noticeably smoother. The effects continued into the following week, with the fine lines around my eyes appearing reduced.

Nutfield Priory Spa also offers hot stone massages, salt scrubs, nourishing and detoxing wraps, and specific treatments for men and for mums to be. There's a comprehensive range of pedicures and manicures, too, as well as finishing treatments.

If you visit for a spa day, you can enjoy a two-course lunch in the spa restaurant which offers views of the spa gardens through large windows. You can upgrade to three courses for a small additional charge.

Of the four choices to start, I opted for a beetroot and mixed leaf salad with balsamic reduction, followed by a chicken Caesar salad with honeyed croutons and anchovies; both were light, fresh and tasty. If you're counting the calories, shun the freshly baked bread and butter, as well as the indulgent desserts (the sticky chocolate brownies were a battle to resist). Gluten-free, vegan and other dietary restrictions are catered for but you need order them in advance.

The hotel's Club Bar has a coffee-shop vibe; pop in for an espresso, a smoothie, a croissant or afternoon tea afterwards.

Staying the night? Dine at Nutfield Priory Hotel's 2 AA rosette Cloisters restaurant with its fine dining menu and fantastic views over the Surrey countryside.

We loved

The staff: Everyone we met -- from the receptionists and therapists to the restaurant staff --was kind, patient and professional.

The spa garden: We loved being able to relax on loungers with the sun on our faces.

We didn't love

There were sadly a few niggles: damp towels in the changing rooms needed clearing away more frequently and the loos needed some TLC.

The changing room: The smaller of the two changing rooms is a bit too poky and there is no loo.

Solo spa goers and fitness fans: The Spinning Studio and Functional Training Zone are excellent.

We awarded Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 4 bubbles. The spa manages to combine skilled therapists and excellent Elemis treatments with a warm welcome and plenty of fitness classes.

Super Spy visited in June 2017 and awarded it 4 Bubbles.