Rudding Park

Rudding Park is a grand Georgian property with immaculate gardens just outside the Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate. The spa is a brand new separate building that opened in June 2017, connected to the hotel via an internal corridor. After parking in the spa's dedicated car park, follow the path lined with Rhododendrons to a contemporary building with glass double doors.

Three floors of spa heaven! The spa reception, changing rooms, and swimming pool are on the ground floor; a floor below are the treatment rooms and four relaxation zones ; a floor above (via a glass staircase) are the thermal facilities and the rooftop spa garden.

Like the rest of the spa, the reception area is light and bright, with high ceilings giving a sense of space. A smiley receptionist greeted us and invited us to sit on a large navy sofa to complete our consultation forms.

Opposite reception is a high-end boutique called Retail Therapy selling a tempting range of beauty products, homewares and gifts.

The changing rooms are spacious and L-shaped, with large lockers containing fluffy white robes, slippers, and a smart dark grey towel. Use the multi-functional wrist-band provided to open and close your locker, and to access the spa's thermal facilities. Change beside the white leather benches or nip into one of four private changing rooms.

Hot showers contain Elemental Herbology shampoo and conditioner. Make good use of the large mirrored vanity area afterwards, which has hairdryers, straighteners and Elemental Herbology amenities. All you need is your swimwear.

Rudding Park's 17-metre pool is large enough for some serious swimming. We loved the quirky collection of vintage swimming caps on the walls. Children are welcome to use the pool; check the website for dedicated swim times.

One side of the pool is given over to loungers; also here is a large juniper log sauna overlooking the gardens which would be roomy enough for 12 people. Cool down in the bucket shower afterwards.

We began our spa journey at the foot spas (of which there are four), selecting warm water and putting on the jets to give our feet a luxurious massage.

There are several steam rooms to try, ranging from moderate to beautifully hot in temperature. We loved the more luxurious of the crop, with its individual thrones marked out in white mosaic tiles and forming part of a navy-tiled bench.

Taking stock on a lounger, we sipped cool cucumber-infused water brought to us by a spa host and considered where to head to next.

The rooftop Spa Garden is available to day guests and spa members; hotel guests can upgrade to access the Roof Top Spa and Garden for £35 per person (well worth the extra expense). Allow at least an hour-and-a-half to enjoy all of the experiences here, including the views and the stylish loungers with umbrellas set out amongst the fragrant Salvia. Call an attendant and order a glass of fizz to sip in the sunshine (we told you it was spa heaven).

We could have spent all afternoon in the bubbly hydrotherapy infinity pool, with its warm water and powerful jets, and the hot sauna with its wooden and glass exterior and internal seating for five.

If you're having a treatment, you can make use of the four mind and sense relaxation zones. Rooms are quirkily, but descriptively, named: try "Relax" for a dark, cosy atmosphere, "Audio"for headsets playing meditative tracks, “Visual” for screens showing images and videos of nature and “Mind” for mind-stimulating games and adult colouring books.

We enjoyed a Rudding Park Jewel Ritual (135 minutes; £190), a combined massage and facial using ila products, designed to balance energy, release stress and promote calm.

My therapist, Alice, met me in the waiting area and led me to a spacious treatment room decked out in earthy tones; it smelled of fresh jasmine.

The treatment began with a full body exfoliation using a pearl and jasmine scrub. Alice used circular movements to slough away dead skin cells and wake up my circulation. After a quick shower, I lay face down on the warm bed, now covered in fresh towels.

Alice then performed a thorough massage using hot poultices. Adopting a slow, medium pressure, she managed to lull me into a deep state of relaxation.

The facial began with a creamy cleanser and an exfoliating scrub, both of which Alice removed using with hot mitts. Rose oil was the oil of choice for a facial massage which consisted of long, flowing movements and the addition of cooling Rose Quartz crystals. This felt very soothing on my skin.

The treatment concluded with herbal tea and a small chocolate brownie, the ideal end to a thoroughly relaxing, nurturing treatment.

Rudding Park Spa offers a menu of facials, massages and other body treatments using Elemental Herbology and ila products, as well as sports rehabilitation, treatments for mums-to-be, bathing rituals and finishing treatments such as manicures and pedicures.

You can have lunch in your robe in Horto, a contemporary cafe with floor-to-ceiling windows and a colourful palette of emerald greens and mustards.

Our chicken with quinoa and beetroot followed by orange polenta cake was washed down with a strawberry and mango smoothie. Everything was beautifully presented and packed with flavour. The chef takes a fresh and creative approach to food which is sourced locally. Let them know about any allergies and food preferences before your arrival.

Guests staying overnight (something we highly recommend) can return to Horto and sample the indulgent tasting menu with the option of a drinks pairing menu. Each course was simply exceptional; the deconstructed raspberry crumble with matching dessert wine was particularly noteworthy.

We loved

The design: Rudding Park Spa is fresh, draws the outside in, and has quirky touches to admire at every corner.

The food is exceptional; we couldn't have asked for more.

The relaxation area is innovative and caters for every mind-set, whether you wish to be stimulated or lulled into an hypnotic state.

We didn't love

The Spa only opened in June 2017 so there were naturally some teething problems on our visit (although we are sure these will be ironed out). More towels would be a very good start.

Indulgence seekers or anyone celebrating a special occasion: Rudding Park Spa offers a truly luxurious experience.

Water babies and heat lovers will enjoy all the facilities on offer.

Couples: Rudding Park Spa is made for romance.

Solo spa goers will feel extremely at home, too.

We awarded Rudding Park Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 bubbles. It has everything you could wish for in a spa, and more. The design and spa experience will delight even the most experienced spa-goer, while new spa-goers will feel well and truly spoiled.

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