Spa by Kasia at The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel

Set in the Cheshire countryside, Spa by Kasia is part of the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel. The red brick, sprawling hotel is close to the road, and there's plenty of parking.

Spa by Kasia is at the rear of the hotel so it's very quiet. You can walk through the hotel or use the separate entrance close to the hotel's leisure facilities. Spa reception looks out onto a fabulous Asian-themed garden. It is elegantly laid out with pools and waterfalls, goldfish and little Japanese bridges punctuating lavender and grasses.

We arrived at reception and were checked in by a spa assistant who asked us to fill in our consultation forms. Once the paperwork was done, the assistant took us to the entrance of the spa, took our shoes, placed them onto a tray, and gave us spa slippers instead. A very Asian start to our spa journey.

Spa by Kasia continues the Asian theme with dark wood, orchids and Buddhas guarding the entrance; twinkly lamplight runs all along the walkways.

The spa changing rooms are in the basement, the area is well-lit with lots of lamps to keep the décor sympathetic with the rest of the spa. There are plenty of decent-sized lockers, two very clean showers and a loo. The space is a little small with only one bench to sit on and no private changing room. There are larger but more basic changing rooms in the leisure centre.

The spa itself has seven treatment rooms, including a couple's suite. There are three relaxation areas. The Tranquillity Zone is light with upright seating; here you can have tea and a gentle catch up. The Penchan Snooze Room is a darker, quieter relaxation room with four loungers and red chandeliers; this is the perfect space to curl up post-treatment, read a book, or help yourself to fruit. The Waterfall Lounge is just next to the black-tiled Turkish hammam; you can sit on the heated tepidarium bench and soak up the warmth.

The spa garden is stunning, and makes Spa by Kasia stand out from the crowd. A stone path twists its way around the Asian garden, with wicker furniture placed carefully so guests can sit quietly and contemplate the view. A little summerhouse at the end of the garden has big comfortable sofas and blankets so you can snuggle down on a rainy day and still enjoy being outside.

The hotel leisure facilities are just next to the spa, and this is where the wet and thermal experiences are. The 15-metre pool is in a light and airy space with floor-to-ceiling windows to one side, and a small but bubbly hot tub. The traditional wooden sauna would take four or six people comfortably and the larger steam room would take six or eight. Their décor contrasts strikingly to the spa, with Greco-Roman pillars and a bucolic mural. Sadly, when we visited, the hot tub bubbles weren't working so we missed out on the full experience.

We tried the Elemis Deeper Than Deep Hot Stone Massage (75 minutes, £79).

My therapist, Hayley, met me in the Tranquillity Zone and walked me through to our treatment room. We discussed my consultation form and I settled on the wide and warm treatment bed.

Hayley started the massage by lightly brushing my skin then drizzling oil on my limbs. She used a mixture of her hands and the hot stones to press into my tight muscles. There were long, soothing, stretching movements and deeper tissue work when she encountered knots. Hayley massaged my back and legs before I turned over and she repeated the patterns on the front of my legs, arms, chest and neck. I was so relaxed, I felt almost woozy; half-asleep and half-conscious of the deeply soothing massage. My muscles were also much looser; I could move my shoulders in directions I didn't think were possible!

My spa partner had the Elemis Touch Anti-ageing Facial (65 minutes, £69). Her therapist talked through her skin type and facial-care routine, and adapted the treatment to suit. A deep cleanse, two face masks, a finishing moisturiser and she looked positively glowing.

Spa by Kasia offers a full range of treatments including facials, massage, body treatments, manicures and pedicures, along with options for men and mums-to-be. There's also a medi-spa clinic if you're looking for more dramatic results.

We ate our lunch in our robes in the spa café area. The décor continues the Asian theme but is full of natural light with doors that open into the outside eating area in the garden.

The spa menu has hot and cold starters, main courses and decadent desserts. We tried the bouillabaisse and butter chicken curry; both were delicious.

You can also order afternoon tea. We saw lots of spa-goers with a very full three tiers of cakes and scones that they were unable to finish!

We loved

The gorgeously designed and scented Asian garden: Not many spas can boast such a sensory and engaging experience.

Using the Turkish hammam: Lie back, breathe in the heat and watch the twinkly lights in the ceiling.

We didn't love

The stark contrast between the institutional feel of the hotel leisure facilities and the exclusivity and warmth of the spa. The leisure facilities could do with some TLC.

Having just one small towel to use all day: We skipped washing our hair post-treatment and stuck out the oily look until we got home.

On a sunny day, Spa by Kasia would make a fantastic escape for city dwellers. Lounge in the garden and enjoy the scents and sounds surrounding you.

There's a lot of space at Spa by Kasia, so it would be really fun for groups. However, there's also enough space to find a quiet corner if you're spa-ing alone. 

We awarded Spa by Kasia a Good Spa Guide rating of Four Bubbles. The spa itself is hushed, calm and quite exclusive. Our treatments were excellent, and the lunch was lovely. The staff were all helpful and friendly. It's just a shame that the spa is let down by the leisure facilities; a little bit of love there and Spa by Kasia will be a showstopper. 

Super Spy visited in July 2016 and awarded it 4 Bubbles.