The Coniston Spa

In the gently undulating dales and pretty villages of Yorkshire, this large hotel appears at first glance to be unremarkable. However, first impressions are deceptive. Step onto the Coniston Estate and the panoramic views over the lake, parkland and faraway hills are spectacular.

Both the Coniston hotel and spa are purpose built; they're modern but very welcoming and comfortable. As well as the hotel and spa, the estate has restaurants, a falconry centre, a shooting ground, and a 4X4 off-road experience. Deliver a best-beloved unto thrill-seeking adventures and hide away in the cool and contemporary spa.

Coniston Spa opened at the end of 2015. Its glass fronted structure with curved roof affords uninterrupted views of the countryside.

Plenty of friendly staff welcomed us at spa reception, which has lots of products to browse or buy. To one side, a glass wall overlooks the pool area. To the other is a circular black wood-burning stove and the spa brasserie with stylishly comfortable indoor and outdoor seating.

Male and female changing rooms are behind the café, and there is a disabled toilet and changing area, too. The changing area feels modern and clean with plenty of lockers, four showers, two toilets, cushioned benches, and a vanity area with hairdryers and hair straighteners.

A glass-sided corridor leads to the thermal area. The large, light space has a slate-grey floor and wood and chrome finishes. The wide 15-metre swimming pool has dark blue mosaic tiles and underwater lighting. The water is cool enough for doing some hearty lengths while admiring the views. The sunken circular bubble pool, big enough to seat four, has different seating levels and strong massage jets. Around the Jacuzzi and pool are plenty of cushioned rattan armchairs.

The heat experiences at Coniston Spa are off to one side. The Himalayan salt sauna is a gentle heat with wooden curved recliner seats for four people. The more traditional sauna is hotter and can seat six. The steam room is dark with aromatic oils and again could seat around six comfortably. When you're ready to cool off, there are two powerful showers either side of an ice fountain.

Outside is the piece de resistance, a lovely rectangular infinity edge vitality terrace, deep and hot with gentle bubbles and massage jets overlooking the lake, trees and distant hills. The surrounding decked area has ten cushioned recliner chairs. It's a real sun trap, with spa butlers on hand to tempt you with drinks and smoothies.

The pre- and post-treatment rooms -- the Serenity Lounge and Tranquillity Lounge -- are both comfortable enough for five people, dimly lit, with drinks, teas, nibbles and fruit to help yourself to. To the rear of the Serenity Lounge is the nail bar and grooming area.

If you fancy some outdoor peace and quiet away from the pool, a decked veranda overlooks the woods, with lots of recliners and comfortable love seats.

If you're feeling energetic, the gym and fitness studio host a range of exercise classes and personal training.

We had the Coniston Signature Escape (120 minutes, £135): a body treatment and facial tailored to each individual client's needs.

My therapist, Georgie, met me in the Serenity Lounge then led me along a curved corridor to our treatment room -- aptly named Indulge.

Georgie invited me to sit on the lowered bed while she washed and scrubbed my feet in a warm, scented foot bath. She described the treatment and products, checked I was happy with her choices, then left the room while I took off my robe and settled on the treatment bed.

Georgie massaged my back, drawing the strokes up to my neck and into my hairline, then pressing down along my spine. She applied long and circular strokes across my back, sometimes using her forearms. The pressure and rhythm was perfect for deep relaxation. She massaged the backs of my legs and feet, then invited me to turn over to repeat the pattern on my front. She finished with a lovely, languorous scalp massage -- utter bliss.

Georgie covered me in warm towels and began my facial by applying a thick cleansing gel. She gave my face, décolletage, shoulders and arms a deep lymphatic massage using facial oil and painted a cool mask over my face and eyes. While the mask dried, she massaged my feet. Georgia eased off the mask and gave my face a final cleanse before adding serum and moisturiser.

At the end of the treatment, Georgie gently sat me up, led me to the post-relaxation lounge, and brought me water and tea. My face looked amazingly plump and line-free, and my body felt relaxed and fragrantly smooth.

My spa colleague returned from her Signature Escape which included a vigorous scrub; she, too, felt wonderful. So much so that we returned to the spa the following day at dawn.

Treatments at The Coniston Spa include a range of massages, facials, scrubs and wraps, reflexology and choices for men and mums-to-be. All of the treatments use Coniston's own products which have been developed with The Natural Spa Factory, Aromatherapy Associates, or The Refinery products for men. The spa also offers clinical hypnotherapy, physiotherapy and, in the summer, yoga by the lake.

You can eat in your robe in the Nourish brasserie. The menu has been designed with the help of celebrity naturopath Elizabeth Peyton Jones, so the food is nutritionally on-trend: lots of fresh fish, proteins, seeds, beetroot and healthy goodness.

Order nibbles such as olives or hummus, starters such as avocado and scrambled egg on toast or butternut squash noodles, and main courses including poached salmon, baked cod or vegetarian chilli. There are also indulgent or healthy dessert options and creatively-designed smoothies.

If you're staying at the hotel, you can lunch in the Huntsman's Lodge with amazing views and outdoor terrace, or the welcoming McLeod's Restaurant offering a locally sourced menu. 

We loved

Bubbling away in the infinity pool sipping smoothies and watching the swans and ducks glide across the lake.

The Himalayan salt sauna: So comfortable with lovely views, we could have stayed for hours.

Our two-hour indulgent treatments with brilliant therapists who clearly loved their work. We loved the Coniston products, too -- so much we bought some to take home.

The food: The spa food was perfect, nutritious and delicious. Just how we like it.

We didn't love

There's a short, open-aired walk between the hotel and the spa. On the day we visited, it was gloriously sunny, but you may end up a little wet in winter. You can always hitch a lift on a golf buggy...

We saw solo spa goers, friends and couples having a blissful time catching up. In the morning, a family made use of the pool; children are allowed in but only at certain times.

Spa-istas with mobility issues: Everything is on one level, with wheel chair access and hoists for the pools.

Locals lucky enough to be members: We're envious that you live in such a beautiful place.

We gave the Coniston Spa a Good Spa Guide rating of 5 bubbles. The spa is modern and clean and makes the most of its fabulous setting. The treatments, service and food are well considered and delightful, striking a harmonious balance between wellness and pampering. The Coniston Spa is a special place.

Savant Spa visited in July 2016 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.