The Coniston Spa

The ivy-covered Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa is set in scenic countryside near the market town of Skipton, the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.

Home to the Bannister family for over 50 years, the dog-friendly hotel and estate has become a favourite country retreat, offering experiences such as off-road driving, clay pigeon shooting, falconry and fishing.

The spa was purpose-built in 2015 and is extremely eye-catching, with a curved roof and glass frontage.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool make the reception area bright and airy, while a circular flame fire provides a cosy glow. Staff offered us a passion-fruit smoothie and a warm scented flannel before we took a seat to complete consultation forms.

Male and female changing rooms are modern and clean with rows of coded lockers large enough to hang your clothes. Four showers with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner; two toilets; two private cubicles; cushioned benches; and a vanity area with hairdryers, straighteners, cotton wool, facial cleanser and moisturiser mean you'll want for nothing.

A glass-sided corridor leads to the thermal suite which offers views of the sun terrace to one side and a stone tiled-effect wall to the other. Large orchids scent the air.

If you're short on time, make a beeline for the outdoor infinity bubble pool with its stunning lakeside views. While jets worked away at our thighs, we spotted ducks, geese and swans milling around. The sun terrace comes into its own on a warm day; get a dose of Vitamin D on a cushioned lounger or order a juice, smoothie or glass of bubbly from a friendly spa butler.

Hang your robe on the hooks provided before enjoying the 15-metre indoor pool with its dark blue mosaic tiles and underwater lighting. Relax on a cushioned rattan armchair or lounger afterwards and admire the countryside views.

We spent a good amount of time hopping between the sunken, circular bubble pool with its strong massage jets and dedicated seating for four; the Himalayan Salt Sauna with its curved reclining seats; and the more traditional (and hotter) wooden sauna, which overlooks the pool.

Allow the aromatic oils in the steam room to penetrate your lungs before cooling off at the ice fountain.

There are two areas in which to relax: the Serenity Lounge (pre-treatment) and Tranquillity Lounge (post-treatment), both Moroccan themed. Help yourself to water, teas, nibbles and fruit as well as magazines and adult colouring-in books.

The Coniston Spa also has a gym and fitness studio hosting a range of exercise classes and personal training sessions, plus a Refinement Lounge offering manicures/pedicures and spray tans.

We enjoyed a Diamond Life Infusion Ritual (90 minutes, £135).

My therapist, Georgie, led me to one of the spa's eight treatment rooms which had calm, earthy tones and laminate flooring. She invited me sit down in the corner of the room so that she could wash my feet in lavender-scented warm water.  

The Diamond Life Infusion Ritual, Georgie explained, is designed to fade wrinkles in just one session.  

While I lay face up on the warm treatment bed, Georgie began with a deep cleansing ritual on my face, paying particular attention to the delicate eye area and lip contour. She followed this with a gentle, Ayurvedic-inspired massage on my face, neck and décolletage using a Diamond Experience Lavender Infusion oil.

She applied an exfoliating glycolic peel, which immediately foamed up, tickling my nose and occasionally giving me tiny pinprick sensations. After cleansing, she added a Diamond Experience Biomarker Nectar serum; Georgie massaged the product deep into my skin.

Next up: Georgie placed a Diamond Experience Chromo-Rejuvenating Mask over my face and eyes immediately blocking out the light. A gentle foot massage prevented me from feeling claustrophobic. After removing the mask, Georgie applied some Diamond White oil-free sun protection to prepare me for the outdoor hot tub later.

The products, which apparently contain actual diamond dust, felt wonderful on my skin, while my face had a wonderful shine to it.

Treatments at The Coniston Spa include massages, facials, scrubs, wraps, reflexology, detox treatments and choices for mums-to-be and men. Signature treatments use 100% natural skin care products that have been hand-blended in the UK especially for the spa. Hypnotherapy and holistic healing are also available, alongside meditation and yoga.

You can comfortably eat in your robe at the Nourish Spa Brasserie, which we did at an al fresco table. The menu has been designed with the help of celebrity naturopath Elizabeth Payton Jones, so the food not only tastes great, but enhances wellness and vitality, too.

We tucked into a fresh crayfish salad with watermelon and feta, followed by seabass with vegetables. This we washed down with a chilled glass of white wine. Our refined, sugar-free dessert of date pudding with a vanilla cashew cream was surprisingly delicious.

That evening we dined at the Huntsman's Lodge. This has stunning views from the outdoor terrace, as well as a spectacular fireplace that comes into its own during the winter months. My seared scallops for starters, and pan roasted Yorkshire lamb loin for mains, were simply food heaven.

We loved

The infinity-edge hot tub: This was a real treat on a sunny day.

Our treatment: We love emerging from a spa looking younger.

The food: Everything served in the Nourish Spa Brasserie and the Huntsman's Lodge was nutritious and delicious.

We didn't love

The changing rooms got very busy at times, with spa guests tripping over one another to reach higher lockers.

The outdoor bar was closed on our visit, despite the sun shining high in the sky.

Who wouldn't like it? The Coniston Spa is great for solo spa goers, groups of friends, couples or bridal parties getting married at the hotel. Families can use the pool during dedicated times (check the website for details).

Lucky locals: Live nearby? Don't delay your visit.

We awarded The Coniston Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 bubbles. With its striking design, outdoor infinity-edge bubble pool, and views at every turn, it definitely has the "wow" factor.

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