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. If you're visiting for the day, you can park next to the spa.

As you enter through the glass doors, the first thing you notice is a fresh citrusy smell. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the pool, making the reception area bright and airy, while a circular flame fire provides a cosy glow in the winter months. Staff offered us a smoothie, handed us a warm, scented flannel, and led us to 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 during your visit.

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.

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 one of the friendly spa butlers.

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 loved the circular hydro-pool with its strong massage jets and seating for four, and the Himalayan Salt Sauna with its curved reclining seats. The more traditional (and hotter) wooden sauna overlooks the pool.

A steam room scented with menthol and an ice fountain complete the wet facilities at The Coniston Spa.

The Serenity Lounge provides a pre-treatment relaxation area; the Tranquillity Lounge is where your therapist will take you after a treatment. Both have low lighting, and comfortable chairs and recliners. Help yourself to water, teas, nibbles and fruit as well as magazines.

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 Natura Bissé Lomi Juma firming and uplifting massage (60 minutes, £70) followed by a Natura Bissé Citrus Essence Facial (60 minutes, £75).

My therapist, Georgie, led me to one of the spa's eight treatment rooms which had calm, earthy tones and laminate flooring.

Georgie invited me to sit on a chair so that she could talk me through the first treatment which uses a Lomi-Juma technique developed by Natura Bissé -- a traditional Hawaiian massage also known as the "loving hands" massage -- combined with some Mediterranean techniques.

Georgie then left the room so that I could settle face down on the treatment bed. The massage began with some gentle but deep muscle work using continuous flowing strokes. Georgie then expertly manipulated my legs into new positions without causing any pain (quite a feat) before paying attention to my feet and ankles, which tend to swell at the drop of a hat. The whole time, my dry, dehydrated skin gratefully absorbed the rich, indulgent Natura Bissé products.

For the facial, Georgie used a citrusy product to massage specific muscles in my face, using an upward motion and some targeted pinching to counteract the sagging that naturally comes with age. Next up: a face mask which Georgie painted on; while it set, she treated my feet to another delightful massage.

Georgie removed the mask with warm mitts before wiping off any remaining residue with a cool cloth; this felt wonderfully refreshing. The treatment ended with a bear walk: Georgie walking her hands down one side of my body, then the other, pushing down firmly as if to centre me. A deep inhale and exhale and I was ready for my close-up.

My skin looked much brighter; the dark circles under my eyes had disappeared, and my jowls were much firmer. My skin continued to look much better a few days afterwards, too : a real results-driven treatment.

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 skincare 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 next to the spa reception area. The menu is very carefully thought out and successfully combines healthy dishes with a touch of indulgence.

We opted for a wonderfully buttery Forest Mushrooms on toast followed by a perfectly wobbly panna cotta served with rhubarb:  a delightful combination that wasn't too heavy. 

If you're staying overnight, you can dine at Macleod's restaurant in the main hotel where an a la carte menu offers a choice of three courses with wine pairings. My spa partner's venison was so good that I had to steal a taste, while my stone bass was cooked perfectly. We loved the slightly effervescent rose wine from Italy which was paired with dessert.

We loved

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

The treatment choices: The combination of top quality products and great therapists means you are sure to find a treatment that works for you.

The setting and the scenery: The hotel and spa overlook the hills and dales of Yorkshire.

We didn't love

The changing rooms can be quite cramped during busy spa times.

If you're staying in the hotel, it's a bit of a trek to the spa; we had to go upstairs, past several hotel rooms, downstairs, through a fire exit, then across a car park.

Who wouldn't like it? The Coniston Spa is great for solo spa goers, groups of friends, couples or bridal parties staying at the hotel.

Families can use the pool during dedicated times.

Lucky locals: Live nearby? Lucky you. We may well have to open a branch of the Good Spa Guide office here, so that we can pop in regularly.

We awarded The Coniston Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its combination of striking design, outdoor infinity-edge bubble pool, and great treatments, all delivered with a friendly welcome in a wonderful countryside setting.

Sybaritic Spy visited in June 2018 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.