The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village is a modern, adult-only five-star property set in 100 acres of Lancashire countryside. Small lakes containing fountains and waddling ducks feel a world away from city life, while guests travel for miles to experience Ribby Hall's two AA rosette restaurant: The Orangery.

If you're coming for a spa day, you can head straight to the spa through a separate entrance. We checked into the hotel and were guided round to the spa's own reception area: a light, calm space that's a pleasant contrast to the colourful, buzzy hotel.

A cheery therapist handed us a map, a towel and flip-flops, and left us in the changing rooms with one piece of advice: to feel free to stay in our robes until dinner. A nugget of information that we happily heeded.

Two connected spaces with central seating and banks of large, digital lockers line the walls of the changing facilities. Seven showers stocked with Elemis shampoo and conditioner and three private changing cubicles cater for a high guest footfall. The five marble-topped vanity stations are equipped with hairdryers and straighteners, too.

The thermal facilities are comprehensive; follow the suggested Aqua Thermal Journey to make the most of your spa day. If time is limited, head straight outdoors and delight in the facilities there: a hot tub decked in navy mosaic tiles, a small sauna and an outdoor bar. We loved bubbling away in the warm water before relaxing on a swing seat under a pergola, glass of fizz in hand (who wouldn't?). The views aren't half bad either.

We began our indoor spa journey at the gently heated aromatherapy room before moving to the aromatherapy steam room, a delicate scent of eucalyptus filling the steamy air. At 65 degrees, the spa's saunarium is pleasant enough to linger a while; take a seat on the top bench and look out at the hydrotherapy pool, with its fountain feature wall, swan pipes and massage jets.

We used the side-by-side foot spas to break up our spa journey, allowing the jets to massage the soles of our feet. As the heat increases, there are monsoon experience showers, an ice fountain and an ice bucket to keep you cool.

If you do like it hot, the Balinese steam room will suit; inhale a good amount of the salt- infused steam before leaving, said to be great for the respiration system as well as cleansing the skin. We didn't spend too long in the herbal sauna, with its 85 degrees of dry heat, but could fully appreciate its benefits.

Time to relax: grab a magazine and curl up on a warm tepidarium bed, or head to one of two relaxation rooms. We loved the views from the aptly-named Countryside View Room with its large windows. Help yourself to a hot drink, a mini flapjack or some fruit-infused water before relaxing on one of seven loungers.

For post-treatment snoozing, the Dark Relaxation Room -- a candle-lit space with lie-flat loungers and furry blankets to snuggle under -- is ideal.

Spa guests can also make use of the spa's rasul mud chamber and fully equipped gym.

We were spoilt with back-to-back treatments: a Decadent Cocoa Ritual (90 minutes; £90) followed by an Elemis Pro-Collagen Age Defy Facial (60 minutes; £77).

My first therapist, Holly, led me to a softly lit treatment room with a full-length photo of a waterfall cheering up the back wall. She invited me to sit on a chair so that she could soak my feet in warm water.

As I lay face down on the treatment bed, Holly briskly brushed my back and shoulders before asking me to flip over so that she could repeat the experience on my legs and arms.

The cocoa-scented body mask that followed smelled divine. Holly cocooned me in towels so that the mask could set. A heavenly scalp massage had me on the brink of sleep; I had to force myself into the shower to scrub off the mask.

Holly lit a Natural Spa Factory candle and used the molten wax as lubrication for a nourishing back and shoulder massage. She then treated my skin to a hydrating vanilla and sweet almond body lotion. As if this wasn't indulgent enough, Holly ended the treatment by leading me to the relaxation room to sip a chocolate mocktail. She returned a few minutes later with a Natural Spa Factory massage candle to take home; very thoughtful.

For my second treatment of the day, Emma warmly greeted me, and invited me to sit so that she could enquire about my skin issues in order to tailor my facial.

Emma began with a thorough cleanse using an Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm before using an exfoliator to deep-clean the pores, wiping off the balm with hot mitts scented with lavender. Two masks then followed: a peel-off mask, designed to even out the skin tone, and a creamy mask for hydration. As these dried, Emma treated me to a head massage followed by an expertly delivered hand and arm massage.

To finish, Emma toned and moisturised my face, neck and décolleté using a range of Elemis products. I particularly loved the Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm which left my skin soft to the touch.

The spa at Ribby Hall offers a range of massages, facials and holistic treatments as well as beauty treatments including manicures, pedicures and make-overs. Specialist treatments for men, mums-to-be and people being treated for cancer are also available, alongside physiotherapy sessions.

You can have lunch in your robes at the two AA Rosette The Orangery, a bright restaurant with lime and orange leather chairs and, the centrepiece: a glass orange chandelier hanging down from a skylight.

From the menu of soups, sandwiches and desserts, we selected a Chicken Caesar salad with English smoked bacon and croutons which was light and crispy in equal measure.

Later that evening, we got dressed up and returned for dinner where we began with a Garstang Blue cheese soufflé which was mouth-wateringly light. Our main course of roasted chicken breast was a hearty, indulgent delight. For dessert, we enjoyed a scrumptious plum and apple crumble with Crème Anglaise -- a meal fit for a queen.

We loved

The atmosphere: The spa at Ribby Hall is a vibrant spa with fantastic, friendly staff.

Our treatment: Our tailored Elemis facial stood out, and we still light our gifted candle for a spa experience at home.

We didn't love

The outdoor hot tub can get busy, with the odd group of guests monopolising the space.

We spotted couples, small groups of adults and solo spa-goers on our visit, all enjoying the facilities.

We awarded the spa at Ribby Hall a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 bubbles for its outdoor space, excellent range of thermal facilities, varied treatment menu, and two AA Rosette spa lunch.

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