PEACE & PURE RELAXATION…
For a girlie getaway, a romantic Valentine’s break or a Mother’s Day retreat, experience the ultimate in luxury and relaxation at the award-winning Stanley House Hotel & Spa, writes Jan Woolley
Stanley House Hotel & Spa may be steeped in history, but this contemporary luxury hideaway, located in the beautiful Ribble Valley countryside, has well and truly been brought into the 21st century.
Every element of the hotel and spa has been well thought out to give guests a first class, luxury experience. From the rooms and restaurants with huge glass windows to take advantage of the stunning rural backdrop, to the award winning five-star spa, Stanley House is quite simply the perfect place to relax and unwind.
We arrived late afternoon and were shown to one of the smart and super-comfortable Woodlands rooms. It was an indication of what to expect on our short spa break at the hotel, where comfort and enjoyment take top priority!
While the hotel is the ultimate in smart sophistication, the Stanley House team are friendly and approachable, and after dressing for dinner we were seated at a window table in Mr Fred’s.
The menu, featuring classic British dishes, is comprehensive and we thoroughly enjoyed our starters of fish cakes with leek fondue and a tasty pork terrine, followed by steak and the recommended monkfish with leek and Menai mussel broth – delicious!
After a sound night’s sleep we were treated to a delightful breakfast before making our way to the wonderful Woodlands spa and its views over the lake and countryside beyond.
The spa is a cocoon of peace and pure relaxation. After a massage in one of the six treatment rooms, we enjoyed the whole thermal bathing experience including the salt and aroma steam rooms, Finnish sauna, relaxation lounge, tropical showers along with intermittent dips in the hydra-therapy pool. Not surprisingly the spa scooped the Best Spa in the North West accolade at the Good Spa Guide Awards last year and it also has a fourth consecutive ‘five bubble’ rating and a glowing review from The Good Spa Guide.
It has international class status and rightly so – the changing facilities, the spa itself and the treatments are unrivalled, making this a truly memorable experience.
After what was the most relaxing two hours, we showered and enjoyed a delicious, light lunch before leaving. Departing via the sweeping drive, we vowed to return – our short break at Stanley House Hotel and Spa left us relaxed, refreshed and ready to face the world outside this haven of peace and ultimate tranquility.
Stanley House Hotel & Spa
Preston New Road, Mellor BB2 7NP
01254 769200
www.stanleyhouse.co.uk
