A woodland spa haven awaits you

The hotel itself is set in beautiful wooded grounds, around 20 minutes drive from the historic city of Chester.

The room was immaculate and I was greeted with a selection of sweet treats – a welcome boost of sugar after a tiring journey.

The bar and restaurant were tastefully decorated and the staff were attentive and pleasant – asking several times if everything was alright with our meal and was there anything we needed.

I ordered the ten ounce rump steak from the menu for my evening meal (£18).

When it arrived it was a generous cut of meat and cooked on a grill to my liking.

It was juicy and filling and came with a side order of chips, mushroom, salad and onion rings.

An evening’s stay at the hotel proved to be very comfortable in the king–sized bed.

By far the greatest attraction at the hotel is the spa however, which is a pleasant haven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Again, it is tastefully decorated in calming tones and there is the overriding pleasant aroma of the Elemis products that the staff use.

There is a large pool to swim in, which for part of the time I was there was being used by an aqua aerobics group.

After the group had gone however, it was very good for doing some lengths in – if you’re able to muster up the energy to do some exercise.

One standout feature is a thermal suite which has a steam room and sauna to unwind in.

There are also foot spas, showers with a variety of settings and – for the brave– a barrel full of freshly crushed ice, which you can use to close your pores after you’ve been in the sauna.

I had a head massage, which was absolutely amazing. I didn’t want my half an hour treatment to end.

Afterwards I enjoyed one of the two relaxation rooms –one light and one dark – which are furnished with loungers, cushions and blankets.

If it’s a sunny day – which luckily for me it was – you can also relax in the pretty little garden, which makes the most of the hotel grounds.

A mid–week stay in a king–sized room with breakfast basis costs around £116. For more information, visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk