Need a break from the rat race? The advent of one-day spa packages could be just the ticket. Vicci Bentley investigates

Fancy a spot of serious pampering? Stylish, cultish and the antidote to urban stress, day spas are opening faster than branches of Starbucks. Great on a pop-in basis maybe - to loosen up your shoulders or get that quick-fix manicure before the weekend. But do they offer as good a value as their 'big sister' health farms? We suggest you study their form with our day spa round-up.

Before you go:

• Make sure you get the most from your treatments - arrive 10 minutes early so you'll be relaxed. Some spas also charge penalties for late cancellations, so check company policy before you book.
• Don't cold call to book. First, get a brochure and find out exactly what's involved with each treatment you'd like to try: How long will it take? Do you have to be naked? Will your beauty therapist be a man or a woman? Are there any hidden service charges?
• Many spas lend bathrobes and slippers for the day, but some facilities may charge for this service. Also, make sure that the locker room facilities are decent - you'll probably want to shower before leaving.
• If you're planning a spa day, think hard. Will yours offer lunch or refreshments between treatments? Is there a relaxation room? Will you be bored? Maybe it's worth looking into a serious health farm where the additional facilities could keep you amused - and fed - for less?

Once you've answered all these questions, if you decide the day spa experience is for you, indulge yourself at one of the following:

The knowledge:
It's finally here. New York's hippest spa has just opened its doors in the UK. Founded by beauty therapist to the stars, Marcia Kilgore, Bliss's signature Oxygen Facials and Ginger Rubs are cult treatments in the States, and other specialities have waiting lists over a month long.

Why come here?
It's the place to be seen, alongside supermodels and big-time celebs (Madonna will be thrilled). And it's fun. Bliss owners say they chose London as a second location because the French didn't get the jokey names they give their treatments ('Enwrapture', an algae body wrap and 'Foot Patrol', a pedicure treatment, are examples of how they don't take themselves too seriously). Pop in for a Quickbliss nail polish change (£12) and check out cult cosmetic takeaways like Kilgore's brand new Blisslabs line. Sip a custom-blended Fresh Fruithie (£3.50) at the Fruithie Bar and order a nutrition booster, like a shot of spirulina, which costs 50p on the side. Or, chill with a glass of wine - and chocolates - between treatments in the lounge. Serious bliss indeed.

Star treatment:
Has to be the Hangover Herbie (£100). During 75 minutes, you'll get an essential oil rub and wrap, a cleansing face mask, soothing foot and anti-migraine massages, a skin-saving oxygen shot, plus a hydration-boosting Fruithie. A seasonal life-saver.

The cost: Rather pricey. A Bliss Basic Facial costs £90 - and that's before the £15-£20 build-on masks and washes. Maybe just dip a toe in with the famous Hot Milk and Almond Pedicure (£55).

The knowledge:
This is a logical extension to beauty impresario Nicky Kinnaird's Space.NK Apothecaries. Frustrated by the limited choice of quality cosmetics in the UK, global trotter Kinnaird set about gathering international favourite finds into her own stores.

Why come here?
The Spa echoes Kinnaird's 'global best' philosophy, and you'll find both popular and esoteric treatments here. Some are exclusive to SPAce.NK, others are 'lent' by leading experts like UK skin guru Eve Lom, Parisian aromatherapist Samuel Par and Canadian cosmetic chemist Ben Kaminsky for his troubleshooting B.Kamins line.

Star treatments:
Jump Eve Lom's legendary waiting list and get her hour-and-a-half decongestant Facial (£95) here. Or go for a SPAce.NK Essential Rose Body Coccoon (£55) where you'll be exfoliated, then lubricated with rose creams, serums and essential oils.

The cost:
Reasonable. A basic half leg wax costs £20. There are men's treatments too, like the B.Kamins Gentleman's Facial (£50).

The knowledge:
A salon-cum-spa in a Grade II listed townhouse near the Royal Pavillion. Inspired by resorts like the Banyan Tree in Thailand and the Maldives and Kerala's ayurvedic centres, founder Claire Rogers has brought Eastern-style tranquillity back home to Brighton.

Why come here?
It's so comfy. You'll find lots of natural wood, rattan chairs and Keralan loungers, waffle robes and slippers in the changing rooms and extra-wide couches in the treatment rooms. As well as Eastern promise, you'll also find top name treatments from Dibi, E'Spa and Aromatherapy Associates.

Star treatment:
The Treatment Rooms Ritual (£149). Three hours of rose-based rejuvenation includes a footbath and massage, full body exfoliation and organic rose gel wrap, ayurvedic marma point massage, and full body and scalp massage with rose oil and stone therapy.

The cost.
Reasonable to indulgent. A Blissful Day Out (#195) gives you five and a half hours of customised pampering with massage and stone therapy plus fruit and refreshments. Or at £59, 85 minutes of ayurvedic Shiro Dhara/Head Oil Flow is one of the most deeply relaxing treatments going.

The knowledge:
Having starred in top spas and salons for the past 10 years, aromatherapy-based Elemis opened its own, long-awaited day spa in 2000.The treatments - based on rituals from Morocco, Thailand, India, Bali and Polynesia - are seriously exotic, if a tad flamboyant.

Star treatment:
The Jasmine Lulur Ritual (£165) offers 2 hours 15 minutes of heaven based on a 17th century Javanese pre-nuptual cleansing ceremony. Skin is polished and massaged with traditional spices, rice and ylang ylang, cleansed with yoghurt and bathed in jasmine flowers, then anointed with oils. A more modest cleanse, steam and shower is 45 minutes of Rasul (£40) - the classic Arabian total body mud pack.

The cost:
Medium to staggering. A five-hour day package like the Royal Thai Ceremony includes a lime and ginger salt scrub, coconut rub and milk float, Japanese Silk Booster facial, eye zone therapy, Hawaiian Wave Four Hands Massage and a 'ceremonial' light lunch. It costs £395 for one person and £#700 for two. More reasonable are Elemis' excellent Aromapure Facials (£70), but beware - an optional 12.5 per cent service charge is added to your bill.

The knowledge.
This award-winning spa belongs to the five-star Celtic Manor Resort. It's the UK's largest hotel health club and boasts a 52 station hi-tech gym, dance studio, hair salon, fitness testing suite and leisure cafe. Its 50-seater spa bath is also the biggest in Europe. Great for parties, then.

Why come here?
Non-residents can sample classic treatments from top companies like Elemis, Clarins and Guinot. There are great water therapies, plus treatments for men - if you can lure them off the championship golf courses.

Star treatment:
The Cleopatra Milk Oil Bath (£35). A new-style, 30-minute dry float, popular with those who prefer a warm, moisturising cocoon to soaking in a wet, itchy tub. You'll be buffed and smothered in nourishing, creamy oils, swaddled in film and left to de-stress on a waterbed.

The cost.
Amazing value. Day membership costs only £15 (if you book £50 worth of treatments) and gives you full use of the gym, changing rooms, steam room and spa bath. Treatments are reasonable - an Elemis Japanese Silk Booster Facial costs £47; a St Tropez Tan, £45. Celtic Manor's own Express Facial is a snip at £25.

*Forest Mere Health Farm,
Liphook, Hampshire, GU30 7QJ
Tel: 01428 72600

www.healthfarms.co.uk

The knowledge
: This is a full-scale destination spa in a country house complete with woods and lake. Favoured by the Beckhams and Eastenders cast members, the atmosphere is down-to-earth luxury.

Why come here?
For a taste of the health farm experience. To belt up and down a pool long enough for serious laps and bubble in one of the country's best hydrotherapy zones.

Star treatments:
Thalassotherapy (£19.95) gives you 25 minutes of super-jacuzzi, marine water massage under powerful overhead jets and seething underwater beds. The Serail Mud Experience (£25) - in a hammam, or traditional Arabic tiled steam room sanctuary - is great slapstick fun and hugely popular with hen parties.

The cost:
Pretty good value. Day packages cost from £66.95 and include basic treatments like a facial, massage and manicure. Other treatments like those above are extra, but worth it. Plus, you have unlimited access to the pool, gym, exercise and relaxation classes - and a delicious buffet lunch. There's also a Spa Cafe - but watch out - those cappuccinos can rack up the bill.