If your other half thinks spas are just for girls, a trip to Center Parcs Aqua Sana might just change his mind

Finding the time to relax as a couple isn't always easy and a pampering weekend away is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time together. Center Parcs isn't the first place that springs to mind as a 'couple friendly' retreat but looks, as they say, can be deceiving.

Beauty spas and health farms are usually seen as female domains but Aqua Sana, part of Center Parcs village complex, is a mixed spa with the kind of quiet ambience that makes both genders feel equally at home.

Unlike other spas I've visited, the clientele actually seemed to be enjoying themselves rather than going about the serious business of relaxing in a rather po-faced way. Inevitably, the ratio of women to men is reasonably high but all the blokes I saw lounging by the pool, sweating it out in the sauna or enjoying a reflexology foot spa looked right at home.

The 'World of Spa' itself has 15 different rooms which take their inspiration from around the world. We felt duty bound to try them all. If you're on a budget, this is a great way to spend your time at the spa without having to book any extra treatments. Trying out all the 'experiences' easily occupied us for most of the afternoon.

First, we sat ourselves down in ergonomically designed heated seats at the Greek Herbal Bath, before showering, rubbing down with ice from the Ice Fountain and moving on to the Indian Blossom Steam Room. We unwound in the eucalyptus-scented Turkish Hammam, tried the Japanese Salt Steam Bath, sweated it out in the Tyrolean Sauna, took a nap in the aqua meditation room and went for an invigorating dip in the open air hydrotherapy pool.

All that lounging about worked up our appetites, so it was nice to peruse the papers over a healthy snack from the Food Doctor menu in the conservatory cafe while still in our robes.

For a more intimate experience, we booked the Serail Ceremony for two - a private room where we both stripped off and applied cleansing therapeutic muds all over. Once covered from top to toe, the room filled up with steam to help the mud draw out all those nasty toxins. After showering off and slathering moisturiser all over, we repaired to the relaxation lounge where we were lucky enough to see a couple of Longleat's bunny population nibbling the lawn outside.

By the end of the day, my bloke, previously a spa virgin, looked more relaxed than I've ever seen him. All too often the positive effects of a spa are lost as you negotiate your way home on pubic transport, or through dreadful traffic. Aqua Sana's location within the lush, green environs of Center Parcs meant we just floated out of the spa hand-in-hand back to our cute lodgings for an early night.

Aqua Sana also offers a comprehensive range of beauty treatments by Carita, Decleor and Elemis as well as massage and alternative therapies. Special treatment packages designed specifically for couples are also available.

For more information, visit the Aqua Sana website at www.aquasana.co.uk

Brochure line: 08708 400 220
Reservations line: 08705 200 300
For prices and more information visit: www.centerparcs.co.uk