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Pampering at the InterContinental Mar Menor

If you're in need of some sunshine and pampering, head off to the InterContinental Mar Menor Golf Resort and Spa in Murcia on Spain's south-eastern coast

I'm not quite sure what to make of The Intercontinental Mar Menor Golf Resort and Spa. The hotel is lovely with huge open lobbies and halls decorated in muted colours and accented with Moroccan lights and wooden screens, spacious comfortable rooms with balconies (always a plus in my book) and peace and quiet aplenty. But it is in a strange setting. Tucked inland at Torre Pacheco near Murcia on Spain's south-eastern coast, the Polaris World resort is principally for golf fiends.

The resort is a gated compound with privately-owned luxury villas and a 9-hole golf course on site (currently being expanded to 18 holes). Shuttle buses connect the resort to the three other Polaris World resorts in the neighbouring countryside. But when I visited in May, most of the villas were empty, so it felt a bit like you were in the middle of nowhere, albeit a perfectly comfortable nowhere.

The hotel itself is a purpose-built luxurious retreat. It has just 57 rooms and seven suites. My room on the third floor was huge, with twin double beds and a really well-equipped bathroom boasting a whirlpool bath and separate walk-in shower. The floor-to-ceiling windows opened onto a balcony that overlooked the pool area with a view to the golf course behind. The whole place felt peaceful, with lots of open spaces and wide corridors adding to its tranquil ambience. It's also incredibly green, with manicured lawns and potted palms everywhere you look, and even a miniature cacti garden in the revolving doors.

I was there to indulge in some top-notch pampering, and I wasn't disappointed. The ESPA echoes the muted colours of the hotel and nods to the Moorish influences with lots of natural woods, subtle lighting and warm tones make this feel like a haven. I was escorted through huge wooden doors into the therapy area where a fluffy white gown was waiting for me. Before changing into it, I had a quick tour of the facilities - seven treatment rooms, separate male and female thermal suites, a private spa suite for couples wishing to share the experience, a fitness studio and indoor heated pool.

Having followed the therapist's advice, I arrived about an hour before my treatment, so that I could fully enjoy the thermal suite. After a few minutes in both the sauna and steam room I was brave enough to try the ice chips which were actually quite refreshing, although I was a wuss and only rubbed them over my arms and legs, completely ignoring my back!

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