Wales's best day spas

Bodelwyddan Castle
Bodelwyddan
Denbighshire
LL18 5YA
North Wales
01745 585 088
www.warnerholidaysonline.co.uk

The scene
You can't help feeling as though you've just stepped onto the set of a Merchant Ivory production when you arrive at Bodelwyddan Castle. It's got all the history and character that you'd expect from such a fairy-tale setting. In 250 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and parkland, this 19th-century castle with ivy-clad turrets, walled gardens and sweeping lawns is so darned picturesque that you'll probably be torn between wanting to lap up the gorgeous surroundings and getting stuck into the treats inside. The 12m hexagonal pool comes hand-in-hand with a spa pool, sauna, steam room, Tropicarium, plunge pool, gym and solarium. Add to that list practically every treatment that Decleor ever dreamed up and a hairdressing salon too, and you're almost up to speed on Bodelwyddan's daytime delights.

Star treatments
The Spa emphasises the Tropicarium. a cross between a sauna and a warm steam room with aromatherapy. The spa manager also recommended their Decleor facial - with this luxurious treatment, your face, back, neck, shoulders and hands will all get a massage, not to mention a dousing of lotions and potions.

The cost
Facials range from £25 and £42. Day use of the spa facilities is £10. Spa day packages including either a facial or full body massage start from £65.

The Vale
Hensol Park
Hensol
Nr. Cardiff
Vale of Glamorgan
CF72 8JY
South Wales
01443 667800
www.vale-hotel.com

The scene
Set up five years ago under the guiding wing of The Sanctuary, the Vale's Spa now calls itself the 'largest in Wales'. With 19 treatment rooms, 50 different treatments, 20m pool, sauna, whirlpool, steam room, hydrotherapy bath, gym and fitness studios, it could well be the biggest, but it certainly isn't the most impressive. There's nothing wrong with the facilities here - in fact you'll be spoilt for choice on a half- or full-day package - but there's definitely something more leisure centre than luxurious spa about what the Vale has to offer that makes it feel a bit like you're not worth the whole ten yards. Settle down to a treatment though, and it's a different story altogether - forget any misgivings about the décor or design, and choose from a whole catalogue of fantastic treatments. And with two treatment rooms for couples, you can indulge in any of the treatments with your loved one or girlfriend lying right by your side.

Star treatments
A pretty jam-packed firmament to pick just one star treatment from. We reckoned that Elemis's Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual (in which a warm milk bath is poured all over your body) and for something fruity and floral, pick their Exotic Frangipani Body Nourish Wrap (blended from Tahitian flowers). Another treatment worth writing home about is the dry flotation. Cocooned in a warm water blanket (a bit like a watery sleeping bag) you get to experience weightlessness in much the same way as you would in a floatation tank. This is supposed to induce intense relaxation and send you drifting off to fairyland.

The cost
A half-day package starts from £65 and includes 3 treatments. Full-day packages start from £120 including 3 treatments and lunch.