Treating yourself to a midweek evening out on a “school night” is a sure fire way to treat yoself…. but not so much of a treat when you spend the next day at your desk nursing a wine induced hangover with the stamp of the local 80’s bar ingrained in the back of your hand. In my younger years, letting my hair down midweek was all in a weeks work, but now that I’m a fully fledged adult its not something I can do on the regular.

Following a couple of months of non stop work, friend, colleague and spa virgin, Lilly and I decided to take up one of those spa offers you see doing the rounds on Facebook that seem too good to be true and indulge ourselves in some midweek, school night R&R.

After visiting Moddershall Oaks and Mill Wheel Spa, I felt it my civic duty to don my best bikini and give Hoar Cross Hall’s newly advertised Twilight package a try.

A Grade II listed stately home set in 50 acres of quintessential English countryside, Hoar Cross Hall pairs period style with modern luxury and due to it’s rave reviews has found itself on my “must visit list” for a while. For £39 per person, the Twilight package offers guests full use of the extensive spa facilities from 6-9:30pm on a Thursday evening and includes an anti pasti platter in the charming Huxley’s restaurant  complete with everyone’s favourite… a glass of fizz.  We MAY also have added a slice of delicious Parsnip cake.

First impressions certainly count at Hoar Cross, and the stunning grounds complete with newly renovated atrium offer a sophisticated first peek at the exclusive spa resort and sets the standard for the rest of our visit.

After being handed our fluffy robes and towels, we were talked through the facilities (complete with map) and confirmed food reservations as well as answering any questions we might have about the evening ahead. I’d seen pictures of the facilities previously, after all, I’ve spent many an afternoon scrolling their Instagram feed and wishing for a weekend away in the lap of luxury, but I wasn’t aware of just how big and how much zen it had to offer. With detox high on my agenda and suffering from a particularly congested skin week, I removed every last trace of make up with the Bee Good Honey, Propolis and Beeswax cleanser in preparation for the Aqua Detox (hello steam = a pores best friend) and packed my belongings away into the lockers of the sprawling changing rooms.

The spa boasts two beautiful pools for relaxing and swimming: a saltwater vitality pool with massage pools, starlit cave and adjoining Aqua massage suite and a hydrotherapy pool offering gentle currents and body massage jets designed to ease aching muscles and stiff joints, along with Jacuzzi and loungers for you to relax poolside.

Adding to the spa experience and an alternative to the Aqua Detox area is the Nordic Heat and Ice Suite which offers a unique sensory experience and is inspired by Scandinavian spa rituals.  Designed to stimulate different senses, a journey through the Nordic Suite aims to leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and relaxed through the power heat and ice. A particular favourite of mine was the salt inhalation room (which is a spin on the usual steam room) and utilises saltwater steam to clear and refine breathing whilst leaving skin feeling soft and supple. If you’re feeling brave, you’ll love the ice temple and it’s ice flake fountain with warm and cold water showers to invigorate… and make you shriek!

The hydrotherapy pool complete with Greek inspired decor is over looked by the newly opened Sanctum; a spacious and peaceful space to increase the relaxation area at Hoar Cross Hall. The Sanctum includes restful loungers, complete with cosy blankets, comfy sofas and calming hanging pods and is dedicated to quiet and contemplation or the perfect place to escape with a book for some alone time.

My next visit to Hoar Cross will definitely be for longer (I’ve been eyeing up their overnight stay packages), but for the price spa evenings or mornings are definitely a purse friendly way to try out the spa experience by giving you 3-4 hours to explore and indulge in all that the spa has to offer with the option of adding in your treatments at your own leisure. Due to the price and convenience, they make the perfect gift for the person who has everything as a few hours out of a day is more feasible for those with a hectic social life.

You can purchase gift cards for a variety of spa experiences at Hoar Cross Hall online or by calling their reservations line on 01283 575671