‘NOT A SINGLE TUT OR DISMAYED GLANCE FROM GUESTS OR HOSTS’

The Buxton Crescent is one of the Peak District spa town’s greatest hidden treasures. Perhaps a little too hidden. By virtue of being placed intentionally discreetly in Buxton’s elegant Georgian curve, the hotel’s main entrance looks more like a fire exit than a five-star spa hotel lobby. Spend any time here and a series of perplexed guests and passersby will drop in and ask: “Is this the Buxton Crescent Hotel?” I’m not sure how many times Phil, the affable concierge, has to answer that question each day, but it is definitely into double figures.

Unstuffy, unassuming and highly organised,

Phil – along with the other staff – is among the hotel’s main assets. One day, after bumping into him on a hike just as we were perusing the hand-drawn map he had given us, we joked that every time we turned a corner he would be there. Such faultless service makes this very grand and newly renovated hotel a warm and welcoming location for a relaxing family spa holiday.

Yes, you heard that right. A family spa holiday – and we experienced not a single tut or dismayed glance from guests or hosts for the whole of our four-night stay. While the public rooms (with the exception of the convivial dining room, which delighted us) have a whiff of 1980s corporate chain hotel about them, the stateof-the-art thermal spa and chi-chi rooftop pool have brought “taking the waters” back in a big and charmingly inclusive way that will give burned-out parents cause to breathe a well-earned sigh of post-lockdown relief.

Our stay coincided with a heatwave, and the in-out pool deck felt more Bodrum than Buxton, meaning I was more than happy watching the children and sunbathing while my husband took his turn using the sauna, steam, salt room and relaxation pools downstairs (children aren’t allowed in the spa proper). I loved my sheltered view of boutique pool and blue sky juxtaposed with chunky stone chimney that could only be in the north of England. I was also happy when my turn came: the signature Himalayan Salt Massage and no-nonsense Underwater Jet Therapy made sure all I was fit for afterwards was more sitting around staring at the sky.

Which was just as well because the kids and their new mates were happy to continue splashing around in the pool for as long as the snacks and drinks kept coming from the spa café. And guests and staff seemed happy with that too. There must be something in the water.

Buxton Crescent Health Spa Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire. Rooms from £195 per night. For a full review and to book, see telegraph.co.uk/tt-buxton-crescent