the husBand who doesn’t like spas

Editor Kath Brown loves the spa experience but her husband Adrian isn’t a wearing-a-robe-in-public kind of guy. They visited Lime Wood in the New Forest with their dogs, Lulu and Carter.

First impressions Tucked away in the forest in Lyndhurst, Lime Wood is a stately home that’s had a chic makeover. With elegant, unpretentious interiors that had me jotting down the names of paint colours, the main attraction of this hotel is the lovely, friendly atmosphere. We had worried about the dogs misbehaving after their long car journey, but the girls on reception made a big fuss of them and booked them in for the dog-sitting service that evening. So after a long walk in the forest (made much more enjoyable by the fact Hunter wellies were provided), we headed to the bar for martinis and then to dinner in the Angela Hartnett restaurant.

✢ And… relax Herb House Spa is designed for a maximum wellbeing experience with attentive staff and a feeling of serenity. With a rooftop gym, indoor lap pool, 10 treatment rooms, a mud house, a steaming outdoor hot pool and a hydro pool, it takes relaxation to a whole new level.

✢ The treatments I chose a Bamford Bespoke Facial and, after telling my therapist Amy that I felt my skin looked a little tired, she devised a 60-minute ritual to deep cleanse and bring back radiance. Did it work? Well, I was so relaxed I fell asleep, and the girls said I had a bit of a glow the next day in the office. So I’m thinking it did. ✢ How to book Visit limewoodhotel. co.uk. Rooms start at £395. Bamford Bespoke Facial, £115 for 60 minutes.