IT'S a cold, wet Friday evening as we drive up to Moddershall Oaks – a five star country spa retreat in Staffordshire.

After a busy week in work, and winter now setting in, my husband and I are looking forward to our overnight package. It promises 'everything you need to escape the outside world' in the form of spa, food and treatments.

After a warm welcome from reception staff we're handed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice while our itinerary is explained to us.

We are then guided through a maze of plush carpeted corridors to our room.

There are 10 'luxury boutique suites' in this recently refurbished hotel and the soft neutral decor, wood flooring and atmospheric lighting have a real calming effect.

Rooms have comfy king-sized beds, Elemis toiletries, underfloor heating and a private deck leading to a hot tub for hotel guests only. There's free wifi and Sky HD and our room even had a spa bath which added extra luxury.

As we wander up to the spa treatment area we pass lounges with log fires, comfy sofas and comfort blankets and huge windows showing off the landscaped gardens outside. Everything here is geared towards 'relaxation'.

As for the treatments, my husband had a back massage while I chose the Indian head massage – which I have to say is one of the best I have had.

The staff were friendly and made you feel at ease and there's an array of other beauty and spa treatments available.

After changing, we wandered down to the intimate lakeside restaurant for a two-course meal which was lovely.

I chose fresh mussels with white wine cream and garlic with homemade bread followed by Cuban style mojo marinated lamb rump, chorizo and lamb picadillo, saffron mash and garlic greens.

My husband opted for char grilled dry aged sirloin, slow cooked steak and ale pie, béarnaise sauce, watercress, gratin potato, braised onion and roast shallot sauce followed by a dessert called winter warmer – hot sticky toffee pudding, clotted cream, salted caramel donut and fudge ice cream.

Needless to say, a bit of pampering and a sumptuous meal meant two very relaxed patrons had a blissful night's sleep before an equally impressive breakfast the next morning.

As part of the overnight package we also had full use of the facilities the next day.

There's a new outdoor spa courtyard including relaxation lounge, spa deli, heated vitality spa pool and kelo sauna.

The indoor area includes a swimming pool, steam room, hydrotherapy pool, heated tiled loungers, gym and reflexology footbaths plus an experience shower – a particular favourite of my husband who kept flicking between 'Caribbean rain', 'cold mist and 'Atlantic ocean' – a regular shower will be disappointing from now on!

Set in 72 acres of woodland, Moddershall Oaks is a perfect retreat for couples and groups of friends who want to spend some quality time together.

So if you're looking for somewhere to relax and unwind as winter draws in, or want inspiration for a Christmas present for someone special, then check out the numerous packages on offer at moddershalloaks.com or call 01782 399000.

The spa escape package starts at £359 for two people and includes a two-course evening meal, overnight stay, cooked breakfast, a 25 minute tension relieving back, neck & shoulder massage or Elemis customised facial and full use of facilities until 5pm on day of departure.

CARLA FLYNN