The new spa garden at Rockliffe Hall is the latest addition making the highly acclaimed hotel and spa in County Durham a hit with groups.

The spa garden

Sitting separate to the spa area, it is only open to 16 people at a time with two-hour sessions throughout the day divided into morning, afternoon and twilight use. It is arranged on a first come first served basis, however it is also included in Spabreaks.com spa packages.

The result is a tranquil space that doesn’t get overcrowded complete with heated loungers, an infinity pool that overlooks the golf course and an opportunity to simply sit and enjoy a drink with friends. For special occasions you can also book the whole space for up to 20 people.

The spa garden is an extension to the over-16 only spa, which is an extensive experience with a wealth of facilities, so it isn’t just the spa garden that makes it a dream spot for groups and hen parties.

The extensive facilities

When you come into the main spa area there’s a swimming pool with its own sauna, steam room and lounge space. There’s also a separate spa area with a further hydro pool, sauna, steam, tepidarium and foot spas. Then there’s a juice spa and an outdoor area with a hot tub before you reach the spa garden. There are also 13 treatment rooms plus a mud rasul, a manicure and pedicure room and a salt room which is booked out by couples and groups in the same way that a rasul might be, but is more like a steam room.

The relaxation room is separated into two areas - one is a sleep zone and the other is more just a space to relax and read a magazine. The spa cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (although only up until 6pm) and you can have all of that in your robes, enjoying a mixed menu with something for everyone. For afternoon tea you need to go to the main hall in the hotel, for which you need to be properly dressed.

Accommodation for groups

The way the spa sits in the hotel grounds means that you can visit for a spa day and feel as though you have a very complete experience. For those opting for an overnight break however, in addition to the main hotel you can stay in the spa apartments and houses. These sleep up to six people, so again they’re perfect for groups, and you can choose to dine in the apartment with room service, or in the main hotel which is only a few steps away.

This summer there are set to be even more new additions to the hotel and spa as well - so watch this space!

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