Jaine Blackman and her daughter enjoy some quality time and icy horseplay at Champneys

Sipping a glass of prossecco over an excellent meal I thought I could definitely do with a lot longer than an overnight stay at Champneys Tring. Yes, this was health and fitness the luxury way.

A bit of gentle exercise, followed by spa treatments and meals prepared to be low in fat and sugar but high in flavour . . . book me in for a month.

But with a hectic few weeks behind me and the Christmas calorie-fest looming even one night at the swish spa was just the ticket to recharge the batteries and be on top form for the festivities. It was also a great opportunity to have some quality time with my daughter who was visiting for the holiday season, something that we noticed we weren’t alone in doing.

Looking around the dining room of the stately home in Hertfordshire, once owned by the Rothschild family, it seemed that about half the other guests were mum and daughter combos.

I’d expected there to be more groups of gal pals but as it was only a few days before Christmas perhaps they were all out on the town.

There were a lot of couples and while it might not be the first place to spring to mind for a romantic break, it does make sense. When you’ve indulged in some of the more than 100 different types of treatments, from the traditional to the exotic, like reiki and Indian head massage and you’re feeling chilled out and happy – not to mention silky smooth and glowing – who better to share that feeling with than your significant other. There are also 170 acres of rolling parkland to stroll (or jog, run or cycle!) round, roaring fires to snuggle up in front of and elegant bedrooms to retire to.

Champneys – which was the first UK health spa chain and also has resorts in Bedfordshire, Leicestershire and Hampshire – offers plenty of choice for a break.

You can opt for luxury pampering, relaxation and indulgence; get active; use it as a spiritual escape; detox; take part in extreme sports; or get serious with a boot camp break.

We went for a soft option and on arrival had a Thalassotherapy pool session where jets of water are directed at various parts of your body. It’s sort of aquatic circuits but a lot easier – no effort is required at all.

You simply move around the pool and just stand, sit or lay there and get buffeted by the water.

It’s all very gentle apart from the “waterfall” which gives your shoulders a good pounding.

We also took a dip in the outside hot tub before dinner.

“It’s more like a warm tub,” said my daughter who has clearly softened up from living in Florida for the past two years.

So, of course, throwing crushed ice over her – found in a handy machine just outside over the door – after she came inside to relax in the sauna was irresistible. Then it was up to our spacious and tasteful room to get ready for dinner.

During the day, you can wander round and eat meals in the white fluffy robes and slippers (or flip-flops) provided, if you chose, as the atmosphere is very relaxed and laid-back.

There’s still a lovely calm, chilled-out vibe at dinner but they do like you to put your clothes on!

The menu offers choices for all tastes and diets with nutritional information listed and suggestions given for those wanting to cut back on on calories.

For those who aren’t watching their weight (whether they should be, or not!) there’s also a wine list.

Dinner was good but, for me, was topped by breakfast. Next morning, there was a vast array of fruits, nuts, cereals, breads, yoghurts and other goodies on a buffet, along with a choice of cooked breakfasts. As well as smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, I tucked in to a hearty amount of the buffet too, so thought I had better take advantage of one of the 20 classes a day on offer.

A gym session in the 25-metre pool was fun and could be tailored to your personal fitness level.

Then it was off for a relaxing massage before bidding our reluctant farewells.

A spa should be for life . . . not just Christmas!

ESSENTIALS
Champneys Tring
Chesham Road Wigginton Hertfordshire
HP23 6HX
Currently Tring offers overnight breaks from £149.40. Take a look at the website www.champneys.com or call 0843 316 2222 for full details, offers and prices.
Reservations / booking enquiries call 0843 3162222 or email reservations@champneys.com