Wood Hall Spa
By Stephanie Young, TravelMail
Last updated at 18:02 23 June 2004
Wood Hall is set in stunning parkland
Leeds is fast becoming the London of the North, a noisy, thriving, cosmopolitan city to rival the southern capital. But drive just 11 miles out of the city centre, and you'll discover Wood Hall, a stunning spa hotel set in 100 acres of parkland.
Although it is possible to buy day membership to the spa - locally it is a huge hit, particularly with girls celebrating hen weekends - it is well worth spending the night.
One of the Hand Picked Hotel chain, Wood Hall combines the traditional features of an English country house with tasteful ultra-modern fittings.
44 bedrooms are furnished with 42-inch plasma screens and slate bathrooms. The signature touch in the main house is that each room features a unique bed, from four posters to gilded sleighs.
The hotel's restaurant also comes highly recommended: chef Lee Parsons cut his culinary teeth at Claridges and Le Manoir Aux Quatre Saisons and his menu, at £35 a head for three courses, doesn't disappoint.
But the main reason we were there was for some serious pampering. Like most women at the first hint of hot weather I panic that my feet are not fit to be seen in sandals so I picked the Super Deluxe manicure and pedicure.
This proved to be blissful. A series of creams and oils were massaged into my skin before paraffin wax was applied and left to cool and penetrate within thermal booties.
Two hours later my feet had been prettified and I was walking on air.
My partner meanwhile plumped for an aromatherapy facial including accupressure, lymph drainage and oriental head massage which left him, if not prettier, at least relaxed and ready to face the journey home.
Bliss factor: Relaxing after a treatment on the terrace overlooking the wood and parklands or indulging in a cream tea served in the Italian gardens.
Stress factor: Getting in! The hotel has 155 wedding bookings this year and guests often use the spa so you are advised to book treatments eight weeks in advance.
Treatments: The holistic aromatherapy back, face and scalp treatment (£50) is an all-embracing treatment incorporating a full facial with acupressure, face and head massage followed by a deep cleansing back exfoliation and aromatic oil massage.
Wood Hall Hotel and Spa: www.handpicked.co.uk/WoodHall or Tel: 01937 587271
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