March is unofficially known as National Sleep Awareness Month, with World Sleep Day falling on 14 March. The importance of quality sleep for overall health and wellbeing is a hot topic, especially as recent research reveals that a whopping 68% of UK women struggle to get a good night’s sleep. While I don’t suffer from severe sleep issues, the daily stresses of life can make it difficult for me to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Add in occasional back pain and two cats who love to snooze on my legs, and a full, uninterrupted eight hours of sleep seems like a distant dream. So, when I heard about the new Relax & Renew package at Rockliffe Hall, a luxury spa hotel in County Durham, promising ’24 hours of total tranquility’, I was eager to give it a go. Here’s what I thought…
‘I booked in to this UK hotel’s new relaxing retreat’
(Image: Rockliffe Hall)
Rockliffe Hall Located near Darlington on the North Yorkshire/County Durham border, Rockliffe Hall is a grand five-star hotel offering something for everyone: a luxurious spa, an 18-hole golf course complete with clubhouse, and a seriously impressive fine dining restaurant, reports the Mirror. From the moment I stepped into the hotel’s light-filled lobby and was greeted by the calming voice of the receptionist, I knew this was going to be a relaxing stay. Throughout our visit, every corner of the hotel exuded peace and tranquillity, never feeling noisy or overcrowded. Rockliffe Hall is a sprawling luxury hotel, with wide corridors and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the golf course. Our spacious bedrooms ame complete with a seating area, a small balcony and a bathroom equipped with a TV over the bath. To make your stay extra special, you’ll find little personal touches like a complimentary hamper of NIO cocktails and snacks, and chocolates on your pillows as part of the turndown service. If you opt for the Relax & Renew package, you’ll also discover treats from beauty and wellbeing brand NEOM in your room – a brand I absolutely adore. I indulged in the magnesium-rich bath milk and body butter before bed, and I’m convinced it helped me sleep even better.
Book into the Spa Garden
(Image: Rockliffe Hall)
The spa at Rockliffe Hall The Spa at Rockliffe Hall is an attraction in itself. It’s enormous, with a vast reception area, numerous treatment rooms, and some of the best bathing facilities I’ve ever encountered. There’s a large circular indoor hydropool, plenty of loungers, and a variety of heated experiences, including foot spas, salt steams, infrared saunas, and even an igloo room (which isn’t as daunting as it sounds!). Included in the Relax & Renew package is a 90-minute session in the separate Spa Garden, or you can book it separately for £25 per person. If the weather permits, it’s definitely worth a visit. This exclusive area offers access to a small infinity pool overlooking the golf course, a glass-fronted sauna and attentive staff who will bring drinks straight to your lounger.
The large indoor pool at Rockliffe Hall
(Image: Rockliffe Hall)
My treatment I decided to give the spa’s new Tranquility Pro-Sleep Massage a go, which was described to me as a gentle massage with oil application on both sides, aimed at soothing and relaxing rather than working out knots. I must admit, I’ve had light pressure massages before that felt like nothing more than a let-down tickle – but this was a whole different ball game. The mix of the heated bed, the dimly lit red room and the therapeutic touch was incredibly calming and comforting; it was almost womb-like. I usually never doze off during massages, but this one had me snoozing a few times. My spa experience concluded with a brief guided meditation session, snuggled up in a cosy bed under blankets; the ideal way to wrap up the day. The food at Rockliffe Hall Tucked away in a corner of the building, Rockliffe’s restaurant, TERRA – which is overseen by James Close, the first chef in the North East to receive two Michelin stars – feels like a hidden treasure, serving up the best French cuisine by the most competent and professional staff. Kick off your dining experience with a glass of bubbly from the vintage drinks trolley that makes its rounds (Rockliffe Hall’s fizz is supplied by the champagne house PIAFF), paired with fresh oysters. Then treat yourself to refined classics like French onion soup, steak tartare and halibut bouillebaisse; I can’t stop thinking about my Cheddar cheese soufflé, which was as fluffy and light as it was rich, and the perfect light red wine that was suggested to go with it. Make sure you save some space for dessert, where you’ll find exquisite French pastries and cheeses. Currently, Rockliffe Hall is undergoing a significant renovation project (don’t fret, it won’t interfere with your stay at all), with a new restaurant set to open in a purpose-built pavilion at the end of the year. The verdict Overall, the combination of the stunning setting, the calming treatment and meditation, the scrumptious meal, the most comfortable bed and the completely stress-free experience had me feeling utterly relaxed by bedtime. I often find it hard to sleep in a hotel – especially after a rich meal – but this stay had me dozing off within minutes, and waking up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. How much does it cost to stay at Rockliffe Hall? A stay at Rockliffe Hall starts from £312 on a bed and breakfast basis. The Relax & Renew package starts from £595 per room per night based on two people sharing a New Hall standard double or twin bedroom.
