By Teresa Barnett

As a writer and a lawyer I spend an inordinate amount of time in front of a PC, laptop or computer, I was therefore grateful to check into my room at the Vale Resort & Spa. This impressive resort doubles as the training ground for the Cardiff Blues.

Upon entering my room I mentally congratulate myself on a resort well chosen as I spot my balcony with wrought iron furniture for me to soak up the beautiful Welsh day. The décor is perfect and the chrome metal bed frame gives the room a stylish twist with its cream with earth tone accents of brown and green, however it’s the bathroom that gives my room the biggest wow factor with it's grey stone tiling and double stand-alone bath on a raised platform.

Vale Grill

A meticulous inspection turned up nothing untoward and feeling like an entrant on four in a bed" I head to the Grill for dinner. As with all good restaurants there was the option to choose from the à la carte menu but I decided to let the chef choose his specialties – well except for the desert that was always going to be the cheesecake!!

My starter of salmon hash brown with hollandaise sauce turns out to be a surprisingly delicious appetiser and the presentation is a work of art. My friendly waitress brings the next dish to the table and it’s the trio of Welsh lamb cooked to perfection.



Vale Spa

A stay at a spa hotel would not be complete without a trip to the spa; stepping into the cool spa reception was immediately soothing, the epitome of tranquility. Having selected the very best of the facials I settled down to enjoy a gentle hot stone back massage. My face was subjected to a double cleanse followed by a warm melting alginate mask to help iron out wrinkles, tighten my skin and increase its elasticity. A luxurious lifting massage to strengthen, tone an iced blend to reduce puffiness and cold stone therapy almost completed my treatment. After an application of Temple Spa Skin Truffle, which works by mimicking the endorphin effect on the complexion, my experience was over.

This is not a cheap treatment by any means at £75 for 85 minutes but then luxuries rarely are, that is why they are luxuries. I'm still young enough just about to go out make up free but this facial will leave you bouncing out with the confidence of a dewy skinned teenager.

Vale Resort & Spa
Hensol Park
Hensol
Vale of Glamorgan
Wales
CF72 8JY

T: +44 (0)1443 667800
W: valeresort.com