A stylish staycation at... Seaham Hall in Durham

Laura Cully enjoys some luxury r 'n' r at Seaham Hall in Durham.

As a woman who enjoys any excuse to leave the daily grind behind for a day or two, there are few things in life that match the temptations of a top-quality spa weekend. So, when I recently discovered the oasis of calm, cool and downright loveliness that is Seaham Hall, I was in heaven.

Set on a clifftop on County Durham’s heritage coastline, Seaham Hall was once the marital home of the late Lord Byron and, probably in a nod to the flamboyant former owner, the hotel’s interior is bold and playful (purple pool table, anyone?). The décor may leave historian purists cold but the individuality of this place had me at hello. There are no standard double bedrooms–just 22 rather lovely suites, each different from the next but all definitively ‘Seaham Hall’.

My stay was a real taste of the good life and the VIP touches –big and small –just kept on coming

The hotel’s standalone Serenity spa is as big as the hotel and more than lives up to its award-winning reputation as Best Spa in the North.It’s a thriving haven of tranquillity where Durham city dwellers bliss out alongside groups on a girls’ day out, retired businessmen and hotel guests,like me. I was thrilled to discover I didn’t even need to go outside to get there -it can be accessed in fluffy robe, from the hotel via an interconnecting tunnel complete with mood lighting and trickling water soundtrack to ensure you’re feeling zen before you even arrive. In addition to the treatment rooms, there’s a pool, relaxation area, sauna, steam rooms, hot tubs and restaurant so you could easily stay there all daylong. I did, starting my day with a steam and a swim before reclining on a treatment bed for an Ytsara Skin Drink facial –a relaxing one-hour treatment based on ancient therapies from Thailand.Just the thing to set me up for lunch in the spa’s Pan-Asian restaurant, Ozone.

But, for me, the best thing about Seaham Hall is the generosity,flawless attention to detail and faultless service. My stay was a real taste of the good life and the VIP touches –big and small –just kept on coming. In the suites alone, you’re treated to a pillow menu and Elemis lavender pillow spray to ensure a good night’s sleep;free premium brand soft drinks (Jing Tea a personal highlight);a tablet to order room service in the morning from an immense breakfast menu;mood lighting to be adjusted depending on the company you’re keeping;and a rubber duck in the sunken bath to put a smile on your face. While downstairs in Byron’s Restaurant, you’ll find an opulent dining room where good cooking prevails –from mackerel doused in elderflower to slow cooked Durham lamb, the food is local and creative without compromising on quality. Byron was clearly a man with excellent taste.

Seaham Hall’s Autumn Hideaway package includes luxury accommodation for two, spa access and breakfast from £189, seaham-hall.co.uk