WHEN you’re looking to spend a night away from the rat race, where can you spend your hard-earned cash to get some r and r?

My advice is get yourself along to Mellor’s Stanley House and you’ll get everything you could wish for in a weekend break.

Nestled in 54 acres of Ribble Valley countryside, Stanley House is a destination of choice for weddings, diners, romantic couples and spa lovers.

It first opened its doors 11 years ago after converting a Grade II listed manor house, while set deep in the heart of the Stanley House estate, the multi-million-pound Spa at Stanley House opened its doors in 2012.

And after its five-figure refurbishment, which including an extensive refurbishment of the multi-purpose function rooms, The Stables and The Lodge, while the hotel’s bridal suites and a further two Manor House bedrooms have undergone complete transformation, offering guests four elegant Manor House suites.

And my partner and I were lucky enough to stay in one of the new rooms and I can tell you it was money very well spent.

Just driving up the hill to the grounds is a pleasure, and on arrival in reception, the staff were polite, efficient and friendly – but more on them later.

The rooms were sumptuous as they were spacious. Out suite was fantastic with all mod cons, especially the bathroom which was beautifully finished.

The views across the Ribble Valley were spectacular - we're really lucky to live in such a picturesque county.

Once we’d settled in, we got ready for our spa experience so we donned our fluffy white robes and sandals and made the shout journey to the Spa.

Walking into the spa, your senses are awoken. After enjoying a glass of fizz, we made our way down to the thermal bathing suite.

My partner and I spent two hours and blissful relaxation as we made full use of the Jacuzzis and various saunas. To say they put us at ease is a massive understatement.

And the fact that numbers at any one time are kept to a minimum helps you to enjoy the facilities and soak up and ambience. Bliss.

Even the views from the spa were fantastic, and as night fell it became serenity itself.

From there, it was time to change and head to Mr Fred’s bar and grill for our evening meal.

Again, it was hard to fault anything. The food was delicious, the surroundings fantastic and the service was excellent.

But, again, it was the staff that lifted our experience at Stanley House way above the norm.

In every department we visited, the staff were courteous, kind, friendly, prompt and fantastically knowledgeable about their area of expertise.

This was obvious as we dined as they staff were able to advise on our choices of food and combinations that work well together.

Our compliments not only to the chef but to the staff as well.

After a night in our fabulous room and a delicious breakfast in Mr Fred’s, we headed back for our spa treatment – a back, shoulders and neck peace massage.

Again, the staff were fabulously knowledgeable and put us at ease and by then end of the massage we were left happy and relaxed by the time we left.

As an old cynic, I’m usually good at finding things to complain about – but in this case I can’t.

Our experience was as perfect as it comes and I’ll definitely be back to enjoy Stanley House and the facilities it has to offer in the future.

To put it short, we had a fantastic experience and that’s down to the setting, ambience but most of all the fantastic Stanley House staff.

STAYING THERE

The Into the Night package is available from £150 per person Sunday-Thursday and £170 Friday-Saturday.

The package includes:

A one-night stay in a Manor House or Woodland room;

Full English and continental breakfast, three-course dinner in Mr Fred’s Bar and Lounge;

Two hours at leisure with full use of our thermal bathing facilities; sensation showers, salt infusion room, aroma steam room, herbal and Finnish saunas, ice fountain and rural hydrotherapy pool;

Himalayan Salt Foot Ritual

A choice of one 25-minute treatment from: relaxation and peace massage; ILA head massage and hair mask; Bamboo body scrub; Taster ananda facial; Manicure or pedicure.

For more information, call 01254 769200, e-mail info@stanleyhouse.co.uk or www.stanleyhouse.co.uk.