The mission To prove that “a relaxing weekend away with the kids” is not a contradiction in terms.

USP Frazzled parents get time to themselves while their children are looked after in an Ofsted-registered crèche.

Ambience The perfect mix between family-friendly hotel and grown-up retreat, the Aquae Sulis spa has four treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, rasul mud chamber, a relaxation room and roof terrace for adults only. Children are allowed in the 12m swimming pool and indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool but despite visiting during the school holidays, we never found these to be noisy or busy.

The hotel, complete with Tickle the dog and George the cat, feels like a rich relative's country house, and the tranquil garden is kiddie-safe, with its only water feature covered with a grid. The Bear's Den crèche caters for children aged 3 months to 8 years, and for older children there is table tennis, air hockey and table football, an outdoor play area and a trampoline. High tea, complimentary warmed milk and a baby-listening service are all available.

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I was told to imagine the fruit acids as miniature Pacmen nibbling away at the dead skin

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BACKGROUND

• 5 of the best Irish spas

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BACKGROUND

• Amberspa, Loch Lomond

• The Carrick Spa, Cameron House, Loch Lomond

• Westin Turnberry Resort Spa, Ayrshire, Scotland

• Auchrannie Spa Resort, Isle of Arran

• The Balmoral Spa, The Balmoral, Edinburgh

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Quality of experience Fabulous for parents and parents-to be. As well as facials, massages, and special treatments for men and teenagers, there are also several fantastic-sounding prenatal treatments, which almost (but not quite) made me wish I was still pregnant. I opted for a Sensorial Cocoon facial with hot stones, which was relaxing and left my skin glowing.

The thermal suite is small but perfectly formed. Most spa users are hotel guests and the two occasions we used the suite we had it to ourselves. The darkened relaxation room was the perfect place to steal a sneaky nap before returning to pick up the children. Toby, 6, and Olivia, 4, adored the pool and had such a great time in the crèche that they asked to go back again the next morning, leaving us ample time for another sauna session.

Products A mix of the French brand Yon-Ka, the spa's own Aquae Sulis range, and Mama Mio products for the maternity spa treatments.

Food The Pear Terrace brasserie is set within the spa. Its large menu offers everything from salad platters to full-on dishes of steak, lamb or pork, as well as starters, desserts and a children's menu. The food was good but service was slow. The more formal £13.50 two-course lunch in the Brook Room restaurant in the hotel is perhaps better value.

In-crowd Well-heeled parents, mostly with children under 5. A perfect weekend away for those with young kids. As the hotel is so family-oriented, singles and couples without children might prefer to limit themselves to a day trip to the spa.

Wallet-watch The Aquae Sulis Signature Mineral Therapy Massage is £95 for 90 minutes; the Sensorial Cocoon facial, £70. Maternity treatments start at £60 for a Yummy Tummy “facial for your bump”, and teen treatments start at £25 for a Teen Clear facial. Day spa packages, including lunch and two treatments, start at £115. Double rooms at The Elms start at £215 per room, with dinner, bed and breakfast. Children stay free but children's meals are not included.

Need to know The Elms Hotel, Abberley, Worcester. For more information visit www.theelmshotel.co.uk or call 01299 896666.

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