 BY SARA DARLING Everyone needs a treat now and again, and this is the perfect place to do it! We’ve had snow, ice and a really long winter, so when the daffodils are starting to emerge in March, it means spring is on its way; That suggests it is time to get a spring in your step and begin to look at the bright side of life again... On that note, it’s the perfect time to indulge in some self love (and a realisation that summer is on its way and I will be getting my body out on a beach fairly soon!!) I have just returned from a liberating, relaxing and perfectly packed 36 hours in the Donnington Valley Spa Hotel in Berkshire.  The sister of the Vineyard Hotel which is the place to go for five star dining and fine wines in the area, the Spa Hotel offers a perfectly formed spa, health club and golf course. Book in for a massage, facial, mani, pedi or spray tan, and relax..Even the chillout room is paradise. Even though I was following up on emails thanks to the hotel wide WiFi. No rest for a freelancer! The pool, unusually for a hotel is large enough for lengths, and the gym is pretty impressive with free weights, mats and machines. Alas I wasn’t prepared to get a sweat on, but definitely took advantage of the relaxing side of the Spa. Unusually, alcoholic beverages are served poolside, although I am not suggesting this is a substitute for hanging out on the loungers in Ibiza, but having a glass of prosecco at the end of a jacuzzi day is a well deserved treat!  If you are not a fan of prancing around in your waffle robe and hotel slippers, you might want to bring your own, as this hotel is very Spa friendly. Most of the guests seem to visit the Spa at some point, so you won’t look out of place wearing a towel turban on your way back to your room. All the steaming, sauna-ing and swimming will definitely give you an appetite, and our maître d, Paulo was perfectly equipped to advise on dinner options; Although a late dinner and after dinner drinks next to the fire in the library did mean that I didn’t get up quite as early as I would have liked the following day; My early morning swim and steam was not as long as I would have liked, but it worked wonders for freshening my head! Breakfast was again served by Paulo, who was equally friendly and helpful. We arrived at 10 by our skinny skin teeth, but the kitchen was happy to create any kind of eggs. I opted for omelette with cheese and mushrooms, with my friend going all out with the full English and eggs Benedict! I did sample her sausage and hollandaise sauce, and even though she couldn’t eat it all, definitely made the right decision. Several freshly squeezed juices later, we were feeling more human, and rolled out of the restaurant to head home. Perfect for a girlie break. You never know who will meet there too! Book your spa day at Donnington Valley here 
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