USP: The spa is part of a recent £45m refurbishment of the hotel and therefore boasts exceptional facilities. I’ve found with some spas that while the treatments might have been fantastic, the rooms have been almost claustrophobic and too warm, detracting from the experience.

Not at Willow Stream where the therapy rooms are large and airy, with the space to really revel in the treatment. It also has a dedicated service for couples, with experience suites containing double tubs, double steam, and overhead rain shower with chromatherapy (colour therapy).

AMBIENCE

You could be forgiven for thinking that a spa in a five-star hotel in the centre of Monte Carlo would be slightly intimidating and rather haughty; but this could not be further from the reality. It’s a very friendly and welcoming spa, from the receptionists to the therapists, everyone is eager to put you at ease and make the best of your time there.

The spa occupies a good third of the space on the hotel's sixth floor and has eight treatment suites, a manicure/pedicure nail spa and is directly connected to the fitness centre and rooftop swimming pool. There are hammam and experiential shower rooms with bar style seating, and all treatment rooms have balconies where you can sit and soak up the view while resting following a treatment.

There is a high level of customer service and my therapist Viola was lovely and chatty, as well as very professional. The décor is minimal, clean lines with enough pale blue colours to stop it from falling into a clinical style. And the communal lounge is stocked with fresh water, juices and, if you’re feeling indulgent, Ladurée macaroons.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE

I started with the Willow Stream Signature Manicure, which lasted for just over one hour and included a hand soak, paraffin mask, massage and manicure and polish. The spa claims to have one of the best manicure and pedicure suites in Europe, now as I have not visited every spa in Europe I cannot with confidence confirm this claim, but its facilities are the best I’ve encountered.

I appreciated that Viola asked me how I would like my nails filed; I’ve been a victim before of manicurists who just jump in and start sawing your nails into that square shape beloved of WAGs. Instead, following the hand soak in mineral salts and essential oils, she filed them into a lovely shape that actually made my hands look dainty. As one hand was attended to, the other was sitting in a glove containing the paraffin treatment. At the end, my hands felt wonderfully soft, and with a couple of coats of peach-coloured polish I felt ready to show them off clutching a glass of champagne.

My next treatment was the Willow Stream Elements, a 90-minute session based around the four elements of earth, air, water and fire. It included a mud wrap, aromatherapy, a mineral bath and a warm massage. I had not had a mud wrap before and was intrigued to how it would benefit my skin. Being wrapped up in a plastic sheet was not the most pleasant experience but once the wrap came off I could see results, my skin felt firmer and a couple of midge bite marks on my hip had disappeared.

The mineral bath was heavenly, especially as it was in a Jacuzzi leaving me relaxed before the massage – which was more soothing than getting rid of any knots. When I left the spa, I really did feel like I’d already had a week’s holiday, rather than it being the start of my long weekend in Monaco.

PRODUCTS

Willow Stream produces its own range of products based around the four elements of earth, air, water and fire. Of all the products used during my treatments, the mineral salts for the hand and body soak were the ones that I really appreciated. The scent was so uplifting, strong but not overpowering and afterwards my skin felt refreshed.

FOOD

The terrace restaurant in the hotel has fabulous views and a reasonably priced menu. The average rate for lunch is €35/40, excluding drinks, and the speciality is fish. I had sea bass, which was beautifully cooked to retain its flavour. There’s a salad bar with lots of different bowls of fresh food that you can help yourself to.

IN-CROWD

The hotel prides itself on offering a five-star service but with a very casual and friendly atmosphere. This is where Russian millionaires and their groomed, bling wives sit next to middle-America tourists dressed in cargo pants and businessmen waiting for their next meeting or conference session. On a previous trip to Monaco, my friends and I wandered into the Hotel de Paris, stayed for one drink and left because the weight of stares from its patrons became annoying. Not at the Fairmont Hotel, it feels far more relaxed.

WALLET WATCH

The Willow Stream Elements costs €209 and the Willow Stream Signature Manicure €69 - the latter is better value for money given the amount of attention and pampering you receive. Should you be staying in or passing through Monaco and fancy sampling the high life without having to break into one of its many private banks, then I would recommend the manicure or the pedicure. Day guests are welcome.

NEED TO KNOW

Fairmont Hotel 12, Avenue des Spélugues, MC 98000 Monaco, (+377) 93 506 500/600 ; www.fairmont.com/montecarlo)

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