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I love the sound of the newly opened Scarlet in Cornwall, but it's too far away for us for a weekend. I'm looking for a hotel with a spa slightly nearer London to stay with my husband for a treat - we'd like it to be near both countryside and sea, as we love our walks. Money isn't a problem as it's for a celebration - any ideas? Hannah Cane, London

Times Online Spas & Lifestyle Expert Caroline Sylger Jones responds: I can whole heartedly recommend Chewton Glen at New Milton in Hampshire - for me, it's one of the few luxurious hotels in Britain that continually lives up to expectation. It’s just a 20 minute walk to the nearby beach, which has a large, stone pathway by the sea suitable for long head-clearing walks in any weather, whilst for your countryside fix, the New Forest is on your doorstep. There are only 58 bedrooms attended to by a whopping 230 staff, and you can expect impeccable service.

In their spa they've introduced signature treatments with organic ila products, which are hand-made in the Cotswolds, and will be introducing bespoke ila retreats soon. Though they don't have double treatment rooms, you and your husband could have a massage at the same time in your room so you don't have to bother getting up again afterwards. They do some lovely holistic treatments such as Lomi Lomi, or go for the ila-devised Manipura full body massage. Or why not both indulge in a pedicure together in their special grooming room, which overlooks the garden - men are presently surprised by pedicures, I've found, and of course they don't have to have the polish!

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The spa also has an exceptional hydrotherapy pool set in a pretty conservatory with wall to sky windows – there’s an open air whirlpool just outside. The neo-classical 17 m indoor swimming pool is ozone-treated, and there’s an outdoor pool. You can also enjoy aromatherapy saunas, crystal steam rooms, and a large spa lounge-cum-café with garden views.

Room décor is majestic and traditional, with a subtly contemporary twist. The most affordable ‘Bronze’ bedrooms overlook parkland, while ‘Gold’ rooms have a balcony or a terrace. For lots of space, splash out on a suite. Food is delicious Modern British. In November the hotel is offering a mid-week New Forest Rate which starts at £205 per night, per room only based on two guests sharing a Bronze Room (£375 DBB rate). They also have our special three for two offer running with room rates starting at £313 per night, room only.

If you're happy to drive a little further, I'd also like to recommend the White House a hotel with just six rooms tucked away in the quiet village of Chillington in South Devon. There are circular country walks from the doorstep, Slapton Sands is an inspiring if pebbly beach a 30-minute walk away, and it’s a 15 minute drive to the replenishing seaside harbour town of Salcombe, which has some lovely coastal walks - especially over Bolt Head.

This converted Georgian house has contemporary, spacious interiors filled with natural light and an inventive mix of funky and antique furniture. You can book an in-room bespoke massage or holistic treatment with local therapist team Massage Link – a deep tissue massage with director Liz Reddish comes thoroughly recommended (from £65 for one hour). Every guest also has complimentary access to the friendly Dart Marina health spa, a 15 minute drive away at Dartmouth, which offers a small and basic swimming pool, steam room and jacuzzi and a full range of face and body treatments with Elemis products (01803-837182, dartmarina.com).

Other than that, you can enjoy a spacious sitting room with sink-in leather sofas and open fires, a second little room with a fire ideal for tete a tetes and a terrace backing onto a spacious lawn with pretty flower borders. Gourmet meals are tasty and light, served in a cosy dining room with views out to the garden. It costs from £180 per room midweek per night B&B based on two sharing.

Have you got a question for our spa experts? Email us

For more city havens see Body & Soul Escapes: Britain & Ireland (£8) by Caroline Sylger Jones, published by Footprint Books (see carolinesylgerjones.co.uk).

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Body & Soul Escapes - code bands09 ; Body & Soul Escapes: Britain & Ireland - code bandsbi ; to purchase a copy of each - code bands2.

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