By Katie Corcoran

The Feversham Arms is a modern twist on a country retreat: the outside would fit perfectly into a Jane Austen movie and the inside is littered with designer finishes, plush interiors and soft lighting. With a heated pool at the heart of the hotel, a new relaxing spa and restaurant that is as equally popular with locals as it is guests, needless to say you won't want to leave.

All the rooms, from the country inspired Studio Doubles to the rather grand Spa Suites, are comfortable and don't scrimp on luxuries. Each room has fine attention to detail, all appliances are state-of-the-art, bathrooms are roomy and if you treat yourself to a spa suite you get a gorgeous south facing balcony to enjoy breakfast or a glass of bubbly from. Bliss!

The Garden and Poolside Suites which are situated around the pool and are ideal if you are staying on a longer break or bringing the family.

Spa
This is the latest addiction to the hotel and it's definitely a good one! Soothing, laid back and enjoyed by both overnight guests and those on a day visit, this is the perfect haven for wiry travellers. It's somewhere you can unwind while enjoying everything from an afternoon tea, a fresh fruit smoothie or simply a snooze on the extra large sofas - all in your fluffy robe of course!

We indulged in the Heat Experience which takes you through a journey of various steam rooms, a cooling tropical shower, foot spa and a sauna, and finishing off in the outside heated hot tub.

The Verbena Spa has a full list of inviting, pampering Elemis treatments from anti-ageing facials to soothing back massages. We love the fabulous Aroma Stone Massage that incorporates heated stones, a deep tissue massage and a soothing face cleanse. It's the perfect way to unwind after a stressful week at work.

Eating and drinking
For our one night at the hotel we weren't going to dine anywhere else other than the highly recommended Feversham Arms restaurant, although we were told that Helmsley has some yummy country pubs serving fabulous food. Remind us why we weren't staying longer?

Dinner was relaxing, friendly and it's safe to say, pretty delicious. Think homemade lobster ravioli, perfectly cooked plump scallops, seared sea bream, chocolate tart and of course a platter of yummy cheeses. That, plus a wine list most restaurants could only dream of, and we could have stayed all weekend. It's been a while since a Saturday night has been so restful and so delicious.

Oh, and as for breakfast - it's a Feversham Arms tradition to take breakfast your room... how could we refuse?

The surrounding areas
The other huge bonus of staying at this pretty hotel and spa (don't feel bad if, like us, you didn't want to venture out) is that the surrounding area is stunning. If staying any longer than a night, then we would recommend you also enjoy exploring the North York Moors, milling in the small boutiques and antiques shops of Helmsley, game shooting, riding bikes, discovering (and shopping!) in York or simply enjoying yummy afternoon tea in a local tea room.

This really is the perfect hideaway. We say, discover Yorkshire this summer.

Getting there
We travelled by train with National Express East Coast. Direct trains serve York from many areas including London, the East Midlands, north east England and Scotland. Book via nationalexpresseastcoast.com, call 08457 225225. Taxis from York to the hotel are about 45 minutes (they do have a carpark at the hotel should you wish to drive).

For two staying at the The Feversham Arms, the bed and breakfast rates start from £150 per room per night and for dinner, bed and breakfast, prices start at £210 per room per night.

OR enjoy the Girlie Getaway which includes Bed and breakfast, three course dinner each evening, a glass of champagne in the spa, back massage, manicure, pedicure, mini facial and a light lunch. All for only £125 per perseon per night from now until 15 July 2009

Visit fevershamarmshotel.com/ or call 01439 770 766 to book.

The Aroma Spa Massage by Elemis, £80 for 1 hour 15 minutes. Verbena Spa day packages start from £99 per person.