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A £75 million facelift over 17 years transformed a Grade 1 listed Georgian building into a luxury health spa right in the heart of the stunning Derbyshire countryside.

Five-star Buxton Crescent Health Spa has put the traditional English market town, best known for its mineral water, firmly on the map. Run by  Europe’s largest spa operator, Ensana, attention to detail and with high standards, the Crescent is an ideal spot for exploring the Peak District.

Four years after the re-opening, the historic landmark, built in the 1780s by William Cavendish, the 5^th Duke of Devonshire, is at the heart of the town’s resurgence.

WHO FOR:

The hotel’s iconic crescent shape which greets you on arrival is a huge draw for history buffs and lovers of luxury. The interior is just as stunning.

With a sumptuous traditional spa over three floors, elegant bedrooms and fine dining, this hotel is ideal for spa and weekend breaks, weddings and the perfect relaxing stop-off for business people.

ACCOMMODATION:

The 81 bedrooms have high ceilings and elegant furnishings. The spacious bathrooms have baths and showers and individual toiletries.

Beautifully soft slippers and robes are provided, along with tea and coffee-making facilities and a refreshing bottle of Buxton mineral water of course!

My room was facing the front of the hotel, perfect for people-watching.

FACILITIES:

The beautiful spa is the main draw. From a gloriously blue rooftop pool, inside and out, to the thermal mineral water baths housed under huge stained-glassed ceilings, with the wall tiles dating back to 1924 when it was last renovated, the spa offers a relaxing sanctuary.

There’s a choice of a traditional or aroma steam room, infra red, bio-thermal or Finnish saunas and a relaxation pool.

Heated tile beds are a great way to unwind and there is a wide range of treatments available with the Himalayan salt massage not to be missed. Blocks are massaged over the body to detoxify and after a scrub and wash, oils are gently rubbed in to ease aches and pains.

FOOD AND DRINK:

All tastes and appetites are catered for from a light snack in the spa café or lounge and afternoon tea, to the more formal dining room beautifully set out with its teal-coloured walls and decorative lighting.

Here is where fine dining is at its best. With beauties like rock oysters, home-cured and smoked Scottish salmon and oak smoked venison carpaccio and goat cheese salad for starters, to main dishes of loin of Herdwick mutton or salt aged sirloin of Hereford beef, tempting the tastebuds.

Vegetarians are well looked after, with delights including butter squash tagine and truffled wild mushroom risotto, and desserts for all, ranging from forced-grown rhubarb terrine to caramelised white chocolate parfait.

Breakfasts are filling with good choices of cold cuts, yoghurts and cereals, fruit juices, specialist coffees and teas and the option of a hot dish from eggs Benedict to a full English.

HOW MUCH:

Plenty of offers are there to entice you to stay. Opting for two nights currently offers a 10 % discount and includes access to the spa, a three course evening meal from the market menu and breakfast from £156 to relaxation and wellness packages starting around £252 for one night with the added bonus of a salt cave and mineral or hydro bath.

CHECK AVAILABILITY AND OFFERS

WHAT’S NEARBY:

So close to Manchester, but right in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside, Buxton is a beautiful town to visit with The Pavilion Gardens, which date back to 1871, just a short stroll from the hotel. With historic arcades, a lovely hot house and the neighbouring theatre, it’s a lovely step back in time.

Across from the hotel is the famous St Ann’s Well, the source of the ancient natural spring and a day out to the nearby Chatsworth House in Bakewell is a must.

The stately home is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire and has belonged to the Cavendish family since 1549 and has massive gardens to explore.

VERDICT:

Luxury and history rolled into one, the Buxton Crescent Health Spa is the perfect tonic for a well-earned break.