A proper pamper

IT'S not often you see the start of a rainbow. But there it was in the winter sunshine, its arc of colour forming a magical bridge across the road.

The rainbow's end was just yards from The Orange Tree, the family-run relaxation centre near Rosedale Abbey. There was no pot of gold, but spend a day here and you may well feel like you've struck the stuff.

In terms of getting away from it all, The Orange Tree is perfect. The eight-bedroom guesthouse-cum-health spa sits in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, with views you could never tire off. The sky is in constant flux; changing from deepest grey to softest blue, the sun playing hide and seek with the clouds. And you can watch all of this from the luxury of The Orange Tree's hot tub - a state-of-the art eight-seat Jacuzzi within a glassed garden gazebo.

As the bubbles pummel my shoulders, back and thighs, I gaze out over the ever-changing sky and conclude: days out don't come much better than this.

That's only the start of it. Inside, there is a sauna where you can slow cook yourself before stepping out for an icy shower.

This place is a family affair. The Procters bought The Orange Tree last year as a going concern and have added a wider range of beauty and holistic treatments, as well as building the £20,000 Jacuzzi.

Guests can book in for a weekend break, come for a weekday spa visit or use it as a B&B midweek.

Mum Sue and daughter Cathy are the centre's main therapists and offer aromatherapy and reflexology, as well as Swedish back massage and Indian head massage. Cathy also offers facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and tanning treatments.

Day visitors such as myself can enjoy two half-hour treatments, lunch and full use of the sauna and Jacuzzi for £65. A weekend break, including full board, costs £169.

On arrival, visitors are greeted by Sue in the cosy lounge, and enjoy a warm drink by the real fire as she explains the treatments. Guests make their selection, then Sue draws up a rota. Lunch - home-made and vegetarian - is made by husband Graham and eldest daughter Laura and served at 1pm.

Guests bring their own robes, slippers and swimwear and are assigned an en-suite guestroom to use during their stay.

I had my first therapy, Indian head massage, with Sue. "It's really relaxing and if you leave the oil in your hair all day, it works as a fantastic conditioner," she said.

It is recommended if you suffer from stress, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, sinus congestion and like the gentle touch.

I found it so relaxing that, by the end, it was near impossible to open my eyes.

Sue began by gently massaging my neck and shoulders as I sat in a chair, and ended with a softly-softly facial massage.

Sue, a former teacher, retrained as a therapist alongside daughter Cathy. "We were in the same class together, which was fun," she said. The family moved from Derby to run The Orange Tree, but know the area well. They have a holiday cottage nearby and Laura studies at the University of York.

Sue says the aim is to keep The Orange Tree as homely as possible. People are treated like members of the family. "I encourage everyone just to go about in their dressing gown and slippers," she said.

Ultimately, it's about unwinding, letting go and leaving your worries and stresses somewhere else. "Most of us don't think twice about getting our car serviced," said Sue. "But do we service ourselves? No, only when we breakdown."

At lunchtime, all the guests rendezvous in the dining room in their dressing gowns. The meal is delicious: thick, carrot and coriander soup served with warm onion bread. Next, we are invited to help ourselves to a range of salads, from coleslaw and couscous to green beans, beetroot and pasta. There is also a plate of crackers and cheese (the Wensleydale with ginger was a revelation) and plenty of fresh fruit. We are encouraged to drink as much water as possible to help our bodies flush out all the toxins our treatments are producing.

After lunch, I visit Cathy's room for an aromatherapy back massage. I have knots in my back (who doesn't) so pick a black pepper essential oil which Cathy says will work like 'deep heat' to loosen my muscles. If I had any complaint it would be that I would have liked a longer massage; it was so good, I didn't want it to end.

Which is exactly what I would say about a day at The Orange Tree. The warm welcome, the fantastic facilities, the relaxation treatments, the moreish meal, combine to make it the perfect experience. But don't just take my word for it. Sample it for yourself.

Go on, you're worth it.

Fact file

The Orange Tree, Rosedale East, Rosedale Abbey, nr Pickering.

Telephone: 01751 417219

Website: www.theorange.tree.com

Email: relax@theorangetree.com

Directions: An 80-minute drive from York. Take the A64 towards Malton, leave at the A169 Whitby/Pickering turn. Follow A169 to Pickering, turn left on to A170 towards Thirsk. Pass through Middleton and Aislaby then turn right at signpost for Rosedale (seven miles). At Rosedale Abbey, go straight through village, signposted Castleton. After one mile you pass Bell End farm, go up hill round S bend, at fork, take left, signposted Dale Head Only. Follow for three-quarters of a mile passing two rows of terraced cottages. The Orange Tree is on the left just after the Methodist chapel. Parking to the rear.

Programme:

Weekend breaks include two relaxation classes, full board from Friday night to Sunday lunch and full use of sauna and hot tub (£169). Treatments, priced from £19.50, are extra. Spa days are available Monday-Wednesday (£65). Mid-week B&B available (£35 per person and includes use of the sauna and hot tub). Bookings also taken for hen parties.

Updated: 16:29 Friday, January 27, 2006