The Lakes by YOO is an exclusive 850-acre second home development situated between Fairford and Lechlade with owners of the luxury homes enjoying seclusion and privacy within the gated community.

But last weekend, the Lakes by YOO opened their new sumptuous spa facilities for members of the general public to also enjoy at a VIP Christmas extravaganza Spa’rty!

I was thrilled to be invited – along with my plus one friend (Nicky Culley) – to enjoy a super-spa experience at The Lakes by YOO Orchard Spa – aptly named because of the many varieties of apple trees planted to create a shady arbour around the recently refurbished health and wellness buildings.

Arriving on a very cold, frosty and foggy evening, Nicky and I were thankful for the wonderful, warm welcome of a roaring log fire and festive decorations adorning the social hub of the spa. Above the fire on a huge stone wall were nine flat screens placed together to form one massive screen showing videos of winter snow scenes taken around the exclusive estate.

As VIP Spa’rty guests, Nicky and I were offered delicious canapés, glasses of fizz, a luxury Christmas shopping experience, a guided tour of the opulent facilities and complimentary mini spa treatments including facials, back, neck and shoulder massages, reflexology and mini cryotherapy sessions.

Clutching our complimentary glass of fizz, we wandered round the recently created treatment rooms, techno-gym comprising fitness suite and fitness studio and browsed around the top branded products for sale including COSMOSS, Dr Barbara Sturm, MOSS of the ISLES and Wildsmith Skin.

COSMOSS founder, model Kate Moss, is well-known to the Lakes by YOO and even has her own woodland retreat on the estate. Her signature spa rituals are inspired by the brand’s ethos of Dusk & Dawn.

It would have been rude not to try a treatment or two and, as I had never tried reflexology before, I lay back on a lounger next to the spa’s stunning 20m heated swimming pool to have my feet massaged expertly by Alison Samrai, who has a clinic in Cirencester. It was an unforgettable experience and I felt as if I was walking on air as I left the pool to go to a private treatment room for a back massage, which didn’t disappoint either. My masseuse managed to find all the knots in my back, neck and shoulders and relieve the stress and tension built up over several busy months of work and life in general.

Some of the super-spa’s facilities are now open not only to the well-heeled owners of the lodges and celebrity visitors, but also to the general public. Although access to the spa is still only available for residents and overnight guests, non-residents can book day and half-day spa retreats as well as mum-to-be retreats. There is a wide range of treatments to choose from and brunch is included at the Lakes’ lakeside restaurant, The Lakes Bar and Kitchen overlooking Bowmoor Sailing Lake.

For more information, visit https://www.thelakesbyyoo.com/spa-and-wellness/ or call 01367 254260.