Vichy Thermalia Spa Hôtel ★★★★

Never have I left for the airport thinking so clearly, “I need this…”. After months of stress at work, the girls taking their exams, and a kitchen renovation that seemed never-ending, I needed a break. I needed rest. I needed spa!

Knowing me well, my husband had opted for a spa hotel to rival no other, opting for southern France to ensure sunshine and warmth within just hours of home. The result was Juvignac, a small town in the beautiful region of Languedoc-Roussillon, known for its breath-taking mountains, the nearby Mediterranean waters, and, most importantly, ancient traditions of healing thermal waters.

As we pulled up to the hotel, I realised there was perhaps another reason my husband chose this particular resort. The beautiful building stands proudly amidst 200 acres of pristine golf greens, the internationally-renowned Fontcaude course. I was impressed. Not only had he found one of the best spa hotels in the south of France, but he’d had the foresight to plan for when he tired of massages and treatments, meaning we would both be able to do what we loved!

We nosed around the modern art deco interior and peeked into the vast indoor pool, with its high wood-beamed ceiling. Our room was all in modern simplicity, with soft colours and the light from outside pouring in from our little balcony looking out onto the rolling greens.

So it was, I found myself experiencing both traditional treatments and miraculous new discoveries in a bespoke personalised programme, including the recently developed Japanese Iyashi Dome infra-red treatment and balneotherapy - a Vichy specialty. Each evening, we dined at the hotel’s fantastic restaurant, Au Comptoir de Fontcaude, where Michelin-starred chefs Jacques and Laurent Pourcel concocted beautifully-presented nutritious dishes, all with a Mediterranean spin.

What with the spa, the golfing and the generally peaceful atmosphere of this modern hotel inviting me to slow down and get in some much-neglected reading, we only ventured out once for a bike ride in the surrounding countryside. Maybe next time we’ll make it to nearby Montpellier or, then again, maybe not!