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From Times Online

May 14, 2008

Peterstone Court spa, Brecon, Wales

A small-scale retreat in the heart of the Brecons offers superb value in its spa

Emma Tucker

USP A comfortable, grey stone Georgian country house whose outdoor pool allows visitors the unusual experience of being able to swim while gazing over the magnificent Brecon Beacons – even when there is a Welsh nip in the air, as the pool is heated.

AMBIENCE The hotel is polished, elegant and understated, and with only 12 bedrooms retains an intimacy and privacy that could not be more different from some of the bigger spa chains. The rest of the small spa offers a Jacuzzi, a sauna, a somewhat compact gym and a sultry relaxation room decorated with Buddhas and other Thai touches.

There is an “anything goes” approach from staff – children are welcome with no song and dance. Rooms are exceptionally spacious and comfortable and each one is individually furnished.

EXPERIENCE There is a full range of treatments here but the spa specialises in the Ytsara range from Thailand and Circaroma – both of which use 100 per cent natural organic ingredients.

Both do a 90-minute facial – the Ytsara Na tropical fruit and flower facial is an aromatic treat (£65) - a deeply relaxing time of wafting jasmine, lemon grass, green tea, aloe vera and lavender. It left my face so scrubbed and tingly, other guests assumed I had just scaled the nearby mountain Pen-Y-Fan.

The treatment ended in the cosy relaxation room with a refreshing herbal tea also concocted by Ytsara. There are massages and wraps from both ranges and the usual beauty treatments.

FOOD A high point of the stay. All the ingredients are locally sourced with many of them, eggs, meat, yoghurt, vegetables - supplied by a nearby family farm. It is properly Welsh – delicious laverbread and bacon for breakfast.

IN CROWD The spa is popular with ramblers who seek comfort after scaling nearby mountains, and the young wealthy who escape from City office jobs for mountain biking and other outdoor pursuits offered by the Brecon Beacons.

WALLET WATCH Pretty good value: a 45-minute Circaroma facial costs £34 and a full-body Swedish massage is £35 for £60.

It’s worth checking the website for weekend deals, or day-spa deals. Bed and breakfast in the low season for the hotel’s swankiest rooms is £210, rising to £220 in the high season. A spa Sunday package (£220 per couple) includes one night’s stay, two-course dinner, a full welsh breakfast and one treatment each from the Circaroma Harmony range, and use of all the spa facilities.

NEED TO KNOW Peterstone Court Hotel, Llanhamlach, Brecon, Powys, Wales, LD3 7YB (01874 665387; www.peterstone-court.com)