Seaham Hall is a five star luxury hotel and spa in County Durham. Set above the rugged coastline of the Durham heritage coastline, the Serenity Spa is inspired by its natural surroundings. With the coast moments away and the spa itself surrounded by trees, the atmosphere is calm, slow and a tranquil sanctuary to escape the stress of today’s hurried pace.
As we arrived at the spa and stepped into the welcome area, our shoulders dropped and we took a slow breath. After a busy week, this was a much needed Twilight Spa Friday reset.
We were welcomed with chilled prosecco and snacks, after a seamless check in we were taken for a tour of the spa and then left to begin our evening of calm.
We slipped into our robes and wandered out to explore the newest addition to the spa — a beautifully designed open-air Zen Garden that instantly felt a world away from the bustle of everyday life.
Framed by flickering fire pits and the soothing soundtrack of live ambient music from the resident DJ, the atmosphere was quietly magical; the kind of place where conversation naturally softens and shoulders begin to drop within moments of arrival. We quickly bagged a couple of loungers nestled beneath the trees and sat for a while taking it all in. The outdoor bar in the garden was a wonderful addition, especially on a balmy summer evening, allowing us to grab a freshly made smoothie and chilled glass of wine to sip on as the sun began to dim.
At the heart of the new outdoor sanctuary are two spectacular hydrotherapy, infinity-edge pools, their steaming waters bubbling gently against uninterrupted views of the gardens beyond.
As golden hour set in, sinking into the warm water felt wonderfully restorative. There is something deeply calming about being immersed in warm water beneath the open evening sky, especially as the sea air drifts in around you.
For those embracing the full thermal experience, the spa’s invigorating cold plunge pool offers the perfect contrast.
Alternating between the warmth of the hydrotherapy pools and the refreshing plunge quickly becomes addictive, leaving skin tingling and minds wonderfully clear.
The Golden Twilight Spa Events have been designed to make the most of this dreamy evening setting.
Created to soothe both mind and body, the experience includes peaceful access to the Zen Garden, indoor pool, salt sauna and cold plunge pool, followed by a sumptuous dining experience in the Japanese inspired restaurant.
As the pace of the day slows, there is a real sense of sanctuary here — a chance to completely switch off, reconnect and savour a few uninterrupted hours of calm.
Beyond the pools, outdoor lounge decks invite guests to curl up beside the fire pits with a drink in hand. Wrapped in robes and warmed by the flames, we settled into deep cushioned seating while ambient house music drifted softly through the gardens.
The entire space feels effortlessly stylish yet entirely unpretentious — contemporary wellness with a distinctly relaxed feel.
A particular highlight is the seamless access to the Japanese-inspired GEKO terrace, allowing guests to move directly from the spa to alfresco dining without losing that cocooned feeling of relaxation.
Dining in our robes somehow made everything taste even better, especially when the menu is so thoughtfully curated.
Our evening began with beautifully crisp katsu chicken, golden breadcrumbs giving way to tender meat and a delicate drizzle of sauce.
Alongside it came a vibrant plate of barbecue lamb paired with fresh spring greens, edamame beans and punchy kimchi — a combination that balanced richness with freshness perfectly. The subtle smokiness of the lamb worked beautifully against the sharp fermented notes of the kimchi, while the greens added a welcome seasonal lightness.
Dessert arrived just as darkness fully settled over the terrace and the fire pits flickered against the night sky. The chocolate mousse with miso caramel was rich, silky and deeply indulgent.
Equally impressive was the strawberry shortcake served with ice cream: sweet, nostalgic and summery in the very best way.
What makes the experience particularly memorable is how seamlessly every element flows together. One moment you are submerged in steaming infinity pools gazing out across the trees; the next you are wrapped in a blanket beside a fire pit listening to chilled live DJ sets.
It feels luxurious without being formal — the sort of effortless indulgence that encourages you to linger longer than planned.
As wellness experiences increasingly focus on holistic escapism, The Golden Twilight Spa event in the new Zen Garden delivers exactly what modern spa-goers are craving: immersive relaxation, atmospheric design and a genuine sense of tranquillity. By the time we finally left, skin warmed from the pools and minds noticeably quieter, the outside world felt very far away indeed. A perfect reset to end a hectic week and move into the weekend relaxed and reset.
https://seaham-hall.co.uk/serenity-spa/
Review and images by Maria Davison @girlabout_thenortheast
Feature image supplied
