Watch the sun go down with a Serenity Sunset Spa experience at the award-winning Seaham Hall Hotel. This luxury five-star retreat sits proudly on the Durham Heritage Coast, offering the rare combination of sweeping countryside and dramatic coastal surroundings. Its spa, well known for its luxurious treatments and world-class facilities, promises a magical evening of escape and deep rejuvenation.
We arrived early on a glorious summer’s evening for our sunset spa experience, guided towards the restful rooftop terrace nestled amongst the trees. We sank into the sofas overlooking the wild and wonderful gardens, sipping on the most splendid Japanese Slipper cocktails. The gentle pulse of ambient music from the live DJ floated through the air – relaxation at its very finest.
Our sunset spa journey began as we slipped into the cosiest of robes, ready for an evening of tranquility. The serenity garden beckoned, and we cocooned ourselves into snuggle beds, basking in the last rays of the evening sunshine as warmth spread through our bodies and our minds began to unwind.
We eased ourselves into the outdoor jacuzzi, with the sun sinking behind us, the bubbling water melted away the remnants of stress and tension from the day. That special kind of peace arrived—the kind where long, deliberate exhales seem to come naturally, and you share a knowing smile with fellow spa-goers, as if you’re all in on the secret of this beautiful experience.
Feeling weightless, we explored the array of sauna and steam rooms. Each one offering a new sensory experience. A favourite was the salt sauna, where a softly glowing wall of Himalayan salt worked its quiet magic, cleansing and soothing from the inside out. The aches of the day gently dissolved in its radiant warmth.
The ice plunge pools, perfectly positioned next to the saunas were a welcome relief and left our bodies tingling and invigorated head to toe. There were a few moments of hesitation, should I, shouldn’t I, but in the end the ice won and our bodies thanked us, feeling perfectly reset for the rest of the evening.
As the sun dipped behind the trees, we made our way to the opulent new Geko restaurant cocooned in our robes, where we shared a carefully curated five course dinner of indulgent Japanese cuisine from the Omakase Set Menu.
Each dish told its own story—balanced, refined, and beautifully curated. We began with delicate sushi rice with salmon, lightly crisped and seasoned with a whisper of chilli that teased the palate awake. This gave way to Mirin and Miso Marinated Fried Chicken Thigh Karaage, golden, juicy, and irresistible—a clear favourite.
The Steamed Isle of Uig Halibut arrived next, dressed with tomato, sesame, and chilli. Feather-light and fragrant, it was a dish that lingered on the tastebuds, hoping for more but knowing the next dish would be just as tasty.
Then came the Iberico Pork, grilled over Binchotan charcoal ‘Buta-no Shogayaki’ style – a richer, meatier plate in comparison to the previous light bite. The final savoury dish ending on a high, it was a big hit.
The final dish was the most decadent Valrhona Satilla Chocolate Ganache served with Preserved Cherries and Tonka Bean, a delicious sweet treat to end the most sumptuous of suppers. Decadent, dark, and utterly divine—the perfect closing note.
We rounded off the evening in the serenity garden, a cup of peppermint tea warming our hands as we sat beneath softly lit trees, lulled by the sound of gently running water.
A night to remember, the most restful sleep I can remember and a sense of peace that lingered through the following day.
Dreaming of a not too distant return.
Head to @seahamhall to take a look at their special events and Twilight Spa evenings.
Review and images by Maria Davison @girlabout_thenortheast
Feature image supplied
