Executive chic with Oriental influences	Gallery >

Seaham Hall

Esther Selsdon

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Zen-influenced hotel converted from former residence of Lord Byron boasting stunning views of exposed North Sea coastline. World-class 'Serenity Spa' creates massage heaven.

When Byron got married here in 1815, this bleak cove 20 minutes south of Durham with its wild, crashing waves, must have seemed like the end of the earth. It still does. But, these days, this renovated Georgian mansion is also a mecca for serious relaxation seekers from all over the UK.

The décor in the main building is executive chic blended with orientalism. Northern business men in their forties marched past me towards the restaurant, ignoring the modernist water sculpture and the internal Zen garden, talking animatedly about the set lunch. The staff are really friendly, the beds are big and the rooms are huge - every one boasting a plasma screen and a selection of in-flight style DVDs.

Hedonists, however, come for the 'Serenity Spa' which is connected to the main hotel by an ambient tunnel and channels of running water. Here I nibbled Thai food at the sunken bar beside an ozone-cleansed pool and then fell asleep on a 'Soundwave Therapy Extendable Chair' in front of projected images of a tropical beach. Thankfully, the whole area has been comprehensively Feng Shui-ed. The massage team in their Oriental outfits are slightly executive naff but ever so serene. I'll bet Gazza, who used to live in a cottage in the grounds, loved it.

Room rates : £195 to £365 (breakfast and newspaper included)

Rooms to ask for : Take your pick from eight themed rooms from 'Cool' and 'Hip', right through to 'Romantic' and 'Indulgent'.

Phone : 0191 516 1400

Address : Lord Byron's Walk, Seaham, County Durham SR7 7AG

Website : www.seaham-hall.com

Map : link to Multimap

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