St Andrews Spa Fairmont offers a fantastic facial treatment

I’m shivering, courtesy of the lashing rain and icy wind that’s blowing over from the North Sea. However, as soon as the doors to the Fairmont Resort sweep open, and I step through into the chandelier-lit foyer, I’m enveloped in warmth.

That was my first touch of therapy on a recent visit to this five-star resort. The second element took place down the grand staircase, in the lower level spa, which boasts a pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym and, the piece de resistance, a corridor of treatment rooms, where therapies are performed on weary golfers and their partners.

I found myself in one of these rooms, snug under a tartan blanket, experiencing their Kingdom of Fife Luxury Facial.

This 90-minute treatment utilises products from natural beauty brand Kerstin Florian, whose potions come in indigo glass bottles.

There was an apothecary’s worth of these on the table beside me, for use on my wind-chapped face.

First, my hands were in for some TLC. My therapist, Kerry, gently smoothed an enzyme peel onto the back of my aged paws and massaged it into my cuticles.

Then she removed my make-up with some Rehydrating Neroli Cleansing Milk, before toning with Rejuvenating Rose Water.

The stingy bit was next – a glycolic peel – which was applied with some jumbo cotton bud-like implements.

After this had sloughed off the more reptilian layers of my epidermis, it was gently flannelled off, before the exfoliant was removed from my hands and replaced by a moisturising lotion.

Then a thick mask was applied to my face with what looked like an artist’s paint brush. While this potion was allowed to penetrate my skin, I was given a gentle foot rub, with a revivingly cooling cream.

At that point, the whole experience became a blur of facial massage, with Kerry initially working on pressure points, then using gentle, outwardly flowing strokes and increasingly richer potions. The treatment culminated in an oil-free scalp rub, and an application of nourishing Rehydrating Liposome Day Creme.

Wow. My ruddy cheeks were beautifully soothed. The people at Fairmont describe this signature treatment as “pure decadence” and they’re not wrong – especially when you can hang out in the relaxation room afterwards, and eat the chunky shortbread that’s on offer.

This facial is definitely worth coming in from the cold for.

• Fairmont St Andrews Spa, St Andrews, Fife (01334 837000, www.fairmont.com). The Ultimate Spa Special includes overnight accommodation, full Scottish breakfast and four hours’ worth of spa treatments (including The Kingdom of Fife Luxury Facial). Available Sunday to Thursday until 30 December. Rates from £419 per room per night.