Treat your partner to a luxurious Valentine's Day spa treat

Is this what a boil-in-the-bag cod feels like?" asked my boyfriend, Rolf, when we visited One Spa at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh. Sometimes he says the most incredibly romantic things.

We were relaxing on one of the stainless steel beds (which shoot zesty bubbles across your body), in this place's rooftop hydropool. I suppose this might have made him feel like a supermarket fish dish, but I felt slightly more sybaritic.

This activity was part of their limited-edition One Love package, which has been designed for the run-up to Valentine's Day. It includes three hours at their Escape at One complex, so you can use the aforementioned Jacuzzi pool, a regular pool, and endless thermal suites.

Rolf became a big fan of the roasting-hot rock sauna, and kept manfully chucking water on the coals, until my face went puce. I preferred the damp heat of the Moroccan hammam which, on our visit, featured sweet-smelling chamomile steam. After testing everything out, however, we found a happy medium when it came to the bio sauna, with its hypnotic coloured lights on the ceiling.

The package also includes an Espa Essential Body Massage each (or you can choose an Intensive Facial).

However, the real USP is that you have your treatment together, thanks to their specially designed double-sized room. As far as my other half is concerned, this lessened the embarrassment factor when it comes to spa etiquette. This was only his third ever massage, and he couldn't quite remember what to do.

"Where do I put my arms again?" he said, after we'd flopped face down on to the parallel therapy tables. "And do I put my head in this funny hole thing?" It's lucky I was there, to be honest, or we might have had an incident.

The massages, which were carried out in tandem, were fantastic, and concentrated on relieving tension in our backs, shoulders, legs and arms.

Our therapists used the oils that we'd chosen (he opted for the manly fitness blend; I went for the soothing option, which contained a heady combo of frankincense and myrrh).

Afterwards, and once we'd been decanted into the cosy relaxation room, with a refreshing glass of iced water each, I think that Rolf had completely converted to the ways of the spa.

"I feel brilliant," he said, with his shoulders positioned a couple of inches lower than usual, and his face all pink and glowing. We really want to make a date for a repeat visit. It's pricey, but well worth it, especially if you're willing to go Dutch.

One Spa, Sheraton Hotel, Edinburgh, (0131-221 7777, www.onespa.com)

The One Love package is available from 11-15 February, 195 per

couple

This article was first published in The Scotsman, 05 February, 2011