Boutique hotel owner, Tom Maxfield, is to open the Oriental Spa at Seaham Hall, the luxury County Durham Hotel which opened earlier this year, in November.

Linked to the hotel by an underground walkway, the dedicated spa building will cover 40,000sq ft on three levels and incorporate 19 air-conditioned treatment rooms each with its own shower and toilet. Four of the rooms are specifically for couples and offer views of the surrounding woodland and the North Sea.

Facilities include two hydrotherapy suites with a Japanese slipper bath and a dry float; a flotation room and a thermal suite with 20m swimming pool, Canadian redwood sauna, black granite steam room, hammam with snail showers and jacuzzi, samarium and hydrotherapy pool, ice fountain and granite foot baths. There will also be a gym and a Thai restaurant.

The spa offers a range of more than 30 treatments, 'which have been developed following extensive research in all the best spas in the Far East'. Alongside core treatments, special menus have been designed for men, couples and mums-to-be.

The design of the building itself has been based on Feng Shui principles and has no external angles, being made up entirely of curved wood with a circular shingle roof.

A Japanese Zen garden and indoor water garden add to the oriental feel and original sculptures and oriental artwork has been specifically commissioned.

Tom Maxfield said: 'Our aim has been to offer out guests a whole and unique experience, which I believe we have achieved through the beautiful design and structure of the building and its interiors and the original way we deliver our treatments.'

The spa will be open to hotel guests and a limited membership from the local area. Details: www.seaham-hall.com