The Danish word that describes a cosy, contented mood evoked by comfort and conviviality, ‘Hygge’ has also become a winter lifestyle trend that shows no sign of going out of fashion. And if curling up under soft blankets in front of a crackling log fire and sipping an expertly mixed cocktail after an indulgent massage in the spa is your idea of holiday bliss, you’ll find a heartwarming retreat in Seaham Hall.

This celebrated luxury spa hotel in Durham knows how to roll out the wow factor with special touches to suit the changing seasons and, in the colder months, you’ll experience a cheering sense of cosiness from the moment you walk through the door. In fact, you’ll discover a delightful sprinkling of hygge throughout this elegant Georgian property: from the sumptuously furnished suites with stellar room service, to the hearty restaurant dishes, and the restorative spa treatments from hot stone massages to herbal steams…

With a bold colour palette and striking interior design, all rooms and suites are furnished in a refined but lavish style with all the little flourishes and luxuries you’d expect of one of the best 5 star  hotels in north east England. And while all accommodation options deliver the opulent vibe conducive for happy lounging and lazy breakfasts in bed, the hotel’s choice of luxury suites make for the most memorable of winter holiday nests.

In the Junior Suites, stunning panoramic sea views of Durham’s Heritage Coast come as standard, along with a king-size bed and a sophisticated lounge area, while the decadently feathered interiors of the Executive suite invite you to experience a cosy home-from-home with sink-into sofas, and seriously sumptuous super king-size beds. And for an unforgettable romantic break this winter, opt for the enchanting Ada Lovelace Suite — a glamorous split-level abode featuring two slipper baths tailormade for warming bubble baths from which you can sink a glass of fizz and gaze out to the pretty grounds and gardens.

Influenced by the warmth, healing traditions and the tranquillity of the Far East, the hotel’s award-winning Serenity Spa is an inviting haven you simply won’t want to leave. Here, you can soothe aching muscles in the steam room, sauna and hydrotherapy thermal pools, unwind on comfy relaxation chairs and treat yourself to a dazzling range of therapies. Beauty and massage treatments use premium Temple Spa and ishga products, and are designed to stir the senses and nurture the mind, body and soul.

The 44,000 sq ft Serenity Spa is also home to a range of facilities, including a luxurious heated pool and hii-tech gym, and be sure to wrap up warm and take a stroll through the beautiful Zen Garden.

Fine dining in Durham doesn’t get much better than a feast in The Dining Room, which serves up the best of modern British fare in a chic but snug setting with deep chairs and cosy booths and glittering gold chandeliers. Expertly crafted by Executive Chef Damian Broom, the delicious dishes use only the finest regional produce — and the knowledge that every ingredient is ethically sourced from hand-picked suppliers, from honey farms to local fishing boats supplying sustainable seafood is sure to give you a warm feeling.

And if you fancy more fire in your belly, Ozone, the hotel’s pan-Asian restaurant, is the place to savour warming curries, and ginger infused stir-fries in a cheeringly theatrical setting. Ozone is located in the Serenity Spa, so you’re welcome to dine in your fluffy robe and slippers after a stint in the spa.

And for the ultimate caffeine break, Seaham Hall’s signature afternoon tea with a selection of sweet and savoury bites is an experience not to be missed. Served in the Bar & Lounge area which is the perfect spot to defrost your chilly hands and feet after a bracing walk along the Seaham beach.Seaham Hall is set up for the ultimate in comfort and relaxation; a place where guests can truly switch off from the outside world. Come and experience all the ingredients that make it one of the best hotels in north east England for a restorative winter break.