BY Lynsey Elliott

It's cold, wet and miserable and I am having a serious case of the winter blues.

Time for a treat to try and turn my frown upside down . . . so off to Harrogate we go.

When I mentioned to people I was off to the Yorkshire spa town they all said “Ooh, bit of a strange choice. What are you going to do there apart from spend your days in tearooms?”

Well, I have news. There’s more to this little town than cream teas and one of the highlights is the classy Hotel du Vin.

Located just minutes from the town centre and overlooking The Stray – a 200-acre common – this hotel is a touch of indulgence.

Situated in a terrace of eight Georgian-styled houses, the hotel has 43 bedrooms, including four loft suites – one of which houses an 8ft bed and double free-standing bath tubs.

The decor is of a contemporary-classic design, which combines modern touches with the features of the original building.

It boasts a stunning open-plan reception and bar with a comfy seating area to relax and watch the world go by, with a fabulous wood and wrought iron sweeping staircase to the bedrooms.

Our room, The Hugel – named after a wine producer, like all the rooms in the hotel – was spacious and airy, with a huge bay window looking out to The Stray. Nestled in the window area was a chaise longue ideal for kicking back.

The en-suite bathroom was breathtaking, with a free-standing oversized bath by the window and a huge monsoon shower, which I can only describe as amazing – it’s definitely on my home improvement list!

Tastefully decorated, the room was chic and modern but also oozed old-fashioned charm.

After we had checked out our room it was time to explore.

Whenever Harrogate is mentioned the first thing that springs to mind is the famous Betty’s tearoom. It stands proudly in a corner of the town centre and looks just as I imagine it would have in the early 1900s when it was first opened.

It would have been nice to pop in for tea and scones, but the idea of joining the long queue in the cold and drizzle didn’t take my fancy. Despite our disappointment we moved and discovered a little treasure

A short walk from Betty’s is a modern, brightly decorated coffee shop called Cupcakes by Charley. For about a quarter of the price of Betty’s we had the most delicious cupcakes I have ever had – I had strawberry pavlova and my husband had sticky toffee – and of course a cup of Taylor’s of Harrogate Yorkshire tea. What a find.

If you’ve got plenty of cash to spend, the numerous boutiques and bespoke home stores are delightful. I promised myself I wasn’t going to indulge but couldn’t resist treating myself to my addiction – candles.

The town is also renowned for its spa and in Victorian times people flocked to the bath house, which is now a Turkish baths and health spa.

After our leisurely stroll we headed back to the hotel to relax before our evening meal in the Bistro du Vin.

Once again we had lovely views of The Stray as we were wined and dined to an exceptional standard. The waiting staff were extremely friendly and their service was polished.

The food was delicious and with an array of choices, including several vegetarian options.

To complement the food is a wine cellar which houses hundreds of wines from all over the world. The sommelier is on hand to talk you through the choices and take you down to explore the range before you decide on which one you would like.

And if you like a dropof whisky then the bar has more than 150 on offer!

Don’t worry about deciding on what to have, the staff can advise which ones may suit your taste. And how about a cigar chosen from a variety in the humidor to add to the experience?

A three-course a la carte meal for two with a bottle of house wine costs about £80, while the Simply du Vin menu, which includes a main course and glass of wine, costs £13.95.

Evenings at the hotel are bustling. The bar area seems to attract a lot of locals looking for a stylish night out.

If weather permits, the hotel’s private walled garden would be an ideal place to share a cocktail or two, but seeing as it’s the middle of winter my husband and I opted for the cosy snug downstairs with its comfy sofas and rustic feel.

There’s also a billiard table if you fancy a game.

After a glorious night’s sleep and one last go in that shower, we headed down for a full English breakfast in the bistro, which had a much more relaxed atmosphere than during the evening.

It would have been nice to make use of the hotel spa but unfortunately we didn’t have time.

Harrogate’s a lovely place to go and get away from it all and an ideal place to treat yourself to a short break. The Hotel du Vin adds a little touch of luxury.

5 things to do

VISIT Betty's tearoom in Parliament Street for a traditional cream tea. Or if you want a more quirky afternoon tea go to Cupcakes by Charley on Royal Parade with cupcakes ranging from lemon meringue to cookies and cream.

CHECK out the history of Harrogate as a spa town at the Royal Pump Room Museum.

VISIT the Turkish Baths and Spa to unwind your mind and invigorate your body.

HAVE a night out at Harrogate Theatre which holds a wide range of productions, music events and comedy.

TAKE a stroll around town and check out the boutiques. Maybe even treat yourself to an item from the variety of bespoke goods available