Stretching out for miles and miles, the North Yorkshire Moors is one of the country’s most beautiful - and wild - landscapes. It offers true escapism from modern life, with tiny hamlets

spaced far apart, views as far as the eye can see and not a bar of mobile phone signal to be had. The coastline of this national park is rich in seaside gems. There’s tiny Robin Hood’s Bay,

famous for smugglers in times gone by; cliff-top Ravenscar, a ghost of a holiday resort that never was; and of course Whitby, famed for its Dracula links. Just north of that gothic town is

Sandsend, a small village with a golden beach, quaint cafes and shops that could rival any Cornish beach spot. Only 15 minutes away from Sandsend beach, where rugged moors meet salty sea air

for the social media age we live in where branding is key, then it may come as no surprise to discover Saltmoore is owned by Love Island star Montana Brown. She took over the then Raithwaite

Hall Hotel and under her guidance it’s been transformed into a contemporary coastal getaway with a focus on wellness. The Times described it as a ‘super-sexy bolt hole’ and while there’s a

danger that such a transformation could result in prioritising style over substance, Saltmoore manages to nail both spectacularly. Upon arrival at reception, we’re greeted with a refreshing

welcome juice and shown to our room, one of the Master options. It certainly didn’t disappoint. Decorated in soft neutral tones and generously proportioned, it featured a huge four-poster

bed and a freestanding bathtub nestled in the bay window. Tucked at the foot of the bed was a sofa and coffee table, where a tray laid with homemade cordials, rye and white chocolate cookies

and bottled water sat waiting for us. The bathroom was equally luxurious, with a double sink, a walk-in shower, gorgeous tiling and indulgent toiletries. The Times may have called it the

best beach hotel, but with rooms this nice it can be easy to forget about visiting the beach altogether. A good night’s sleep is best rounded off with a good breakfast and Saltmoore has

options to suit all tastes. Diners can choose to eat in the Brasserie, or in the Orangerie, which is also dog-friendly. We chose the latter to make the most of the spring sunshine and the

space is beautifully light and airy. There’s a continental breakfast buffet with fruit, cereal, pastries, yoghurts and toast. I tried some of the homemade granola with yoghurt which was

deliciously moorish. From the kitchen menu I opted for the porridge, topped with a sweet crust of brown sugar brulee and a dollop of plum jam, while my mum went for cooked tomatoes, mushroom

and bacon; both dishes left us content and satisfied. Deciding to make the most of the beautifully sunny morning, we explored the hotel gardens before our visit at the spa. The hotel is

nestled in a small valley with a stream passing through the grounds which flows beside the subterranean-spa. We strolled past neat privet hedges and flower beds bursting with daffodils,

golden in the spring sunshine. All of this can be admired from inside The Sanctuary, Saltmoore’s spa, thanks to the floor to ceiling windows which bring the outside in. It features an indoor

pool jacuzzi, a sauna and steam room. Guests can reserve loungers by the pool, which means you’re not eyeballing one to come free, as is often the case at spa hotels. If you’re feeling

brave, which we weren’t, you can try the cryo chamber, a ‘modern day ice bath’ said to relieve chronic inflammation, aid recovery and improve your mood and skin health. The Sanctuary offers

a range of treatments using Wildsmith products (the same you’ll find in your room). I had the re-balancing massage designed to restore harmony to the body - and it certainly did as I felt

very chilled out indeed. What was particularly eye-catching about the spa was the attention to detail when it came to the facilities. The changing areas were cleverly designed with private

unisex shower rooms (each one had a shower, sink and a toilet concealed underneath a bench) so you can have complete privacy, with a communal locker space. A separate vanity area with every

hair styling tool imaginable means you can leave the spa feeling presentable, ideal if your treatment is at the end of your day or if you’re visiting for a daytime package. Feeling restored

from the spa, we set off to explore nearby Sandsend for the afternoon. Since this was the UK’s ‘best beach hotel’, we were delighted to find the beach just a 15 minute walk away from the

hotel. It also left us feeling pretty smug that we didn’t have to find a parking space. Sandsend is a gorgeous village on the Yorkshire coast, with a huge sandy beach overlooked by charming

cottages. The main road follows the curve of the beach, taking you along a bridge over the East Row Beck. We had a spot of lunch at Sandside Cafe and basked in the spring sunshine in the

outdoor seating area. Afterwards we wandered through the village, having a nosey in the Wild Hart gift shop and picking up an ice cream from Tides, another beachside cafe. Fish Cottage, a

small restaurant tucked away from the beach, seemed to be popular for seafood, but as we were booked in for dinner at the hotel we sadly had to give the fish and chips a miss. For those with

more time on their hands, you can catch a bus to Whitby from the end of the hotel road, once again avoiding any stressful parking situations that are synonymous with the British seaside.

Back at Saltmoore House, we headed to the lounge bar for a pre-dinner drink, joined by other guests winding down for the evening. The rhubarb forced-fizz was the perfect drink to match the

spring evening. Food is a key part of the Saltmoore experience. The kitchen is led by head chef Adam Maddock and joined by consulting executive chef Tommy Banks, who holds two Michelin

stars, one each at his two restaurants The Black Swan at Oldstead and Roots in York. Their expertise is evident in the Brasserie menu, which celebrates the best local produce with a focus on

meat and fish. I opted for beetroot salad to start which was light and flavourful, with crunchy seed crackers and smooth goat's cheese, while my mum chose the Whitby crab which was

delicately flavoured. Our main course then arrived: a juicy cumberland sausage drenched in gravy and sliced lamb with leeks and fondant potato. We rounded it off with a rhubarb mille-feuille

and one of the creamiest Tiramisu I’ve ever encountered. It was the perfect end to a day that ticked all the boxes when it comes to a luxurious UK break. The beauty of Satlmoore is that if

offers guests all the indulgence of a contemporary spa hotel, yet just a short walk away Sandsend provides that quintessential seaside experience. TRAVEL FACTFILE Liv was a guest at

four-star Saltmoore, Sandsend, Whitby, North Yorkshire. She stayed in a ‘master’ room in Saltmoore House (the main hotel building) including breakfast. Prices vary depending on the room

type, room rates start from £420 on the weekend and from £350 midweek at both Saltmoore House and The Beach House. Dog-friendly rooms are available. There is free parking for guests in a

carpark that’s a few minutes walk from the main hotel. The journey is around two hours and 40 minutes from Manchester by car, following the M62 eastbound before merging with the M1 and

picking up the A1(M). At junction 44 take the A64 exit to York and stay on the A64 until the A169/B1257 exit. FOR MORE OF THE LATEST WHAT'S ON NEWS, CLICK HERE.