See bottom of feature for special introductory offers throughout March.

We've all done it before.

Booked a Ryanair fare (10p plus 10K in taxes), in the hope of taking a much-needed mini-break – only to end up more stressed than you initially started. With cheap travel, the cards really are stacked against you…..

Which is why we at UJs are doing road trips.

Not too far mind you, but we’re hitting the country (before every city slicker and his neighbour does after the road to the Cotswolds is expanded), and looking for a bit of pampering while we're at it (who has time for mid-week treatments these days?).

Enter Utopia Spa at Alexander House hotel. Sister to the acclaimed Utopia at Rowhill Grange and a nursing home in its previous incarnation, the Alexander House hotel has been given a new lease of life as an über-posh retreat (sans über posh prices or clientele). Set amongst acres of magnificent forest and featuring the latest spa down south, you can unwind, dine in their four-star restaurant, take a dip in one of three pools, book a treatment (there are fifty), walk in the many trails (yes, exercise...) - and forget about everything except your massage with Ursula.

Sounds a bit better than sleeping at Stansted, doesn't it?