I went on a cosy autumn spa trip only 30 minutes from London - it was heaven on Earth

As the days are swiftly becoming darker, and the temperatures begin to drop drastically, it's easy to see why so many Brits start dreaming of sunnier shores to escape the bleak autumn-to-winter stretch. However, sunshine doesn't always equate to paradise- and I was reminded of that after visiting a beautiful spa hotel right here in the UK.

We often forget that the most magical getaways don't require a passport or a long-haul flight. Hidden across the UK are cosy gems perfect for an autumnal escape, just waiting to be discovered. So instead of hibernating at home, I decided to escape the rush of London life and treat my mum and me to a peaceful staycation just 30 minutes away - and honestly, it felt like heaven on Earth.

The most beautiful location

For a much-deserved night away, my mum and I stayed at the Crowne Plaza, which is located between the "picturesque market town" of Beaconsfield and Buckinghamshire's Gerrards Cross. I've personally never heard of Gerrards Cross, but I was pleased to know that the hotel was a quick 20-minute train ride from London Marylebone Station, followed by a brief 10-minute drive.

However, during the car ride, it seemed we were heading to the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but road, large green fields and gorgeous yellow and red trees. As soon as we stepped outside, we were taken aback by the hotel's grand size and elegant exterior with a stunning water feature; it truly looked like entering a modern storybook mansion.

But the exterior was just the cherry on top of a rather delicious cake. Before my mum and I even walked into the front door, we saw people stepping out in luxurious white robes, with big smiles on their faces, looking absolutely relaxed. That's when my excitement truly began.

The lobby was even more jaw-dropping with a modern yet elegant design. My favourite feature was the red tree that stood boldly against the neutral colours, making it a great spot for pictures. However, despite its beauty, the best part of this hotel is its gorgeous scent; it was as if you had walked into the freshest floral perfume store.

The room (and prices)

We were generously given one of the "newer" rooms, which had two double beds, a bath and shower, a big flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee station, a courtyard view and the glorious white robes with slippers. A standard bed at the Crowne Plaza will cost you £94 per night.

However, for a standard double room with two double beds and a courtyard view, the cost is £218. The Crowne Plaza also offers packages, such as the Friday Night Package, which includes a complimentary cocktail while listening to live entertainment, breakfast, and late checkout until 12 pm, for £134.

Alternatively, visitors can opt for the dinner, bed, and breakfast package, which includes breakfast and a three-course dinner from a set menu or buffet in the restaurant, for one or two resident adults sharing a room, priced at £191.

Our room was massive and could have easily accommodated a family of four. Everything was spotless, and there were plenty of amenities to take advantage of, including dental care, a hair dryer, and an iron.

This hotel also offers 24-hour room service on select items, but we decided to explore the facilities completely and head to the restaurant (more on the food below). Once back, we made a quick cup of hot chocolate each before my mum headed into the bath.

The bathroom was gorgeous, featuring a thick wooden sliding door, a giant rain shower head and a mirror that lit up in three settings. There were more than enough towels to go around, and the rather fancy-smelling soap, shower wash, shampoo, and conditioner were available for use.

My only complaint was the lack of hot water, as the water came out warm. However, this may have been due to nighttime, as my shower the next morning was hot. Luckily, falling asleep was far from difficult and one of the best parts of our stay.

I struggle to fall asleep in unfamiliar places, but the mattress had the perfect balance between firmness and softness. The thick yet lightweight duvet kept me toasty without being restrictive, so it felt like I could just melt away in the massive bed.

My mum was so relaxed she snored the entire night, but I must've embarrassingly done the same, as I woke up with drool on the side of my mouth. Safe to say, it was a great night's sleep.

The perfect bite

The restaurant was just as aesthetically pleasing as the rest of the hotel. It was modern with a luxury flair featuring neutral and earthy colours such as orange, green and brown, making it the perfect autumnal backdrop. We were quickly seated at a table and handed their extensive menu.

For starters, we decided on the beef, pork and caramelised onion meatballs (£10.50), and the crispy salt and pepper chicken wings (£9.50). The portions were quite small for the price point, but expected for starters. My mum and I agreed that the meatballs were the best option, offering juicy and flavourful bites. The crispy toast and the sweet "sugo sauce" were a nice combination.

The wings, however, could be missed. You'll receive four small wings that were just okay. The highlight was the pineapple ketchup, but you had more sauce than wing. Our mains were much better and filled us up nicely.

My mum had the glazed confit pork belly (£19.95), which she rated 7/10, and I had the steak frites (£24.95), which was a 6/10, as my steak was a bit chewy. Overall, the meal came to £90, including two glasses of wine but no dessert.

The breakfast was probably the highlight of the stay with an all-you-can-eat fry-up, pastries, fruit, yoghurt, and more. This came complimentary with our stay, but according to Expedia, this will cost customers (who do not get a package deal) £18.95. Other sources suggest the price is £19.50 per adult, but this is not clearly outlined on the hotel's website.

Admittedly, food prices at this hotel are quite high, but you don't have to eat at the restaurant, as Uber is available in the area. However, I truly believe dining at the hotel enhances your luxury experience.

The heavenly spa

I truly believe everyone should visit a spa at least once in their life. It's an expensive luxury, but once you experience it, it'll transform your life, providing you with levels of self-care you never thought you needed.

Luckily, the Crowne Plaza offers free spa access if you book a room at the hotel. This includes access to the large and serene swimming pool, the heavenly jacuzzi, a piping hot sauna and steam room.

If you're looking to visit the spa without booking a night's stay, day access starts at £49 per person. However, if you book the autumn escape package for £75, you can receive a two-course lunch and a complimentary candle to take home.

My highlight of the spa was the jacuzzi, it was my first time ever entering one, and my God, has my life been changed. The fast and hard jets felt amazing against my back, and the water was so warm it felt like having a relaxing bath with bubbles.

Mum and I were fortunate enough to also experience a 55-minute Swedish massage. As a 20-something-year-old, it was astonishing to find out how bad my body is actually suffering with so much tension and knots.

We were told to strip down to our knickers and lie flat on the bed with our heads peeping through a designated hole that faced the ground. On the floor, there was a candle arrangement which was relaxing to look at, but I ended up closing my eyes. The music they played was soft and gentle, which made your mind slip into nothingness.

The masseuse was very accommodating as my mum was suffering from a hand fracture and had joint problems, but they took extra care to make sure she was comfortable. This moment was bittersweet for my mother as we lost my brother last year.

She said she felt as if the grief was being released from her body as she let out a few tears. If this spa trip has taught me anything, it's that sometimes your parents need more tender love and care than you realise. Not only did it feel like heaven on earth, but the massage also thoroughly grounded me, reminding me to take care of her as much as she takes care of me.

The masseuse recommended that everyone should get a massage at least twice a month as "stress is a killer." With that being said, I recognise it can be too expensive for the everyday Brit to pay for a massage this frequently - heck, it's too expensive for me to return to anytime soon. However, it's definitely a treatment worth investing in occasionally.

Once completed, we put on our robes and headed to the relaxation room, where we shared our honest thoughts and feelings about our experience. I enjoyed some cold water, and my mum sipped on some herbal tea while our phones were on do not disturb. In that moment, there was nothing but us, relaxation, and the much-needed release of emotions.

A Swedish body massage at the Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross is priced at £95. Discover more massages, spa or hotel packages by clicking here.