GO GIRLIE IN CARDIFF.

CAN I top up your levels ladies? came the query. I smiled and glanced down at my half full glass of golden champagne. The very attentive waiter picked up the chilled bottle, and I could already feel the bubbles starting to fizz in my head.

It was a Saturday night in Cardiff, and I was sitting smugly as a VIP in the four-star Park Plaza Hotel with my plus-one: my mum.

We were soaking up the atmosphere in the ultra-modern Laguna restaurant before enjoying a mouth-watering meal. It was the perfect start to our Girls Night In package - and I expected nothing less from the AA Hotel of the Year Wales 2007.

We were going to be pampered in a luxury hotel complete with spa, steam room and eight Elemis treatment rooms. Heaven.

This city centre hotel oozes luxury - a red carpet spilling over the entrance steps, doormen kitted out in top hat and tails, two glasses of champagne with strawberries fizzing on the check-in desk, and a reception hall so grand it's furnished with burning fires and giant chandeliers. I was impressed - and we hadn't even seen our room yet.

I wanted to try everything the hotel offered as part of the package, so the treadmill was on my to-do list. We headed to our room on the fourth floor for a quick change into our gym gear . Our suite was huge for just the two of us, easily big enough for a family of four. It was neat, clean, very modern and offered complimentary wireless high-speed internet access.

Downstairs, the state-of-the-art gym boasted over 50 pieces of cardiovascular equipment with flat screen TVs attached - very posh, although I did find it hard to concentrate on burning off the calories when watching an afternoon cooking show.

After a few lengths in the stunning 20m swimming pool and a dip in the spa bath, I was eager for the Elemis treatments - a stress-busting back TRAVEL INFORMATION massage followed by a facial and a manicure.

. Park Plaza's( parkplazahotels.package costs sharing) and includes After a quick skin consultation we were kitted out in white towelling robes and fluffy slippers and swept away to the relaxation room. It was sensory heaven.

three 25 minute pool, steam room, . Sarah travelled Trains (arrivatrainswales.return Wales I have only ever had one facial and was worried about the products on my skin, so I was a little apprehensive. It started with a warm towel wrapped around my face to open up the pores, followed by a soothing chamomile cleanser and gentle rose exfoliator. I was already thinking about how luminous my skin will be in just 25 minutes - and I was right to have high expectations as my skin tone was even and my cheeks flushed a pale pink.

As for the back massage, I never thought it would be so relaxing. I was prepared for fingers and thumbs to dig out knots of muscle and ready to deal with the after ache the next day. But when asked "is that pressure good for you?" it really was.

It's just a shame my mum didn't have the same experience - her back needed work and she had almost half an hour of smoothing out tender spots. I'm sure the facial and the pedicure made up for it.

The spa staff really know how to spoil a girl - and guy. Couples were also enjoying treatments, and the spa was booked up with mothers and daughters and groups of friends on a weekend getaway.

I was more than happy with the results: my nails were buffed and bright and the tension in my shoulders had been tamed.

Food at the Park Plaza is scrumptious.

The restaurant scored top marks with me and my mum as it caters for all allergy needs, specifically for coeliac sufferers which can be a chore eating out - something my mum knows only too well. The onshow chefs offer classic favourites and the hotel and bar staff really do go the extra mile.

Before we set off to catch our train home, we tucked into a hot, all you can eat buffet breakfast, which we took full advantage of. It was like the Last Supper before we had to leave our beautiful bubble behind.

I was eager treatments - back by TRAVEL INFORMATION 02920111101, . Park Plaza's( co.uk) Girls Night In (two costs from pounds 145pppn parkplazahotels. B&B, package champagne, and includes sharing) plus use of three 25 minute treatments, pool, steam room, spa bath and gym to Cardiff with Arriva . Sarah travelled co.uk), Trains (arrivatrainswales.

return fares from North heaven. had one Wales from pounds 30

CAPTION(S):

One for the ladies... it's relaxation all the way on a Girls Night In package at Cardiff's Park Plaza Hotel