Review: Thermae's new chocolate flotation

Just a toga's throw from the Roman Baths Museum in Bath city centre is a spa that opens its doors to everyone who wants to take advantage of the warm, mineral-rich waters. Upholding a tradition that dates back to Roman times, the Thermae Bath Spa is proud of its non-elitist attitude: funded partly by a lottery grant from the Millennium Commission, it is one of Britain's most affordable spas and the only one with natural thermal waters. A two-hour session in the pools and steam rooms will set you back only £22 - cheaper than your average night out. In fact, a session at Thermae could even be your night out: it's open until 10pm and the open-air rooftop pool is one of the most romantic places to watch the sunset in the UK.

After working my way through two pools, a whirlpool and four steam pods, only something truly tempting could drag me away from my seat in the 33.5°C (92°F) water and views across Bath's glowing Cotswold-stone buildings. Lucky, then, that I was booked in for a Chocolate Indulgence Dream Flotation...I was promised a bodily veil of Belgian chocolate, cocoa-scented skin and complete, sweet relaxation.

Katya was to be my guide for this chocoholic's dream. Each therapist is trained to deliver the same experience so there's none of that disappointment from your treatment turning out to be a bit rubbish while your friend, who had exactly the same thing, drifts out on a massage-induced endorphin high. Katya asked a few background questions and then gave me a pair of fetching black paper knickers to wear. The whole procedure was done exceedingly modestly, with a towel over my chest the whole time.

As I lay on a bed in the centre of the therapy room, Katya slathered me from shoulder to shin in a mixture of Belgian chocolate, goat's milk and moisturising cream. The goo smelled divine, although, on Kayta's hasty advice, I refrained from eating it. I was then wrapped in a plastic sheet and what appeared to be some kind of deflated lilo, making me resemble a half-opened Kit Kat. At the touch of a button, the bed gave way, rapidly replaced by warm water, which also filled the lilo surrounding me, further melting the chocolate on my body. It was like being hugged by an affectionate toasted marshmallow. A lavender-filled eye mask was placed across my eyes and Katya began to gently rock the water beneath me, lulling me into the very pleasant sensation of peacefully drifting on a giant cup of hot chocolate. And then, as if it couldn't get any better, she started to give me a foot massage.

This went on for about half an hour, although it seemed like five minutes. All too soon, the warm water was replaced by the firm surface of the bed and I was instructed to rinse off in the in-room shower and slip into another highly flattering pair of paper knickers whilst Katya left the room. When she returned, she sprayed me with Pevonia moisturiser, rubbed it in thoroughly and left me to regain some level of consciousness and dress.

Aside from the obvious reason for slathering yourself in melted chocolate (i.e. achieve chocoholic nirvana), the Chocolate Indulgence Dream Flotation clarifies and refines your skin leaving it soft and nourished with antioxidants, which help slow the ageing process. The Romans would be proud of the efforts their descendants have made to achieve such a level of pampering.

Once you've treated the outside of your body to chocolate, it's only fair thing to indulge your insides with some too. Take a short walk through the honeyed streets of Bath to The House of Minerva (14 Cheap Street), where the self-proclaimed ‘Chocolate Masters of Bath' serve up delicious Valrhona hot chocolate and an array of truffles, ganaches and novelty chocs, all made on the premises.

The Chocolate Indulgence Dream Flotation costs £55 for 45 minutes and is one of ten new treatments the Thermae Bath Spa has introduced for 2009. You can swap the chocolate for fresh strawberries and milk in the Strawberry Dream Flotation, or if you want to try something else there is an assortment of new tropical Body Wraps or Vichy Showers (£75, 50 minutes) to choose from. The spa has also introduced Watsu for Two (£110 per couple, 50 minutes), Four Hands Traditional Full Body Massage (£90, 50 minutes) and the Spa Manicure and Pedicure (£55, 60 minutes).