USP Whittlebury Hall Hotel in Northamptonshire is only ten minutes from Silverstone, so while your other half gets dizzy watching Ferraris drive round and round you can escape the rat race in the Rolls Royce of spas.

AMBIENCE Whittlebury Hall is a mammoth hotel comprising 211 bedrooms and three restaurants. Décor is classic and classy British, though the bedrooms could do with refurbishing - the floral curtains and bedspreads have the feel of a B&B rather than a five-star hotel. The spa is a different matter though. It was given a £4 million refurbishment in 2005 and now provides a one-stop beauty shop of treatments housing Elemis, ESPA, Jessica, Fantasy Tan and New ID Cosmetics. I felt as if I’d entered a modern variation of a Roman bath house when I was ushered into a large pillared communal waiting area full of white-robed women chatting on comfy wicker chairs among Roman-style statues and flaming torches. It felt like a destination resort spa. A Ferrari challenge was happening at Silverstone, but the only challenge I was going to attempt was a day sauntering down the proverbial slow lane.

EXPERIENCE I had chosen an Elemis Musclease Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap, which claimed to help ease fatigue and aching joints. My therapist Laura cleansed my feet first and checked that I wasn’t pregnant, diabetic or epileptic. Important questions because a detoxifying treatment such as the one I had chosen could flush any medication I had taken out of my system.

I was body brushed to get my circulation moving. It’s also good for water retention and drains the toxins towards your lymph nodes. I was then covered in a seaweed and sage body mask with a blend of rosemary and pine oils before being wrapped in foil. It was the strangest sensation of being hot and cold at the same time and I can’t say it was the most pleasant 15 minutes of my life, but what’s a little bit of discomfort for the sake of beautiful silky skin?

Once I’d showered it off Laura moisturised my body with Elemis Musclease Body Concentrate and then cleansed, toned and massaged my face, which was lovely. Laura couldn’t have been more considerate to my needs, but I couldn’t honestly feel any difference in the smoothness of my skin and I think temperature-switching body wraps just aren’t my cup of tea.

If you don’t fancy all the fancy stuff the spa offers a regular sport and fitness Massage, basic beauty treatments and various spa water experiences such as a caldarium, steam bath, sauna and ice cave. There’s also a hair salon to sort out your tresses after its been steamed and frozen to death.

IN CROWD Racing enthusiasts and their girlfriends are the main clientele. The weekend I visited a black and cream Bugatti Veyron – a car that can reach 253mph and has a price tag of £840,000 – was the main attraction in the car park. The only giveaway signs of an uncharacteristically quiet hen night were the ‘L’ stamped balloons hovering below the spotlit ceiling in the Silverstone Bar.

FOOD The Spa Terrace café serves an alcohol-free menu including hibiscus juice and organic handmade lemonade. While I ate canapés of mini Yorkshire puddings and beef and a shot of asparagus soup before I dined at the à la carte Murrays Restaurant, I happened to mention to my waitress I wouldn’t be drinking wine because I had an allergy to grapes. Next thing I know the restaurant manager warns me about the splash of red wine in my amuse bouches. Staff attentiveness is impressive. My main course of rack of lamb with potato fondant, confit shoulder and redcurrant jus was created with equal consideration. Other restaurants include Bentleys, serving pizza and pasta, and Astons for contemporary British.

WALLET WATCH There are some good deals on midweek spa packages. A Summer Sizzler Spa Package costs from £65 per person on weekdays and includes treatments, lunch and use of the heat and ice experience. Whittlebury works closely with Silverstone offering special promotions and packages on important race days.

NEED TO KNOW Whittlebury Hall Hotel, Whittlebury, Near Towcester, Northamptonshire NN12 8QH (01327 857857; www.whittleburyhall.co.uk). The hotel is equidistant from Milton Keynes and Northampton and 10 minutes from Junction 15A of the M1.

For more than 200 reviews of spas worldwide visit Times Online's Good Spa Guide

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