USP The hotel has recently undergone a complete refurbishment, and the disappointment of the rather bland red brick exterior is soon overcome by the pleasant surroundings of the lobby. A contemporary chocolate brown, claret, cream and taupe scheme pleases the boutique crowd, while the traditional furniture styles and formality gives a nod to the hotel’s slightly older guests, who come for the golf and special occasions and appreciate hotel policies such as the dinner dress code (no jeans, trainers of baseball caps). Spa guests can use the hotel’s other leisure facilities, such as the steam or sauna, for a pre or post treatment warm up, or there’s squash and tennis courts, a gym, pool and aerobics studio for some more taxing exercise. There’s also an 18-hole golf course, making it a perfect place for a couple whose leisure interests are golf and spa.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE My therapist, Abigail was professional and friendly. She told me just enough about the treatment before and during, without chatting too much, and gave me one of the best shoulder massages I’ve had. She warned me beforehand that I should say if the pressure is too much, and although there were moments of discomfort, I felt I really got something out of the massage beyond an hour drifting in and out of sleep. The head and shoulder massage was followed by an express facial, with various masks, cleansers and a soporific facial massage. It was a nice combination of treatments – as I left with a loose back and shoulders and fresh face, instead of the usual post-massage look of red cheeks and a circular indent from the massage table.

AMBIENCE The spa treatment rooms are simply decorated in creams and whites and few memorable features, although the aromatherapy Decleor products make for a soothing aroma throughout. Typical spa music plays throughout the spa, which I normally find irritating, but with my focus on the massage, I found it blended into the background and probably helped to relax me.

IN CROWD The hotel is perfect for hen parties or groups, because of its extensive leisure facilities, good value pamper packages and proximity to Southampton, 12 miles away. So, if you’re a couple and want to avoid groups, make sure you ask at the time of booking.

FOOD There’s no specific spa menu but there’s some healthy choices among the two set menus at the Winchester Restaurant. The three-course £26.50 menu is good value but the £39.50 a la carte (£33.50 for two courses) is more imaginative. Healthy choices include grilled fish, salads and vegetarian options. Then there’s the wine list if you want to indulge, which had a good selection of wine by the glass – 21 in all, and nine wines under the organic, fair-trade heading, as well as a wider selection by the bottle.

WALLET WATCH The back, neck and shoulder massage costs £30 for 30 minutes, and the Decleor express facial is also £30 for 30 minutes. Plus, a back, neck and shoulder massag e and choice of either manicure or pedicure is £75 Sunday to Thursday, £85 on Fridays and £95 on Saturdays.

NEED TO KNOW Botley Park Hotel, Golf and Country Club, Winchester Rd, Boorley Green, Southampton, Hants, SO32 2UA (0870 194 2132 or 01506 815 142: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/botleypark)

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