Don’t judge a book by its cover. Repeat this mantra as you enter the driveway to Careys Manor. Several times.

The new(ish) wing looks more like a motel than manor but there are more (welcoming) surprises when you step inside the four-star hotel.

In the charming depths of the New Forest, this property conceals an award winning Thai spa that will literally make your shoulders drop inches and your toes curl in delight.

Over £6 million has been spent on Carey’s SenSpa (voted Destination Hotel Spa of the Year in the 2007 British Beauty & Spa Awards) and it appears from the smiles on the faces of guests that it was money well spent.

A quick tour of its extensive facilities is not possible so I’ll try and sum it up – there’s 16 treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, herbal sauna, steam room, a Rhassoul mud room (with mud from Morocco), a couple of Jaccuzzis and several experience showers and relaxation rooms where you’ll discover a steady stream of guests gliding around in towelling robes with a glazed, contented look on their faces.

This contrasts somewhat from the startled expressions etched on those that venture into the ice room. Here, one all-too-casual pull of a cord empties a bucket of ice over the brave soul that has pulled it. If this isn’t shocking enough, an alternative treatment in this room is the tropical rain storm shower that comes complete with ice-cold rain, thunder and lightening. A bit "Disney" perhaps but popular for a free trial of "laughter therapy" - just one of the unusual treatments on the spa menu.

I opted for the more serene 90-minute signature Sen Fusion Massage. My therapist, like many others, was from Thailand and skilfully trained in a fusion of techniques from the East and West. The massage combined Thai techniques with the basics of Swedish massage and before long I was pulled and pushed into a state of relaxation, in awe of how someone so small could make such a big impact.

Most guests who visit on a spa break are treated to a free two-course lunch at the spa’s Zen Garden Thai Restaurant whose Thai chefs use free-range organic and local produce. A yoga class designed to detoxify internal organs is also on the menu and you don’t have to be an expert to join in. Outside guests are encouraged to walk and cycle through the myriad of forest trails on the doorstep but, if it’s raining, there’s always the swimming pool or gym where you can sign up for classes ranging from circuit training to belly dancing.

All this exercise and country air works up a huge appetite and in the evening guests can choose to dine in two of the three restaurants on site. Le Blaireau Brasserie and Bar serves up delicious French classics such as gratinee onion soup for starters, steamed mussels in white wine and shallots served with French fries and crepe suzette or crème brulee. Meanwhile, the main Manor Restaurant serves a predominantly English fare such as smoked duck breast with fig chutney and brioche crouton, New Forest venison and baked vanilla cheesecake with blueberry compote.

While the atmosphere in the two AA rosette Manor Restaurant was a little disappointing (dimmed lights and some soft music would be welcome additions) the food (£34 per person for a three-course meal) was excellent with an extensive choice of fine wines. Breakfast was equally satisfying - superb full English was accompanied with healthy smoothies proving a welcome alternative to the usual dull fruit juices served at many a country house hotel.

With its Thai, French and Swedish influences, this is no ordinary English manor, but that isn’t a bad thing. Bedrooms are traditional and tastefully decorated in hues of browns and burgundies, mellow yellows or cool blues (although they are for something spacious opt for a garden junior suite).

Reviews on tripadvisor.co.uk are typically good giving the hotel an average rating of 3.5 stars. Most people praise the spa and location, and I can see why.

Bottom line: double rooms cost from £95 per person per night including breakfast and use of spa facilities. Alternatively the SenSpa one-night package costs from £149 per person (includes dinner, lunch, use of spa facilities and mind/body class). Spa treatments cost extra.

Best thing: the spa & the signature Sen Fusion Massage – truly out of this world.

Worst thing: the ‘motel’ like wing (splash out on a superior room).

Access all areas: One room has wheelchair access.

Need to know: Careys Manor Hotel, Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire, SO42 7RH, tel: 01590 623 551; www.senspa.co.uk and www.careysmanor.com

Food: 7.5 out of 10

Spa: 10 out of 10

Service: 7 out of 10

Room: 7 out of 10

Value: 7 out of 10

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