USP An "ice room". Stepping from the enveloping warmth of a steam room or sauna into something akin to the internal workings of a Slush Puppy maker is invigorating to say the least. Not for the faint hearted, it’s designed to set your whole being tingling.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE The Albrighton Hall Vital Spa is attached to the main hotel, a magnificent Jacobean mansion dating from the 1600s. There are two steam rooms, the first featuring fragrances that will bring clarity to your sinuses, two saunas, with one including a bed of hot rocks to douse with water for the all important "I am going to die!" moment; "snail showers" - named after their shape rather than their discharge – which provide a range of ambient lighting, fragrance and wetness ("drench" being my personal favourite), a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and finally, the Ice Room.

Spa treatments are taken in a separate area that is well soundproofed and possessing a relaxed, soothing ambience. Whilst my heavily pregnant wife luxuriated in a Decleor facial I opted for a neck, shoulders and back massage in preparation for resuming my role of pack horse/sherpa/transporter of all things child related.

Nothing quite prepares you for the Ice Room. Crunching over a floor of freshly made ice crystals in your bathing costume is surreal. Residual warmth (from the sauna etc…) gives you a false sense of security, so it’s best to seize the moment, grab a big handful of ice and give yourself a vigorous rub down with it. Within moments you’ll be energised - and heading for somewhere hotter. Unsurprisingly, there are no seats in the Ice Room.

AMBIENCE The hotel is set in its own extensive grounds so tranquillity is very much the order of the day. There is a well equipped gym and squash court so some frenetic activity is in evidence. Luckily, this can be kept at arms length with very little effort. There is even a comfy seating area, with a bar and copies of The Times, just outside the gym in case the sight of all that exertion leaves you feeling fatigued.

IN CROWD As with any photogenic four-star hotel, you can expect a selection of affluent locals, weekenders, wedding couples/guests and conference delegates. All seemed happily lost in their own relaxation.

FOOD The hotel’s oak panelled restaurant has an excellent reputation and justifiably so. Situated in the original mansion, the sense of occasion is grand and the food its equal. Dinner was included in our package (normally £28.50 pp) and was excellent. The imaginative menu changes daily and uses local ingredients wherever possible. Every mouthful, from the "amuse bouche" of pea velouté with a coconut froth through to the chocolate tort with milk sorbet and kumquat marmalade was a triumph - although the main course of "lamb 3 ways" was my favourite. There is also a good selection of wines available by the glass.

WALLET WATCH Until 26th April, £239 (per couple) will buy you two nights B&B in a superior room (with a bottle of Champagne waiting in your room), a meal in the excellent Oak Room restaurant and access to the spa (excluding any treatments) during your stay. A three-course meal in the Oak Room is usually £28.50 per person.

Treatments start from £20 for a neck, shoulder and back massage up to £60 for a Decleor Aromatic full body massage. A four- hour, four-treatment pampering package costs £175 including a light lunch.

If you are not staying at the hotel, you can use the saunas, steam rooms etc… using a £10 Guest day pass, available at the Vital Spa reception.

NEED TO KNOW Macdonald Albrighton Hall Hotel, Ellesmere Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3AG (01939 291000; www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/albrighton)

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