USP No need to worry about exposing your flab or infirmities in front of the kind of lithe young things normally seen in spa brochures, you will be in the comfortable company of like-bodied friends here. The average age at the hotel seemed to be late 60s, while in the spa it was 50s to infinity.

AMBIENCE Down to earth, no pretences, with very helpful staff. Unless you opt to go for the day, you should know that while the spa itself is modern, relaxed and well equipped, if you’re not staying in one of the top-of-the-range rooms in the original Hall, you might as well be in any average (albeit clean and comfortable) modern hotel.

Behind the modern reception and main accommodation area stands the original Thoresby Hall, but somehow the two halves of this hotel never quite meet, despite a connecting walkway. Although it's being sold as "historic" and "hall", don’t expect it to be too grand.

Any potential ambience is across in the old Hall where there is a cosy bar, a large billiards and games room, a formal restaurant, and a huge, oak panelled library overlooking the gardens (topiary and peacocks, with deer grazing in the distance), where you can take afternoon tea and nod off next to a log fire.

EXPERIENCE In addition to the extensive spa facilities, including ice cave, aromatherapy steam room, sanarium, experience showers (icy needle jets or tropical rain), and hydrotherapy pools, special treatments include Thalgo and Decleor.

You won’t be rushed in the spa; your four-hour slot allows plenty of time to lounge on massaging water-beds, listening to pan pipes and eating the complimentary fruit.

The mini (included in spa experience breaks) treatments felt truly diminutive (25 minutes), though enjoyable. Treat yourself to additional spa appointments (massage, facials, reiki, reflexology, mud baths and more) if you wish to feel truly pampered.

FOOD Well-presented, gastro-pub/bistro style fare.

IN-CROWD Grey power and carers with elderly loved ones. Charabancs full of pensioners on "experience breaks" whether it be the spa, oil painting, clay pigeon shooting, or one of the many other activities on offer. I’m told hen parties and younger couples are more common at weekends. Entertainment can be anything from tea dances and bingo to cabaret. Fight your way past wheelchairs and walking frames to get a good seat near the log fire in the library.

WALLET WATCH Spa Experience breaks: two nights mid-week from £329 per person, includes en-suite accommodation, two Spa Experience sessions, two 25-minute spa treatments, breakfast and three-course evening meal, as well as additional activities and evening entertainments.

Three nights (Friday to Monday) from £449 per person. A wide variety of additional spa treatments are available at extra cost, for example, £32 for a Decleor Aroma Back relief massage (25 minutes) or Thalgo marine hot stones treatment £100 (2 hours 25 minutes).

NEED TO KNOW Thoresby Hall Hotel & Spa, Thoresby Park, near Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, NG22 9WH (01623 821 000; www.warnerbreaks.co.uk/index.cfm/Thoresby_Hall_Spa/1056)

Nearest train stations Retford or Newark Northgate (add 30 mins by taxi, and approximately £30 from Newark). By car: http://www.warnerbreaks.co.uk/index.cfm/How_To_Find_Us/1293

For more than 235 independent spa reviews log on to timesonline.co.uk/goodspaguide

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