Phyllis Court has to be the premier location to watch the Henley Regatta but Debra Aspinall discovers it is so much more than that.

THE words on the little blue brochure about Phyllis Court say: "More than just a club, it's a way of life."

Membership of this charming establishment, in the most idyllic of locations on the river at Henley-on-Thames, is certainly a way of life many of us would like to experience.

I was recently invited to go behind the closed doors of this exclusive club with an overnight stay. From the outside, Phyllis Court presents the facade of an elegant Georgian mansion, pale pink and white with sweeping lawns down to the river front. White-clad ladies and gentlemen play a genteel game of croquet on the manicured greens.

Most people will have heard of Phyllis Court because of the Henley Regatta connections. It is indeed the club's busiest time of the year with marquees on the lawns filled with members and their guests and a large purpose-built Grade II grandstand pavilion staging corporate hospitality throughout the event. Watching the Regatta at Phyllis Court is truly the way to do it in style.

The club a private members club since 1906 and therefore celebrating its centenary next year is happy to open its doors to non-members wishing to get a taste of what membership here could provide for them.

Non-members can stay, as I did, in one of the 17 elegant bedrooms which provide all the mod cons of a five-star hotel with the addition of stunning views. Overnight guests automatically become temporary members and can then enjoy dinner in the restaurant where an eclectic menu is supported by an extensive cellar of wines. The comfortable bars and club rooms offer convivial surroundings for after-dinner coffees.

The morning after my stay I was surprised to see just how many members of the club use the facilities on a casual basis, to meet friends, enjoy coffee and a newspaper on the terrace, or catch up on what the 22 sections of the club have on offer.

The 22 sections offer everything from wine tasting to ballroom dancing and a full programme of events is arranged for members from dinner dances to literary events, theatre trips and annual Christmas parties for members' children.

I was staggered by the club notice board which had forthcoming events for their artists group, boat owners association, billiard and snooker section and so on.

Members here truly are spoilt for choice with entertainment and it came as no surprise to learn that the majority of the 3,000 existing members come from the surrounding local areas. Local businessmen have found membership a shrewd investment as the kudos of inviting guests to this setting is hard to put a price on. Younger families are also discovering the appeal of a membership here.

The Club is owned by its members which means that when you become a member, you have an equal share of the Club and an equal voice in how it's run. The members elect a council to oversee club business on their behalf. Shares are allocated to council members who are elected by the general membership and this grants the council members authority to make financial decisions regarding the Club.

Another advantage of membership here is that you can, for a fee, moor your boat either within the Club moat or on the riverfront. The Club didn't want to disclose the fee but it's in keeping with other local mooring fees (presently there's a waiting list for mooring.) Members can also invite as many guests as they would like to the Club (as long as one guest does not visit the Club more than eight times a year) and members can also invite as many guests as they'd like to the Club during Regatta week and these particular visits are not counted as part of the eight visits allocated to each guest. Members can also book the club for family events, like weddings, at a preferential rate, although non-members can also hold weddings and meetings here.

There are so many good reasons for joining this delightful Club it's really just the icing on the cake that Phyllis Court also has reciprocal arrangements with many other luxury clubs in the UK and around the world, allowing members to enjoy prestigious facilities when travelling at home and abroad.

For further information on Club membership and activities, contact the membership secretary on 01492 570500 or visit www.phylliscourt.co.uk.

As a prelude to the centenary celebrations in 2006, Phyllis Court Club has reduced the entrance fees by more than 50 per cent to welcome new members.