WHEN is a hotel not a hotel? When it offers fantastic spa facilities and a range of treatments and sporting experiences to rival any health farm.

The imposing red brick Whittlebury Hall, near the Silverstone Racing Circuit in Northamptonshire, has long been a popular location for weddings and corporate events and runs a dedicated Management Training Centre.

But this year sees a very important addition to Whittlebury The Spa.

This purpose-built addition to the hotel has been designed to offer pure escapism from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Whether you spend a pamper day here or an overnight visit you are bound to leave feeling relaxed and refreshed.

The Spa offers a host of stimulating heat and ice experiences. These experiences (such as the Caldarium, Ice Cave, Roman Salt Room and Tepidarium) provide different temperatures to increase your body temperature, then decrease it to stimulate blood flow and invigorate the senses.

The splendid Hydrotherapy Pool a giant jacuzzi with different water jets and water massage stations positioned all around is a real treat. Guests can partake in as many or as few of these facilities as they wish.

Also on offer is a 42-station gymnasium, a 19 metre pool with bubble jets in the Leisure Centre and saunas and steam rooms.

Treatments available include a range from Clarins, E'Spa, Jessica and Ytsara. There's a relaxation room and a delicious buffet lunch is provided for pamper day visitors.

There are also classes held in the aerobic and dance studio, and a hairdressing salon.

For guests staying overnight, Whittlebury Hall has a fine dining restaurant, Murrays, which has two AA Rosettes, and the more informal Astons for a table d'hote menu.

Whittlebury Hall has cleverly devised a whole range of packages to suit all tastes, from the "I don't like Mondays" visit to special stays aimed at hen parties, the "I'm Getting Married in the Morning" pamper package.

www.whittleburyhall.co.uk