USP The lines are drawn clearly between the spa and the hotel - there's no hunting for a hidden spa in a shady corner of the hotel basement here. This is a serious spa housed in its own barn-like building made from green oak that sits discretly from the main medieval-style house and the smattering of other accommodation options in the grounds.

AMBIENCE At night time Temple Spa's glass walls glow invitingly in the corner of a Sussex field. The vaulted foyer and reception manages to be spacious and yet makes you feel enveloped in a thick blanket of serenity.

The glass walls look out to two pools and the garden beyond. An indoor pool has a large Jacuzzi at its far end with sauna and steam rooms to one side. Gentle grassy banks shelter an outdoor pool, hot tub and a garden sporting bluebells, daffodils and rabbits.

It's not all so roomy, though. The gym is luxurious but quite small and the cramped changing rooms can make it awkward to robe up or down following a swim or prior to a treatment.

Top five spas for under £100

There's no reason why a recession should stop your pampering. Our expert picks five wellbeing breaks for less than £100 a night

Beside the seaside in Surrey

A new spa in the Stockbroker Belt offers fresh treatments with all the country club trimmings

• Spa SPC, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire

BACKGROUND

• Captain’s Club Hotel, Christchurch, Dorset

• Moonfleet Manor, Fleet, Dorset

• Middle Piccadilly Natural Healing Centre, Dorset

• Chewton Glen, Hampshire

Related Links

• Eight British beach spas

The six treatment rooms are small and plain. Treatments, however, follow a Mediterranean theme and are exceptional and professionally delivered with the use of natural Temple Spa aromatherapy oil products.

The hotel and spa are sheltered yet only a stone’s throw from the rugged pebbled Sussex coast, access to which is gained down a narrow private footpath.

The hotel - a faux medieval house painstakingly created from reclaimed 13th to 17th century derelict buildings - delivers a warm welcome and easygoing, cosy luxury.

EXPERIENCE I was slightly dubious about how much I would enjoy a 90-minute Brushes with Heaven treatment fearing the removal of my recently acquired tan. But I couldn't resist the treatment's "multi-result" promise to exfoliate, boost circulation, drain toxins and moisturise as I lay cocooned in a hot wrap, on top of a cotton sheet on a cushioned waterbed.

This treatment allows you, not only to lie still for 90 minutes while your wrapped body soaks up the oils, but also to treat your face to an hour’s attention… mainly concentrating on ever so gently sweeping away the toxins from just under the surface of the skin around the eyes. Apparently these toxins can be the cause of dark circles and puffiness.

As yet more moisturiser was applied to my legs I learnt how fake chemicals dehydrate the skin. Temple spa has not yet brought out a tinted moisturiser so I shall have to research further for a natural indoor tan.

FOOD The restaurant was busy and had a warm atmosphere. The menu offers locally sourced food and wine. Modern European starters and traditional main courses are served. Our starters were melted goat's cheese with a crust and tasty pork belly. Both the beef and lamb main dishes were well-presented and very good quality and value. The wine list offered excellent choices of wines. The service was attentive and friendly.

IN-CROWD During my mid-week visit to the spa it was quiet; the few guests I saw were middle-aged locals coming in to use the facilites. The hotel welcomes children (restaurant and restricted spa use allowed) and dogs (no restaurant or spa use allowed). Two bedrooms are near to the restaurant that could accommodate children and be within monitor range. The hotel also offers a listening service.

WALLET WATCH The treatments are reasonably priced: the Mediterranean massage is £60 for 60 minutes and Footprints in the Sand is £50 for 60 minutes.

NEED TO KNOW The Bailiffscourt Hotel & Health Spa, Climping, West Sussex, BN17 5RW (01903 723511; www.hshotels.co.uk)E-mail: bailiffscourt@hshotels.co.uk

Times recommends

• 10 of Rough Guides' best images
• How to do Florence for free
• The UK and Ireland's 25 best Christmas events