USP If you thought your spa-lazing days were over once children arrived – through lack of cash or time – think again. For the price of a family suite at a swanky hotel spa, here you get a whole cottage for the whole weekend, plus all the lovely extras you would expect at a top hotel.

The spa is small, but perfectly formed, and there are even child-minders (pre-booking essential) who can look after your progeny while you are pummelled and plucked to your heart’s content.

AMBIENCE There are 12 cottages (sleeping from two to 10 people) most of which have been converted from stables, that were once part of the Bruern Abbey estate. Most have large private gardens. Ours came complete with rabbits at dawn and a fleeting sighting of an owl at bedtime.

They are beautifully appointed. There are open fires, shelves of books, marble worktops and four-poster beds. The bathrooms are hotel-luxurious with towers of fluffy towels and White Company goodies.

In the communal gardens there is an old-fashioned Wendy house, a playground, a heated playroom and vintage toy cars strewn over the manicured lawn. There is also a small gym, outdoor tennis court and an adult game room with pool, table football and pingpong.

It is unintimidating and relaxing. Like home from home, only better.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE The walk to the spa is gorgeous – through landscaped gardens full of classical statues, box hedges and hidden summer houses. By the time you finish the five-minute stroll it is impossible not to feel relaxed already.

There are only two smallish treatment rooms though, so it is advisable to book ahead – especially at weekends and school holidays. But what they lack in size is made up for in quality. I had a pureBliss Rose Facial under the capable hands of the chief therapist Laura Harris. The nourishing pureBliss range is made at an organic farm up the road in Burford.

The rooms are lovely and warm and as my face was gently scrubbed and massaged, I drifted off. It was a great facial. I arrived with a grey London pallor and left with a rosy and well-nourished country hue.

The indoor swimming pool - just next to the treatment rooms - is toasty and looks over a rose garden.

After two nights the whole family came back utterly revived (and I was the only one to have a treatment), full of good intentions about a new healthier lifestyle and with the kind of renewed enthusiasm that normally takes a fortnight somewhere sunny to achieve.

IN-CROWD Not just families. Lovers, artists, pensioners.

FOOD There is a generous welcome pack containing eggs, cheese, orange juice, homemade marmalade and strawberry jam, brown bread, biscuits, tea, coffee, and a bottle of champagne. There are lots of gastropubs nearby including the acclaimed Plough in Kingham.

But the cottages are so lovely it is an effort to drag yourself away. Reception has a selection of home-cooked meals like coq au vin, roast potatoes, rhubarb crumble and lemon meringue pudding. But if you are so blissed out that even switching on the oven proves too much, private chefs can be booked in advance.

WALLET WATCH For what you get, Bruern is good value. That doesn’t mean it is cheap – from around £500 for a weekend - but as it is self-catering you won’t wince every time you want a cappuccino.

The signature treatment uses heated Thai compresses and costs £135 for 120 minutes. Facials start at £60, but ask about the monthly special. My facial was on “offer” at only £40.

NEED TO KNOW Book treatments and childcare in advance. Don’t worry about packing swimming nappies, armbands or inflatables – they are all supplied.

Bruern Holiday Cottages, Chipping Norton, OX7 6PY (01993 830 415 ; www.bruern-holiday-cottages.co.uk)