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IF, after a hectic start to 2008, you need to indulge in some serious pampering, I have a suggestion - a short break at Rhinefield House Hotel in the New Forest.

I've driven past the driveway many times without even realising it. The hotel is set among tall conifers and scented pines, a stunning grand Tudor and Gothic country house, well hidden from the main road.

Once the site of a keeper's lodge, Rhinefield House was largely built in 1887 by the newly wed Walker-Munros, for whom money was no object.

Today it is owned by Hand Picked Hotels, who bought the hotel from Sir Richard Branson five years ago - and hosts some 120 weddings a year.

Hand Picked was established in 1999 by a former city lawyer, Julia Hands, and the group's 14 luxury hotels cover an area from the New Forest all the way up to Edinburgh.

On arrival the red carpet was rolled out, and the doorman stood patiently. "I could get used to this," I smiled to myself.

Such a stunning setting is the preserve of pop stars, with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney and Gary Barlow staying there. But through the website it's possible to stay for around £200 per room, including bed and breakfast and access to the health club.

General manager Virginia Masser says the Orangery is being converted into a brasserie, which should be open by May.

Before dinner we enjoyed canapés and wine before settling down to a leisurely three-course meal in the Armada Restaurant, which boasts a dramatic frieze above the fireplace - carved over a nine-year period, it's hewn from a single 4ft block of oak.

Private dining is catered for in the Alhambra Room, inspired by the palace in Granada, Spain, and created by Mabel Walker-Munro as a Christmas gift for her husband. It is decorated in onyx from Persia (now Iran).

A red-onion appetiser was followed by a starter of delicious cabbage soup. Between courses a mango coulis cleaned the palate in readiness for the rack of Hampshire lamb.

A bottle of Grenache Merlot accompanied the meal and the chocolate hazelnut torte dessert was delicious.

Our executive suite had not one, not two but three flat-screen TVs, including one in the bathroom!

Many of the bedrooms can be found in a modern black glass extension that seamlessly blends with the original structure - it cleverly reflects the old building and, depending on the time of day, can be virtually invisible.

The following morning we enjoyed a full English breakfast and then strolled to the health club.

Its various machines were a good way of burning off the calories. Suitably exhausted we made for the swimming pool, spa, sauna and steam room.

The pool was designed to mirror a Roman bath, and sitting in the spa the bubbling water was reflected in the ceiling lit like a night sky - all very relaxing.

10:00am Saturday 16th February 2008

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