Jasbir Authi pampers herself in the genteel surroundings of an old priory.

The Cloisters Restaurant at the Nutfield Priory Hotel and Spa in Surrey was once a place where gentle folk paused in the corridors, while taking in the lovely views of the Surrey and Sussex countryside beyond.

Today, the silence is punctuated by the sound of wine glasses clinking and chatter.

The stone walls and alcoves are lit up by candles while the attentive maitre d’, and his staff serve up the chef’s delicious and original seasonal take on British food.

Nutfield Priory is part of the Handpicked Hotel’s chain of 17 exclusive guest houses which offers the discerning traveller a range of memorable places to bed down in the UK.

Even the most travelled guest would find it hard not to succumb to the charm of Nutfield, set in 40 acres of land.

Its facade, with one of the tallest stained glass windows I have seen, was inspired by the neo-Gothic design of the Palace of Westminster by Pugin.

Nutfield is just nine miles from Gatwick Airport which would make it an ideal place to stay before catching your flight or to rejuvenate after a long haul ride if you can’t face the two-hour journey back to Birmingham.

However, guests won’t be unsettled by the noise of flight traffic or driven to distraction by flickering lights as the runway lies in the opposite direction to the hotel. Indeed many of the guests checking in had come straight from the airport.

For weary travellers looking for an energy boost, the hotel boasts a great on-site gym with heated indoor swimming pool, which is available to guests at no extra charge.

For the less energetic, there is the cafe with cakes but for ultimate indulgence, the spa awaits with nine treatment rooms and manicure areas.