AS befits its status as a former convent, Stanbrook Abbey radiates peace and calm in equal measure.

Now a 55-bedroom hotel, the Abbey, which is five miles from Worcester and Malvern and a 10-minute drive from junction 7 of the M5, offers a taste of old-fashioned luxury in delightful, rural surroundings.

But it's rather more than just a place to stay as there are impressive conference facilities as well as a quality restaurant open to residents and non-residents alike.

It's a glamorous venue for a wedding, too, as well as an ideal spot for a ball - a breast-cancer charity was holding an event for 300 there on the night when we stayed but, as a resident, you would never have known so many people were present. Not a sound was to be heard.

The first inkling that you will be in for an out-of-the-ordinary experience comes with your first glimpse of the hotel as you approach down the winding drive.

The main part of the abbey dates back to 1855 but the striking modern addition which houses the bar and reception blends perfectly in a breathtaking new-and-old combination.

Our room, with a spectacularly high ceiling, was well-appointed with everything you would expect of a good quality hotel - TV, hairdryer, tea-and-coffee-making facilities, comfortable bed - and perhaps a little more; it's certainly the first time that I've stayed in a hotel where the bathroom, also spacious and well-equipped, has a stained-glass window.

We were on the first floor and looked down on the terrace of the piano lounge, at the rear of the hotel, where giant chess pieces await anyone inclined to exercise their grey matter on a game.

There are, indeed, plenty of ways to while away an evening - there's a full-size snooker table down in the basement, along with a games room which features a pool table, bar billiards and board games.

Close by in the basement, too, there are a couple of the side-rooms which can be used to accommodate small dinner parties.

And Lisa and Caylie, who showed us around, pointed out other rooms which can be used for a similar purpose by those, perhaps living nearby, who want to entertain friends and family for a meal out in memorable surroundings.

We also saw the beautiful chapel which, though now deconsecrated, can still be used for weddings and is also used as a conference room.

Our evening meal, in Sister Charlotte's Restaurant, was served by staff who, as throughout the hotel, were smiling, friendly and efficient.

For my starter, I chose the duo of salmon - smoked salmon and a salmon pate, adorned by the ubiquitous water-cress which adorned all of the courses, even, rather unexpectedly, the dessert.

My partner Rhianon chose the chicken and leek terrine, also delicious but heralding another feature which dominated the first and main courses.

The chef is clearly a meat enthusiast - no problems for us on that count - as the terrine portion size and those in the main courses were more than generous.

Rhianon's main course centrepiece, the blade of beef, was another large portion and might have benefited from rather more in the way of accompanying vegetables.

As might my rump of lamb which was, however, perfectly cooked and beautifully flavoursome.

We've all become used to Masterchef contestants being told that their panna cotta must have 'bounce' and there was no problem on that, or any other, score in my attractively presented blackberry version.

Rhianon's sticky toffee sundae came with a delicious salted caramel ice-cream to round off a meal to be savoured.

Breakfast the following morning, also served in Sister Charlotte's, started with a wide selection of fruit, cold meats, cheese and pastries followed by an attractively presented 'full English' - service was again friendly and efficient without being intrusive.

It's worth pointing out, because the only entries are by stairs, that the restaurant would present problems for disabled guests. A full breakfast is also served, however, in Pugin's Lounge, alongside the restaurant, where there are no such problems and evening meals can be served in the piano lounge.

There are also guest rooms on the ground floor which can accommodate disabled guests.

The nuns now reside in another Stanbrook Abbey in Yorkshire and moved out in 2009 when the building became a hotel. The present operators Hand Picked Hotels took over last year, inheriting from the previous owner, clearly an Eagles fan, a number of pull quotes from 'Hotel California' inscribed in various places to provide a talking point.

Sadly, never leaving, as in the words of the song, was not an option for us but it's most definitely somewhere to find a reason to return to.