When I was asked to try out the new spa experience in Butlins, Skegness, childhood memories came flooding back: donkey rides, bingo nights and my dad asleep in a deckchair with a knotted hanky on his head. I wondered if my beauty therapist would be a budding Shane Ritchie or H from Steps? Was it possible that the Butlins of my past could shake off its reputation and deliver on restful indulgence?

Butlins, which has made its name as an affordable family holiday resort with 3 UK locations in Skegness, Minehead and Bognor, has joined the spa revolution. It's added a newly refurbished pool, fitness suite, hydrotherapy pool, crystal steam room, a Zen lounge, 5 treatment rooms, a hair salon and so much more, to its Skegness resort, and at a price of just £16 for 3 hours access to the facilities, the philosophy is definitely on affordability. Once considered a somewhat naff destination for hens and the like, Butlins is now expanding its reputation so that visitors can enjoy spa services and top end treatments such as Decleor facials, manicures and pedicures, chocolate body massages and Rigenera DNA facials, without having to fork out on high end Spa experiences attached to expensive hotels and retreats.

There are three levels of accommodation at Butlins to suit every budget; Standard, Silver and Gold. En route to the gold accommodation, I had to navigate my way through the familiar kiddie accoutrements; left at the go-karts, right at the prize bingo, before finally passing 'Bob the Builders Yard' to the accommodation. I was stunned to discover that the worn 1950s chalets of old had been replaced with duck-egg blue and candy-floss pink clapperboard apartments, each set amid landscaped gardens. I later discovered that the gardens were an oasis for local wildlife - at one point baby rabbits played under my balcony. The Gold Apartments sleep up to six very comfortably and come with a good sized lounge/kitchen area, TV and DVD, perfect for a proper girly weekend.

After a good night's sleep I was ready for my day of pampering, Butlins style. To get to The Spa I had to brave the Skyline pavilion which houses a constant stream of live entertainment including puppet shows, singing and dancing acts and a redcoat version of Celebrity Wrestling, to an audience of enthusiastic kids. After wandering through the cacophony of jumping and screaming 5 to 9 year olds, I was more than ready for the rest and rlaxation of the 'Spa experience' where I could spend 3 glorious hours using the facilities, for a bargain price of only £16.

I was given a soft fluffy white robe and slippers which I took into the spacious changing room, beautifully decorated with large crystals, plants and sculptures. They say the devil is in the detail and the Butlins Spa has definitely got the ambience right - I felt like I was in St Tropez not Skegness.

My south of France fantasy continued as I walked out to the 20m pool - a curvaceous azure blue jewel, complete with its own splendid waterfall. The Spa Experience allows you to use the pool, crystal steam room, hydrotherapy pool, essence-injected sauna and the pleasure/pain combination that is the cold water 'Bucket Drench' and the 'Atlantic Storm Shower', which is like having a refreshing scented shower.

The sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy area is poolside, allowing you to jump between them and your pool lounger. I spent ten minutes in the hydrotherapy pool, and its combination of jets and overhead showers helped ease the knots in my back created by a week hunched over a computer. I practically slithered back onto my poolside lounger.

The sauna and steam room also benefit from the finer details; an injection of aromatic water into the sauna lifts the temperature and your mood, and the steam in the steam room makes an impressive entrance via huge amethyst crystals. In the Atlantic Storm Shower I was bathed in a fine aromatic mist which is a blissful experience for your skin after the heat of the sauna. In contrast, the Bucket Drench sent violent chills through my body as a vat of cold water was dumped on my head; it certainly woke me up and left me feeling completely energised.

There's a vast range of treatments at the Spa from Chocolate body treatments to Indian Hopi ear candles, and they are all incredible value. My therapist Kim guided me round the selection with in-depth knowledge and consummate professionalism. I decided to try the Evidence Aromatherapy massage which was described as the 'ultimate holistic answer to face lifting'. The treatment began with a shoulder massage and finished with a foot/hand massage but the magic was the anti-ageing combination of iris, jasmine and cinnamon oils in the facial products.

After being cleansed, toned and gently massaged, my skin was slathered with a deep moisturising mask. As this worked its wonders, I was left to dream. Afterwards, my skin felt baby soft and, unusually, still felt that way the following day.

The Butlins Spa is open to day guests as well as residents - it was very quiet on the day I visited but I can imagine harassed mothers taking advantage of the babysitting facilities on site while grabbing some quiet time. It's never going to be a luxury spa destination but with great prices for treatments and above average accommodation, it's a fantastic venue for budget girly weekends and hen parties.

Essential information
Three-nights self-catering breaks in Gold Apartments start from £74 (low season) up to £114 (high season).
I had the Spa Experience (£16) as well as the Rigenera DNA facial (£49.00) and the Aromatherapy massage (£42.00)
For more details www.butlins.com or 0870 242 0870
The Spa at Butlins Skegness 01754 614450