The outdoor heated pool at Headland Hotel, Cornwall (Picture: Headland Hotel & Spa)
It’s no secret that 2022 hasn’t been the easiest year.
With that in mind, we all deserve to head into the New Year feeling relaxed and refreshed. Thankfully, you don’t have to travel far to get some serious R&R.
From country to capital, north to south — no matter where you are in the UK, there’s a spa stay for you.
Whether you’re after luxurious treatments or a multi-day wellness getaway, these five British hotels offer the ultimate in indulgent escapes – the best way to treat yourself.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath
One of the top 100 spa hotels in the world (Picture: YTL Hotels)
From the ancient Romans who founded the city, to the 18th century high society types (Jane Austen included) who flocked here in their droves, the famed waters of Bath have been a go-to for countless visitors over the last few thousand years — and it’s a tradition that the Gainsborough Bath Spa continues to this day.
Since opening five years ago, the 5-star property in has already become one of the most renowned spa hotels in the country — and one that Conde Nast Traveller hails as one of their ‘top 100’ hotels in the world.
Paying homage to the Romans who first put the town on the map after they constructed a bathing complex back in 43 AD, the Gainsborough has reproduced a luxurious spa complex that wouldn’t look out of place in ancient Rome. Here, guests can ‘take the waters’ and embrace their inner-mermaid in the Spa Village.
Luxury (Picture: YTL hotels)
A complex of natural thermal pools of varying temperatures, traditional and infrared saunas, steam room, ice alcove and elegant relaxation areas, the hotel’s spa is also the only one in the city that utilises the exact same mineral-infused spring water which feeds the nearby ancient Roman Baths — springs that are infused with 42 minerals that promise to tone muscles, relieve tension and improve sleep quality. Where do we sign up?
Corinthia Hotel, London
It’s beloved by celebs including George Clooney and Beyonce Knowles (Picture: The Corinthia Hotel)
If you’re in search of central London’s absolute best spa, then look no further than the Corinthia Hotel.
Set in one of the capital’s grandest buildings — with a plum spot steps from Embankment station, opposite the London Eye — this place oozes exclusivity.
Speaking of, this plush property has become a magnet for visiting A-listers with the likes of Johnny Depp, George Clooney, and Beyonce Knowles, all passing through its gorgeous halls.
However, it’s the hotel’s in-house spa that really makes this place standout from the crowd. Spread over multiple floors and encompassing 3,300 square metres of total indulgence, the ESPA Life spa takes city hotel pampering to new heights.
An iconic location (Picture: The Corinthia Hotel)
A labyrinthine collection of wavy, futuristic, black marble corridors — easily as cool as any nightclub — connect a large hydrotherapy pool, crystal steam room, stainless steel pool, hammam and striking flame-lined sauna. It all feels a million miles away from its central London location.
Aside from the usual tip-top service that you’d expect from a solid five-star dream stay, the extensive spa menu of comprehensive head to toe treatments is guaranteed to make anyone feel like a prince or princess.
Headland Hotel, Cornwall
A seaside staple (Picture: The Headland Hotel)
Perched right at the end of the glorious Fistral Beach in Newquay, the Headland Hotel has been a seaside staple for more than 120 years. But now this striking, red-bricked building has another reason for modern-day serenity-seekers to visit: a new 10 million spa complex.
Adding to the existing hotel spa on its lower ground floor, the seperate wellness Aqua Club complex provides spa-goers an extra six indoor and outdoor pools all up, with thermal facilities including numerous hydrotherapy stations, Cornish salt steam room, Swedish sauna, hot tub and aromatherapy showers.
Take in the views at The Terrace restaurant (Picture: The Headland Hotel)
Book the signature Wave Ritual — a comprehensive head-to-toe treatment designed to ease muscle tension and release toxins — and post-treatment, fuel up with Mediterranean-inspired salads and flatbreads at the newly-opened The Deck restaurant set within the Aqua Club itself.
Ramside Hall, Durham
It houses one of the country’s largest hydrotherapy pools (Picture: Ramside Hall)
Situated on the outskirts of Durham City, Ramside Hall is a stately-home-turned-lavish-hotel that offers more than 120 rooms, but it’s the new luxe ‘treehouse’ accommodation that should be on your radar.
Set in the woodland adjacent to the golf course, each treehouse comes with its own outdoor hot tub, slick copper bath made for two, and some even boast their own private sauna. But the jewel in Ramside’s crown is its huge spa.
Housing one of the country’s largest hydrotherapy pools, facilities also include two saunas, two steam rooms and both indoor and outdoor spa pools.
There’s also bookable private experiences, such as the Mud Rasul and hydrotherapy Infinity Pool, where guests can soak in style while enjoying snacks and a bottle of sparkling. To top it all off, there’s a post-treatment ‘sensory’ room comes complete with sound wave therapy pods, so you can have a quick nap afterwards. A snooze and a bottle of bubbly? Now that’s the kind of wellness getaway that everyone can get onboard with.
The Langley, Buckinghamshire
Built for the Duke of Marlborough (Picture: The Langley)
Built in the mid-18th century as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Marlborough — and a handy 40-minutes from central London — The Langley can lay claim to having one of the largest expanses of spa space in the country.
Outside, within acres of idyllic private Buckinghamshire parkland, are jogging and cycling trails, a tennis court, and a large open-air pool. While inside, there’s what might just be the most state-of-the-art hotel gym in existence, a gym personally fitted out by celebrity trainer Matt Roberts, who counts the likes of Naomi Campbell and Mel B as clients. And then there’s the huge subterranean spa.
A sparkling 16.5-metre-infinity-edge marble-lined swimming pool takes centre stage, but wait, there’s more: Himalayan salt Sauna, salt-infused steam room, hydrotherapy pool, ice fountain, experience showers, traditional hammam, and there’s also a sprawling ladies-only thermal suite.
Treatments have been devised with an ‘east-meets-west’ wellness philosophy and there’s enough options to keep even the keenest of spa-goers happy, including an A to Z of massages and facials (both for guys and gals).
Escape on the massage table (Picture: The Langley)
But seasoned spa hounds will love the range of two-hour spa journeys that allow guests to travel the world without leaving their massage table, be it to ‘Darjeeling’ (an invigorating salt and oil scrub enhanced with ginger, massage and green tea detox wrap inspired by the foothills of the Himalayas), or ‘Bali’ (a body scrub, full body massage with frangipani and lotus flowers oil, and 23-carat gold facial).
Afterwards, don your fluffy bathrobe and stagger to the heated marble loungers to drift away on a cloud of bliss.
Montcalm East, London
Chic interiors at Montcalm (Picture: Montcalm East)
Having reopened its doors last year following an extensive refurbishment, Montcalm East has already become a favourite for both Londoners and visitors alike. Not least thanks to its new concept spa, Bokeh.
Providing a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city life, the subterranean spa comprises spacious swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
Treatments use products that are 100 per cent natural, vegan and cruelty free. The signature ‘Soul Retreat’ (a foot ritual followed by massage targeting the back, neck, shoulders and scalp) comes highly recommended. There’s even treatments that are infused with stress and anxiety-reducing CBD oil.
Lie back and unwind (Picture: Moncalm East)
And when it comes to foraging for sustenance you don’t need to go far. The onsite Moor & Mead restaurant and bar offers an all-day dining menu of meals made using locally-sourced ingredients. Spa and food aside, guests can slumber in style in the 5-star hotel’s 288 rooms (split across eight categories) each of which are bathed in natural light and enjoy city views.
Getting around
Getting around the UK is easy with high-speed train passes available from Rail Europe, the no.1 distributor of train tickets and rail passes in the world.
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Relax, recharge and revive — these spa hotels are the stuff that travel dreams are made of.
