The Best UK Spa Hotels For A Weekend Getaway
Scarlet Hotel
The Vibe: Overlooking Cornwall’s sweeping Mawgan Porth beach (a ten-minute drive from Newquay), this adults-only eco-hotel blurs the boundaries between inside and out, with glass walls and infinity pools that reach into the sea. The Ayurveda-inspired spa is where the magic happens – luxury tented treatment rooms are lit by lanterns for deep relaxation. For the complete experience, be sure to book a clifftop hot tub complete with expansive views of the Atlantic.
What To Book: For full-body relaxation, the Sarvanga massage is designed to bring scattered mental energy back into focus. After a top-to-toe oil massage, it finishes with an Ayurvedic facial massage. For an affordable option, consider a Scarlet Sunday, which includes an overnight stay for two, Sunday lunch, a bathing experience and full access to the spa, as well as a late checkout and breakfast in bed the following day.
Visit ScarletHotel.co.uk
The Spa At South Lodge
The Vibe: The impressively large Spa at South Lodge was designed with sustainability in mind. There’s a ban on single-use plastic, water is cleaned through a reed bed, and robes and towels have been chosen to minimise environmental impact. The modern design of the spa (it only opened in 2019) gives it a fresh feel, and you can expect unrivalled panoramic views from the moment you step out onto the terrace, where you’ll find an outdoor vitality pool that looks out to the South Downs. The Spa at South Lodge has it all – three pools, botanical sauna, marble-lined salt and steam room, and the UK’s first heated natural swim pond. New to the space are the Reeds and Spa lodges. Open just in time for the end of summer, they sit lakeside with space to stay for up to four adults or two adults and three children. You can expect tranquillity with a private deck and soak bath that’s sheer bliss.
What To Book: Facials are offered in collaboration with Omorovicza. The Blue Diamond facial is the perfect treatment, combining traditional Hungarian massage to re-energise and lift the skin with cooling derma-globes to depuff and brighten.
Visit Exclusive.co.uk
The Retreat At Elcot Park
The Vibe: Just 40 minutes from London by train – and then ten minutes from Hungerford station – this hotel and spa is well situated. Once home to poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, the Grade II-listed 18th-century mansion was restored carefully before opening in 2022. It’s since gone on to earn the title of ‘Britain’s Best Hotel’ for its unstuffy setting and unrivalled attention to detail. The newly renovated spa makes it a real standout. There’s a heated outdoor swimming pool – complete with Whispering Angel bar – a hydrothermal suite, flotation tanks and steam/sauna rooms. All treatments are available to non-guests too.
What To Book: Treatments start from £30 at Elcot Park. We like the hour-long Destress Body Ritual, which promises to restore weary, sore muscles while the therapist will tailor moves and massage techniques to your individual needs and sore points. Expect to feel a little woozy afterwards – in the best possible way.
Visit RetreatElcotPark.co.uk
Middleton Lodge
The Vibe: If you want to immerse yourself in fresh air and sprawling countryside, Middleton Lodge is the place to go. Up in North Yorkshire, it’s the ultimate destination to hit reset. The big Georgian estate is enough reason alone to visit – it provides a lot of the food on a property with a serious commitment to conservation and self-sufficiency. As for the spa, the interiors make you feel at home – think muted, natural, calming tones paired with comfy sofas and squidgy chairs – while the outdoor whirlpool, relaxation rooms and heated outdoor pool all feel private. That’s thanks to the towering trees that flank the space and make you feel as if you’re in a fresh, Nordic forest. There are plenty of treatments to enjoy, all benefitting from Aromatherapy Associates and Voya products – count on facials, body wraps, bathing experiences and deep tissue massages. With self-catering cottages available, this is a great place to come as a group.
What To Book: Our favourite option is the Forest Therapy treatment. Created to restore vitality, the massage hits all the right spots as you’re encouraged to inhale and release tension with guided techniques. The legs, back and abdomen are a focus, but you can ask for certain areas to be prioritised to suit your needs. We love that it ends with a mud mask on both hands and feet.
Visit MiddletonLodge.co.uk
Heckfield Place
The Vibe: Heckfield Place is one of the most special destinations in the UK. The eco-friendly estate boasts excellent facilities, enviable interiors and flawless services which make it a favourite among those in the know. Just 75 minutes from London by car, the hotel is set on a 400-acre estate with walled gardens, forests, meadows, lakes you can swim in and a biodynamic farm. The 18th-century building has been carefully restored with modern luxuries, including a state-of-the-art spa that offers endless wellness classes, treatments and staycations, and six room types, all of which are elegantly decorated. Guests have a choice to dine at two restaurants, both overseen by chef Skye Gyngell: Hearth, which serves simple but delicious seasonal dishes, or Marle which has been awarded a Michelin Green Star. Over the next few years, the hotel has ambitious plans to up its sustainable practices, which currently include hot water powered by biomass energy, a rainwater collection system and an eco-friendly glass-blowing centre. As for its spa – The Bothy – which is hidden in a walled garden for peace and tranquility – is complete with a natural pool and outdoor hydrotherapy tub (where you can watch birds circle above) as well as a sauna, yoga studio and fitness suite.
What To Book: All treatments take place inside The Bothy. Each part of the spa has been designed for total relaxation – from the birdsong that plays by the pool to the design, with its neutral colours and relaxation areas built from natural materials. We recommend booking in for a naturopathic health assessment which encourages healing through natural remedies and lifestyle changes. There's also realignment sessions worth booking with the resident osteopath for an overall wellness boost. The options are endless, with a treatment and experience for every preference and need.
Visit HeckfieldPlace.com
Hoar Cross Hall
The Vibe: A hidden gem in Staffordshire, Hoar Cross Hall is the ideal place to relax body and mind, and restore well-being. Facilities include a Nordic heat and ice suite, a 26-metre saltwater vitality pool, a snooze room and countless whirlpools, plunge pools and steam rooms. They’ve just added a Spa Terrace which offers an outdoor experience through the summer – it’s got a three-pool deck, rustic saunas, relaxation rooms and cabanas complete with fire pits and a bar. There’s also a state-of-the-art gym, tennis, cycling, croquet and boules if you’re looking to work up an appetite before afternoon tea.
What To Book: The spa offers seasonal treatments so there’s often something new alongside its signature offering of facials, massages and holistic treatments. For a special treat, the HCH Grand Spa Trilogy is two hours of total relaxation, including a full body exfoliation, a back massage and facial – all using Elemis products.
Visit BaronsEden.com
Eynsham Baths At Estelle Manor
The Vibe: Estelle Manor is known for the 3,000 acres of parkland, private houses and glamorous interiors that make it a dream destination to stay. Making it even more special is the bathing hall that launched earlier this year. Carved with marble details, it delivers on the wow factor, but never feels intimidating or OTT. Alongside the bathing hall there are five thermal pools, steam rooms, hay saunas and ten treatment rooms for you to seal yourself away in and enjoy the vast menu. Extra points for the eco effort within this spa. The lighting is low-wattage LED, and all the heating is turned off after hours to keep energy consumption low. You’ll find everything in the changing room is refillable and recyclable. Before you book, it is worth noting that you have to pay separately for spa access, even if you're a staying guest, but given the indulgence, it's worth it for those seeking real escapism.
What To Book: From Thai massages to reiki and a hammam, there’s so much to choose from at Eynsham Baths. Our favourite? The reflexology. It encourages deep relaxation and a total switch-off for racing brains while helping to enhance your own healing abilities. The practitioner applies varying pressures to your reflex points and, as the treatment progresses, you’ll find tension is released and circulation is improved. Expect to feel more balanced and calmer afterwards.
Visit EstelleManor.com
Calcot & Spa
The Vibe: With 220 acres, there’s plenty to explore at Calcot & Spa. Ideal for staycations with your partner, family or friends, it’s got spacious suites for those looking to combine their spa trip with a stay. With both an indoor and outdoor pool, there’s also plenty of space to enjoy a relaxing swim, while the fireside hot tubs are a real treat – you won’t want to leave them. Elsewhere, you’ll find a sauna, steam room and an impressive gym.
What To Book: Calcot & Spa offer all the traditional treatments, including pedicures, Hydra Glow facials, full body massages and skin peels. You can combine several facials in one for a tailored experience – just ask your therapist. The Skin Workout Facial sees you gently pummelled with movements that target the skin to lift, contour and tone. The immediate glow you get is impressive.
Visit Calcot.co
CABÜ Cabins
The Vibe: Cabü has two sites across the UK and both have a spa. Just like Soho Farmhouse, but without a hefty membership fee, the cabins sit in acres of land. There are outdoor hot tubs and saunas as well as a giant open-air games room where you can sit and enjoy drinks year-round. The cosy wooden cabins are set among hundreds of billowing trees, making this a great place to disconnect and go off grid – you’ll feel as if you’re in the middle of nowhere. The Nature Spa is not to be missed. In the middle of a forest, there are Japanese baths, outdoor plunge pools and massages available to those who are staying for one or two nights.
What To Book: The Shepherds Hut is where you’ll find a range of treatments – from deep tissue and Ayurveda massage to LED phototherapy masks and clinical facials. The latter would be our choice. With some deep cleansing and exfoliating, it’s designed to remove dead cells, encourage better turnover and stimulate collagen production. Products are all tailored to your needs, and promise to boost the skin barrier while reducing irritation.
Visit Holidays.Cabu.co.uk
Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa
The Vibe: Loved by several members of the SheerLuxe team, this hotel sits a stone’s throw from peaceful Climping beach in West Sussex. A tranquil space with minimal rooms – meaning few guests and optimum privacy – it feels like a real treat to stay here. Most of the rooms are very traditional, with upholstery and impressive beams, with the spa a nice juxtaposition. It’s modern, luxurious and surrounded by greenery. There’s an outdoor infinity pool, hot tubs, steam rooms, warm water beds and noise-cancelling treatment rooms upstairs.
What To Book: For an unrivalled glow, try the Mediterranean Marinade facial. Using both vitamin boosters and skin quenchers, the treatment lasts an hour and completely overhauls tired, lacklustre-looking skin. The spa packages are worth checking out too, with great options available for both half and full days from £135 for two.
Visit HSHotels.co.uk
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa
The Vibe: In the heart of the New Forest, just minutes from the coast, this five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel and spa is quintessentially English. For a high-end, luxe experience in nature, book into one of the 14 treehouse suites that are hidden within a wooded valley on the edge of the forest. Each is suspended 35 feet above ground, offering an unforgettable setting for a relaxing getaway where you can spend the night stargazing and soaking in an outdoor hot tub. As for the spa, there are various saunas, steam rooms and foot spas to be enjoyed, but it’s the indoor hydrapool we recommend sinking into. With various jets that surround the edges, it’s perfect for unwinding tight, sore muscles and alleviating discomfort.
What To Book: There are two we love. The Signature Follicle Boost treatment is a must for those looking to boost hair health. It begins with a scalp analysis before a follicle serum is applied to stimulate and encourage growth from the root. It’s thorough and removes any build-up sat on your scalp. Another treatment to look out for is OTO's Kinoko Ki. Using Japanese techniques, it targets the body with dry brushing and deep tissue massage to boost blood circulation and, in turn, skin’s collagen and elastin. The treatment ends with sound therapy to help boost your energy levels and instil some calm.
Visit ChewtonGlen.com
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