From luxury spas to eco spas, bleisure breaks to romantic wellbeing escapes, in 2018 wellbeing is a central part of travel, and the UK is catapulting into the industry with options for every occasion. Here, the Good Hotel Guide gives 10 of the best spa hotels for 2018…
Cliveden House, Berkshire
Expensive, but worth every penny, that’s the best way to describe Cliveden House. The history-rich Italianate mansion on the River Thames is all about beauty at every turn. Home of 350 years of power, politics and parties, the spectacular house and hotel is all about luxury, including their five star spa which has had its own makeover this year. The Walled Garden Spa is home to the very pool that sparked the notorious Profumo affair and is a Mecca of bubbling outdoor hot tubs, while treatments use the estate’s own product line and treatments have their own story, named for prominent women of its history including Anna-Maria, for whom Cliveden was originally built as well as perhaps the House’s most famous resident, Nancy Astor.
Congham Hall, Norfolk
Run around the herb gardens, watch the horses in the parkland, lounge in the library or read a book under the trees - Congham Hall is a 26 bedroom hotel with a luxury spa and excellent food all within its repertoire. Tennis and croquet are amongst the activities, and there’s even a 14ft trampoline, while The Secret Garden Spa in honour of the hotel’s famous herb garden, incorporating some of the seasonal herbs and fresh blossoming flowers into their own signature treatments.
Seaham Hall, Co. Durham
Once home to Lord Byron and Anne Isabella Milbanke, Seaham Hall stars contemporary design alongside a historic sense of gravitas and timeless style. The spa is a valuable part of the experience, where every detail is taken into consideration in a catalogue of facilities, and therapies are delivered with expertise using a combination of Ytsara, Ishga and Sundari products.
St Brides Spa Hotel
High above Carmarthen Bay, St Brides Spa Hotel is modern, relaxed and sits on the coastal path with spectacular views of the harbour. The location really is awe-inspiring, highlighting just how delightful the Welsh coast is for a mini-break, and enhanced by the added luxury of the spa experience. The beauty outside is reflected in the spa, which enjoys full height windows and dual treatment rooms, an infinity edge hydro pool and invigorating thermal bathing spa experience.
The Scarlet, Cornwall
A perennial favourite for the Guide and indeed all spa lovers, this eco-friendly, low-tech hotel and spa is famed for its style, its service and its spa. The location is spectacular, as is the nature of Cornwall and its rugged vistas overlooking Mawgan Porth Bay. The spa itself is the sort of place people travel miles to visit. With its luxury tented treatment rooms lit by lanterns, quiet contemplative silence, and holistic wellbeing combining the wisdom of Ayurveda with a distinct Cornish twist. Using the Pai skincare line, their treatments are unique and individual. Eco has never felt so good.
Lime Wood, Hampshire
Stunning, super-hip and utterly serene, that’s what you think about when you think about Lime Wood. The New Forest hotel is sophisticated, rustic and stylish all at once; a Regency townhouse that welcomes children and couples alike and, unlike many places, gets both variants absolutely right. The food is superb thanks to chefs Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder, the grounds are spectacular, and of course, the spa is a very special experience too. The Herb House Spa is dedicated to natural well-being and inspired by its forest surroundings. Amongst the facilities are a massive sauna and indoor hydro pool with forest views, a mud house, a steaming outdoor hot pool, eight spacious single treatment rooms using products from Bamford, VOYA, Tri-Dosha, Pai and Bamford Grooming Department.
The Cary Arms, Babbacombe
Step out of your yacht and onto the private jetty at Lana de Savary’s cliff-face hotel, on a secluded cove; the rest of us will descend the winding road and admire the wide vista over the Teign estuary. The Cary Arms is contemporary in style, seasidey in location and welcoming in demeanour. The glass faceted sea-facing spa takes full advantage of its location and has a waterfall hydrotherapy pool, relaxation area, steam room, sauna, exotic experience shower, gym, three treatment rooms and offers Thalgo treatments that harness the riches of the sea.
Park House, Sussex
The day is one long round of pleasure at this luxurious but unstuffy Edwardian country house beneath the South Downs, where classic lawn sports and garden games make jolly the gorgeous, well-maintained grounds. The spa itself is classy, contemporary and decadent with a 15 metre mother-of-pearl indoor swimming pool with marble entry shower, a Jacuzzi, four treatments and an abundance of herbal teas.
Dormy House, Worcestershire
The epitome of farmhouse chic in the Cotswolds, Dormy House is a rural retreat with cosy corners, log fires and sumptuous interiors. Alongside the beautiful rooms and superb food, The House Spa has been winning awards since the day it opened with an indoor/outdoor blend of soothing therapies, a serene pool and terrace hot tub, and Scandi-style thermal suite.
Longueville Manor, Jersey
A five star luxury hotel in Jersey, Longueville Manor is part of the Relais & Châteaux collection. It is where exceptional service meets an 18 acre estate complete with magical woodland walks and an attractive ornamental lake. Alongside the cycling, sailing and surfing available, The Cottage Garden boutique spa with its secluded garden and hot tub complements the setting, as does the outdoor pool with its relaxed atmosphere and alfresco terrace. They also offer treatments using the beautiful REN Skincare product line or natural oils handcrafted by Jersey cosmetic brand Manomara.
From a selection of spa hotels from the Good Hotel Guide.
