Please note our writers reviewed the following hotels prior to the coronavirus pandemic
Spas in England are now able to reopen, albeit with reduced treatment menus and new measures in place to limit the spread of Covid-19. In Northern Ireland spas were able to open from July 6; in Scotland they can reopen from July 22; and the Welsh Government is expected to announce reopening of spas imminently.
But even before the pandemic the spa-scape was contantly evolving. It wasn’t long ago that a spa meant a couple of pokey treatment rooms doing overpriced, mediocre massages and facials. The UK once lagged way behind the likes of Austria, Germany, Italy and Hungary – countries where spa-going is part of the culture, and a steam, sauna and cold dip (often in the nude, men and women alike) is the natural thing to do before a pre-dinner G&T. But as our insatiable interest in wellness, fitness and, increasingly, mindfulness continues to grow, so has the offering in spa hotels across the UK. We round up some of the UK’s best spa hotels we hope to see again very soon, from year-round rooftop spas in Yorkshire to the thermal spa waters of Bath.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Bath, Somerset, England
Thermal waters are the draw at The Gainsborough: its Spa Village has thermal pools, powerful massage jets, ice alcoves and thermal fountains. Other treatments normally include ‘freedom’ – controlled submerging with a therapist, which is liberating both mentally and physically – ginger exfoliation, and magnesium wraps (the mineral antidote for anxiety). Guests can take the waters in the privacy of their own rooms (the city’s famed natural healing thermal waters are drawn in the bathrooms) and guests booking the Bath Spa Suite can also enjoy spa products and gifts including a scented candle.
From
£
183
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Calcot & Spa
Tetbury, Cotswolds, England
The sprawling and spacious spa complements this extensive country house retreat with its relaxing treatment rooms, heated outdoor hot tub and indoor slate-lined pool (with separate swimming times for children) as well as large outdoor pool. Treatments usually include massages, facials, men’s grooming, manicures and pedicures and include Aromatherapy Associates, CACI and Skin Regimen – a new scientific, holistic approach to halting the skin’s ageing process. They will be reopening with a reduced menu, and the indoor pool won’t be open until July 25, but the outdoor pool is ready for a swim. On the first floor, a brand-new yoga studio will provide space for socially distanced classes.
From
£
229
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
Lake Windermere, Lake District, England
Set beside a wooded private lake, five swanky private spa suites offer cosseting boutique hotel luxury combined with stress-busting seclusion. In this perfect hideaway, each cedar-clad cabin is 6ft above ground for show-stopping views across the Lake District fells. There are log fires, state-of-the-art music systems and sitting rooms that convert into treatment rooms for massage à deux. Personal en-suite spas also boasts a steam room, sauna and hot tub. Guests staying at the Lake House can use the sauna, hot tubs and indoor pool via pre-bookable slots. There are also two very effective massage chairs to replace treatments.
From
£
255
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Cliveden
Taplow, Berkshire, England
There are country house hotels – and then there’s Cliveden. This National Trust property, dating back to the late 17th century and set among 376 verdant acres on the banks of the Thames in Berkshire, is truly something special. The outdoor pool – where the infamous Profumo Affair started – is a real boon in summer (and it reopened to staying guests on July 11). Inside, the spa includes an indoor pool (reopens July 25) and hot tub, an orangerie-style room for relaxing, and treatments. Massages, body treatments, manicures and pedicures will be available to book from July 25 for members and residents. Non-residents will be able to use the pools and book spa days and treatments from September 7.
From
£
500
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
The Gleneagles Hotel
Auchterarder, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Set in one of the Highlands’ prettiest locations, this spa is known for its crack team of practitioners who nudge you back into wellness via tailored diet, fitness and lifestyle programmes. The ESPA spa features top treatments and superstar therapists: a must is the two-hour Serenity Package, blending body and facial massage with shirodhara (warm oil drizzled over the forehead to relax and still the mind). Although there is no fixed date for reopening the spa as of yet (Scotland is awaiting government guidance), the hotel will be opening on July 15 so watch this space.
From
£
276
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Kimpton Blythswood Square
Glasgow, Scotland
You will find this modern, funky little spa deep below the hotel (oh-so quiet and away from it all) offering marvellous treatments, many of which are based around mineral-rich Scottish seaweed. Steam, swim or relax in a bath of fresh seaweed, flown in daily from the Hebrides. Treatments use Ila or Ishga Organic skincare, which makes its products using antioxidant-rich organic seaweed from the Isle of Lewis. There are lots of warm whirlpools and saunas and steam rooms to investigate, but so far no set reopening date as Scotland is awaiting further guidance. Guests can, however, book the hotel after July 15 when it plans to reopen.
From
£
98
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Galgorm Resort & Spa
Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Normally during Galgorm’s Celtic Sauna Ritual (spa circuit) there’s a choice of things to admire – from the picturesque grounds through the sauna window, to the staff wafting oil-infused steam around the room with a towel – while participants simply sit and inhale. But, although spas in Northern Ireland are allowed to reopen, the thermal areas are not. However, some packages are available which feature massage treatments, facilities and experiences. The hotel reopens on July 24.
From
£
185
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Edinburgh, Scotland
In the shadow of Edinburgh Castle but far enough from the glitz of George Street, the hotel is the epitome of 19th-century railway glamour – all chintzy carpets and chandeliers – while the Guerlain spa is Parisian pampering perfected. In normal times each treatment kicks off with a personalised ‘fragrance journey’ where guests choose their favourite Guerlain scent and then towels, foot-bath and body oil are drenched in it. But as there is no set date for spas in Scotland to officially reopen, their offering remains to be seen. The hotel is, however, gearing up to reopen on July 15.
From
£
179
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Dormy House
Broadway, Cotswolds, England
Sprawling over several floors, the Scandinavian-chic House Spa leads directly off the reception lobby, so you are in no doubt that it’s centre stage at this ‘reinvented rustic’ country house hotel. There are gyms for workouts, classes and personal training sessions and a thermal suite with a Cotswold lavender sauna and salt therapy room, plus a hot tub outside. Treatments are by Temple Spa and there’s a nail parlour and an infinity pool. The hotel reopens on July 20, and the spa on July 25.
From
£
269
per night
Rates provided by
Mr & Mrs Smith
Lime Wood
New Forest, Hampshire, England
This is the kind of place you go to feel pampered, and you won’t be disappointed. The sybaritic spa at this refined country house in the heart of the New Forest is encased in glass and surrounded by greenery. There’s an outdoor hot pool, indoor lap pool and hydrotherapy suite. Spa treatments are by Bamford, Voya, Pai, Tri-Dosha and Aromatherapy Associates. The Herb House spa will fully reopen on July 25.
From
£
395
per night
Rates provided by
Mr & Mrs Smith
Coworth Park
Ascot, Berkshire, England
The hotel’s innovative, environmentally friendly credentials are hidden behind a smoothly stylish interior and heralded by a vast and spectacular wildflower meadow. The curving, half-hidden spa has to be one of the most self-indulgent in the country, flooded with natural light and decorated with art and sculpture. It has eight treatment rooms, the Spatisserie serving light meals (and champagne, of course), a Technogym and a heated pool with underwater music. Though the spa, pool and gym are closed, outdoor wellness activities including pilates, walks, yoga, family fit camp and qi gong are available.
From
£
385
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Pennyhill Park
Bagshot, Surrey, England
There are eight indoor and outdoor pools at Pennyhill Park – one even has soothing underwater music. There are also several hot tubs, herbal saunas and steam rooms, plus myriad natural and organic treatments designed to detox, cleanse and relax. And the heated ceramic relaxation beds, shaped to the body’s contours, are almost impossible to leave. Though the spa is not fully open yet, they are offering manicures, pedicures and Rasul muddy spa treatments. Guests are also able to book some time on the tennis court and are invited to practice pilates and yoga on the lawns.
From
£
295
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
The Scarlet
Mawgan Porth, England
In the airy, multilevel, environmentally friendly Scarlet, the feeling is one of intense relaxation. Usually, the womblike spa specialises in Ayurvedic ‘journeys’, with tented treatment rooms and pods suspended in the dark for ‘deep relaxation’ and an all-glass sea-facing roof for ‘light relaxation’. Most of its spa features are in action: for instance, the reed-fringed, rock-strewn outdoor pool extends from the indoor one, punctuated by two bright scarlet wood-fired hot tubs perched between boulders overlooking the sea, but treatments aren’t yet available.
From
£
200
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Chewton Glen Hotel
New Forest, Hampshire, England
Combining old-school, classic elegance and impressive grandeur with a contemporary, holistic approach, Chewton Glen’s award-winning spa is said to have one of Europe’s largest hydrotherapy pools. There’s also an ozone-treated indoor pool lined with blue mosaic tiles and surrounded by Grecian columns (reopens July 25), plus an outdoor hot tub and swimming pool which are now open for residents. The spa is fully reopening in September but manicures and pedicures can be booked by residents and members from July 15, whereas massage and body treatments will be available from July 25.
From
£
325
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa
Cuckfield, West Sussex, England
The contemporary spa makes a startling contrast to the Elizabethan manor: an uncompromisingly modern building with a spectacular box-like exterior and an airy and natural interior. Facilities include an indoor/outdoor pool (reopens July 31), a hot tub, walk-through rain shower, steam room, sauna, gym, relaxation area, sundeck, and guest lounge which will reopen from July 27. Six knockout bedrooms open onto a roof garden with superb views.
From
£
189
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Rudding Park Hotel & Spa
Follifoot, Yorkshire, England
One of Harrogate’s health-giving natural springs feeds directly into Rudding Park’s award-winning rooftop spa and garden, which impresses with myriad facilities including herb-infused saunas and steam rooms, experience showers, and relaxation areas. The spa baths will be reopening to residents and members from July 13 but with a much-reduced offering: only the heated hydrotherapy infinity pool, relaxation areas and foot spas will be available. A reopening date for the thermal areas and treatments will follow soon.
From
£
248
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
At the time of writing, all hotels were either open or had a July opening date. Always check directly with the hotel before booking or travelling.