The best spa hotels in the Lake District

Armathwaite Hall, which has stood on this site in one form or another since the 11th century, is set within 400 acres of gardens, a deer park and private woodland, and enjoys a view of Bassenthwaite Lake. The spa area is excellent, featuring an indoor pool, hot tub and thermal suite, while the outdoor infinity pool overlooks manicured gardens and really accentuates the sense of extravagance: one is welcome to relax in there with a glass of champagne. Beauty treatments are divine and use bespoke, locally sourced products, and afterwards, guests are tucked under blankets in the relaxation room for as long as they wish. Outside, there are woodland walks, a croquet lawn, helipad and tennis court.

With its superb position overlooking Derwentwater and the fells of Skiddaw and Catbells, this landmark hotel has moved into the 21st century with a swanky spa and an Asian dining option without losing the charm of its more traditional rooms, lounges and restaurant. The slate Victorian building, with its central tower and tall gables, has been much extended, with the new spa and suites in a striking lodge-style building. The spa impresses with its thermal suite, champagne bar and outdoor hydrotherapy pool, although it costs £25 to visit for four hours unless you’re staying in a suite.

Another Place takes its inspiration from popular Cornish sister hotel, Watergate Bay, and its epithet, ‘a ski resort on a beach’, aimed primarily at families and younger adults. The easy-to-live-with yet stylish and appealing décor, which features good local art on the wall, plus plentiful sofas, armchairs and spacious tables for eating or board games, perfectly embodies the Georgian origins of the building while appealing to a young, sporty clientele. Facilities include a superb 20-metre glass-fronted indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, gym and two spa treatment rooms, while watersports on offer are stand-up paddle-boarding, sailing (from the sailing school across the lake), kayaking and wild swimming.

A Lakeland landmark hotel, overlooking Lake Windermere, that has now expanded into a modern resort with watersports and a spa. As a ‘resort hotel’, it caters for guests whether they want to be indolent, active or have some family fun. The snazzy spa, with thermal experience, overlooks the lake (though there is a steep £50 entry fee unless you’ve booked a treatment) while the leisure centre (free) includes a gym, indoor and outdoor infinity pools, and an outdoor sauna. For relaxation, there are several lounge areas, plus grassy terrace, while staff are universally cheery, personable and ready to help.

Not many hotels can top off a relaxing spa treatment with an hour floating in a heated rooftop pool at night surrounded by the brooding outline of fells, the calls of owls and the moon above. But Brimstone isn’t like many other hotels; this modern, luxurious and seriously impressive place forms part of the picturesque Langdale Estate. From candlelit massages and a range of body treatments to the spa’s beautifully designed network of foot baths, ice showers, steam relaxation rooms and saunas, it’s a veritable haven for those who seek escape and pampering. And nothing beats that indoor/outdoor rooftop pool in the evening, especially when there’s a fresh cocktail waiting by your robe.

Also part of the Langdale Estate, The Langdale Hotel shares the spa at Brimstone. It makes the most of its natural setting by offering a range of indoor and outdoor experiences. Outside, guests can indulge in the hydrotherapy pool, Finnish sauna and a relaxation area beside the fire. Inside, drift around a series of ‘thermal experiences’ including lava sauna, salt steam room and ‘laconium’ dry heat room. The 10 treatment rooms offer massages, wraps, hot-stone treatments and facials using the spa’s own-brand natural products, Pure Alchemy, as well as Elemis.

After a hard day hiking on the fells, the Daffodil’s slinky, modern spa comes as a welcome treat. It’s minimal in style, with lots of sleek edges, brushed concrete, abstract art and monochrome tiles, and makes maximum use of mood lighting to set the soothing tone, from candle lanterns to fibre-optics. The centrepiece is a bubbly thermal pool that’s ideal for relaxing away any aches and pains, but there’s also a sauna, a steam room and a tepidarium (which is a bit like a sauna, but warm rather than hot). There are plenty of treatments on offer, including Mud Rasul – a Middle Eastern therapy that combines a mud pack, sauna and shower – and posh cleansing products courtesy of Germaine de Capuccini.

Espa fans will love this small number tucked away on the first floor of The Swan. Exotic treatments range from hot-stone massages and detoxifying algae mud wraps to intensive facials and Indian head massages. Afterwards, guests can chill-out in the super-stylish, river-view relaxation room. For the more active, there’s a ground-floor, breezy-blue pool with whirlpool tub, steam room and sauna, surrounded by colourful deckchairs and a small juice bar. You could spend all day pottering about here; when you’re not enjoying the spa, there are plenty of local walks and those that want to relax while watching activity in the nearby marina can enjoy a drink on the riverside terrace which overlooks it.

Life at the Gilpin is all about kicking back. In the Swedish-style Jetty Spa room, therapists offer aromatherapy treatments from a wooden cabin overlooking the water. Try a hot-stone massage in the early evening, as the mists roll in. Other treatments include a host of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. To top if off, a chauffeur is available from mid-morning to take you to the Lake House for your therapy. Fishing, shooting, horse-riding, mountain-biking, paintballing and treasure hunts can also be organised on-site. Summer sees the kitchen garden at the main hotel come alive, with afternoon tea and evening canapés taken outdoors. In winter? It’s all about the leather armchairs, roaring fires and books about the local area.

This is a place that upholds old-fashioned hotel standards and is well geared towards a weekend break, especially with its leisure centre, spa and treatment rooms. At the heart of the spa is an indoor pool with glorious views over the lake, as well as a whirlpool tub, steam room and sauna. It’s the only Aveda destination spa in England and offers treats ranging from a two-hour indulgence, including exfoliation, massage, and face and scalp ‘revival’, to customised facials and a 30-minute foot treatment designed to put the spring back in your step. There are heaps of corners in which to nod off over the papers, though most guests gravitate to the lakeside conservatory and terrace.