The sun is out and spring is finally in its full glory over the British Isles and there is no time like now for weekends away. Why not treat yourself to a luxury spa and prime and polish for the beach days ahead? Here are our top ten spa destinations in Britain.
The Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Lake Windemere, The Lake District
A Relais & Châteaux hotel with two luxury country houses in the Lake District, the Gilpin Hotel and Lake House is a family run hotel with bags of style, charm and luxury.
The Jetty (Lake House Spa) is set on a stunningly beautiful four-acre private lake. Designed with couples in mind, the Swedish style spa treatment room has been built to blend with the environment, raised 3 metres into the tree canopy, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake. Treatments here use combinations of oils hand-blended by staff.
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Bath
Set upon 500 acres of listed parkland and beautiful gardens, the 17th century Palladian mansion Lucknam Park emanates traditional elegance and style and offers offers unspoilt country house living and five-star luxury at its very best.
Thermal cabins. A saltwater plunge pool. A herb garden. Yes, indeed, a herb garden where herbs for treatments are sourced. And as if these unique touches weren’t enough, there is also a Wellbeing House offering a wide range of alternative therapies, including Haslauer Sunlight Therapy sessions and dry flotation.
Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa, New Forest
A luxury country house hotel and spa set in 130 acres of Hampshire countryside on the edge of the New Forest National Park, and just a few minutes' walk from the sea, Chewton Glen is one of the finest luxury hotels in the UK. Not only has the hotel has been voted 'Best Hotel for Service in the UK' and listed as one of the 'World's Best Hotels' by Conde Nast Traveller readers in 2012 but the spa is pretty well-decorated too as the winner of Best Wellness Spa UK at Spa Traveler Awards 2013 and as Best Regional Spa - South East at the Good Spa Guide Awards 2013.
The luxury health spa at Chewton Glen hotel embodies the unique purity of a New Forest and coastal location. With ten treatment rooms, hydrotherapy spa pool with hi-tech therapy options, aromatherapy saunas and crystal steam rooms, it offers a wide range of options and treatments. The 60-minute Ananda facial, created by ila-spa and voted the 'number one' treatment in Organic Spa Magazines 'Top Ten Natural and Organic Facial' is a must.
Rockliffe Hall, Darlington, County Durham
A ‘five-star home from home’ – as the tagline reads – this luxury country house hotel has an interesting past - it was once the home of the founders of Barclay's Bank before being purchased by Middlesbrough Football Club, who train within the grounds.
Located on the banks of the River Tees outside the village of Hurworth, in the picturesque County Durham countryside, Rockliffe Hall is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy ultimate luxury. A proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Rockliffe Hall offers 61 luxury guest bedrooms, three bespoke restaurants, an award-winning spa and championship 18 hole golf course.
The 50,000 square feet spa offers treatments by Murad and Comfort Zone. And you can always laze around in the 20-metre pool while spa butlers keep you refreshed with champagne and freshly squeezed juices.
The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath
Discreetly located in the centre of the world’s most famous crescent, Bath’s Royal Crescent luxury hotel and spa offers visitors the opportunity to experience the grace and elegance of Georgian grandeur. Housed within a former coach house, the Royal Crescent Hotel's spa treatments are inspired by the natural elements of earth, air, fire and water, its fine architecture enhanced by the use of natural woods, bamboo, pebbles and slate.
With an extensive range of therapies using world renowned product ranges we are able to soothe mind, body and spirit, the spa offers a diverse menu including cryotherapie facials from Anne Semonin alongside Watsu water-based treatments and detoxifying mud wraps from Comfort Zone.
The Scarlet Hotel, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
A ‘grown-ups only’ hotel, The Scarlet Hotel is Cornwall’s escape for adults and your chance to recharge your batteries and get away from it all, and this is where the spa is essential. With traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with a Cornish twist, luxury tented treatment rooms lit by lanterns and its far-reaching views over Mawgan Porth Beach to the wild Atlantic beyond, the Scarlet Spa is essentially a quiet, contemplative, almost spiritual place.
Outside, a cliff top hot tub invites you to stargaze or storm watch, and our natural chemical-free pool, cleaned by reeds, beckons you into the water. And indoors you can relax post-treatment in cocoon-like pods swinging from the ceiling where you can truly drift away.
St Ives Harbour Hotel and Spa, St Ives, Cornwall
Directly above Porthminster beach, a position which gives stunning views across the water, the 46-room St Ives Harbour Hotel and Spa is the ultimate for those seeking relaxation by the seaside whether it is watching the waves lap against the famous Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance or exploring the local harbour or treating yourself to a day at the hotel’s Harbour Spa.
Harbour Spa is regarded as one of the best in Cornwall, offering a range of bespoke treatments by brands such as ESPA. It will provide the perfect hideaway, as you indulge in a soothing treatment and then unwind by the pool, gazing out to sea from the comfort of a deeply relaxing and luxurious Spa.
The Culloden Estate and Spa, Northern Ireland
Welcome to the Hollywood Hills, only this one is in Northern Ireland. Culloden Estate and Spa perched high on the slopes of the Hollywood Hills, overlooking Belfast Lough and the County Antrim Coastline. Originally built as an official palace for the Bishops of Down, the Culloden stands in 12 acres of beautiful secluded gardens and woodland. Palatial surroundings, fine antiques and the highest levels of personal service combine to give the Culloden a unique air of elegance.
Culloden Estate is also home to Northern Ireland’s premier sanctuary for both body and mind. Here you will find an oasis of tranquility where the ancient rituals of many cultures are fused with modern holistic remedies. This luxurious Spa, which offers the ESPA range of products and therapies, has eight treatment suites, two pre and post treatment relaxation rooms, Zest Juice Bar, lounge area and access to all the other facilities of the Health Club.
Blythswood Square, Glasgow
An award winning 5 star spa hotel in Glasgow, with 100 guest rooms including individual suites and a magnificent penthouse, Blythswood Square is a premier spa hotel in the Glasgow city centre.
The 10,000 square feet spa incorporates 9 luxury treatment rooms plus a tepidarium, rhassoul mud chamber, laconium heat room and an ice fountain as well as two relaxation pools, a relaxing lounge and café area plus several additional relaxation areas. With wellness as the key focus, the spa offers a range of treatments with a distinctly Scottish feel alongside a wide range of facials and body treatments from Ila, Elemis and Anne Semonin.
Four Seasons Park Lane, London
Its prestigious Park Lane address aside, what makes Four Seasons a luxury gem is its rooftop spa, located on the hotel's 10th floor, home to nine treatment rooms, all with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Treatments on offer includes facials from Omorovicza, ESPA and Vaishaly and body treatments designed to detoxify, re-sculpt and de-stress. The Green Coffee and Chilli Re-sculpting Treatment is a fabulous winter warmer.
