12 Heavenly British Spa Hotels For Total Relaxation And Rejuvenation
A stay at a luxurious and expert spa hotel makes for the ultimate restorative getaway. Here, KATIE BERRINGTON chooses 12 of Britain’s best hotels with phenomenal spas, from majestic city sanctums to resplendent rural estates
Gleneagles, Perthshire, Scotland
In the heart of Perthshire, the historic Gleneagles estate celebrates the magnificent natural beauty of this part of the world. Establishing itself as a masterful wellness destination in recent years, the new spa space boasts an innovative array of treatments that take inspiration and infusion from botanicals found in the Scottish landscape. The relaxation and fitness spaces are similarly inspired by its restorative locale.
Beaverbrook, Surrey
The kaleidoscopic jewel in the crown of resplendent country manor Beaverbrook is the Coach House Spa. Flooded with iridescent light via vibrant stained-glass ceilings and rich-hued tiles, designed by contemporary artist Brian Clarke, it is a feast for the eyes, as well as an enveloping sanctuary. In addition to its regular treatment program, special spa days welcome visiting experts, from certified Wim Hoff Method instructors to abdominal therapist Amanda Porter. A nature-based spa, it has a newly launched outdoor treatment space called The Meadow Hut – and the outdoor chequerboard-floor swimming pool is perfect for a leisurely dip, with a beautifully bucolic view of the Surrey Hills.
Guerlain Spa at Raffles, London
A thrilling new destination for London, The OWO boasts Raffles’ first London hotel – which, in turn, boasts the Guerlain Spa, now one of the largest luxury hotel spas in the British capital. In addition to a 20-meter swimming pool beneath a soaring double-height ceiling, the spa includes stunning treatment rooms, a thermal spa suite, an expansive gym and yoga studio and a health bar, courtesy of Pillar Wellbeing.
Four Seasons Park Lane, London
Panoramic London views are a USP of the spa at the Four Seasons Park Lane property; visitors can soak up the city’s iconic landmarks during rejuvenating treatments and workouts in the gym from the sky-high vantage point and floor-to-ceiling windows. Highlights of the menu include immersive sound-bath sessions and deep-sleep-inducing lavender massages.
Lime Wood, Hampshire
Wild ponies roam around the dramatic lead up to Lime Wood, near the charming town of Lyndhurst in the New Forest National Park. Celebrating the spoils of its forest surroundings, the Herb House Spa is sprawled across three storeys and includes floor-to-ceiling windows to bring the outside in. Facilities include an impressive sauna and indoor hydro pools, a mud house, an outdoor pool and a state-of-the-art rooftop gym – plus, bespoke treatments from beauty-industry greats like Sarah Chapman and a program of wellness retreats.
The Newt, Somerset
Created on the magnificent, 1,000-acre estate around Hadspen House in Bruton, The Newt is renowned for its sublime village-within-a-village vibes. Acres of wild woods, manicured gardens, farmland, orchards and a Medieval-inspired herb garden make the grounds a perfect place to get lost in – with the last in the list providing ingredients for its herbal treatments and therapies. It’s difficult to pick a favorite spot, but the spa – where, beneath a beamed ceiling, guests will find the swimming pool (which flows to the outdoors), relaxation beds, a fire pit, steam room, sauna and hammam – might just be the most wonderful place in which to unwind.
Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire
Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, Grantley Hall is a gloriously rural riverside bolthole, with five restaurants (including Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall) and three bars catering to its guests. But the true indulgence of the 17th-century mansion comes at the Three Graces Spa, which is centered by a dramatic colonnaded swimming pool, along with hydrotherapy pool, sauna and snow rooms.
Babington House, Somerset
The birthplace of the Cowshed brand (in a former cowshed) resides in Soho House’s Somerset stalwart, Babington House. Its treatment menu spans Cowshed face and body treatments, as well as CBD massages and cryotherapy, and the spa itself looks out over the Victorian walled garden of the 18th-century property. The indoor and outdoor infinity pools (above the lake) are flanked by loungers in Soho House’s signature stripes.
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
An exquisitely restored Georgian house in Hampshire, Heckfield Place has become a beloved countryside bolthole that is set in the heart of walled gardens, lakes and woodland. The gorgeous Bothy by Wildsmith spa brings nature’s healing powers to its guests, with a focus on connection to the environment. The curated treatment menu gives a tailored approach to each guest, including massage, facials, meditation and movement, as well as osteopathy, reiki and more.
Claridge’s, London
The legendary Mayfair hotel Claridge’s is home to a majestic spa space, designed by André Fu, bringing total tranquility to its bustling central-London location. A striking, columned swimming pool sits in its heart, surrounded by steam rooms, saunas and treatment rooms – with its wellness ethos combining ancient Japanese healing rituals with state-of-the-art technology and innovative techniques. A world-renowned lineup of resident brands serve guests here, including Augustinus Bader, FaceGym and Josh Wood.
Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
A mile-long avenue lined with lime and beech trees leads the way to the Palladian mansion that is Lucknam Park. An array of elegantly appointed rooms, suites and cottages comprise the accommodation here, and the culinary offering includes the Michelin-starred Restaurant Hywel Jones. Amid walled gardens and manicured lawns, the spa has a stunning indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool overlooking the arboretum, thermal cabins, a relaxation room and a social lounge with a skincare mixology bar. The extensive menu includes specialist treatments from 111SKIN, as well as local brands. There is also an equestrian center on site, and guests can book a Saddle and Spa experience to combine exploration and relaxation.
Chewton Glen, Hampshire
Beguilingly beautiful Chewton Glen is renowned for its elegant accommodation – from enchanting rooms and suites to the state-of-the-art treehouses that are perched within its New Forest National Park setting. The spa here doesn’t rest on its award-winning laurels, though; the enriching wellness experiences are innovative – recent additions include a new sleep treatment, in partnership with CBD brand OTO (which can be enjoyed as part of the hotel’s Suite Dreams package), and a returning spa day for those at any stage of the menopause.