Relax in style and comfort at these 8 great hotels where your wellbeing is king (or queen). All of them hand-picked and resplendent with saunas, spas, and all the pampering under the (sorely missed) sun, as an antidote to the darkness, snow and cold.
When everything outside is frosted over, and you feel the cold even under your coat, gloves and scarf, the longing for cosiness, warmth, hot baths, saunas and massages, etc. is keenly felt. But even managing 5 minutes alone time can feel impossible when you’re up against working, studying, social events; you know, life. You need a spa break. That’s why there’s a wealth of hotels dedicated to helping you get the wellness you need. Offering you private spaces, a wide range of facilities, and the ambience you need to indulge, let go of all that tension, and really spoil yourself.
In these wellness hotels, you will find amazing spas where you can find everything you need to recharge you and bring you back to yourself. Here you can swim, eat well, have the stress massaged out of you and simply breathe. And if you still want to hit the treadmill, lift a few weights, do some Pilates or a session with a personal trainer? That poses no problem.
Contrary to popular belief: Wellness hotels are not isolated and only found in the countryside. Many inner city hotels now offer excellent spa facilities, meaning you can combine a city break with a holiday on which to truly relax yourself.
1) The Spa Hotel England
Tunbridge Wells is a charming and historic town. Located a short distance outside of London, it is a perfect stopgap between the city and the sea and can be easily reached by train, car (cheap enough to hire for a day or two), or for the full fitness getaway, by bike.
Tunbridge Wells was originally built where a spring welled up from the ground, so it makes perfect sense that the gorgeous Spa Hotel England was built here. As well as the full array of spa activities you’d expect – spa treatment rooms, swimming pool, sauna and leisure centre, etc. – the Spa Hotel is located on 14 acres of gardens and parkland.
2) Grand Hôtel des Thermes France
To treat your body luxuriously, you may want to try staying in luxury. The Grand Hôtel des Thermes overlooks the stunning Saint-Malo beach in Brittany, France. Operating since 1883, this imposing structure looks as impressive as it does elegant. Long associated with grandeur and extravagance the spa facilities are tailor-made to suit you. Alone, with friends or as a couple this hotel’s 5-star rating applies as much to the spa as to the rooms, restaurant and other lush amenities.
✈26th – 5th March flight from to London to Rennes from £220
3) Thainstone House Scotland
Thainstone House offers a full range of treatments and day spa options, but it’s the spa breaks that really draw the attention. Combining warm-hearted Scottish hospitality with world-class amenities, Thainstone House is a restored, 18th-century landmark located in the countryside just outside of Aberdeen yet an easy trip from both the airport and the train station.
Mixing an outdoor hot tub, hydrotherapy pool, and everything else your tired limbs could desire with incredible cuisine, an elegant bar and some of the best beds around, you can see why Thainstone House’s motto is “QUOD PETIS HIC EST” – “What you seek is here”.
4) GPRO Valparaiso Palace & Spa Mallorca
Palma Mallorca: Sun, sand AND spa? The reasons that so many Britons flock to this island are manifold and relaxation sits very close to the top of the list. So why not balance sunbathing on the beach with some internal sunshine? The GPRO Valparaiso Palace calls itself an Urban Resort, and is indeed an oasis in this life-filled city. The HSPA divides its services into three sections: Water, Wellness, & Treatments, and everything you could imagine is here; meditation and relaxation rooms; spas, pools, saunas and hot tubs; a gym, hairdresser and beauty product shop. To really make this experience special, check out the Ayurvedic and Oriental options and put the ‘treat’ in your treatments.
✈19th – 23rd Februray flight from to London to Palma de Mallorca from £54
✈16th – 21 Februray flight from to Manchester to Palma de Mallorca from £67
5) The Chelsea Harbour Hotel London
If you’re visiting the big smoke and want to combine a bit of me-time with some culture check in to the Chelsea Harbour Hotel, which houses the Blue Harbour Health Club and Spa. As well as the usual trappings, this spa includes six treatment rooms, integrated body and shoulder jets in the pool and even a hair salon.
Add this to a day that includes a West End show, a few choice museums or a shopping spree and life couldn’t get much more perfect. And Londoners, if you’re in serious need of some pampering, turn off your phone, grab a friend and check in for a holiday haven right here in your city.
6) St Michaels Hotel & Spa Falmouth
Cornwall is one of the most relaxing corners of Britain in which to get away from it all. At Falmouth’s St Michaels Hotel & Spa, you can profit from the refreshing sea air, the ‘Blue Flag’ beaches and a verdant sub-tropical garden. Not only that, with the full range of spa treatments available including a sauna, massages and a heated indoor pool, you’ll be reaching equilibrium
in less time than it takes to eat a pasty.
- Hire a car from Bristol starting at £7 a day
- Hire a car from London starting at £8 a day
- Hire a car from Cambridge from £12 a day
7) Doubletree Hilton Liverpool
Like a reflection of the city itself, the Doubletree Hilton is proud to combine its history with the lively, metropolitan spirit Liverpool is known for these days. Located smack-bang in the heart of Liverpool, the Doubletree is perfect for checking out the docks, wandering the Cavern Quarter and doing some top-class shopping. Oh, and for spending a day rejuvenating.
With a heated indoor swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room, all attended by highly trained therapists, make this city break a break for both your body and soul.
- Hire a car from London from £8 a day
- Hire a car from Cambridge from £12 a day
- Hire a car from Bristol from £8 a day
8) Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort
For centuries, people looking for inner peace have been coming to this part of England to get away from it all. Here in Wiltshire, you’ll be able to relax just down the road from Lacock Abbey, a place of reflection since the 13th century.
More recently, Samuel Taylor Coleridge found Caine a hospitable location in which to work on his writings. And now, it’s your turn. Play a round of golf, take a stroll round the abbey, relax at the spa, and treat yourself to a full range of body treatments. A day spent here is sure to be rejuvenating, refreshing and restorative.
Note: These rates are based on search queries made on KAYAK.co.uk on January 26th, 2017. The prices are quoted in GBP. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Car hire prices are base rate per day.
