Best UK Spa Hotels | The Hotel Guru

At the Hotel Guru we’re not great spa devotees — we look for character in a hotel before anything else — but we’re always delighted to find a great spa which blends with a hotel’s character, rather than detracting from the atmosphere. And that’s what we looked for most when choosing our recommendations for the 20 Best UK Spa Hotels. These spa hotels are the ones which stand out for us: with soothing environments, quality treatments, and charming, highly trained staff. Mmmm…. Do you feel more relaxed already?

For a complete escape

Set on forty acres of its own patch of beautiful, rural Cumbria, the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is a sort of meeting of a country house hotel and an ultra-modern spa hotel, with a choice of either traditional, or cutting edge decor in your room. Your room will be one of 31, including suites and private ‘cottage’ escapes — which have their own private hot tubs. There’s a picturesque lake in the grounds, overlooked by some of the spa treatment rooms, and there’s also a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The Bodysgallen Hall in Conwy dates from the 13th century, but the & Spa bit, along with the 16 charming self-catering cottages in the grounds, is more recent. The gardens are historically wonderful, and some of the 15 bedrooms in the main house have fantastic heritage details. As well as the highly recommended spa and restaurant onsite, this hotel is very convenient for visiting other historic castles and playing golf.

For all out luxury

You’d be hard pressed to find a spa hotel with credentials as impressive as Bath’s The Royal Crescent Hotel; this is where the Romans came for their spa baths, and that’s quite a recommendation. And the Royal Crescent is one of the most prestigious addresses in Bath. This is a five star hotel with all the trimmings, including a collection of beautiful antiques, four-poster beds and marble bathrooms, plus a hair dresser and beauty salon. The hotel’s Dower House Restaurant has won a slew of awards too.

The Most Romantic Spa Hotels

Swinton Park Hotel looks like a castle, complete with ivy-clad towers and crenelated battlements, and 250 acres of sweeping parkland to survey. And it promises luxury. From the grand entrance, through the elaborate dining room, to the huge, contemporary spa, with its indoor and outdoor pools, thermal experiences, saunas and heated loungers. As well as the spa and a choice of restaurants, Swinton Park Hotel offers fishing, golf, pony trekking, cooking classes, falconry displays and some pretty fancy afternoon teas. So, even though you’re close to the glorious Yorkshire Dales, there’s still no need to leave the hotel.
Within easy reach of London, just five minutes off the M25, the Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa is a country house hotel with a stunning spa, and all the makings of a romantic mini-break. There are just 38 rooms and suites, all of them spacious and elegant, with contemporary decor and large, marble bathrooms. There are two restaurants, and a 24 hour room service menu, and the Utopia spa has won plenty of awards for its pampering options, which include indoor spa pools, a hot tub, sauna, steam room, lap pool and a Japanese-underwater-massage-bed-pool

Spa Hotel City Breaks

York’s Middlethorpe Hall & Spa is only about a mile from the centre of York, yet this 18th century William and Mary country house, set in 20 of its own acres, feels like a real escape. So it’s idea for a relaxing city break. There are only 29 rooms, suites and cottages, decorated with antiques, oil paintings and pastel country-print fabrics. The panelled dining room is quite a fine restaurant, and the spa is surprisingly large and varied for a hotel this size.

For a coastal spa break

Architecturally wonderful, Cornwall's The Scarlet sits atop a cliff, just below Bedruthan Steps, overlooking Mawgan North Beach. Aside from its views, the Scarlet’s Ayuvedic spa is one of its main appeals; the facilities are excellent, really incorporating the powers of the ocean right next door. There are just 37 rooms and suites, decorated with the design-led style that imagined the whole project, and there’s a superb restaurant.
The Dart Marina Hotel is right on Dartmouth’s buzzing river harbour, with great views of the water and all the comings and goings on it, both from the 49 rooms and suites and from the spa and the elegant restaurant. As well as the rooms in the hotel there are self-catering apartments you can rent, which are ideal for families, and there are designated family-friendly hours in the excellent pool. The spa menu is impressive, plus there’s a sauna and steam room.

Family friendly spa hotels

Chewton Glen in the New Forest, is often mentioned on lists of the UK’s best country house hotels, but it’s got a spa worth mentioning too — both expansive and beautiful. The main house is handsome, but as well as rooms and suites there, Chewton Glen also has treehouse rooms and villas (some with private hot tubs), with views over a scenic valley, which takes the number of rooms up to 72. There are 130 acres of parkland surrounding you here, some of which has been turned into a golf course, tennis courts and croquet lawns. There’s an excellent restaurant, and lots to do for the little ones too, including a kids club.
You probably know of it because of its championship golf courses, but Gleneagles, the Grand Dame of Scottish luxury hotels, has a top notch ESPA spa as well. But it doesn’t stop there, this is where you’ll find Scotland’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant — as well as three other excellent dining options, an equestrian school, a falconry centre, clay pigeon shooting, tennis courts and lessons, shooting, fishing opportunities and more! It’s big, 206 rooms and suites big, with a very good range of decoration styles, and the views are incredible.

Spa Escapes from London

Stoke Park is a gorgeous Palladian mansion turned luxurious country house hotel located in leafy Buckinghamshire. It looks something along the lines of a mini-White House, and has all the bells and whistles, including indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a championship golf course, a choice of two restaurants and an impressive spa. There are 49 rooms, dressed in a variety of styles — but all chic and luxurious, and the facilities are generous for the number of rooms.
The Pennyhill Park Hotel & The Spa is both beautiful and luxurious: a creeper-clad, 19th century country house hotel, set in 123 acres of picturesque Surrey landscape, with an award-winning spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant. And it’s only about half an hour drive from Heathrow, or 45 minutes from central London. There are 123 rooms and suites, dressed with contemporary style, plus a golf course, tennis courts, croquet lawns, archery alley, two restaurants and The Spa — with its eight indoor and outdoor pools and Canadian hot tubs, and a myriad of treatment options.

Country House Spa Breaks

Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa has the elegant facade of a Georgian manor house, which is what it was built to be, surrounded by 37 acres of parkland on the Country Durham coast. This was home to the third Marquess of Londonderry, where Lord Byron got married. Today’s Seaham Hall would probably be almost unrecognisable to Bryon inside, with its modern art, contemporary chandeliers, and lots of purple. There are just 22 rooms and suites, all of them very generously proportioned. And there’s a choice of two restaurants, one fine dining, and one Thai. The Asian theme continues into the spa too, which is a vast 44,000 square feet, with 17 treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs and more. Some of the rooms have hot tubs too.
A five star country escape just outside Newbury in Berkshire, The Vineyard at Stockcross offers the perfect backdrop to really treat yourself. Its award-winning spa offers excellent facilities, and a range of treatments. And the food and wine are something else — the cellar is 30,000 strong. There are 49 rooms and suites, the largest of which are palatial.
Ockenden Manor is an historic manor house surrounded by tranquil grounds, about an hour from London, in West Sussex. This is a country house hotel for people who appreciate uneven floorboards and lead-lined windows, but also Michelin-starred dining and impressive spa facilities which include both indoor and outdoor pools in its state-of-the-art wing, hidden behind the original facade.

Great Value Spa Hotels

Converted from a bishop’s palace, built in 1876, the Culloden Estate and Spa sits splendidly pretty on 12 acres of its own gardens and woodland, overlooking Belfast Lough and the Antrim Coast. This is the sort of place where the service is a real pleasure; even though it has 105 rooms and suites, you’ll still feel valued and cosseted. The decor is traditional, but not unstylish, and the best rooms have incredible views. The spa is very popular, with a number of treatment rooms and areas, and there’s plenty of pampering and relaxing treatments to enjoy. There are several onsite restaurants, one of them is reputably one of Northern Ireland’s best.
The Goodwood Hotel is a fantastically converted escape on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, with two golf courses, a choice of restaurants, and a huge spa and health club. The rooms are large too, the largest with sitting rooms and patio terraces, as well as smart decor.
The Lake Country House occupies a 19th century mock-Tudor mansion surrounded by 50 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland near Builth Wells. Its 30 rooms and suites are stylishly decorated, with plenty of variety if you’re fussy about colours and styles yourself. There’s a dignified dining room, serving award-winning food, and an impressive spa menu.
Ilsington Country House is perfectly positioned for rugged views, perched on a hill overlooking a rugged, windswept patch of Dartmoor. And they’ve even made an effort to make the inside as much of a contrast as possible; cosy and luxurious. The 25 rooms and suites are decorated in soft colours and tartan fabrics, and there’s an excellent restaurant specialising in local produce. The spa offers the next level in cosy, luxurious respite.

Still not sure where to book?

You might want to refine your search to just the best spa hotels in the New Forest if you’re looking for a break from London…
or, if you fancy a beach spa break you could check out or recommendations for the best spa hotels in Devon or the best spa hotels in Dorset
If you’re looking for a rural escape could could consider the best spa hotels in the Lake District the best spa hotels in the Yorkshire Dales or the best spa hotels in the Peak District
And if you’re looking for a real change of scene try our list of the best spa hotels in Norfolk
Alteratively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

UK's 20 Best Spa Hotels

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

Windermere

A luxurious and relaxing modern country-house hotel with a choice of traditional or cutting-edge rooms, many with hot-tubs. Michelin-starred dining, woodland spa plus flawless service. Set in 40 acres of stunning surroundings with a picturesque lake and lots of activities to offer nearby.

Romantic Break - Six of the incredible suites come with their own private gardens and cedarwood hot tubs, ideal for a romantic getaway!
Country Escape - 20-acre gardens filled with magnolia, cherry blossoms and copper beech, not to mention the stunning private lake
Foodies - Michelin starred SOURCE restaurant is run by head chef Ollie Bridgwater formerly of Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck
Fishing - Fishing can be organised on site, either on the private lake or a day trip to somewhere nearby

from AU$420 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

UK's 20 Best Spa Hotels

For a complete escape

For all out luxury

The Most Romantic Spa Hotels

Spa Hotel City Breaks

For a coastal spa break

Family friendly spa hotels

Spa Escapes from London

Country House Spa Breaks

Great Value Spa Hotels

Still not sure where to book?

UK's 20 Best Spa Hotels

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