Review – We Check in to Ffolkes Spa in Norfolk, UK

A newly built boutique spa near King’s Lynn in Norfolk, Ffolkes Spa takes everything you thought you knew about spa-ing and turns it on its head…

Opened in early September 2025, Ffolkes Spa is the newest addition to the Ffolkes Hotel in Norfolk. A 300-year-old coaching inn in west Norfolk, it’s round the corner from the Royals at the Sandringham Estate and has been transformed by entrepreneur couple Iain and Clair Wilson into a vibrant destination with boldly decorated bedrooms, home-cooked food, a standout spa and an eclectic, laid-back vibe. There are 22 rooms to choose from, including three standalone Spa Cabins with private hot tubs, saunas and glorious countryside views.

To Stay

Nothing about a stay at Ffolkes could be called understated. It’s fun and unpretentious; each room has a bright, bold design with a raft of unique little touches; we especially liked the dartboards. Take the Hayloft, which has a private rooftop terrace and double drench showers, as well as a William Holland hot tub. The Spa Loft has an ingenious bathtub cinema featuring two enormous tubs (complete with Matey bubble bath, popcorn and giant rubber ducks!) and a smart TV, for the ultimate R&R. Sixteen of the 22 rooms include spa access as part of the stay and every night includes an Unlimited Brunch Feast.

The Spa

It’s a spa, but not as you know it. Ffolkes Spa’s tagline is ‘you’ve never spa’d like this before’ and we couldn’t have put it better. Think Ibiza vibes, disco balls suspended from the ceilings and a giant hot tub with a swim-up cocktail bar. This adults-only spa is vibrant, playful and built for socialising. There’s a great selection of drinks – all reasonably priced – and no hushed whispers or tiptoeing around (on the lower ground at least). Ffolkes is a self-styled House of Fun.

In the social ‘Ibiza Zone’ there are a wall of foot spas, Ibiza cabanas with heated loungers and the must-try ‘disco toilet’. It needs to be experienced to be believed! There are 12 thermal experiences on the indoor-outdoor ground floor, including the giant hot tub, a global sauna, herbal sauna, salt sauna and Aroma and Salt steam rooms, plus a cold plunge pool. The deliciously scented free salt scrubs outside the steam rooms are a nice added extra. It’s the perfect environment for lounging, chatting with friends and soaking up the buzz.

Contrast therapy is a big thing at Ffolkes and the large Global Sauna plays host to regular Aufguss rituals led by qualified sauna masters.

Upstairs, Ffolkes has a considerably more zen vibe. The lounge area has comfy hanging chairs while the cocoon-like relaxation room has water beds, ideal for coming back to earth post-treatment. The soon-to-open Softplay area will be – as the name suggests – adult soft play, with big cosy lounge areas overlooking the lower level.

Treatments are exclusively by Temple Spa and cost £80 for 45 minutes. There’s a refreshingly simple menu, with two massages, two facials and two body treatments to choose from. My Back, Neck and Shoulder massage included an acupressure head massage which is a must try, melting away tension. The pineapple sorbet served in the relaxation room after each treatment is a lovely touch.

To Eat

Aside from the spa, the vibrant pub serves hearty meals as well as evening street food from guest traders. The Afternoon Street Tea is not to be missed; the Bao buns alone are worth the drive, as are the dark chocolate and banana domes! Every half-day spa booking includes a Ffolkes feast in the pub, which could be an unlimited brunch, the Street Tea or a pie feast plus bottomless puds, depending on your session time.

Prices begin at £65 per person for a three-hour Twilight Spa session. It’s £99 per person for a half day spa. Uniquely, Ffolkes also has a refreshing take on check in and check out times – overnight stays run from 12pm on the day you arrive until 12pm when you check out, with unlimited spa access.