Spa & Romance – The Best Retreats in the UK for a Romantic Getaway
The day of love day is almost upon us and what better way to treat your beau than a romantic spa break. From blustery coastal retreats, to cosy countryside hideaways – here’s our edit of the most romantic spa hotels in the UK.
Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, Sussex
A ‘medieval’ retreat dreamt up by a 1920’s aristocrat, Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa brings you the 21st Century’s finest indulgences. Set in 30 acres of tranquil parkland and tucked away above Climping Beach, Bailiffscourt offers luxurious living, a stunning spa and fine dining in a romantic surround.
With thirty-nine luxurious bedrooms in a series of charming houses and cottages – including four-poster rooms with crackling log fires – Bailiffscourt is the ultimate cosy country escape.
Nestled close to the hotel, the spa offers a place of peace and tranquillity. A wide range of facilities are on offer including a stunning outdoor infinity swimming pool. The spa is often cited as one of the most beautiful in the south of England. You’ll find a wonderful choice of treatments designed to relax, de-stress, revitalise and restore. Highly skilled therapists ensure total care of your body, mind and spirit.
Midweek Escape From £305
Boringdon Hall & Gaia Spa, Plymouth
Perched high on a hill just 6 miles from the coastal city of Plymouth, a beautiful Elizabethan manor house steeped in history. Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth are among many esteemed guests that have graced Boringdon’s doors over the centuries.
The pièce de résistance of the lovingly restored manor house is its majestic Great Hall – with oak-panelled walls, statement chandeliers and a roaring stone fireplace complete with a King James I coat of arms.
Merged into the hillside and spanning 3 floors, the glorious award-winning Gaia Spa is a game-changing retreat. The contemporary design and decor embrace Boringdon’s idyllic surroundings, with natural hues, botanical greens and earthy tones creating a shoulder-dropping ambience.
A fabulous thermal circuit, with a crystal steam room and Finnish and herbal saunas, circles the sleek indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool. There’s also 12 candlelit treatment rooms, a hair & beauty salon and a wonderful Spatisserie serving light lunches, afternoon tea and Champagne with two outdoor dining areas offering panoramic views of the Devonshire countryside.
Frivolous Friday Spa Break From £289
Cliveden House Hotel & Spa, Berkshire
Steeped in a rich history, Cliveden House was originally built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham as a place for entertaining his friends and mistresses. When Cliveden was bought by the Waldorf-Astor family in the 1800s, its reputation as a party house continued and everyone from Winston Churchill to Charlie Chaplin are said to have graced its doors. Most famously, it was at Cliveden in 1961, where John Profumo met Christine Keeler. More recently, the Duchess Of Sussex chose Cliveden as her pre-wedding abode.
The Grade I stately home is set upon 376 acres of National Trust grounds and boasts opulent rooms and suites, a Michelin star restaurant and a brand new state of the art spa…
Hidden behind the brick walls of the garden and enveloped by tumbling scented roses and lavender, the spa at Cliveden is a tranquil oasis, offering a real sense of wellbeing and relaxation. The history of Cliveden has informed the treatments and products giving them a unique and original story. Facilities include seven treatment rooms, an indoor pool an infrared sauna and infused steam room and of course the famous ‘Profumo’ outdoor swimming pool.
Corinthia & ESPA Life, London
Rated among the city’s finest, Corinthia London combines grandeur and heritage with modern freshness. Featuring seven penthouses, two world-class restaurants and the award-winning ESPA Life at Corinthia the hotel is a destination in itself and minutes from the West End and the River Thames.
The Corinthia combines old school grandeur with contemporary design and impeccable service. Popular with A-listers, fashionistas and well-heeled couples and there are no set check-in and check-out times, offering romantic guests the ultimate flexibility.
Spread over four floors, ESPA Life at Corinthia features 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, a Margaret Dabbs London nail studio and a stunning Thermal Floor with an indoor swimming pool, vitality pool, amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, marble heated loungers and private sleep pods.
Stay Sunday, Spa Monday From £696
Lime Wood Hotel & Spa
Perched on the edge of the New Forest, just outside the pretty village of Lyndhurst is Lime Wood, a charming Regency house, scattered lodges, a top-notch eatery from Angela Hartnett and a state of the art spa set against an enchanting backdrop.
Lime Wood prides itself on being a different kind of luxury boutique hotel and it does indeed differentiate from its contemporaries. The décor is an eclectic fusion of modern art and bespoke antique furnishings set against the original period features of the house.
The Herb House Spa is set in a walled garden opposite the main house. State of the art facilities include indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pools, an aroma-steam room, a mud treatment room and a stunning sauna with magical woodland views. There’s also a swimming pool, a gym and a tranquil relaxation room serving a selection of herbal teas, fruit and juices. Therapies focus on the holistic and there’s an extensive range of treatments on offer from Bamford, VOYA, Tri-Dosha, Pai and Bamford Grooming Department, all of which share an ethos of authenticity and well-being.
New Year Retreat For Two From £369
The Scarlet Hotel & Spa, Cornwall
Filled with natural daylight the award-winning Scarlet hotel perches on the clifftops looking out over the golden sands of Mawgan Porth in North Cornwall.
The hotel has been cleverly designed so that almost wherever you are, you can enjoy far-reaching views of the beach and sea beyond.
The focus is on overall wellbeing, as opposed to a skin-deep approach, and Ayurvedic elements are woven throughout the treatments. Guests can relax in cocoon-like swinging pods after using facilities including an outdoor natural swimming pool, cliff top log-heated hot tubs and the ‘Get Messy’ mineral mud Rhassoul.
Classic Two Night Spa Break From £417
Wynyard Hall, County Durham
Surrounded by 150 acres of stunning historic parkland, Wynyard Hall is a striking four-star hotel situated in the heart of the Tees Valley. Boasting 19 individually designed rooms and suites, 5 elegant cottages and a tranquil lakeside spa, Wynyard Hall makes for an idyllic and revitalising escape. Highlights include The Wellington Restaurant and The Gardens – home to 3,000 dazzling roses.
The Spa at Wynyard Hall resides in the former Victorian boathouse. Nestled peacefully on the lake’s edge it’s the ideal setting to melt away stress and enjoy a relaxing spa day. Facilities include a thermal heat suite and outdoor hot tubs – with wonderful views of the lake. An extensive range of holistic treatments are on offer from celebrated British brand Temple Spa. Offering the latest anti-ageing and skin rejuvenation treatments, The Salon – on the first floor of the hotel – offers the latest high-tech treatments from CACI Synergy and Natura Bisse.
Valentines Spa Escape From £365