Top 8 Spa Hotels
When it comes to truly switching off, nothing beats the indulgence of a luxurious spa hotel. Whether craving a peaceful countryside hotel or a chic city escape, a spa break is the perfect way to rejuvenate both body and mind. I’ve handpicked eight of the best spa hotels, each offering something unique, from state-of-the-art wellness facilities to tranquil treatments inspired by nature. These are places where you can step away from the every day, relax in style, and leave feeling utterly transformed. So, whether you’re planning a solo escape, a romantic getaway, or a weekend with friends, these spa hotels promise a dose of pure bliss.
Sustainability
Whatley Manor, UK
Whatley Manor is a pioneering gem heralding the title of the UK's first climate-positive hotel. They pledge to achieve 95% reduction to net zero carbon emissions for Scope 1 & 2 for their energy use by 2028 and to achieve 90% emissions reduction for Scope 3 for their supply chain compared with 2019, by 2035.
Exuding an aura of understated luxury, this exclusive country house hotel and spa, housed within an 18th-century Grade II-listed building in Wiltshire, promises an indulgent escape for discerning adults looking for a pampering break. With just 23 elegant rooms and suites, you’re treated to an intimate ambience where every need is anticipated with utmost care, from the delicious homemade brownies in the rooms to the complimentary bicycles inviting you to explore the surrounding countryside. Spacious bathrooms are plastic-free free and Molton Brown products are bottled in ceramic jars, removing 26,000 plastic bottles from the hotel - the first hotel to work with Molton Brown in this way. Culinary excellence takes centre stage at Whatley Manor with two distinguished restaurants: the gastronomic Michelin Star Dining Room and the inviting Grey’s which is open every day of the week.
However, it’s the award-winning Aquarias Spa that many find is the main draw where the experience starts the moment you walk in. Work out in the small, yet perfectly formed gym equipped with Technogym machines and for moments of blissful relaxation head to the spa with the indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool where you can be pummelled and massaged under warm water and enjoy neck massage jets and air bench inside or outside with views onto the garden. The luxurious thermal suite includes a relaxation room (tepidarium) with heated beds, salt scrub showers and various heated options, including Calidarium, Steam Grotto, Laconium and Infrared Sauna. There’s a tempting menu of rejuvenating treatments from Sothys enjoyed on treatment beds that are wide and heated encouraging deep relaxation. New from Sothys for 2024 is the Illuminating Facial which targets and treats all types of dark spots. At the heart of this treatment lies organic White nettle extract (patent pending), inspired by the Jardins Sothys™ and derived from Sothys Advanced research. This 6-step treatment provides a triple solution: dark spots, hydration, and an even complexion.
Whatley Manor partners with NOW and EarthCheck to verify and audit its sustainability measures, whilst funding climate action by investing in a Cookstove Projects in Kenya and purchasing high-quality carbon credits certified by Gold Standard. The hotel is committed to achieving Climate Positive each year, marking a significant step on its journey to net zero.
Regeneration and Renewal
The Original FX Mayr Clinic, Austria
The Original FX Mayr Clinic, Austria
The Original FX Mayr Clinic, renowned for pioneering the Mayr cure since 1976, continues to lead in modern Mayr medicine, holistic health prevention, body-mind balance, and revitalisation. The clinic showcases two groundbreaking health programmes: Mayr Med Diagnostics and Mayr Med Detox. These programmes elevate holistic health care, ensuring optimal well-being through tailored seven-day (or longer) stays. Discover the future of wellness at The Original FX Mayr Clinic
Women’s Wellness
Preidlhof, Italy
The Women’s Retreat at Preidlhof is highly tailored to the individual and very much for women who need support with menopause – but also those in perimenopause and at different milestones in life. This transformative experience is designed to empower and rejuvenate all women.
This retreat is ideal for retreaters of all experience levels and aims to create an unforgettable milestone in your life. Embrace adventure, cultivate gratitude, and ignite the energy of your heart as you embark on a week of self-discovery and renewal.
Experience engaging classes and receive guidance from exceptional therapists, fostering a mindset shift centred on the joy of being alive and embracing womanhood. Through a blend of healing modalities and wellness practices, you’ll empower yourself to define your path with a special focus on regenerative, soothing wellness.
The Holistic Classes are reserved exclusively for Retreat guests and integrate with the work of the healers and therapists. They unlock innate and natural self-healing powers by means of sound yoga, mindful eating & sensory analysis, dance, yoga nidra, holistic movement and postural gym. There is also mindfulness, sensorial eating, forest bathing, barefoot meditation, laughter yoga, Doa Yin yoga, cosmetic rejuvenation, and cleansing rituals with alpine herbs. Flow Rope is an exciting new addition for 2024, a mobility class utilising ropes to promote rhythm, coordination between the left and right brain and to attune with the flow.
These classes add the playful touch or expand the sensorial experience necessary to keep the balance between hedonic and eudaemonic wellbeing.
Hedonic healthy eating lies at the heart of the Preidlhof experience: spa food that is flavour-packed and nutritious, without deprivation. ‘The Preidlhof Way’ aims to revitalise the pleasure factor in the eating experience, train the senses, promote perception and body awareness, and achieve longer-lasting health benefits.
This transformative journey celebrates the power and resilience of womanhood. It offers a holistic approach to wellness and self-discovery. The journey lasts six days and is complemented by a seven-night stay, priced at €1,523 per person.
Best All-Rounder Spa
Beaverbrook, UK
Hidden amidst the picturesque Surrey Hills, Beaverbrook, once owned by the esteemed newspaper magnate, Lord Beaverbrook, epitomises refined luxury in the countryside. Stepping onto its grounds, you’re embraced by a sense of history and stylish contemporary flair, a testament to Susie Atkinson's visionary designs from Soho House. This exclusive country house hotel extends a warm invitation to couples, friends, and families, offering many delights within its stunning spa, choice of restaurants, and magnificent grounds.
The Coach House Spa is a masterpiece conceived by renowned glass artist Brian Clarke. Vibrant stained-glass windows and intricate tilework create a haven of colourful tranquillity, offering a sanctuary for rejuvenating treatments complemented by flowing water channels. Beaverbrook believes in a holistic, natural, and nurturing approach to wellness, and in addition to the treatment rooms, there’s a steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, and hammam. Light floods in through Brian Clarke’s stained glass, hitting the wide, heated treatment beds, enhancing the experience and healing process.
Meanwhile, the Health Club boasts resplendent indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a deli serving nourishing superfood salads and invigorating juices, and a spacious, cutting-edge gym (with Pilates reformers) for those looking to stretch out and keep up with their fitness.
The Meadow Hut is where the Vibrational Sound Bodywork journey begins with a cleansing smudging session using sage and rosemary to purify the body. You’re then immersed in a transformative sound bathing ritual featuring chimes, Tibetan bowls, gongs, and occasionally tuning forks, designed to soothe and rejuvenate both body and mind. Dating back to ancient civilisations, sound and music have been revered not just for their recreational value, but also for their healing properties, offering a profound sense of balance, stress reduction, mood enhancement, and even relief from physical pain. The culmination of this treatment is a bespoke biodynamic full-body massage, expertly tailored to your individual needs using a selection of Coach House essential oils. This holistic approach combines the therapeutic power of music and sound with the nurturing essence of nature, leaving you feeling deeply relaxed and revitalised. Experience the transformative synergy of music, sound, and nature, and emerge from your session feeling renewed, reconnected and reinvigorated.
There are several dining options, however, for discerning foodies, the Japanese Grill, affectionately known as the ‘Nobu of Surrey,’ promises an exciting culinary journey, with a selection of sushi, sashimi, and nigiri complemented by the finest cuts of meat and fish.
Luxurious rooms and suites are spread across the main house, coach house, and The Village, each exuding classical elegance and charm. Expect pampering touches such as indulgent roll-top baths, Bamford products, crisp bed linens, and thoughtful attention to detail, including complimentary minibars, sloe gin, Frette bathrobes, and turn-down service. Children are enchanted with the Sharky & George kid's club, extensive woodlands to explore, a whimsical treehouse, and a playground. Impeccable service at Beaverbrook ensures a seamless experience from check-in to room service, where requests are met with warmth and efficiency, promising an unforgettable escape amidst the idyllic Surrey countryside.
Best Signature Treatment
Vila Vita Parc, Portugal
Just 40 minutes west of Faro, Vila Vita Parc, is a rejuvenating 5-star beachside hotel spread over 55 acres of landscaped gardens and waterfalls. Couples come here for a pampering and revitalising retreat, and families come here for a sophisticated all-singing, all-dancing holiday. Eight pools are spread across the estate including heated baby pools and a large indoor pool; some of them have swim-up pool bars serving an exotic selection of healthy smoothies, milkshakes and non-alcoholic cocktails. Adults can rest easy in the knowledge that the most striking pool in the resort is for adults only. As well as understanding the importance of being active Vila Vita values the importance of relaxing and unwinding. Located in its own building, the VILA VITA Spa by Sisley Paris (the only Sisley spa outside of France) offers a range of wellbeing therapies and beauty treatments. At the World Spa Awards VILA VITA Spa by Sisley Paris received two accolades, one Best Signature Treatment in the World and the other Best Spa Resort in Portugal.
State-Of-The-Art
The Well Spa and Hotel, Norway
The Well, Sauna
Since its opening, The Well, a place of deep inspiration, has redefined the spa experience in Scandinavia, becoming a leading destination for those seeking the ultimate in relaxation and wellness. With a commitment to excellence in service and facilities, The Well continues to innovate and elevate the standards of spa and wellness offerings. The Well, Northern Europe’s largest and most luxurious spa and wellness centre, invites you to discover an oasis of tranquillity and rejuvenation just outside Oslo. It boasts state-of-the-art facilities including 11 pools, 15 saunas and steam rooms, Japanese onsen, Moroccan hammam, and Finnish sauna. Each element is meticulously crafted to provide a unique and immersive escape from the stresses of daily life. The Well sets a new standard for spa experiences in Northern Europe.
Family
Four Seasons, Bali
Four Seasons has launched two distinct Balinese experiences: the jungle retreat of Four Seasons Sayan near Ubud, and the beachfront paradise of Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay.
Four Seasons Sayan offers family-friendly, romantic, and wellness-oriented stays amidst the central highlands, featuring spacious suites and villas, private rafting, biking tours, and holistic treatments at the Sacred River Spa. Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay boasts all-villa accommodations cascading to the Indian Ocean, an onsite Cooking Academy, surfing tours, and the newly launched Healing Village Spa. As part of its evolving vision, the spa empowers you to proactively approach your health by introducing innovative technologies such as 3D body scanners, infrared Flex Beam, and Therabody Vibration. The Sacred River Spa, nestled in the tranquil Ayung River Valley, has unveiled a stunning new design this summer. Enhanced treatments and experiences, inspired by the natural beauty of its surroundings, will elevate the spa’s offerings. You can look forward to an immersive wellness journey that harmonises with the biophilic essence of the river valley.
Boutique Spa
Riad de Tarabel, Morocco
An unnamed simple wooden door, in the Dar El Bacha district of the Marrakech medina, hides the stylish and immaculate interiors of Riad de Tarabel. Once inside you’re transported into a fairy tale of enchantment and wonder with interiors that only the French can conjure up; gentle palettes of greys, softly lit candelabra and large paintings carefully positioned around the riad all give you the feeling of being cocooned in luxury. The spa, Les Bains de Tarabel, is a world of its own and its hidden entrance is accessed through a gilded mirror. The feeling of serenity and relaxation spreads over the two light-filled floors and the aromas of orange blossom and eucalyptus fill the air. The double hammam is where you should head to first to experience the traditional Moroccan ritual followed by a relaxing or invigorating massage on wide, heated beds. Only the best organic products from Moroccan Aromatherapy brand Nectarome ensure the best sensual spa experience in the medina—one of my favourite places to stay in Marrakech.