Solent Hotel and Spa

Tucked into a pocket of Hampshire woodland between Southampton and Portsmouth, this recently renovated spa pairs seriously good Temple Spa treatments with a breezy, Solent-inspired sense of calm

First Impressions

Just off the M27 and a stone's throw from Whiteley, The Solent Hotel & Spa sits in a quiet woodland setting, screened from the outside world by mature trees.

The hotel itself is traditional - think wood panelling and a handsome feature staircase - but the spa is a different beast: light, airy, contemporary, and fresh from a six-figure facelift that's given it a coastal-inspired look. On our sunny July visit, natural light poured through expansive glass, with open doors letting a gentle breeze drift through.

Parking is complimentary - simply scan a barcode at spa reception once you've parked up in the main car park.

What's on offer?

Walk through the main hotel entrance, past reception and you’ll find the spa at the end of the corridor on your left. Spa check-in takes place at the bright health club reception, which overlooks the main pool through glass, with Temple Spa products lining the retail shelves. We were handed an impressively thorough consultation form, plus a menu to pre-order our spa lunch, before being settled into the lounge.

The changing rooms are clean and fresh with bright blue subway tiles, pops of orange and wooden benches by which to change. For the modest, there’s three private cubicles, along with two loos. Six rainforest showers are stocked with full-size Temple Spa shampoo, conditioner and body wash - you’ll also find a costume dryer and a vanity area with bright Hollywood mirrors, hairdryers and straighteners.

A rubber wristband operates your locker (there's a reader to remind you of your number if it slips your mind), where plush grey robes, brown towels and slippers await.

The centrepiece is the 13-metre indoor pool, set beneath a wood-beamed ceiling; comfortable bench seating lines the waters edge; a trio of seaside inspired artwork hangs above. As well as a dedicated lap lane, there’s an elevated jacuzzi at one end, offering fine views over the whole spa. Children's swim times are restricted, keeping the pool a bit more tranquil between 11am and 3pm. You'll find tables, chairs and loungers dotted near the thermal suite.

The thermal facilities were a standout. The Storm Shower is an invigorating walk-through of colourful light therapy, cool blue mists and warm tropical downpours; the beautifully designed Salt Sauna toasts at 70-80 degrees; and the Steam Room - our favourite - envelops you in a deeply relaxing, menthol-infused steam.

Doors open directly onto the sun-drenched outdoor terrace with sunbeds and two private cabanas (bookable at £75 for three hours, including a glass of Prosecco for two and a guided meditation). Beyond, an extended lawn of deckchairs and sunloungers unfurls into the hotel gardens, served by the Meadow Bar - a tranquil spot to read, sunbathe or sip something chilled on a sunny day.

Couples take note: a secluded private outdoor hot tub sits on the terrace of the dual treatment room and can be pre-booked for £60 per couple for an hour, with a glass of Prosecco included. Wonderfully private, it makes the perfect prelude to a side-by-side treatment.

The relaxation room, set away from the main health club, is light, airy and inviting, with five beds and four sofa chairs in soothing greys and beiges, blankets on hand, and doors left open to the gardens. Refreshments include dried fruits, brownies and a truly divine homemade flapjack, while the hydration station just outside is stocked with cucumber-infused iced water, fresh fruit, coffee and Suki herbal teas. We found it very hard to leave.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the signature Temple Spa Ultimate Glow (80 minutes, £121).

My therapist, Jo, began with the most in-depth consultation I have ever experienced - talking through my daily skincare routine, the products I use and what I wanted from the treatment, so everything could be tailored precisely to me.

Lying face down on the bed, the treatment commenced with an aromatic exfoliation with Temple Spa's Mediterranean body scrub. This was followed by a firm, tension-melting massage with relaxing essential oils and warm Himalayan salt stones, Jo checking the pressure as she went.

Turning onto my back, it was time for the All About The Glow facial: a high-intensity, 10-step, 'facial gym' workout. A deep dual cleanse prepped the skin before the Most Revealing oxygenating bubble peel fizzed away dead skin cells; a potent Vitamin C serum followed, worked in with a cleansing brush and Temple Spa's sculpting tool to lift and contour. A cooling peel-off alginate mask locked everything in, before the finale: Skin Truffle moisturiser - laced with black summer truffles, champagne extract and gold peptides. Jo finished the treatment with a slick of Windows of the Soul eye cream to de-puff and smooth.

The result? My skin was remarkably soft, smooth and glowing for hours, with lifting and contouring effects so pronounced my face looked positively sculpted. Impressive.

Sweet Stay

We stayed in one of the hotel's signature rooms: compact but airy and cleverly laid out. The feather-print feature wall in soft greys and teals, a teal headboard, and ocean-inspired artwork on the walls nodded to its Solent locale.

It's the little touches that steal the show here - the hotel's own mantra of 'small details, BIG difference' rings true. Expect a Lavazza coffee machine, homemade lemon shortbread and the sweetest black drawstring bag, containing an eye mask, ear plugs and a White Company relaxing sleep spray. This, and the super comfy beds, ensured a proper night’s sleep for us. 

Food Facts

Our two-course spa lunch was served in Fyr, the hotel's flagship restaurant, where we bagged a spot in the bright conservatory opening onto the terrace. The aesthetic is best described as 'marine meets country': warm browns and creams, abundant potted greenery, and an entrance corridor of boats and lighthouses leading past an impressive glass-fronted wine cellar.

We started with a generously portioned prawn cocktail, presented in a bronze metal martini glass, while our spa partner enjoyed the chipolatas. For mains, the chicken Caesar salad was flavourful and refreshingly light for a warm summer's day; our spa partner's classic club sandwich went down equally well. You can upgrade to three courses for just £5, though two proved plenty. A bottle of delightfully light rosé Prosecco was the perfect accompaniment.

Come evening, we headed to the onsite pub, The Parson's Collar - and we'd highly recommend you do the same. Set apart from the main hotel, it feels entirely its own venue, with a fantastic, lively atmosphere (the World Cup was playing on our visit). Despite the buzz, service was swift and our stone-baked pizzas and truffle fries were exceptional.

We loved

The Ultimate Glow treatment: true to its name, this exceeded every expectation - immediate, visible lifting and radiance that give cosmetic enhancements a run for their money, delivered by the wonderfully knowledgeable Jo. An absolute must-book.

The private hot tub: secluded, celebratory and superb value at £60 for two including fizz - the perfect precursor to a dual treatment.

The small details: from glass bottles for 'proper milk' and the hidden sleep-well kit to takeaway coffee cups and the cleverly fixed room key, the bedroom touches genuinely set this hotel apart.

WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded The Solent Hotel & Spa a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubbles for its outstanding Temple Spa treatments, freshly renovated thermal facilities, thoughtful private hot tub and cabana experiences, exceptional food and those memorable touches in the bedroom.

We visited in July 2026 and awarded it 5 Bubbles.