The Spa at Pennyhill Park

First Impressions

Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa is set in 123 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside near Bagshot. The original house was built in 1849 and has been extended significantly - and sympathetically - since it became a hotel in 1972. It became part of the Exclusive Group of Hotels and Venues in 1981.

The Spa was built in 2003 and sits within its own 45,000 square foot ‘wing’ of the hotel, blending seamlessly with the outdoor thermal areas and pool.

What's on offer?

The spa reception area is spacious and bright with statement lighting. We were warmly welcomed and handed flip-flops and a digital wristband for the lockers – where super soft robes await – as well as a map to navigate all three floors of spa wonderland.

You’ll find the spa restaurant, Themis, on the left of reception, and a seating area with sofas and chairs on the right, overlooking the outdoor pools. Walk down the corridor to the changing rooms, which are unusually large and well-equipped with plenty of private cubicles, several benches, piles of fresh fluffy towels and robes, seven huge showers with all the heavenly-scented Comfort Zone amenities you could wish for, a double swing seat (why not?) and two round vanity areas with Dyson hairdryers and tongs. Mention must be made of the lockers which were spacious enough for our winter coat, boots and handbag; store small valuables in the drawer inside. Male guests will find a sauna in their changing rooms.

From here, head downstairs for the outdoor facilities, which lie in a natural valley between the main hotel and the spa – you will have seen the pools glimmering temptingly on your way to the spa wing. Here you will find an 18-metre heated outdoor pool surrounded by loungers. There are comfortable seating areas with tables tucked between lavender beds, all protected by white parasols and sails on sunny days. The poolside café offers drinks, snacks or more substantial meals: poolside spa butlers will serve you in the warmer months, so you don’t need to lift a finger.

The three warm Canadian hot tubs stand out with their statement black marble: there are two for couples and one for a group of four (these were closed for maintenance on our visit) There is also a very warm and bubbly indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool which is large enough for 15 people.

Indoors you’ll find the serene 25-metre ballroom pool with fiberoptic lighting and underwater music, a raised hot tub to one side and comfortable loungers along the windows facing the outdoor pools. Make sure you carve out enough time to experience ‘thermal heaven: 11 experience rooms including two foot-spas, a Tepidarium with nine heated beds, a dry heat sauna with floor-to-ceiling-glass walls, two fragrant circular steam rooms (one scented with rose and jasmine, the other with menthol), a warm Laconium, a gently heated, ladies’ only ‘blu room’, a hot steam room and a herbal steam room. Phew. We loved the rose-scented steam room with its dusky pink mosaic tiles and alcove-style seating. Couples can get hot and dirty (stop it) in the mud room.

Cool down in the spacious ice igloo, brave the drench bucket, drop into the deep plunge pool or try the three experience showers.

There’s also a relaxation room with a semi-circle of loungers, and a candle-lit post-treatment sensory room with six round wicker beds and a large double bed with cushions and duvets to keep you snuggly warm.

Want to work out? Use the new equipment in the large gym – which can be linked to an app for tracking progress – take a class in the studio or play tennis on the court beside the pool.

Tell us about the treatments

We tried the Comfort Zone Aromasoul Body Ritual (120 minutes, £285).

My therapist, Thembi, met me in the spa reception area and led me up the stairs to one of 23 treatment rooms. Thembi talked me through the treatment, asking about my areas of concern, before leaving me to disrobe, pop on some paper knickers and lay face down on the heated bed.

The epic treatment commenced with three deep inhalations of the Mediterranean-scented oil and a welcome foot cleanse. Thembi commenced the exfoliating body scrub with firm strokes on my back, legs and arms, before applying a moisturising wrap over the top.

Turning on to my back, Thembi continued the scrub-cum-wrap combo on the front of my body, before swaddling me in a heated blanket. Thembi then commenced a heavenly pressure point head massage. By this point any tension melted away and my brain had switched off.

Next, Thembi left the room so I could hop off the bed and shower off the scrub. Back on the bed, lying face down, it was time for the balancing Aromasoul Elements massage. Thembi used a combination of vigorous movements and long strokes to energise and soothe my whole body. As she paid close attention to the knots in my neck and shoulders, I knew I was in confident hands.

Turning onto my back, Thembi continued the massage on the front of my body, taking in my legs, arms, stomach and ending back at my head and neck. She applied a cooling muscle gel to soothe my shoulders and neck and gently brought me back round.

Thembi explained I would likely be quite dehydrated as the treatment is detoxing and advised to drink plenty of fluids. She led me along the corridor to the relaxation room where I clambered into a giant egg-shaped chair and sipped my water; my skin felt silky smooth and body and mind blissful.

The Spa at Pennyhill Park offers a wide range of facials, massages, scrubs, wraps, manicures, pedicures, beauty treatments and holistic therapies from spa heroes Natura Bisse and Comfort Zone. They also offer ‘recovery’ treatments for anyone dealing with cancer, make-up by Mii and nails by Jessica.

Food Facts

Themis is the large, bright café/restaurant next to the spa reception where you can feast in your robe. It serves a selection of fresh, healthy dishes whilst catering to dietary requirements. Nibbles, wraps and sandwiches all feature on the menu, alongside mains such as super food salads, Surrey charcuterie board and poached Pollock. There’s also a tempting selection of desserts, plus afternoon teas, wine and fizz.

We feasted on two small plates: chargrilled halloumi with caramelized peach salad along with grilled asparagus with poached Chapel Farm egg, paired with a glass of Ridgeview Sparkling wine. Our spa partner tucked into the Buttermilk chicken burger washed down with a delicious Dorking Brewey Surrey XPA. Tempted by the desserts, we made light work of the Hillfield Jaffa cake.

If you’re staying overnight, don’t miss dinner at the Hillfield Brasserie bar and restaurant. We loved the fresh palette of spring greens and whimsical woodland wallpaper; grab a seat by the window for pool views. This restaurant prides itself on being hyper-local, with everything sourced – where possible – from Surrey.

We tucked into a delicious Kombu marinated Chalk Stream trout to start, followed by Nose to tail Hill House Farm Pork tenderloin and belly served with black pudding croquette and mash for mains. Our spa partner plumped for the Barracks Farm beef tartare, followed by Devonshire duck; our squeaky clean plates a clear indication of the noteworthy food.

Loosening our belts, we ordered the Hillfield Baked Alaska and two spoons. It arrived at the table in ceremonious fashion; a generous pour of Amaretto and a light of flame, the Italian meringue toasted in front of us. Inside, the roast almond ice cream and plum sorbet hit the sweet spot.

We loved / we didn't love

We loved

The facilities: after trying out every sauna, steam and laconium in sight – interspersed with cold plunge pool dips - we had the whole indoor pool to ourselves; after a few laps we floated on our backs listening to the underwater music – heaven.

The super-luxe treatments are superb (and have been every single time we’ve visited) with therapists that really know their stuff.

Our newly refurbished room (Sweetpea): was a thing of wonder: the comfiest bed this Spa Spy has slept in, his and her side-by-side baths and, up a flight of stairs, an in-room pool table (yes, you read that right).

We didn’t love

Having to leave: Pennyhill is one for the spa bucket list.

Who do you think would like it?

Couples who spa together, stay together; Pennyhill has date night covered - bubble in the hydropool, book a Mud Experience for Two and finish with a slap-up feast in the Hillfield Brasserie.

Rugby fans: the English rugby team train here – you might well catch a glimpse of them during your stay.

Besties: we saw several robe-clad girls catching up poolside, frozen Margaritas in hand.

What bubble rating did you awards this spa?

We awarded The Spa at Pennyhill Park our highest Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its extensive water and heat facilities, professional yet friendly staff and high-end treatments. It really is a spa lovers’ playground. 

Scarlet Spy visited in November 2024 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.