The Spa at Pennyhill Park

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 – look up and draw your own conclusions on the statement lighting. Pauline greeted us and handed us a spa bag containing a robe, two towels (one is never enough), flip-flops, a digital wrist-band for the lockers and a map to navigate all three floors (you’ll need it).

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, seven huge showers with all the 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 suitcase, winter coat, boots and handbag; store small valueables in the drawer insde. Male guests will find a brand-new sauna in their changing rooms.

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. There is also a very warm and bubbly indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool which is large enough for 15 people. Flower beds and large, raised flowerpots create splashes of colour around the pool area and beyond.

Indoors you’ll find the serene 25-metre ballroom pool with 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 salt steam inhalation room (recently refurbished), a gently heated, ladies’ only ‘blu room’, a hot steam room (they don't lie) and a herbal steam room. Phew. We loved the ‘men-aren’t-allowed-in-here’ 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.

We were invited to try anything on the menu but, after a long drive (and an even longer winter), went for a bulk standard – but no less brilliant – full body Spa Massage (60 minutes, £140).

My therapist, Katie, met me in the treatment waiting area and led me a spacious and cosy room called Cherry Adler. Katie asked me about any areas of tension (shoulders) and held up a towel so that I could get comfortable on the pre-warmed bed, lying face down.

Katie began the massage with a bear walk through a towel, beginning at my feet and ending at my thighs, before moving the towel down so that she could drizzle massage oil by Spa onto my back. The balancing combination of Ylang Ylang, Chamomile and Evening Primrose Oil had me relaxed in time.

Katie then used long, deep strokes to massage the oil into my skin, beginning at my lower back and ending at my shoulders, to which she paid particular attention. Katie then applied a cooling Cryo-Gel from Natura Bisse to my shoulders to encourage the residual build-up to melt. Finding tension in my calf muscles, Katie then spent time on the backs of my legs, releasing tension with long, upward strokes.

When asked to turn over, Katie raised the bed to take the pressure off my back. She expertly massaged the front of my legs, arms and scalp – always blissful – before leaving the room so that I could collect myself and re-robe.

Katie then led me to the deep relaxation room with its large bed (don’t fall asleep, Stylish Spy) and herbal teas before bidding me a charming farewell.

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, Comfort Zone and Natural Spa Factory. They also offer ‘recovery’ treatments for anyone dealing with cancer, make-up by Mii and nails by Jessica.

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, sea bream and 8oz sirloin steaks. There’s also a tempting selection of desserts created by Head Pastry Chef, Sarah Frankland (of Professional Bake Off fame) plus afternoon teas, wine and fizz.

We enjoyed a light and delicious five grain superfood salad with avocado, grilled halloumi, pine nuts, Quinoa, and a ginger and mint dressing. We offset this saintly choice with a devilish glass of NZ Sav Blanc. We returned later to try the afternoon tea with warm scones, jam and cream served with a pot of tea. It didn’t disappoint. 

If you’re staying overnight, don’t miss dinner at the re-branded Hillfield Brasserie bar and restaurant (previously The Brasserie). 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.

A menu of starters (think ham hock and sea trout) complements mains of venison Wellington, corn-fed chicken and steaks by the pound. We tucked into a succulent burger with crispy bacon and pungent cheddar served with shoe-string fries doused in paprika. This we paired with a glass of Pinot Noir.

Despite a dessert menu of profiteroles, pretty macarons and Hillfield’s own take on Jaffa Cakes, we had no option but to to throw in the towel.

We loved

The facilities: from outdoor pools and hot tubs to indoor pools playing underwater music – plus a whole host of steam rooms, saunas, plunge pools and foot baths – Pennyhill has not missed a trick.

The food: everything from our superfood salad to our hearty burger through to our breakfast of champions (where we spotted crispy Kale beside the scrambled eggs and bacon) was grub heaven.

Our room: As if the four-poster bed in ‘Snowdrop’ wasn’t enough, our bathroom had a high-tech yin-and-yang tub for two.

We didn’t love

Pennyhill’s popularity shows in its high footfall – come Monday through Friday for a quieter experience.

Couples: the outdoor pools, complete with rising steam and twinkling lights come dusk, have romance written all over them.

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

Girlfriends: we saw several girls telling the world (via Instagram, no doubt) that they were enjoying the hot tubs.

Yet again, 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 good range of treatments. As for the food: bingo.

Stylish Spy visited in February 2022 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.