Pennyhill Park an Exclusive Hotel & Spa

Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa is set in 123 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside near Bagshot and Camberley. 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 which blends seamlessly with the outdoor thermal areas and pool.

The Spa reception area, which you reach via a walkway, is spacious, light and bright. Here you can collect your spa bag with your robe, flip-flops and access card for the facilities. The Spa restaurant is on the left and a seating area with sofas and chairs on the right overlooking the outdoor pools. Relax here and order drinks and snacks.

Head downstairs to the changing rooms which are impressively large, well-equipped and very clean. There are plenty of private cubicles, several benches for belongings, large lockers, piles of fresh fluffy towels, huge showers, a double swinging seat and vanity areas with Dyson hairdryers and tongs.  There were up to 30 people in the changing room when we visited, but it didn’t feel crowded.

The outdoor facilities 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 outdoor pool which is cool enough for swimming and 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, 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 hydrotherapy pool which you swim out to from the indoor spa and is large enough for 15 people. Flower beds and large, raised flowerpots create splashes of colour around the pool area and beyond.

Indoors is the 25-metre ballroom pool with a raised hot tub to one side and loungers along the windows facing the outdoor pools. In the thermal suite, you will find two foot spas, a tepidarium with nine heated, mosaic-tiled beds and a dry heat sauna with floor-to-ceiling-glass walls. There are two fragrant circular steam rooms; one scented with roses and jasmine. and one scented with menthol, a warm tiled laconium, a gently heated ‘blue room’ and a further hot steam room.  

Cool down in the spacious ice igloo or try the ice bucket that pours freezing cold water over your head – if you dare! For the less adventurous there are three experience showers.

The treatment and relaxation rooms are at the far end of the facilities. You’ll need to head back upstairs and along a winding corridor. There’s comfortable seating in the pre-treatment waiting room, the light relaxation room has a semi-circle of loungers, and the candle-lit post-treatment sensory room has six gel beds with cushions and duvets to keep you warm.

The 23 treatment rooms are on the first floor of the spa wing. Fruit flavoured water or tea is available in the cosy treatment reception area with comfy seating. I had The Spa Massage (60 mins, from £105).

My therapist, Jade, led me to a large treatment room which was warm and lit by candles. Jade began with a massage on my shoulders and back, instantly making me so relaxed I almost fell asleep. The first 30 minutes of the treatment felt like 10. I turned over for Jade to massage the front of my legs, arms, neck and shoulders. She finished off with a head massage. It was a sensational experience and I emerged rejuvenated.  

Jade recommended that I allow 30 minutes before doing anything strenuous, and suggested I drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. She led me along the corridor to the dark post-treatment Sensory Room with waterbeds, warm blankets and twinkling lights in the ceiling. It was totally silent and an ideal place to gather my thoughts.

My spa partner had the Natura Bisse Citrus Essence Facial (60 minutes, from £110) which uses the C+C range, designed for sun-damaged and dehydrated skin. She was hooked from the get-go as her therapist sprayed the room with the C+C Splash, a burst of tangerine scent. The facial comprised of cleansing, toning, two masks -- the C+C Tolerance Enzyme Peel Mask and C + C Souffle Mask -- and ended with the Diamond White SPF50 cream. When we met after, her lines had completely vanished and the sun protection cream which was lightly tinted looked like a perfect foundation. Her skin glowed.

The Spa at Pennyhill Park offers a wide range of facials, massages, scrubs, muds, wraps, manicures, pedicures, beauty treatments and holistic therapies. They also offer ‘recovery’ treatments for anyone dealing with a long-term illness including cancer.

Themis is the large, bright café/restaurant next to the spa reception where you can eat in your robe.   It serves a selection of fresh, healthy, organic dishes, including vegetarian and vegan dishes, and will cater to dietary requirements. A gourmet salad bar sits alongside dishes such as swordfish steak, chicken quinoa salad, tiger prawn noodles or sandwiches. There are also home-baked cakes and puddings if you wish to indulge, plus afternoon teas, wine and fizz.

We had a delicious brunch of smoked salmon and scrambled egg with soda bread followed by fruit salad and freshly squeezed orange juice.

That evening we enjoyed dinner at The Brasserie a delightfully chic space with grey upholstered dining chairs, porcelain chandeliers and stained-glass windows overlooking the gardens. If you’re indulging, try fine dining at the Michelin-starred The Latymer.

We loved

The luxurious, well-equipped changing rooms: We especially loved the huge marble showers and Dyson hairdryers.

The Ballroom pool: Grand and Art Deco inspired, the pool calm and peaceful on the day we visited. We enjoyed the gentle colours from fibre optic lighting.

The thermal rooms: The scent of roses from the steam rooms permeates the indoor facilities, and the design gives a feeling of space and discovery as you wander through.

Our spacious and comfortable hotel suite.

We didn’t love

A spa of this size may feel busy at peak times. If you want to enjoy it in peace try to visit on a weekday.

Couples: The marble and cream decor is unisex and the hotel and grounds are very romantic.

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

Groups of friends: There are plenty of sociable spaces to enjoy at Pennyhill Park.

Once again we awarded The Spa at Pennyhill Park the highest Good Spa Guide rating of 5 Bubble Luxury. The spa has extensive water and heat facilities, the customer service is very good and you can choose from a good range of treatments. The food is great, too.

Suave Spy visited in July 2019 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.